Pick 6: Lee, Adams stumble out of the gate

All I can say after the opening week is misery appreciates company.

Sam Adams and yours truly picked the same teams to win and we both stubbed our toes – maybe broke our toes is a better description – going 3-3.

In our defense, we expected competitive games across the board. Still, we stunk.

Let’s hope it was an aberration.

Gonzaga Prep at Bellarmine Prep (San Jose, California), Friday, 7

Lee: First, this isn’t the Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma that G-Prep has played from time to time in recent years. These are the Bells of San Jose, California. A search of the Internet reveals this is a good program. The Bells beat Folsom in 2014. Folsom is the team that has beaten CdA each of the past two years. But this is now and the Bullpups will fare well on another long road trip, most of which will be handled through the air (read plane, not passing). G-Prep learned its going to be a very good team last week. The Bullpups also learned where they must shore up some things. Friday will be a good first step. G-Prep 32-27.

Adams: The Bullpup Tour ’17 continues this weekend after a dramatic overtime loss at Husky Stadium last week. The ‘Pups will visit a Bellarmine Prep squad that has staged back-to-back comeback wins to start the season – the latest coming in a dramatic win last weekend at San Jose City College. It’s clear G-Prep has the offensive weapons to keep up with Bellarmine, but do the Pups have the defense to ring the Bells’ bells? I think so. G-Prep 31-28.

Lakeside at Shadle Park, Friday, Albi, 5:30

Lee: Lakeside had a nice opening win and the Highlanders, despite losing to West Valley, will be fine in time. Shadle takes a good step in that direction. Shadle 33-20.

Adams: The Highlanders got burned by upstart West Valley in its opener last week. Now they face a Lakeside defense that intercepted six Bonners Ferry passes last week, and saw Drew Schuler bust off runs of 83 and 58 yards. Lakeside has had a penchant for the big play, and the Eagles will need a few more to start the season 2-0 with a win at Joe Albi Stadium. Lakeside 34-27.

Central Valley at Lake City, Friday, 7

Lee: The revolving quarterback situation that CV coach Ryan Butner anticipated is now down to one. For the second year in a row, Matt Gabbert suffered a broken collarbone. Now the job belongs to speedy dual-threat athlete Grant Hannan. LC is struggling. Against good teams LC is finding it can’t match up athlete to athlete. Unfortunately for the T-Wolves this is another mismatch. CV 38-13.

Adams: In the interest of full disclosure, I can never seem to figure out Lake City – at least in the last couple of years. Every time I pick against them, they win. If I pick them to win, they lose. Check the records. Greg will tell you: When I zig, the Timberwolves zag. With that in mind, I’m picking CV. With Gabbert sidelined, it’s up to Hannan to direct this offense. The kid can flat-out run, and the Bears defense looked solid against CdA in their season opener. CV 21-14.

West Valley at Colville, Friday, 7

Lee: This could be worth the price of admission. WV scored a nice opening win over Shadle and Colville won on the road at Lakeland. This WV team has a workman-like attitude. That will serve the Eagles well. WV 32-21.

Adams: This is a great 2A-1A matchup and is a great test for Colville. The Indians looked great in a 35-7 win in Rathdrum against Idaho 4A Lakeland, and will have to play up against a WV squad that thumped Shadle Park. Blake Transue is the real deal at quarterback, accounting for five touchdowns and nearly 300 yards of total offense last week. If he can continue to get it done in the air and on the ground, the Eagles should be able to pull out a victory. WV 31-24.

Post Falls at University, Friday, 7

Lee: The Trojans are off and running. The Titans had an impressive opening victory over Sandpoint, which got handled the week before by Post Falls. The Trojans continue to romp Friday. PF 34-17.

Adams: There’s something afoot at Post Falls, where the Trojans have scored 110 points in their first two games out of the gate. The win over Sandpoint got our attention, but the shootout win over Mead surprised everyone – except the Trojans. Now let’s see what QB Nate Buer, RB Braden Vaughan and company can do against a very game Titans team at U-Hi. PF 42-28.

Mead at Coeur d’Alene, Friday, 7

Lee: The Vikings would win in a blowout if QB Colson Yankoff started and was at 100 percent. CdA gave up some yards and points through the air last week. So Mead should have opportunity to move the ball. The Panthers couldn’t stop Post Falls last week. So even if CdA must continue to play its backups at QB, the Viks should move the ball as well. CdA 32-27.

Adams: The Panthers were hoping to turn over a new leaf with a brand-new defense and coordinator, but were roasted for 54 points in a season-opening loss against Post Falls. If that was a test for the defense, consider this the final exam. Offenses don’t get much more potent than the one CdA will showcase in its home opener. Without Yankoff – still on the mend from offseason meniscus surgery – the Vikings should prevail against a Mead team that I think will be much improved from Week 1. CdA 50-42.