Pick 6: League races, like our picks, are getting close as the season winds down

Perhaps the overworked and underpaid preps writer should spend less time waxing philosophical or theoretical and more time looking at the games ahead of him.

The debonair and charming TV anchor picked up another game as a result of his 4-2 week. We both missed out on the two big GSL games, but Sam predicted Odessa’s big 1B win last week to edge me out.

After six weeks, I have 25 and Sam is at 24. Doesn’t get any closer.

As always, these predictions are for recreational purposes only. Please don’t bet on high school football.

Gonzaga Prep (4-2, 2-0) vs. Mead (4-2, 2-0), Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Nichols: Late game at Albi. Here’s where we start to sort out the top of the 4A. G-Prep routed Central Valley using a bruising ground game behind now-healthy quarterback Connor Halonen. Mead is coming off a somewhat surprising down week in a loss to injury-riddled Mt. Spokane. GP 28-20.

Adams: After being shut out for a fifth consecutive quarter, G-Prep woke up from its autumnal slumber to reel off 35 unanswered points against CV. While I’m reluctant to say the Bullpups are back to playing at a high level, I believe they’re playing their best football of the season. GP 28-20.

University (4-2, 0-2) vs. Lewis and Clark (6-0, 2-0), Thursday at 4:45

Nichols: The No. 7 Tigers haven’t been limited to fewer than 31 points all season. U-Hi sneaked past Shadle Park 14-13 last week and receiver Kye Duplessis is one of the most dangerous players in the league. LC 38-21.

Adams: LC hasn’t been challenged since beating CV on the road a month ago. Now comes a tough finishing stretch that features U-Hi in the early Albi game, then Mead and G-Prep. I think LC will block out the noise. LC 35-21.

Ferris (4-2, 0-2) at Central Valley (3-3, 0-2), 7 p.m.

Nichols: Is CV in danger of missing the district playoffs after playing in a state semifinal last season? Very much so. CV looked lost on offense in its blowout loss to G-Prep last week. The Saxons have quick-strike capability with Jack Clavel throwing to Brock Bozett. CV 24-21.

Adams: Both teams are desperate for wins. The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine continued for CV, but it’s worth noting the Bears haven’t lost back-to-back regular-season games since 2014. I don’t think that will happen at home. CV 31-21.

Pullman (5-1, 2-0) at West Valley (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.

Nichols: The Eagles have been ranked all season, this week coming in at No. 6. They’ve given up more than two touchdowns just once this season, and they routed Idaho 4A Lakeland last week behind Matthew Allen’s 135 yards and two touchdowns. This is the week we find out if Pullman is for real. WV 38-14.

Adams: Who knew that Pullman, West Valley and Cheney would be a combined 16-2 this deep? The winner of this one sets up a de facto GNL championship game against Cheney. I think the Greyhounds pull it off on the road. Pullman 38-14.

Newport (5-0, 3-0) at Colville (4-2, 3-0), 7 p.m.

Nichols: The Grizzlies enter play ranked No. 3 in 1A and win by an average of more than 40 points. Danny Bradbury carried 29 times for 200 yards with six touchdowns last week. Colville, led by quarterback John Knight, is no slouch, has home-field advantage and is coming off back-to-back shutouts. Newport 35-20.

Adams: The Grizzlies finally gave up two touchdowns in a 50-13 win over Medical Lake last week. Now comes the tall order of beating Colville, which they haven’t done since 2012 in a regular season game. Yeah, this one’s going to be good. Colville 21-20.

Wilbur-Creston (5-1, 1-1) at Northwest Christian (5-1, 1-0), 3 p.m.

Nichols: I’m covering this game and am looking forward to watching NWC’s Silas Perreiah, who might be the best RB in the state regardless of classification. Two weeks ago, he put up 455 yards, and he has 15 touchdowns this season. The Wildcats pasted Kettle Falls 42-0 last week as Ethan Schroeder ran for 186 yards. NWC 40-28.

Adams: The Crusaders will celebrate a long-anticipated milestone when they play Wilbur-Creston in their first true home game. I believe they’ll christen the field with a victory. NWC 33-26.