Pick 6: Standings equal as playoffs approach

It doesn’t get closer than this.

The debonair and charming TV anchor used a 5-1 week to pull even with the overworked and underpaid preps writer heading into the penultimate week of the contest, with both of us at 34 wins.

It’s an especially tough slate of games, with league titles and berths to playoffs at stake (for most) so let the best prognosticator win!

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

Gonzaga Prep (6-2, 4-0) vs Lewis and Clark (7-1, 3-1), Friday at Albi

Nichols: The late game at Albi is the de facto league title game. G-Prep has claimed a playoff spot and if the Bullpups wins they’ll be the top seed and host a Week 10 playoff game against the MCC third seed. LC can be league champ if it wins and Mead loses. Or the Tigers can get lumped into a three-way tiebreaker on Tuesday and end up dumped from the playoffs altogether. Permutations abound. GP 35-32.

Adams: G-Prep ran off two dominating outcomes against two solid opponents, which makes the Bullpups’ narrow 33-28 win over Ferris last week all the more curious. Has G-Prep regressed? How will LC handle its first sign of adversity this season – a surprising 21-point loss to Mead to wreck an undefeated season? I’m interested to see which version of both teams shows up on Friday. GP 34-31.

Mead (5-3, 3-1) at Central Valley (5-3, 2-2), Thursday at 7

Nichols: CV can only make the postseason with a win and some help. Mead was impressive last week in dismantling previously undefeated LC, especially limiting big plays on defense. CV went back to the ground attack last week and piled up 257 rushing yards against U-Hi. Mead 28-27.

Adams: CV has found its offensive identity. Hunter Chodorowski and Zack Jongeward have had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, and Matt Gabbert (five TD passes in last two games) has looked sharper of late. CV 35-28.

University (4-4, 0-4) vs Ferris (4-4, 0-4), Thursday at Albi at 5

Nichols: U-Hi had been giving foes a tough time until a drubbing against CV last week. If it can get Kye Duplessis in open space this week, it’ll be a different story. U-Hi 34-21.

Adams: Outside of LC, Ferris might just be the GSL’s most improved team from 2017. The Saxons have scored 49 points over their last two games, but have no wins to show for it. Someone is going to get that elusive GSL 4A win on Thursday, and that team is Ferris. Ferris 28-24.

North Central (1-7, 0-2) vs Rogers (0-8, 0-2), Thursday at Albi at 7:30

Nichols: The late game on Thursday is more than a football game. It’s a measuring stick for two programs trying to rebuild. NC junior RB Kade Garvey and Rogers sophomore QB Casey Jeske are good football players and tough kids leading teams under tough circumstances. NC 21-20.

Adams: The Pirates haven’t beaten the Indians in three years. Those were much different times for Rogers, which has gone 2-26 since that game on Oct. 30, 2015. Rogers may finally have the upper hand again, at least judging by common opponents, including a respectable 33-16 loss to Mt. Spokane. Rogers 18-16.

Cheney (6-2, 1-2) at Pullman (6-2, 2-1), Friday at 7

Nichols: Cheney gave West Valley all it wanted and more last week in a 17-14 loss. If Pullman wins, it takes the league’s second playoff seed. If the Blackhawks win, it’ll force a three-way tie with Pullman and Clarkston at 2-2 in league. Cheney 24-21.

Adams: Cheney’s GNL title hopes took a tumble in the wake of two close losses to Clarkston and West Valley – by a combined 10 points. Pullman rebounded from its loss to WV nicely with a rout of Othello. Look for more touchdowns from wide receiver Isaiah Strong or dual-threat quarterback Konner Kinkade. Pullman 35-21.

Deer Park (4-3, 2-3) at Medical Lake (2-6, 1-4), Friday at 7

Nichols: Deer Park has had a weird ride this season. Its three losses have all been shutouts, while three of the four wins have come by double digits. The Cardinals were roughed up three games in a row by the top teams in the league and would like to end on a high note. DP 21-20.

Adams: This hasn’t been the most competitive series, but that could change this week when the Cardinals defend their home turf against the Stags. I still see Deer Park prevailing in this one, but I expect the Cardinals to put up a fight. DP 27-16.