Pick 6: Sam Adams evens things up

So maybe I’m not going to put Sam Adams in a deep hole like seasons past.

Adams pulled even with yours truly last week. We’re both a pedestrian 6-6 going into the third week. This .500 stuff is for amateurs.

The Greater Spokane League, meanwhile, followed up a poor season-opening week with a slightly poorer effort last week. The GSL went 2-8 and is a combined 5-15.

It appears the majority of the GSL teams will have struggles this fall. Perhaps more struggles than Sam and I.

Liberty at Asotin, Friday, 7

Lee: This should decide the Northeast 2B championship. Asotin, the league’s newest member, is coming off a strong season, losing an overtime thriller in the state playoffs to Northwest Christian. Liberty, behind Chase Burnham and company, is putting up piles of points through two weeks. What is the fastest way to get from Liberty to Asotin? As the bird flies. The Lancers will make the trip fine and come away victorious and on their way to the league title. Liberty, 27-19.

Adams: Northeast 2B newcomer Asotin sent a statement to the rest of the league by outscoring Lind-Ritzville/Sprague and Colfax 75-14 to start the season, but the Lancers aren’t exactly shaking in their boots. Liberty has blown out Kettle Falls and Reardan by a combined score of 96-14 on the way to a 2-0 start. I’m still going to give the edge to the Panthers, who will be playing at home for the first time this season. Asotin, 28-22.

Colville at Deer Park, Friday, 7

Lee: Before the season started, I thought this could be a game that would go far in deciding the Northeast A League title. Now I’m not sure which teams will show up Friday. I was shocked how St. Maries, on the road, shut out the Stags, and did so in impressive fashion. Colville is having difficulty scoring points. So this will be decided on defense. Colville, 13-6.

Adams: Colville beat the Stags in convincing fashion in 2015, but both teams are very different from a year ago. Colville is coming off a lopsided loss to West Valley, while Deer Park opened the season by shutting out Rogers, only to get shut out themselves by St. Maries. This game could go down to the wire, or one team could end up winning by four touchdowns. Deer Park, 16-14.

Mt. Spokane at Eastmont, Friday, 7

Lee: A matchup between winless teams. Mt. Spokane showed much improvement last week and that’s enough for me. Mt. Spokane, 25-18.

Adams: Hey, did you see that catch by Stu Stiles? Mt. Spokane’s former QB had himself a day at WR for Eastern Washington last weekend against North Dakota State. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Stu doesn’t play in high school anymore. Still, Mt. Spokane is out to prove it has what it takes to win the GSL 3A crown, and a win to close out nonconference play wouldn’t hurt. Mt. Spokane, 21-14.

East Valley vs. Shadle Park, Friday, Albi, 5

Lee: The Knights pulled out a nice come-from-behind win at Lakeland last week while the Highlanders broke through at Lakeside. I’ve got to believe that 3A trumps 2A here. So for no other reason. Shadle, 27-15.

Adams: Last year, Shadle Park never really recovered after a brutal nonconference schedule. The Highlanders may have learned their lesson, scheduling a smaller school for a third week in a row. Shadle has managed a split against West Valley and Lakeside, while East Valley got some much-needed confidence following a narrow one-point win in Rathdrum. Shadle Park, 21-20.

Lewis and Clark at University, Friday, 7

Lee: Put on the blinders folks, this could be ugly. Not in terms of final score but in terms of play. These teams have struggled mightily so far. The Tigers have yet to score. At least the Titans know what it’s like to reach the end zone. I have to believe this will come down to which team plays better defense not the other way around because I’m not sure either team has much offensively. So which team is the best of the worst? U-Hi, 23-20.

Adams: LC and U-Hi are two teams going through a tough transition. That transition has been especially tough for LC, which has scored just six points in one-sided defeats at the hands of Lake City and Kamiakin. The Titans at least have a victory to their ledger, and that just might be the slight advantage this team needs on Friday. U-Hi, 21-14.

Mead at Central Valley, Friday, 7

Lee: I’ll say this right now. The winner here assures itself of a postseason berth. Mead has a better offense and CV has a better defense. So I think Mead’s goal is to just outscore the Bears. Simple math here: CdA, a common opponent, beat Mead by 26 and CV by 37. You’ll notice the difference in my final score. Mead, 43-32.

Adams: Both Mead and CV have been Jekyll & Hyde through the first two weeks of the season, recording incredible defensive efforts (Mead allowed three points vs. Post Falls, CV shut out Lake City), but also surrendered a staggering amount of points to Coeur d’Alene (57 by Mead, 48 by CV). That really doesn’t tell me enough to make a call on this game, and typically I’d lean on the home team in a case like this. But just because Greg figures I’ll play it safe, I’m going to go against conventional wisdom. Mead, 21-20.