Oct 22/23 Predictions

Haven't been quite on top of my website the last three days because I was rear ended (totaled my car) by (choose 1):

a) A U of O student who was texting
b) A parent who thought I should have mentioned his kid as a first team all leaguer
c) A bicyclist in downtown Eugene

Predictions:

MWL fans are outguessing me by a margin of 3 so far this season.  I don't anticipate being able to close the gap this week because as of right now the fans and I are in total agreement about this week's games.  I have a post on OregonLive's forum for folks to rig the fan poll so that fans lose and I win.  I'm embarrassed that the fans are whipping me.

Eagle Point at Ashland.

This could be a fantastic game to watch. 

• If Eagle Point can play like they did against Churchill.... starting the game with an unstoppable passing game and closing the game with an unstoppable running game.  Eagle QB Shane Bluhm is fourth in state in total yardage at the 5A level.  Eagle Aaron Foster is second in league in scoring, third in rushing and seventh in receiving.  Garrett the Snowman is sixth in rushing and has hauled in 15 passes..
• If Ashland can continue to employ the two Jake qb set up and rack up huge chunks on the ground and air.  Jake Scarmanich is second in state in total yardage. Receivers Dodds and Heater are ninth and tenth in league.  RB Jackson Volz is tenth in league rushing.

I'm going with Ashland's five game winning streak and home field advantage.  Anything can happen. Enjoy this game if you can.  You'll be watching a lot of all leaguers in what should be a fast hard hitting game.

Marist at Marshfield (North Bend)

The Spartans are marching to North Bend and won't get there until Saturday.  So we'll have to wait til late Saturday or Sunday morning to get the final results and final RPI calculations.  (There might be another RPI calculation after the five playin games.  If there is, it won't affect the RPI much)

Anything can happen on the bay.  It would be fantastic for the Marshfield program and seniors to pull this one out.  Watch Marshfield's Ryan Scoville and Marist's Taylor Walcott.  Both are explosive players.  It should be no surprise to anyone as both of these players were in the state finals in the 100 meter dash (5A and 4A).  It'll take a magic and well executed game plan for the Pirates to prevail.  But if they can use RB's Scoville, John Davidson, Dallas Milburn and receivers Erin Griffin and Dalton Milburn effectively they have a chance.    Even though Marshfield has yet to lose an official home game this season, I've got to go with the Spartans.

Willamette at Churchill.

The forecast is for rain, but don't expect rain to stop these two qb's from passing like crazy.  Willamette soph Kamerun Smith leads the league in passing yardage. Churchill's Derek Godfrey is second in average per game behind Smith.  Churchill would be favored even without rain, but rain plays even more into Churchill's hand.  With running backs Aaron Ingram and Kingsley Nkwanta, they have proven they can rack up major ground yardage.  That's something Willamette hasn't enjoyed, although Wolverine Skyler Mohr is a load to tackle.  When the teams line up on O, always check where Churchill's Brandon Determan and Willamette's Cameron Koehler and Deaunte Brown are.  If the ball goes in the air, it's likely to reach those guys and fireworks will follow.

Churchill wins this one, but enjoy some of the best receivers in the league.

North Eugene at Springfield

North Eugene's heartbreak kids get one more shot at victory in Springfield.  Alex Wilson, one of my favorite receivers last year, has been an explosive RB and kick return man this year.  His receiving duties have been successfully taken over by Colin Mender and junior Ryan Koth. Mender being the big play guy at 18 yards per catch.  QB Dylan Lubonski is putting up respectable numbers (they'd be very good in most leagues).

Springfield's Levi Green has an outstanding quarterback rating and is racking up passing yardage (3rd in league).  Springfield has the league's leading rusher in Thomas Spikes and the leading receiver in John Davidson.  Springfield's Achilles heal has been it's defense.  North is explosive enough to take advantage of the Miller D.  Still the game is at Silke and if it's raining, Spikes can just pound it all night.  I'm predicting Springfield. 

Normally the last night of league is the end of the season for some teams, but everyone has at least one more game.  Still, take some time to watch some of the players you don't normally follow - like lineman or DB's.  It's fun to follow them on a play from beginning to end, and you'll learn to appreciate their efforts.

If I find a car by Friday night, I'm thinking of going to the Thurston-Sheldon game.  However, my wife may not consider high school hamburgers a decent birthday dinner.