Some huge games tonight featuring teams that haven't established consistency yet.
Churchill (1-0 MWL 6) at Springfield (2-1 MWL 6)
If both of these teams play to their potential, fans are in for some fireworks.
Springfield's Levi Green has thrown 11 td's in four games and only one interception. John Davidson is his primary receiver, but look out for wide receiver Kyle George and Thomas Spikes coming out of his rb position. Spikes has also been worth 77 yards per game on the ground at 5 yards per carry.
Churchill's qb Derek Godfrey's favorite target is Brandon Determan, the league's second leading receiver. Junior running back Aaron Ingram had 100 yards rushing last week against North Eugene, part of a 555 yard explosion for Churchill.
Standings wise, this game may be more important to Springfield than Churchill. You can't undo a loss, and Springfield will have only one league game left after tonight to pick up a MWL 6 victory. A Springfield win would make them 3-1 in the MWL 6 with just one MWL 6 game left at home. A Miller loss would greatly reduce their chances at claiming the second seed, as Churchill would own the tie breaker over Springfield. However, if Churchill loses, they can still pick up three more wins, albeit one would have to be against Marist, and most likely position themselves as a 1 or 2 seed.
This is impossible to predict confidently. Neither team has consistently played tough defense. And both teams can explode on offense. Could be a track meet.
I'm going with home field advantage. Springfield 35 Churchill 28.
Willamette (0-1 MWL 6) at North Eugene (0-3 MWL 6)
North Eugene is the only MWL 8 team I haven't seen play. They have to win this one to have a chance of getting out of a play-in game. Willamette will still have three games left after tonight, so they could recover, win some games and go straight to the round of 32.
I'm going to this game to see North Eugene for the first time. But I'm going to enjoy watching Willamette soph QB Kamerun Smith. He leads the league with over 1,000 yards Hopefully, Dueante Brown is back for this game, as Brown and Cameron Koehler make a powerful receiving duo. Willamette's running back crew has pounded out over 100 yards per game. Not bad considering the Wolverines are avering over 260 yards in the air. Skyler Mohr is the plowhorse at 60 yards per game. Jordan Visarraga breaks a few more long runs and is averaging almost 7 yards per carry. And Dante Giles has averaged over 8 yards per carry in his last 8 carries.
Other than the Highlander game against Marist, North Eugene has shown the ability to score. They have several very good players in the skills positions.
The game is at North Eugene, but I'm leaning towards Willamette's passing game. Willamette 35 North Eugen 21.
Big Game of the Evening
Marist (3-0 MWL 8) at Eagle Point (2-1 MWL 8)
Eagle Point has enough versatility in their offense to upset Marist. But the Eagle Point defense will have to play the game of their lives.
Eagle Point has averaged over 200 yards on the ground, which will be helpful in trying to keep Marist's offense off the field. All everything offense player senior Aaron Foster leads the Eagles in rushing (and receiving and scoring). Garrett Snow pounds the ball for Eagle Point. He's 5' 10" and 210 pounds. QB Shane Bluhm adds another 50 yards per game on the ground.
Shane Bluhm's favorite receivers have been Foster, Loren Nesberg, Snow and Jake Shaffer. I think Eagle Point is going to have to spread it around even more against the Spartans.
Everyone knows Marist's offensive standouts by now. QB Logan Silver, receivers Taylor Walcot, Austin Baird and for the last game at least, Josh Paiement, a formerly injured QB. Junior Greg Park leads the team in rushing with Silver also gaining huge yardage.
Take a few minutes and watch the O and D line and linebackers. That's where Marist's magic starts. Matt Devereux, Logan Mayes, Will Swindling, Paxton Miller and others. Not only do they make a million tackles, but they set the table for the offensive skills players and DB's. Because of the pressure by the D line, you're bound to hear the Marist's DB's names called for a pick or even a blitz sack. DB's Ryan Inouye, Carson Keiswetter, Brady Chiongbian and Matt Beattie have become familiar calls over loudspeakers this year.
Game is at Eagle Point. I'm thinking Marist stops the run and forces Bluhm to throw on the run. Marist 35 Eagle Point 14.
Marshfield (2-1 MWL 8) at Ashland (2-1 MWL 8)
I need a lifeline to the audience to predict this game. Will the Pirates who stunned Eagle Point show up? Or will the eight turnover Pirates who lost to Springfield show up? I believe a lot in the concept of 'visualizing'. And the Pirates can look back on last week and gain confidence through visualization. Now they know for sure they can pin a team inside the ten when they punt. They can return a kickoff, they can pick six, they can respond quickly when the opponent closes the gap.
Assuming the Pirates play another solid game, fans are in for a show. I'd expect the Pirates to once again try to move the ball on the ground with QB Dallas Milburn, and RB's Ryan Scoville and John Davidson. With the Grizzlies moving closer to the line to stop the run, Milburn can throw the occasional pass that could catch the Grizzlies off guard.
On the Grizzlie side, they will entertain the Pirate fans with QB's Jake Scarmanich's rabbit drill, dodging and then exploding into open space. Then the Grizzlies will bring in Jake McCoy, who everyone assume will throw to Scarmanich, but will, in fact, spread the ball around.
Considerations: Ashland has averaged 33 points the last two games after scoring just one td in the first two games. And they've held the last two opponents to two touchdowns each. The Pirates scored 41 last week, but gave up 32.
Marshfield can beat Ashland. The Pirates know they can put points on the board. Pirate coach Justin Ainsworth has been around long enough to put together a defensive game plan to stop the Grizzlies. For the second time this year I'm going against my gut - my gut was right last time. And I haven't been accused of sandbagging on behalf of the Pirates in a long time, so I'm going with Ashland 28-21.
You can respond via the 'comment' feature on the blog, or email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com
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