Week 1 picks

I’m going to start a new Friday tradition here. I’d like to take someone on in picking the winners of the week’s best games. I’ll take on all comers ‘ whether it’s a coach, player, fan, reader, stalker or friend.

The only problem is I don’t have a challenger for this week. My old rival, Jackson Peck, is nowhere to be found, possibly still embarrassed at how bad I beat him last season.

So here are my picks for the week. Please post yours if you think you’ve got some better ones. And send me an email if you’d like to participate next week. You know what’s coming then: Bingham at Alta.

One more thing. Check our regular high school Web site in the morning for some analysis of Week 1. Yep, the Saturday Morning Quarterback has come with me to my new employer. It won’t be on this blog though. It will be up on the high school section around 8 a.m.

Jordan at Northridge: I think this is the most interesting game of the day, and I’m not just saying that because I’m covering it. The two teams have different strengths. Northridge is loaded at the skill positions, and Jordan might have the best offensive line in the state.

I think Northridge’s line will steadily improve during the season. But I don’t think it is ready to match-up with Jordan just yet. I’m really interested to see how the Beetdiggers attack the Knights considering how overpowering they could be in this game. I’m going with Jordan, 28-21.

Lone Peak at Bountiful: I’ve heard from a few people that the Knights are a team on the rise this season. I saw firsthand how hard the Braves have worked this offseason. When Lone Peak has the ball, it will be strength vs. strength. In Week 1, I’ll go with defense. Bountiful wins, 14-13.

Viewmont at Orem: It’s a battle between my two sleeper teams in their respective classifications. I think the Vikings will start fast this season, and pull out a tough victory on the road. Viewmont prevails, 24-20.

Syracuse at Roy: I’m only picking this game because I believe Syracuse will pick up its first victory in school history today. The Royals lost 19 starters from last year, while the Titans have just about everyone back. Syracuse wins, 21-7.

Bingham at Skyline: I got some inside information on this game. If I divulged it, I might be found in a gutter somewhere tomorrow. So let me just say that this game will be closer than last year, and Skyline has a real shot at winning it. I’m still going with Bingham, 21-20.

Juan Diego at West: Here is my upset special. Juan Diego, which has a real shot at winning the 3A title, wins 17-14.

Timpview at Pleasant Grove: If I get back into the office tonight and learn that PG has ended Timpview’s winning streak, I’m not going to be surprised. The Vikings usually play the T-birds tough, and return some outstanding athletes. But I just can’t pick the upset. If it does happen, I’ll regret not making it. I’m arguing with myself right now. Stop it. Timpview wins, 21-17.

Highland vs. Mountain Crest (at USU): It’s a Saturday special. I’d be there if I wasn’t serving the youth at Salt Lake County’s Youth Services until 10 a.m. and participating in the 9th annual Westside Football League (WSFL) fantasy draft later in the day. I’m going to miss what might be the best game of the weekend. I think this could be a Final Four preview. I also think the Mustangs will win a hard-hitting, closely contested game. Mountain Crest wins, 20-14.