Week 2 picks

I have my first challenger for the weekly picks, and you probably already know who he is.

Jackson Peck has come out of hiding and agreed to take me on. It won’t be good for his self-esteem, but let’s do it anyway. Be prepared. He’s long-winded.

Peck and I developed a good rivalry last year somewhere else in cyberspace. He’s a former Skyline player, and he’s coached at Skyline and Highland. He knows his Xs and Os, but not his weekly picks.

As always, readers are invited to chime in with their picks.

JP: Your weak attempt to find me is easily explained. Just like the IRS, I am the last person you want to see, because when you see me coming you know you’re in trouble. I can always spot a FRAUD.

AA: Wow. Let’s just move on.

Bingham at Alta:
JP: This game lost a little bit of its luster when Bingham lost to Skyline last week in its season opener. However this has become one of Utah’s best rivalries in recent years and I would expect it to live up to the hype. In many ways Bingham’s loss has made this match up even more important for Bingham who hasn’t started out 0-2 in a very long time. From reading the comments posted after Bingham’s loss to the Eagles you would have thought South Jordan was burning to the ground. Take a big breath Miners, your guys will be just fine when it comes playoff time. Having said that I still believe Bingham takes its second step back before its first step forward. The Hawks will be more than happy to add loss No. 2 to the Miners young season. Alta 35 Bingham 20

AA: I think last week showed that Hawks are much further along at this point in the season than the Miners. Bingham has some issues to work out, and it probably made some steps in the right direction this week. I think Bingham will be better this week and have a good showing, but it won’t be enough. Alta 28, Bingham 24

Cottonwood at Layton:
JP: In games that feature evenly matched teams, you always look to see what playmakers will be the difference between a win and a loss. Losing LaVaughn Jackson for a big part of the season is by far the most significant injury to any team in the state thus far. Coach Jim Batchelor will have to be on his ‘A’ game to keep the rest of the players focused on doing their jobs and not trying to make up for the loss of Jackson by themselves. If Jackson is playing I give the edge to Layton but since he is out Cottonwood’s playmakers are going to be the difference in this one. Cottonwood 28 Layton 21

AA: I believe the guys who will carry the load in Jackson’s absence ‘ Karl ‘The Truth’ Williams and Shea Kopecky ‘ are quality players. But it is really difficult for high school teams to replace playmakers like Jackson. I think Cottonwood’s edge on the lines will be the difference in a hard-hitting, physical game. Cottonwood 14, Layton 13

East at Skyline:
JP: This game has a lot of intrigue in the form of storylines. First, you have former Skyline defensive coordinator Larry Eldracher returning to face Skyline for his third time. Only this time he heads in as the head coach for East. Secondly, you also have former Skyline assistant Justin Thompson who last year was East’s offensive coordinator (He scored 49 points on the Eagles the jerk!) returning back to Skyline as the defensive coordinator facing his former team at East. What does all that really mean? Not much. Coach E will have the Leopards ready to go and will look to make it two in a row. If anything for the Eagles it will be nice to see the guy who lit them up for 49 points last year standing on their sideline. Advantage Eagles on that one. Skyline 14 East 7

AA: The Eagles won’t have a let down after taking it to Bingham last week. I don’t think this game is that close. Skyline 28, East 12

Highland at American Fork
JP: The Rams are one of the best teams in the state even though their opening week was not indicative of how good they really are. Turning the ball over six times will get you beat more times than not and that is exactly what happened to the Rams last week. AF will have its hands full in this one. If Highland takes care of the ball I see the Rams winning this one. I’m guessing coach Benson may have casually mentioned his utter distain for the turnovers. I don’t see Highland turning it over like that again this week. Highland 28 AF 14

AA: Here’s another game that will be physical. We finally disagree on one. AF 21, Highland 20

Kearns at Cyprus
JP: Coach Cosper continues to impress me with the way he has turned around the Kearns program. He has got to be one of the best coaches in the state. Their victory over Brighton was surprising at first until you realize who is running the Cougars. Enough with the Cosper for President campaigning. Cyprus doesn’t care much about last week and will look to put the pressure on Kearns. If the Cougars are stuck patting themselves on the back after their win at Brighton they will be in serious trouble. This one could be the closest of them all this week. Kearns 21, Cyprus 20

AA: I disagree with this being a close game. I think Kearns rolls. Kearns 28, Cyprus 7

Park City at Logan
JP: This has the potential to be a 3A state championship preview. We know Logan is going to throw the ball all over the yard and they have the perfect kid to do it in Manning. We know Park City is going to run it down your throats for four quarters. So what’s going to give? As always turnovers and penalties are huge in these games and the team with the fewest will win. Park City is like the old Jordan era Bulls who couldn’t seem to get past the bad-boy Pistons (Logan). I really believe this is the year they dig down and gut out a win. Park City 31 Logan 27

AA: Ah, it just feels right to disagree with Mr. Peck. I love games where the styles contrast as much as they do in this game. Both teams were impressive last week, but I’m counting on the 3A champs to be a little bit better at this point in the season. Logan 35, Park City 28

Viewmont at Lone Peak
JP: Year 1 of the McGeary era and I think the team is starting to resemble the head coach’s attitude. The Knights are much improved from last year and will be a better test for Viewmont than Orem was last week. Viewmont will be looking to go 2-0 in Utah County and my gut says they will succeed. Viewmont wins thus proving they own Utah County at least for this year. Viewmont 38, Lone Peak 28

AA: I’ve gone back and forth on this game. And to make sure we have a winner this week, I’m going with Lone Peak. The Knights dominated a team coached by Larry Wall last week. That’s all I really need to know. Lone Peak 21, Viewmont 14