Week 5 picks

I humbly present the picks this week, coming off a shocking defeat last week.

I have to give credit to maxpreps.com’s Steve Pimper. He got me last week, and I’m looking forward to the rematch.

This week I’m taking on Alan Rawlins. He’s a teacher and a cross country coach here in the state. He’d rather not say where he teaches, and I’ll let him explain why.

AR: A little about myself….I teach high school…and would rather not say where as to keep my privacy so I don’t get mobbed by e-mails and phone calls wanting to ask me how I beat you this week. I coach the boys and girls cross country team but don’t let that fool you, I am an avid football fan and keep track of what is going on. When I pick games I like to just go with my gut feeling about them plus it doesn’t hurt to have a little luck…so here you go:

Judge at Juan Diego
AR: Big Brother vs. Little brother as I like to call it. Judge ran into a buzzsaw in Logan last week at Juan Diego. Juan Diego has looked awesome in its first three games. Judge is playing its home games this year at Juan Diego so this is basically a home game of sorts for both, I’m picking Juan Diego. They have just too much fire power but Judge keeps it closer than most think. Juan Diego 38, Judge 24

AA: I thought I’d fool him on this one, but I’m wrong. I guess I can’t expect to fool someone when Juan Diego is ranked No. 1. Anyway, Judge will come to play tonight, but it looks like Juan Diego has the better team. The Soaring Eagle defense will be the difference. Juan Diego 21, Judge 7.

Davis at Layton
AR: Oh…the fun of a close rivalry. Layton has the experience and even though they are missing their start running back due to a foot injury they get the nod here. The downfall for Davis will be their sophomore quarterback. Layton will force him into some mistakes. Layton in a blowout. Layton 38, Davis 7

AA: Whoa, I can’t see this game being a blowout. The Darts defense is awfully stingy and could be the difference in this game. I still see Layton winning though. Layton 13, Davis 7.

Bingham at Lone Peak
AR: An interesting game here. Lone Peak gets Bingham at home which I think will help Lone Peak keep it close…for a while. Bingham after starting the season 0-2 seems to have righted the ship. Lone Peak might score first, which is the way Bingham seems to like it this year (playing from behind to start) but Bingham pulls it out in the end…big! Bingham 35, Lone Peak 14

AA: Yep, Bingham is back, and I’m feeling better about my pick to win 5A. The Miners win pretty handily. Bingham 28, Lone Peak 14

Riverton at Jordan
AR: Ah, another interesting game. Jordan after losing a shootout with Northridge, goes on the road and wins in Ohio. They then come home and lose to Layton, can we say jetlag and over confidence, and then Bingham last week. Riverton has a great running back in Zach Spencer who ran all over Hillcrest last week…but this isn’t Hillcrest. The key to the game is Jordan stopping Spencer and the Riverton ground game. Jordan gets back on the winning track this week at home. Jordan 24, Riverton 7

AA: The Silverwolves need a program-defining win, while Jordan just needs a win. I think Riverton continues Jordan’s woes and comes up big here. Finally, we disagree. Riverton 24, Jordan 21.

Skyline at Kearns
AR: This one is usually is an easy game to pick but Kearns seems to be turning this around. Skyline like to play close games and after winning their first two against Bingham and East have now dropped two in a row to Highland and American Fork. One thing you can say about Skyline is they don’t back down from a challenge in the pre-season. Kearns…well let’s just say their schedule is good when you are trying to get wins. Did I say this was usually an easy game to pick….it still is easy to pick. Kearns might keep it close thanks to their defense for a while but Skyline pulls away late. Skyline 38, Kearns 7

AA: Both teams have played in tight games seemingly every week this season. You want to talk about program-defining wins? Fine, I say Kearns gets one too. Kearns 13, Skyline 12

Layton Christian at North Sevier
AR: The smaller schools I don’t follow as much so I had to do some research. LCA has a great passing attack while North Sevier gave up some huge passing yards last week to South Sevier. Even though this is at North Sevier and I’m thinking if they beat LCA it would be an upset, I just can’t do it….but they keep it close. LCA 31, North Sevier 21

AA: North Sevier has played tougher competition the last couple of weeks, and it will be prepared for tonight. North Sevier wins a close one. North Sevier 28, LCA 27

Spanish Fork at Hunter
AR: This game is a pick em’ and I could see it going either way. My gut tells me that Spanish has too much fire power for Hunter to handle but the game is at Hunter. Spanish Fork in a close one. Spanish Fork 24, Hunter 17

AA: I agree that this game is tough to pick, but I disagree on the winner. I see Dustin Pearce’s team picking up a big win. The Wolverines will control the clock with their running game and keep Spanish Fork’s high-powered offense off the field. Hunter 24, Spanish Fork 21

Tooele at Mountain View
AR: This game is interesting because of the two contrasting styles. You have Tooele which relies on their defense and had to get two defensive stops last week in the fourth quarter to get a big win over Orem. Mountain View’s defense on the other hand has given up 75 points combined over the last two weeks. Their offense hung with West Jordan but didn’t show up at Syracuse. If Tooele’s defense shows up they could win this game at Mountain View. If Mountain View’s offense shows up like it did against West Jordan, they could win the game. Coin flip time for this one…oh wait…my gut is telling me to pick the home team in this one but it will be won in the fourth quarter. Mountain View 31, Tooele 17

AA: I became a believer in the Buffaloes last week. Orem is a quality team, and that win shows Tooele is for real. Mountain View has dealt with some injuries and will continue to improve. Tooele wins here though. Tooele 21, Mountain View 20