Week 8 picks

I got back on track last week, and now I’m going to take the opportunity to do something that high school football teams rarely get the chance to do.
I’m going to rematch someone who beat me earlier in the year.
Back for a second round with me is Mr. Steve Pimper from maxpreps.com, as well as Copper Hills football. He’s good at this, and like I said last time, I think highly of his work.
Now I need to beat him at this game.

SP: It’s been four weeks since I finally wrestled Andrew to the mat and edged him for a narrow win that started his slide to three straight weeks of losing his Friday Night prep pigskin picks. As much as I’d like to rest on my laurels and retire as undefeated with that ONE WIN IN A ROW…I promised him a rematch and he’s also on a one-in-a-row winning streak. So without Don King promoting this rematch on Pay-Per-View here’s the way this undefeated and untied prognosticator sees the gridiron turf wars this week:

SYRACUSE at LAYTON
SP: I feel a bit bad about being RIGHT in picking Viewmont to beat Syracuse in Week. 4 handing them their only loss of the season. I like the Titans and wish them well in the postseason, but sorry to say the Lancers even without LaVaughn Jackson still have Karl Williams. Layton 28, Syracuse 20.
AA: I’ll admit that I liked Mr. Pimper’s picks when he sent them in. So I’m going to have to take some chances to beat him. I even enlisted the help of John Coon to identify some possible upsets. He was no help to me, and I’ll take my anger out on him in a couple of weeks. Anyway, I saw the Titans during the summer and I saw them at practice on Wednesday. They are a confident team and they expect to win tonight. So, I know they aren’t afraid of the Lancers and I’m going to pick them to earn their signature victory. Syracuse 16, Layton 14

BINGHAM at RIVERTON
SP: The big game in Region III this weekend will probably decide the top seed from that region in the playoffs and having seen both teams play I think the Miners should clear one more spot in their trophy case for another region championship trophy. Bingham 35, Riverton 10.
AA: I haven’t seen Bingham since it lost to Alta, and the Miners have obviously improved since then. I trust Mr. Pimper. Bingham 35, Riverton 10.

PLEASANT GROVE at SPANISH FORK
SP: Might be close but again I’ve seen the Vikings up close and personal and they’ve got the complete package. Joey Owens and LeSean Wilcox on offense, Sean Stevenson anchoring the defense and Josue Meza in the kicking game. Pleasant Grove 28, Spanish Fork 14.
AA: I saw PG last week and I must have seen a different team than Mr. Pimper. The Vikings couldn’t run the ball against Lone Peak. But I did like their defense and their big tight end. I also like the heads-up play of Jordan Hymas. PG probably isn’t on the level of Alta, Layton, Syracuse, Bingham and my sleeper team (Davis) but it won’t lose in Region 4. Pleasant Grove 21, Spanish Fork 14

SKY VIEW at BOUNTIFUL
SP: The Braves are solid but the Bobcats are special! J.D. Falslev and his supporting cast have too much offensive firepower and coming off their only loss of the year last week to Highland, Idaho is just going to make the boys from Smithfield more focused and intense. Sky View 35, Bountiful 10.
AA: I know that Kyler Carlsen hasn’t played the last couple of games, but he doesn’t play defense. What’s happened to the dominant Sky View defense from earlier in the year? I like Bountiful’s ability to slow Sky View down, but I’m not sure the Braves can put up enough points to win this game. Sky View 17, Bountiful 14

EAST at COTTONWOOD
SP: Wow this one could be the best game in the state this Friday night. Coach Larry Eldracher’s precise game preparation and defensive schemes to stop the Colts dynamic duo of Steve Romero and Isi Sofele. With High School Musical 3 coming out later this month, the Leopards are ready for some more national exposure … but not this week. Cottonwood 17, East 14.
AA: Pretty funny isn’t he? Cottonwood 28, East 21

PINE VIEW at DIXIE
SP: Did I just say East at Cottonwood could be the best game? Maybe not! The Panthers will make the five mile trip from northern St. George to knock helmets with the Flyers and ultimately the top seed from Region IX in the 4A playoffs goes to the winner. Flipping my lucky nickel here. Heads it’s Pine View. Tails it’s Dixie. The coin is in the air…it’s heads! Pine View 21, Dixie 20.
AA: Mine was tails. Dixie 21, Pine View 20

MORGAN at LOGAN
SP: Personally I really like Coach Kovi Christiansen’s troops but as long as Logan has that Manning touchdown producing machine being fed by Mike Favero’s air attack menu I can’t pick against the Grizzlies. Logan 42, Morgan 20.
AA: This will be Logan’s only true challenge in league play. Logan 35, Morgan 21

MILLARD at RICHFIELD
SP: It’s been an abnormal and tough season for the Eagles this year and the Richfield squad has had a bit of a roller-coaster season as well. Millard is more than capable, but I’m going with the Wildcats based solely on having home field advantage. Richfield 19, Millard 13.
AA: OK, Millard, I gave Riverton the pep talk a few weeks ago. Now, I’m going to try and inspire you. I don’t know what the problem has been this year. I picked you to win it all. That’s probably not going to happen, so the least you can do for me is beat Richfield this week and help me win the picks this week. Millard 14, Richfield 13