Playoff picks

Before I get to this week’s picks, I just want to mention how much I love playoff football. Kids, when you take the field in the postseason, you’ll probably never forget the experience. Prior to my senior year, I remember Marce Wilson telling me about all the little things about his senior year that he found strangely memorable.

I learned what he was talking about. I still remember our bus dropping us off at Granite for what us a huge Granite-West regular season game in 1991. I remember wanting to laugh at the fans who were taunting us as we walked to locker room. Come on, this was Granite. We had walked all over them through Little League and sophomore and junior varsity ball. Then they walked all over us.

I remember the long drive to Castle Dale and beating Emery in a first round 3A playoff game. I believe it was Don Holtry’s first playoff win as a head coach. My most vivid memories are from what hundreds of players will experience Friday and Saturday ‘ their last game. It was at Granite, and the Farmers once again took it to us. I remember Judas Priest’s “United” blaring over the sound system. I remember the drive back to West. I remember the empty feeling we all had when the game ended.

Good luck to everyone this week, and my condolences to the players whose careers will end. On to the picks.

So I tied my co-worker Dan Rasmussen last week. That’s good news because I at least didn’t lose. That drops my season record to something like 4-5-1. Impressive, I know.

This week I’m taking on Alan Rawlins, a teacher and cross country coach at a school up north. He beat be earlier in the season, and he was kind enough to give me a rematch.

AR: Andrew, nice to meet up with you again.. Hopefully it will be as nice to beat you again! I have to admit that these games are a lot harder to pick that the first time. Anyway, with it being playoff time records go out the window and it is all about who wants it more. Upsets will happen. Gotta go with reason and the gut on these picks. Here we go!

Skyline at Lone Peak
AR: The question is which Skyline team is going to show up. In looking back at their schedule they have beat who they should have pretty handily, however, they were beat by those that should have beat them pretty handily. Lone Peak is consistent and plays close games. I give Lone Peak the edge because it is at home. Close game. Lone Peak 24,Skyline 21
AA: OK, I’ve seen both of these teams in person, so I should get this right. No really, I should. This is a rematch of a 2005 playoff game that Skyline won as underdogs. You can hardly go wrong with taking the Eagles in the first round of the state playoffs, so I see Alge Brown making a game-breaking play in the fourth quarter to give Skyline the win. Skyline 24, Lone Peak 21

Northridge at Bingham
AR: People would think that this game is an easy one to pick. Ahhhh….think again. Northridge is a good team that ran into a slump for a few weeks and it hurt them. Just think if their coach would have kicked the field goal against Layton instead of going for it they would be the three seed rather than the 4 seed. Whoever capitalizes on the others turnovers in this game will win it. Would I be surprised if Northridge won? No….but they won’t. Closer than most people think. Bingham 38, Northridge 31
AA: I’ve gone back and forth with how close this game will be. I do realize I shouldn’t pick this game because I’m always wrong about Northridge, and I picked Bingham to win it all in the preseason. So let’s go with the Miners by a couple of scores and I’ll just hope I get one Northridge game right this year. Bingham 42, Northridge 28

Kearns at Syracuse
AR: Oh…You would think that Syracuse would just be happy to be in the playoffs but they want to make some noise and establish themselves. Kearns is overlooking the scrappy Titans according to what is being said on the message boards. Bad mistake. Syracuse wins their first ever playoff football game. Syracuse 28, Kearns 10
AA: I want to pick Kearns, and offensive coordinator Justin Spencer, who rode on the same bus back from Granite to West with me 17 years ago. We’re getting old, Justin. Anyway, I’ve got to hesitantly go with Syracuse in a close one. Syracuse 14, Kearns 13

Davis at Riverton
AR: Davis has a great defense. Riverton has a good offense that has put up consistent numbers. The question is can the Davis offense put up enough points to win the game. Other than the Northridge game in which they capitalized on every mistake that Northridge made they have not scored many points in their game this year. Defense has carried them this far but it isn’t far enough. My gut tells me to go with Riverton but it will go down to the wire. Somebody wins this game in the final minute. Riverton 21, Davis 14
AA: Defense wins championships, and I like the Darts’ defense. Davis 13, Riverton 9

Highland at Bountiful
AR: These old Region 6 foes meet in the first round and it should be a battle. I think this is one of those pick ‘em games where the Vegas Line would be pick with no point spread. Both teams have been tested with their own region foes and the game will be won at the line of scrimmage. This game will not be for the faint of heart. Highland 23, Bountiful 20 in OT!
AA: I don’t even know why I put this game on the slate. This is too tough to call, and not just because of how closely matched the two teams are. I have a lot of respect for both coaching staffs. Bountiful assistant Brad Lloyd was on that same bus with Justin and I 17 years ago. Larry Wall is one of the best coaches in state history. Brody Benson is one of the best young coaches in the state. Both teams bring it every week. I think the difference will be that the Rams have more firepower on offense and will pull it out. Highland 21, Bountiful 14

Sky View at East
AR: Ahhhhh…Sky View and East meet up in the playoffs for the third time in four years. The previous two years were at Sky View in the first round and the second round. Sky View’s biggest problem in these games were they couldn’t stop the run. They couldn’t stop the run against Bountiful or Mountain Crest when it counted and game up first half leads or they would be home for this round. East is going to pound, pound, pound it at them. As much as I like Sky View to possibly get the upset on the road I don’t think they do it because they still haven’t fixed the problem of stopping the run. Expect a close game. East 35, Sky View 28
AA: This is where I’ll be. I covered the 2006 playoff game in Smithfield and East was way too physical for Sky View in that game. I think the Bobcats have improved in that area. I’ve seen both teams in person, so there’s no excuse for getting this one right or wrong. Help me out, Bobcats. Sky View 28, East 21

Bonneville at Mountain View
AR: Bonneville has won games this year on defense but really hasn’t put up the offensive numbers. Mountain View has an offense but their defense has given up some big games and had some other good games. As much as I want to pick Bonneville with this game I’m going with the home team. Mountain View 24, Bonneville 17
AA: We’ve got some more West influence in this game with Teko Johnson coaching the Bruins. I can’t pick a team that is entering the playoffs after getting blanked last week like Mountain View did. Bonneville started slowly, but I think it advances to the quarterfinals. Bonneville 20, Mountain View 17

North Summit at South Sevier
AR: This game is an interesting match-up. South Sevier has the home field with a great overall record but don’t overlook North Summit. They are the defending champs and will play with the heart of a champion that wants to repeat. Here’s an upset. North Summit 21, South Sevier 17
AA: Dangit, I was hoping to fool Alan and have him pick the home team. North Summit wins comfortably. North Summit 28, South Sevier 14