Week 3 picks

Well, well, well. I got the monkey off my back with my victory over John Coon last week and I get to make picks the rest of the season. Maybe I just needed an ultimatum, or my back against the wall to come through with a victory. Mr. Coon is running around telling everyone he owns me and I only beat him because he was sick. Well, whatever the reason for it, I’m the winner, he isn’t, I’m here this week and he’s sitting home.

This week I’m taking on a young, up-and-coming sportswriter here at the D-News. His name is Trevor Phibbs and he’s a good dude. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him since we’ve worked together and I think he has a bright future in this business.

That doesn’t mean I won’t beat him in the picks.

TP: Alright, ladies and gents – boys and girls – there’s a new face in town. I’m Trevor Phibbs and I’ll be looking to dethrone the king of high school football picks or as some like to refer to him as Andrew “The Big Dog” Aragon. Although the king is very much alive, this rookie is trying to introduce a little anarchy.

So AA – you up to the challenge?

AA: Yes I am.

TP: If I had a starting gun – I’d fire it. Either way let’s do this.

AA: Let’s do it.

Timpview at Alta
TP: Looking at the schedule in the preseason – I had this one circled in black permanent marker. Between the two programs they’ve combined for five state championships in three years – what’s not to like? However, both teams have “stumbled” out of the gates and are sporting 1-1 records. With Alta recently coming off a heartbreaking defeat to their arch nemesis along with the season ending injury to Bronson Kaufusi, this game seems easier to pick than it should be. Not to mention, in the past two years combined, Alta has followed up a loss with 21 straight victories. I went against my Alma Mater at the beginning of the season when I picked Pleasant Grove to win the 5A title, I have to show some love to my Hawks this week. Alta 28, Timpview 14.

AA: Yeah Trevor, you better make that pick. I noticed some people cried in their Cheerios when you took PG to win it all and not Alta. I’ve learned that some of your biggest headaches can come from your alma mater. There’s a chance you’ll get disowned by yours like I did by mine. Anyway, I agree with the pick, although I wouldn’t underestimate the T-Birds in this game. They’ll play with a lot of pride tonight and Chris Badger is going to hit someone. The Hawks still win. Alta 24, Timpview 21

West Jordan at Provo
TP: This game caught my eye right away; both teams are heading into the game with 2-0 records. West Jordan has shown that the newly implemented spread offense is a success, dropping back-to-back 40 point games on the board. Provo has been a runaway train offensively on the ground, accumulating most of their total yards with the rushing game. The deciding factor for me was that unlike Stansbury and Cyprus, the Jaguars are quicker and bigger. I think 5A wins on this one. West Jordan 24, Provo 17.

AA: I owe West Jordan a big thanks for beating East and helping me dispose of one Mr. Coon last week. You think I’m jumping off the bandwagon now? No way. West Jordan 35, Provo 21

Highland at Skyline
TP: Don’t expect to see the trendy spread nonsense in this game – this is old school football. Highland started the year with tons of hype and laid an egg the first week against Mountain Crest; luckily they followed up the disappointing loss with the thrashing of Hunter in Week 2. Skyline has had a similar start to the year, as they squeaked past 3A Hurricane and then lost to Olympus. Skyline is at an advantage having the game at home, but the fact of the matter is – Highland is more talented…barely. This could turn out to be neck and neck heading into the fourth quarter, as rivalries tend to do that. Highland 24, Skyline 17.

AA: This is the game I’m covering tonight and I’m expecting it to be a tough, physical battle. This is a great series. Highland has won the last five meetings and the last six have been decided by a touchdown or less. I’m guessing this won’t last more than three hours like my Layton-Jordan game last week and I’m thankful. Highland 21, Skyline 20

Taylorsville at Murray
TP: These two teams are competing to escape from the dungeons of a 0-2 record. Both programs have had a less than memorable start to 2009 season, combining to be outscored by 89 points. With that being said, this game is crucial in determining the year. Why? With a win, the clouds can begin to part – directly correlating to future success. With Murray recently making the jump from 4A, I think that Taylorsville has the upper hand, despite being on the road. Taylorsville 21, Murray 10.

AA: You just had to pick this game didn’t you Mr. Phibbs? This puts me in a tough spot with my brother Dan coaching at Murray. But that’s OK, the Spartans could be playing the University of Utah and I’d pick them to win. Blood is thicker than bandwidth, and on this well-read blog I’m saying he gets the monkey off his back this week like I did last week. Murray 21, Taylorsville 20

Cottonwood at Pine View
TP: The opening game against Alta was an eye opener for Cottonwood – it sent a statement loud and clear that they couldn’t waltz through the season like they did last year. As far as Pine View goes, they shot out of the gates quicker than Rachel Alexandra at the Preakness Stakes by showing some Utah hospitality to two out of state teams – scoring 87 points in the two contests. Last season, the Colts beat Pine View twice. That’s some serious off-season bulletin board material; unfortunately, the streak will be extended to three. Cottonwood 35, Pine View 21.

AA: See, I told you he has potential. Good line on Rachel Alexandra. This is a tough game to call. The Colts got back on track with a win over Sky View last week, but were flagged for way too many penalties. Despite their ranking, I think the Panthers are somewhat underestimated. I think they use their homefield advantage tonight and win in a close one. Pine View 35, Cottonwood 34.

Syracuse at Viewmont
TP: This game has a big red flashing warning light on it. I’ve had a funny feeling the second I saw it on the schedule. Syracuse is coming off a huge season and the expectations are rising. However, the Titans have struggled to get the ball past the pylons in the first two games – mustering a measly 31 points. Last year, the Vikings were one of three teams to beat Syracuse, and they did it on the road. It’s said that lightning never strikes twice – but look for some serious d’j’ vu in this one. Viewmont 14, Syracuse 7.

AA: I have to disagree on this one. The Titans don’t have a lot of firepower on offense, but they can play some serious D and know how to win close games. It’ll be a nailbiter but Syracuse wins. Syracuse 13, Viewmont 10

Cyprus at Juan Diego
TP: Juan Diego currently holds the state’s longest win streak at 16 games, but, this week they’ll have to get past a much stronger and improved Cyprus team. The Pirates rallied to top Kearns in overtime last week, or they could be staring at a 0-2 record to start the year. Juan Diego is outnumbered – 3A vs. 5A – that’s overbearingly obvious. Nonetheless, with the enrollment for a private school, JD has athletes that can hang with the best. The crowd should be rockin’ in Draper for this one. The edge goes to the little engine that could. Bump it up to 17, thank you very much. Juan Diego 28, Cyprus 21.

AA: I wouldn’t call Juan Diego the little engine that could. I’ll just leave it at that. Juan Diego 28, Cyprus 14

Jordan at Sky View
TP: Just when you think the Diggers would be consistent from start to finish this year, they drop their opener – then look like Texas Tech the next week, I suppose it’s an unwritten guarantee that Jordan will have a topsy-turvy season. Sky View has had their own case of inconsistency as well – with the near disaster overtime win against Fremont, and then a no show against Cottonwood, the ‘Cats need to steady their feet. I think Jordan will show the opening week loss was a fluke with a breakout performance this week. Jordan 42, Sky View 20.

AA: I saw the ‘Diggers in person last week, and wow, what an offensive machine. QB Alex Hart is the real deal, and it’s looking like first-year head coach Eric Kjar is becoming a mastermind on offense. I know he was well-respected before he got the job. I see this game being a shootout and one that will last well into the night. Can Hart top last week when he threw for 479 yards and six scores? Jordan 41, Sky View 28