Week 4 picks

Winning is nice.

I know it’s just making picks on a high school sports blog that who knows how many people read. But yeah, winning is better than losing and after edging my friend Trevor Phibbs last week, I’m now on a remarkable two-week winning streak.

I’m giving Trevor a rematch, since my friend Mr. John Coon did the same for me after beating me in Week 1. Trevor handled the loss OK.

TP: “Welcome to the big league.” That’s exactly the message that was ringing through my head when I saw that I had fallen to the great Andrew Aragon – extending his winning streak to two weeks. One thing is certain, I hate to lose. Whether it’s shootin’ hoops, picking football games or playing a game of Old Maid. I’ll be looking to get my first career win on the D-News blog and get Andrew sweatin’ this week.

AA: We all know he’s giving false reports when he calls me great. But that’s nice of him. Onto the picks:

Davis at Syracuse
TP: Wow, Region 1 never likes to make it easy. Other than Region 4 it’s hands down the best region in 5A – although some would beg to differ that as well. Last week I picked Viewmont to top the Titans. We all saw how well that turned out. The reasoning behind my pick was that Syracuse struggles to put points on the board. However, Davis has its own problems on that side of the ball as well. Syracuse officially made me a believer – especially since that game was the deciding factor of me getting owned by Mr. Aragon. So, Titans – don’t let me down. Syracuse 21, Davis 10.
AA: Tough, tough game to pick. Both teams play great defense, and Davis seemed to really get going in the second half against Weber last week. Syracuse is a team with no stars, and the Darts feature some big names. Last year’s game was decided by a point. OK, I think I have a little more confidence in Davis’ offense than I do Syracuse’s. Davis 14, Syracuse 13

Fremont at Weber
TP: Yet again, another tough game to call up north. At the start of the season, expectations weren’t high for the Fremont football program. That being said, the only way to go is up – and the Silver Wolves know it. In fact, they’re an overtime field goal away from being undefeated. As for Weber, after opening the season with a 42-0 pounding of Box Elder – which is a good football team, they ran into Viewmont and Davis. At first glance, the losing record could be a distraction in making this pick, but I tend to read between the lines. Expect the Warriors to get back on track and justify the below .500 record. Weber 21, Fremont 20.
AA: Well, Fremont needs a win here to keep pace with Davis and Syracuse and Weber just needs a win after losing two straight. I think Weber is more desperate. The Warriors need this one. Weber 24, Fremont 17

Brighton at Lone Peak
TP: What happened to the Brighton team we’ve been watching the past couple of years? In a blink of an eye, the Bengals have transformed into a juggernaut team, demolishing everything in its path. They’ve outscored Davis, Taylorsville and Hunter 110-0. What are they, the Florida Gators? Lone Peak, unlike Brighton, is flying under the radar. They lost the opening game to a very, very talented Bountiful team – but immediately followed it up by upsetting Mountain Crest and soundly beating Riverton. It’s hard not to jump on the momentum/bandwagon train that’s roaming around Brighton – but I’m one tough cookie to impress. Brighton has one quality win up to this point, Lone Peak has two and on top of that they’re at home. Lone Peak 17, Brighton 10.
AA: This could be the best game of the night, and despite the Bengals entering the game with a 3-0 record it’s kind of a “show-me” game for Brighton. I think the Bengals will show me, show us, show everyone that they’re the real deal. Brighton 21, Lone Peak 7

Jordan at Alta
TP: This rivalry is beginning to have similarities between another grudge match in the state of California – except at the collegiate level aka USC vs. UCLA. Jordan needs to stop the monopoly in Sandy, something that Rick Neuheisel failed to do in his first year at UCLA. Alex Hart is a flat out stud. The kid is incredible, I don’t care if you’re Peyton Manning, a 400 plus yard a game average is mind boggling. Alta knows this though. Austin Lee is a sophomore corner, who will be a household name by the time he’s a senior. He’s already had two interceptions returned for six this year. With perhaps the best linebacking corps in the state – Alta will bring the heat and fluster Hart into making rushed decisions. With Alta being at home, expect a monster/raucous crowd, giving even more advantage to the Hawks. Alta 35, Jordan 24.
AA: Last year’s Sandy City Showdown was one of the best football games I’ve ever seen — period. I think this year’s could be just as good, but the difference will be Alta’s defense. That’s where the Hawks have an edge compared to Jordan’s defense. Alta 42, Jordan 28

Olympus at Woods Cross
TP: Olympus is easily the feel good story of the year, and made headlines with the win over Skyline to reclaim the Rock. This game has huge Region 6 implications in large part due to Bountiful basically hop scotching their way through competition. Winning is that much more crucial to keep pressure on the Braves. Woods Cross is 2-1, but what the record doesn’t show initially are the teams they’ve played. The two wins came against teams with a combined record of 1-5. Then when the ‘Cats played Bonneville – they got blown out of the water – no pun intended. I think Olympus keeps the streak going. Olympus 21, Woods Cross 14.
AA: Olympus has made me a believer. I think the Titans win comfortably. Olympus 28, Woods Cross 14

Box Elder at Spanish Fork
TP: Spanish Fork can put up points – that’s obvious with two 49-point outings – yeah, they scored seven points against Bountiful, but can you blame them? Box Elder on the other hand has a 2-1 record, but has been outscored 70-44. What? That doesn’t make a bit of sense, at least on paper. They snuck past 3A Bear River, but you have to take that with a grain of salt, simply because the Bears can play ball. I think this game could get lopsided; Spanish Fork has all the cards lining up. Spanish Fork 35, Box Elder 14
AA: I want to pick Box Elder. But something tells me that a long bus drive, an unfamiliar opponent and coming down from an emotional win over a rival will be too much for the Bees to overcome. Spanish Fork 28, Box Elder 14

South Sevier at Richfield
TP: How bout them Rams? If I’m not mistaken I picked them to win the 2A title at the beginning of the season and they’ve been nothing short of impressive. Yes, that was a shameless plug – but I have to extend my hand of appreciation to my boys in South Sevier for rockin’ and rollin’ thus far. This week, however, they have to play an extremely talented Richfield team – who is also flawless up to this point. Traveling to play a 3A team on the road, could be a daunting task. Nonetheless, I try to pick at least one upset per week and this game has all the material to be a shocker. South Sevier 28, Richfield 24.
AA: Trevor mentioned his Rams when I saw him in the office on Saturday, so I wanted to give him a chance to plug his pick to win the 2A title. I knew he’d take him in this game and he might be right. And he might not. Richfield 28, South Sevier 27

Springville at Juan Diego
TP: This could be the game of the week, no doubt. Springville is a darn good football team. They’ve given up a microscopic 17 points so far, but, it’s hard to pick against the Soaring Eagle. They have the state’s longest win streak, it’s at home and I guarantee that they have the best offense that Springville will see all year. Juan Diego 38, Springville 28.
AA: This is undoubtedly one of the more interesting games of the night. I think if Juan Diego wins this game, it probably won’t lose again this year. The last time I picked the Soaring Eagle to lose, they went on to win 42-0. Will history repeat itself? It’s hard to say. Springville 28, Juan Diego 21