Week 9 picks

I’m actually sort of happy we were all very average in our picks last week. Each of us went a pretty lame 4-4 in the picks. Friday Night Rider beat us all, going 5-3.

The reason I’m happy about it is that we actually had an unpredictable Friday night. Hunter, Fremont and Highland were among teams that surprised the state last week and I think it’s great. So we all have some redeeming to do from last week, and that should make this week pretty fun. The other guys are upset with their performances from last week.

By the way, we’re making the picks early this week because Pleasant Grove and Lone Peak play tonight.

TP: I’m ashamed. That’s all I can say. I literally cannot remember the last time I did so poorly when picking high school games. I’ve entered this awful funk as of late, and I can’t seem to shake it off and it’s driving me bonkers. Therefore, I’m putting this on the line. If I lose again this week, Andrew and John – we’re going to dinner and it’s on me. Red Robin anyone? That is….if you beat me. I refuse to be associated with the likes of the ’76 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the ’08 Detroit Lions, the last 20 years of Pittsburgh Pirates teams OR the California Institute of Technology Beavers commonly referred to as Caltech. The Beavers recently snapped a 207 game losing streak in Division II basketball and still currently hold a 259 game losing streak in conference play. I’m not joking – look it up. So….with this at the back of mind – I’m blitzing the kitchen sink this week – I need to taste victory.

JC: Last week’s performance makes me think of Rob Schneider’s character in “The Waterboy”. After he learns that Bobby Boucher can’t play because of academic issues with the NCAA, he loudly proclaims: “Oh, no! We suck again!” Yeah, that sums up nicely how everyone did on the picks last week — especially me. Sorry soccer fans. There’s no such thing as a good tie. They just feel wrong. I need to get back on a winning track quickly before Andrew or Trevor runs away with this competition faster than Usain Bolt.

AA: Free food? OK, now I’m really motivated.

Pleasant Grove at Lone Peak
TP: Andrew and I both attended the PG – Brighton game last week, and I think he could attest to the fact that the Vikings are struggling to kick start the running game. Yes, they were playing the best defense in the state, but the absence of Joey Owens is forcing PG to rely heavily on the passing game. As defensive coordinators start to realize this, they’ll switch to a “Dime” or “Quarter” packages and bring a relentless heat from the corners and outside linebackers. Needless to say, the Vikings have to find the running game if they expect to take the next step. Also, in the same game, Dallas Lloyd sustained a shoulder injury and is being labeled day to day. If Lloyd doesn’t play against Lone Peak – they’ll lose. Period. However, I think that the injury isn’t that serious, and he’ll be able to be a factor. Pleasant Grove 21, Lone Peak 20.

JC: The Vikings started off their closing stretch with a late comeback victory over a tough Brighton defense. Getting past the Knights will be no easy task even though PG has won three straight in the series. Lone Peak has a potent enough offense to test a lot of teams. But the problem is no team has scored more than 14 points on the Viking defense this season. And I don’t think the Knights are going to find a way to hold PG’s offense below that total — even with some of their stars not at 100 percent. Pleasant Grove 24, Lone Peak 14.

AA: It was my first time seeing PG in person last week since I saw the Vikings play Lone Peak last year in what was a bizarre game. Lone Peak was up 14-0 before the Vikings knew what hit them thanks to a couple of fumbles. PG scored a touchdown on a punt return where Lone Peak thought the play was over. Just weird. As far as this year’s PG team goes, I’m most impressed with the defense. I know that they have a certain number of D-1 players and the quarterback gets a lot of hype, but to me it looks like the team is built on defense. I think that’ll be the difference tonight, and I think that’s why the Vikings have a real shot at beating Alta next week and Bingham if they run into them. PG 14, Lone Peak 13.

Provo at Orem
TP: The Bulldogs keep winning, and winning and winning. They find themselves flawless in region play, along with a 7-1 record. The reason why? Maka and Keoki Unufe. The two combine for virtually the entire offense both in the rushing game and the aerial attack. If you can stop the Unufe’s – you can stop Provo. However, that’s easier said than done. After starting the season 0-3, Orem has improved its fortunes winning four out of its last five. Although they needed every inch to escape from Westlake and Timpanogos along with the train-wreck loss to Timpview – the Tigers are surprisingly and quietly building momentum. Orem has always been a miserable place to play, I remember playing there when I was a sophomore and they had us on the ropes for the first half. That’s saying something considering the fact they were one of two teams that came within 30 points of us that year. They’re extremely physical and have an extra gear at home. This is my upset special for the week. Orem 28, Provo 24.

JC: The Bulldogs have put together one of the best turnaround seasons of just about any team in the state this season. It’s hard to believe Provo only won two games a year ago after seeing how well it has performed this fall. A lot of it has to do with Maka Unufe, who has been the prep football equivalent of a franchise player on offense. A real test comes against the Tigers who have beaten Provo two straight years by an average score of 38-20. But this version of the Bulldogs are light years removed from those squads, so expect a much different outcome. Provo 24, Orem 16.

AA: Trevor, Trevor, Trevor. Going out on a limb here, and I don’t think this is the spot to do it. The Provo Unufes are on a roll, and they won’t stumble before next week’s showdown with Timpview. Provo 21, Orem 7.

Davis at Fremont
TP: Are they for real? The Silver Wolves keep making me look like a fool. Two straight weeks I’ve picked against them, two straight weeks I received a tally in the right hand column. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Davis in action. They can’t afford to lose two straight region games, especially at the rate Syracuse is playing. This game is a coin flip – it really could go either way, probably the best technique for picking it is to throw a “Dart” at the wall and see which team is closer. One second – let me try it…..looks like it’s going to be a full moon. Fremont 14, Davis 10.

JC: Wow. Every time I predict Fremont won’t win, they prove me wrong. I guess that means I should finally pick the Silver Wolves this week, right? Um . . . I don’t think so. Either I’m a glutton for punishment or I think that Davis has enough on defense to slow down Fremont’s offense and can use Tanner Hinds’ awesome running abilities to control the clock and grind out a win. We’ll find out which of these scenarios is true soon enough. Davis 21, Fremont 19.

AA: You can no longer doubt if Fremont is for real. The win over Viewmont shows the Silver Wolves are for real, and thanks to that victory, the Region 1 standings are a mess. Fremont is coming on strong, and as Dennis Green might say, maybe Davis just is not who we thought they were. The Darts were picked to win the region and were ranked in the top five to start the season. They’re a quality team, but just not dominant like I thought they would be. Last year’s game was tight with Davis pulling out a close win, and I think Fremont returns the favor on Friday. Fremont 21, Davis 14

Hunter at Skyline
TP: When I was young kid, I remember going up to watch Alta play Hunter at Rice Eccles Stadium. That year, they had a running back by the name of Matt Asiata. On the opening kickoff, one of the Wolverine players hit a player on the front line harder than I’ve ever seen – his helmet flew for 10 yards. This game was in 2003 and I still remember it, that’s how hard it was. The poor kid who received the blow, never returned to the game and was seen yelling up into the grand stands asking for hot dogs the rest of the evening – it doesn’t take two guesses he suffered a concussion. Why am I telling you this story? Because that Hunter team had a mentality that was matched by none, they played violently and intimidated their opponents. I think that time is just around the corner. Hunter 42, Skyline 17.

JC: Don’t you like how history repeats itself? The last time these two teams were region rivals, their annual games usually decided region championships. They have split their last six meetings, but the Wolverines haven’t beaten the Eagles since their state title winning season in 2003. My feeling, though, is if they can handle Cottonwood’s offense, they can handle Skyline’s. By the way, isn’t it nice that KJZZ is finally airing games that matter? Hunter 28, Skyline 27.

AA: Tough game to pick. But first let me say I think it’s cool these two teams are playing each other and that the game means something. I won’t be at this game but I will be watching the replay at 12:30 p.m. Wait, I hope my bosses at DYS don’t read this and find out I’ll be watching TV at that time. Anyway, this is going to be a hard-hitting, physical contest. Two running teams with occasional passes mixed in. I love it. I think the Wolverines, who are on roll, keep it going in a fun game. Hunter 24, Skyline 20

Woods Cross at Highland
TP: I was about to give up on Highland early in the year. They looked sloppy and disorganized. I didn’t buy into the hype that surrounded this historic program. I figured they were living on reputation. Well, I was dead wrong. They’ve found new life, especially the last two weeks against Olympus and Bountiful. Now that their feet are steady, they’ve become a very, very dangerous team. However, Woods Cross is in a prime position to create a mess. If they were to beat Highland, they could force a three way tie for first place with Bountiful. Anyone watching this game will see a bloodbath of hits – it’s for a region championship. Get ready to storm the field Rams – Region 6 Champs. Highland 35, Woods Cross 24.

JC: I know why Trevor selected this game. He thinks by including the Rams, he’ll get me to pick against them and go 4-4 again this week. Nice try. It’s not going to work this time around. I’m a firm believer in the Rams after seeing them shutdown Bountiful. Highland has allowed just 9 points in its last three games and a grand total of 24 in region play. Something tells me Woods Cross isn’t going to alter that trend much. Highland 20, Woods Cross 10.

AA: Here’s another game that’s going to be physical and I’ll be lucky enough to be there on Friday night. It’s two of my favorite coaches in the state going at it in Highland’s Brody Benson and Woods Cross’ Freddy Fernandes. The chess match will be interesting. I think the Wildcats have been underrated this season, and here is their chance to earn a share of the Region 6 championship. Highland, which is on a roll, won’t let that happen. Highland 14, Woods Cross 13.

Riverton at Bingham
TP: Let me see, Bingham at home against a region opponent. Enough said. Sorry its true – white and blue won’t lose. Just call me Dr. Seuss. Bingham 49, Riverton 21.

JC: Does anyone out there seriously believe the Silverwolves have a chance of upsetting the Miners? Besides anyone living inside Riverton city limits? Riverton is the type of team that wins games they are supposed to win and loses ones they are supposed to lose. Trust me: this is one it is supposed to lose. Bingham has beaten the Silverwolves five straight times by an average score of 38-11. Sounds about right for how this game will turn out. Bingham 38, Riverton 10.

AA: One of these days my guy Mike Miller will have the horses to compete with the Miners and beat them. It’s not that time yet though. Bingham 35, Riverton 21.

West at Olympus
TP: West High School is lacking one thing – a shrine for Andrew Aragon, its most famous graduate. If Bingham can have a shrine for Kevin Curtis when he hardly saw the field in high school, then by golly AA’s picture should be slightly higher than the boy’s basketball trophy. After starting the season with a 42-0 loss to Juan Diego, the Panthers have scrapped back to .500. It’s not often that non-region games are played this late, but it can be beneficial for both teams. In all reality, it won’t kill either program in the playoff hunt. Olympus is certainly looking forward to the last game of the season against Bountiful, but I don’t believe they’ll overlook the Panthers. Olympus 21, West 10.

JC: I told Trevor and Andrew that Olympus was my kryptonite after the Titans were dismantled by Highland two weeks ago and helped start up my current slump. It makes sense. After all, Olympus has green as one of its team colors. But kryptonite only weakens Superman, it doesn’t kill him. (Doomsday did kill him, but that’s not important right now). I’ll give the Titans the benefit of the doubt against West. The Panthers have alternated wins and losses all season and they beat Murray last week . . . so that seals their fate. Olympus 21, West 17.

AA: This Trevor guy is a character. A shrine for me at West? For what, my excellent 1A baseball coverage in the D-News? My ability to anger Packer fans with my own anger at how the team has been run since the end of the 2007 season? But hey, at least it sounds like I have some things in common with Kevin Curtis so maybe there is hope. Anyway, are you guys crazy? First of all, yes Olympus is John’s kryptonite and he’s proving it here. Olympus offensive coordinator Aaron Whitehead knows how to beat the Panthers, but West is not going to lose this game. West 34, Olympus 24.

Juab at Manti
TP: This game has huge region 12 implications. After reeling off three straight wins, Juab fell to Emery last week – therefore, they need to beat top seeded Manti on the road to force a three way tie for first place in region. I think the Templars are finding their grove at the right time. They’ll get it done at home and take a commanding lead in region play. Manti 31, Juab 27.

JC: A victory here can help Manti clinch at least a share of the Region 12 title. The Templars have come a long way since that head-scratching loss to ALA in their season opener. It should not come as a surprise they are on the cusp of a region title. Manti returned a lot of talent from last year’s team that finished second in 2A. Juab, on the other hand, has taken a small step back. When it comes to a No. 1 seed, Manti has the hooked the fish. The Templars just need to reel it in now. Manti 27, Juab 24.

AA: I’m at a loss. If these two teams would have played last week I’d say the Wasps would win handily. Manti does look better. Let’s face it. Both these teams should be in 2A and I’ve made my feelings known what a lousy job the UHSAA did in realignment. Neither team has any shot of contending for the 3A title, so this is as good as it gets for them: a region championship game. Manti will stay on top in the region. Manti 30, Juab 20.