Week 11 picks

It’s playoff time.
It’s the best time of the year in high school football. These next four weeks of football make everything worth it — the early morning visits to practices during the summer, the boring blowouts in the middle of the season, the three-hour TV games, the anonymous tough-guy commenters, the cold weather late in the year.
It’s all worth it because the football will be so good, so dramatic and so exciting the next few weeks. There’s also still time to make up ground in the picks, so let’s have at it.

TP: Can you smell it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it? It’s here! I don’t know if there’s anything more exciting than the postseason. Every game, every play, every second – can determine an entire season. No other time of the year brings out more emotions from athletes than the postseason. With every bracket, there are the favorites, and the stepping mats – and for the most part, things go according to plan when the final buzzer hits. However, sometimes there’s that underdog that becomes a champion. The team that was written out, left out of the script – that completely rewrites history, the 2005 Skyline team. I’m looking to be that team. Trailing by a few games to Andrew, John and FNR, I’m very close to being one and done. With this being said – I have the heart of a champion. 2007 BABY! Gotta represent. Let’s do this, I’m pulling out every halfback pass that I have.

JC: I’m feeling good about my performance here the past two weeks. It’s always nice to keep winning when most of your time is consumed by covering girls soccer playoff games. The scary thing for Trevor and Andrew is that girls soccer season is officially over. Now my full attention is on football again. If they thought it was tough to beat me before, they are not going to like seeing my “A” game. I’m looking to build a dominant streak that would even make Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee proud.

Bountiful at Bonneville
TP: Yes, it was predetermined. Yes, it still sucks. I’ve always hated to see teams with outstanding records being forced to play on the road because of one region loss, but, that’s the name of the game and you have to play through adversity. I was talking to John last night and he was telling me about how both of these offensive outputs are awful. I’d have to agree. Feel free to put some points on the board boys, yes defense wins championships, but you can’t win without points. One fluke play can beat you when you have 7-6 games. Also, remember that special teams are a large part of the game, those can come back to bite you. With all of this being said, I think Bountiful has a better bad offense than Bonneville. Bountiful 20, Bonneville 6

JC: If I ever meet the producers of the “Saw” movie series, I might pitch game film of these two teams as a torture device they can use in a future installment of that horror franchise. Seriously, I’ve seen both of these offenses in person and thought of putting them together in the same game makes me want to claw my own eyeballs out. This will be ugly football and it will come down to defense. The edge there goes to the Braves, who allow just 8.7 points per game this season. Bountiful 10, Bonneville 7

AA: Well, John has seen both of these teams in person so I have to take his word for it. I know neither of these teams expected to end their season with a first-round loss, and I just can’t see Bountiful being one-and-done. Bountiful 12, Bonneville 6

Skyline at Syracuse
TP: I can see it now. UPSET ALERT – UPSET ALERT, with big read flashing lights. Not so fast. I know that this is the popular pick, choosing the Eagles to upend the Titans. Yes, Syracuse hasn’t scored a touchdown in back to back games…I get it….I get it. However, I don’t see it. The game is at home, Syracuse is coming off a disappointing loss and they haven’t received any respect the entire season. I think this is going to be a grind it out affair, but I think Syracuse takes it. Syracuse 21, Skyline 20.

JC: When I covered my first season of prep football back in 2005, before the first round games I asked my dad who he thought would win the 5A championship. He predicted a .500 Skyline team would win it all. I laughed his prediction off and said Lone Peak would bounce them out of the first round. Well, we all know how things turned out for the Eagles that season. Moral of the story? Skyline knows how to win in the playoffs — even when people think they won’t. The Eagles won’t be intimidated going to Syracuse and, considering the fact the Titans could not beat a mediocre Layton team last week, I sense a first round exit for the higher seed here. Skyline 24, Syracuse 20.

AA: OK, it’s time for another idiot pick, as in I’ve seen both of these teams in person so if I can’t get this game right I’m an idiot. I’m embarrassed to say I’m 1-1 in idiot-pick games, which I guess makes me half an idiot. Anyway, I know Syracuse essentially had nothing to play for last week but 3 points? 3 points against Layton? I can see how that type of loss would propel the Titans, and I do think they’ll play their hearts out today. But I think Skyline wins in one of the day’s best games. Skyline 21, Syracuse 15

Viewmont at Cottonwood
TP: This very well could be the most difficult game to predict. Both of these teams have experienced great years, and are coached extremely well. I spoke with both Cecil Thomas of Cottonwood and Brad Lloyd of Viewmont earlier this week and got the feeling that both teams truly expect to win. When I first saw this game, my immediately inclination was Viewmont, upset all the way. So the saying goes, always go with your first instinct…so I’ll do just that. Viewmont 24, Cottonwood 23.

JC: This is a dangerous game for the Colts. The Vikings took Bountiful to the wire and upset Region 1 champion Davis. Currently, Viewmont is holding opponents to 18.5 points per game. Stopping the high-powered Colts will be a big challenge though. Cottonwood averages 36.5 ppg and have one of the better set of receivers among 5A teams. I think the Vikings will keep it close, but probably can’t hold the Colts down long enough to score the upset. Cottonwood 28, Viewmont 21.

AA: Man, this is tough. I think this is going to be a good game, but I just don’t see the Colts losing. Cottonwood is probably just all-around better than the Vikings and I have to pick against my former AP Calculus/Physics/Geography/Football teacher Brad Lloyd. Cottonwood 34, Viewmont 28

Weber at Hunter
TP: Where did Hunter come from? I thought they disbanded the program after 2003? That’s exactly how they’re playing right now though, at that championship caliber. Although, I wouldn’t put them in the ranks of that historic team quite yet. The Wolverines have the opportunity to solidify themselves as a real contender. I’ve spoke with a multiple people who are wavering back and forth, wondering if Hunter is a legitimate team – being that they did come from a “weaker region.” However, my argument with that statement is Skyline, Hunter and Cottonwood are fantastic. Every single region has the higher echelon of teams, and the lower cellar dwellers. I think Weber has been great at times this year, and are really coming on strong. That was a great win against Northridge. However, I think they’re outmatched physically in this matchup. Hunter 31, Weber 17.

JC: This should be one of the better games on Friday night. Weber offers a balanced offense and boasts a 1,000 yard rusher in David Daines. Hunter, on the other hand, has its power running game running with great precision and has shown an ability to outscore teams when it needs to and show them down when it needs to. The ultimate edge should go to the Wolverines. They have size and strength advantages in the trenches and they will have a vocal home crowd behind them. Hunter 21, Weber 20.

AA: Trevor doesn’t realize it but Hunter has been playing with the pigskin since 2003. What about the 2007 team that beat a favored Jordan team in the playoffs and nearly made it to the turf? That was a pretty cool team. Man, I get sidetracked easily. Anyway, I think this game is kind of a mismatch. Hunter’s size and power will be too much for Weber, which is making great strides as a program. Hunter 35, Weber 13

Woods Cross at Provo
TP: I haven’t seen Andrew’s picks this week, but, I can see him picking Woods Cross. He’s been a Woods Cross homer this year. Plus, he’s got to be mad at Provo for that loss last week. Watch me be completely wrong and look ridiculous – oh well. Every week our picks differ by one or two games. Will this be one of them? Either way, I’m going with the gang in green. Hey Cats! Welcome to the Dog Pound. Woof Woof. Provo 28, Woods Cross -20.

JC: I talked to Wildcats players and coaches earlier this week for an upcoming story and I came away impressed by the level of confidence in that team. The Wildcats are happy to be in the playoffs and have a winning record for the first time in forever. But they are also hungry after letting a region title slip out of their grasp with a close loss to Bountiful and a meltdown over the final 2 1/2 quarters against Highland. Is Woods Cross good enough to get past Provo? Depends on how well the Bulldogs can bounce back from last week’s beatdown vs. Timpview. This game is a toss-up, but Woods Cross has generally performed better against quality opponents on their schedule. Woods Cross 27, Provo 21.

AA: Wait a second. The South Sevier homer is calling me a Woods Cross homer? I did pick Woods Cross as a team to exceed expectations in 4A and the Wildcats have certainly done so. Hold on I’m patting myself on the back for that. OK, I’m done. And no, I’m not upset about the Bulldogs losing last week. Hey, Timpview has their number and did a number on them. That’s life. I’m sidetracked again. I saw Woods Cross build a 30-6 lead over Highland and Fred Fernandes is one heck of a coach. The Wildcats win this game and advance to the quarterfinals. Woods Cross 42, Provo 31

Saturday:
Desert Hills at Wasatch
TP: I think this is another trap game. It would be easy to pick Desert Hills to pull off the upset. Let me explain why I think this isn’t going to happen. Desert Hills is coming off a huge, emotional upset win already when they stunned Hurricane. Wasatch is extremely effective with the spread offense, and although Desert Hills has a stellar defense, I think the Stingers get it done. Wasatch 38, Desert Hills 31.

JC: This should be an interesting game because it offers such a contrast in styles. Wasatch has made dramatic strides under its new spread offense. But the Wasps still have much to prove after getting humbled at home against Park City in their Region 10 finale. Desert Hills has one of 3A’s better defenses, allowing just 16 ppg. But the Thunder also have a lackluster offense — scoring only 18 ppg. Still, six of Wasatch’s victories have come against opponents with three or fewer wins. The Thunder, on the other hand, just upset a tough Hurricane team last week. Generating another upset in Heber City is realistic. Desert Hills 20, Wasatch 17.

AA: OK, I’m making my pick based on it making no sense in regards to last week. Let’s look at sports and how teams are never as good or bad as they last looked. The Phillies took Game 1 in the World Series, and then couldn’t do anything clutch in Game 2. The Raiders beat the Eagles and then went back to losing by 38 points against the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! So Desert Hills came away with a huge win over Hurricane last week and Wasatch was blasted by Park City. I think Wasatch rebounds and Desert Hills will be plagued by a long, long bus ride. Wasatch 21, Desert Hills 20

Jordan at Bingham
TP: I can’t stand this game. I think that Jordan should be granted a full week just like everyone else. In fact, I think the play in game was ridiculous. They beat them head to head, playing three games in eight days is the recipe for failure. I can’t see them beating the best team in the state with hardly any time not only to prepare but to recuperate. It was a valiant effort to get into the playoffs, but its end here. Bingham 42, Jordan 24.

JC: It is hard to imagine that the Beetdiggers will be emotionally and physically ready for the Miners after beating Brighton twice in a four-day span. Jordan has a strong offense. Heck, Alex Hart racked up 230 yards and 3 TDs in the first half alone against the Bengals on Tuesday. But the problem is Bingham is just as potent on offense when it needs to be and the Miners employ a much stronger defense. My prediction: Hart will spend much more time scrambling to avoid sacks than testing the Bingham secondary. Bingham 41, Jordan 27.

AA: I feel guilty. I’ve slighted the Beetdiggers. I thought there was no way they would beat Brighton to make the playoffs. They did so and they’re obviously getting better each week. But playing a third game in eight days against the state’s top-ranked team is recipe for disaster. It’s close for a half, but Bingham pulls away. Bingham 42, Jordan 21

Millard at South Summit
TP: Everyone and their dog knows who John is going to pick in this matchup. This time, I’m going to agree with him. We also discussed this game in the office, and we both agreed on two things. First, South Summit, has terrible uniforms. The neon green version of the Cincinnati Bengals isn’t working, at least for me. However, on a side note, I like how they’re original with the uniforms. Second, that the Wildcats come away victorious. I’ll keep it at that. South Summit 31, Millard 24.

JC: This promises to be the best 2A quarterfinal game this weekend. And, no, I ‘m not just saying that because I grew up in Kamas. Both teams have won eight games and both teams boast powerful running attacks and stout defenses. A slim edge probably goes to the Wildcats because of a couple of factors. First, Trevor Lewis has shown an ability to throw the ball when it is needed and that will keep the Eagles defense honest. Second, South Summit owns the best scoring defense in 2A. Millard might be a trendy upset pick, but I’m not walking into that trap. The Wildcats will create a no-fly zone around Kamas and force the Eagles return south for the winter a little earlier than planned. South Summit 24, Millard 19.

AA: I like Jerry Parker and I like the Kamas area. But I have to say that those uniforms are terrible. How can a team have success looking like they accidentally had a bunch of bleach spilled on their green uniforms and helmets? Those things hurt my eyes when I see them in person. Good line from John about the no-fly zone. I call it the no-good uniform zone in Kamas and the Wildcats win. South Summit, 14, Millard 7