Week 13 Football Picks

And there were two …
Seeing the writing on the wall, Andrew has bowed out of our picks contest two weeks early. I hate to see him go. It is now down to Trevor and me. And, big surprise, Trevor is feeling extra confident about his chances since pulling into a first place tie with me after last weekend.

TP: Tied up Johnny boy, I’m starting to feel like the Jazz with this comeback. I started the season off slow, but I don’t mind being the tortoise – remember he wins.

JC: What Trevor doesn’t know is that the tortoise later failed his drug test and had to vacate the race to the hare. So unless he can get Andrew’s voodoo dolls working, I’m afraid he’ll need a Paul Millsap type performance to pull this one out. Not happening, man.

Fremont vs Lone Peak
TP: Fremont isn’t very good in the semifinals. Last time the ‘Wolves were playing on the turf was 2006 when they got blanked by that team in Sandy, Utah. Lone Peak is more athletic than any of the opponents Fremont has seen in region 1. Oh, and the Knights also run a different offense. Could be a bit confusing for the kitties.
Lone Peak 24, Fremont 17.
JC: The Silver Wolves do not have a good history in the 5A semifinals. Fremont has advanced to the championship game just once in 1995. But neither do the Knights. Lone Peak is back in the semifinals for the first time since 2004. Neither one has ever won a 5A state title. And with Bingham the way it is, neither one will probably do it this year. But, hey, finishing second is better than nothing. Isn’t that right, Trevor? He’ll know the feeling soon enough. Anyway, I like how much Lone Peak has progressed on both sides of the ball since I saw them in week one. Chase Hansen is quite dangerous and hard to contain. He rushed for 134 yards and threw for 191 yards a solid defense. I like its odds to be the sacrificial lamb for Bingham.
Fremont 20, Lone Peak 13

Jordan vs Bingham
TP: McCoy Hill is the real deal – 12 touchdowns in two games? Who is this guy? I can guarantee one thing; he’s not going to have those types of numbers in the third game of the playoffs. I mean, is there really any suspense in this game? Sure Jordan “might” be able to challenge Bingham, but I highly doubt it.
Bingham 49, Jordan 24.
JC: After watching Bingham dismantle Northridge last weekend, I am inclined to think the Miners are the closest thing to an invincible team in these playoffs. Bingham had an absolute awful day on offense and still scored 54 points after producing bunches of turnovers on defense. A team would have to be able to score bunches just to keep up with them. That’s one reason why Jordan could be the toughest matchup for the Miners so far this season. The Beetdiggers’ offense isn’t just soaring. It’s about to clear the ionsphere and establish low-earth orbit. Jordan has averaged 57 points per game in its two playoff victories so far. Problem is the Beetdigger defense is not good enough to shut down the Bingham offense. The reverse is not true for the Miners.
Bingham 56, Jordan 28

Highland vs Springville

TP: Springville!!! You finally did it, you beat Timpview. Congratulations to the Springville community and to the state of Utah. Mix it up a bit; I like the fresh look of the 4A playoffs right now. The Devils are probably on cloud nine. That’s why they’re going to lose.
Highland 27, Springville 17.
JC: I’m not sure what to think of Highland. So up and down this season. The Rams needed a late rally to put away a mediocre Pine View team on the road. Springville, on the other hand, showed how tough it is by beating Timpview in convincing fashion. You got to believe there might be some emotional letdown for the Red Devils this week. It won’t matter though. The Rams secondary will not be able to stop Steve Bate from making big plays. If Bate can throw for 229 yards and 3 TDs against the T-Birds, how much do you figure he’ll drop on Highland? It could get uglier than a walrus modeling a bikini.
Springville 35, Highland 17

Bountiful vs Mountain Crest
TP: Is it too clich to say this is offense versus defense? Probably, but that’s the story line. Defense wins championships but offense doesn’t hurt your chances either. I like the Mustangs here, why? Because Mountain Crest has been so close each and every year, and now this is its best shot at finally winning a state championship.
Mountain Crest 17, Bountiful 16.
JC: Now that Timpview is out of the way, it should be smooth sailing for Alex Kuresa & company toward a state title right? Well, not exactly. Bountiful looks to be a much more formidable opponent than what I would have expected a few weeks ago. The Braves are averaging 42.5 points per game during their current four game winning streak and allowing just 8.3 points per contest in that stretch. Still, it is hard to imagine them finding a way to shut down Kuresa. Last week against East, he surpassed 10,000 yards passing and 12,000 yards in total offense for his career. He had 447 yards of total offense against the Leopards. I have a feeling that Kuresa will find a way to make enough plays to get the Mustangs past the semifinals for the first time since their last state title run in ’05.
Mountain Crest 27, Bountiful 21

Delta vs Hurricane
TP: The Tigers are clearly the better team here, and with the added motivation of making the third straight appearance and coming away with nothing but a pat on the back, and whispers of “Boy, those kids in Hurricane sure play with a lot of heart” is more than enough to make an average person go insane. The Tigers are also vying for their first state championships in school history – what more factors can one team have playing to its advantage?
Hurricane 28, Delta 13.
JC: It is Rabbit season at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Tigers are on the prowl, licking their chops for some fresh meat. Hurricane had its wake-up call against Cedar in the regular season finale. The Tiger offense is averaging 38.5 points per game and giving up just 11.5 per contest in the playoffs. I just don’t think Delta can do enough to slow Hurricane down. This is a team that can control the ball for long stretches behind a 1,000 yard rusher Jarom Healey and a capable QB in Adam Long. I agree with Trevor. I don’t think Hurricane is going to waste the chance for a third crack at finally winning a state title.
Hurricane 24, Delta 14

Judge Memorial vs Juan Diego
TP: Judge Memorial was left for dead. They had to win two games to make the playoffs. Now, the Bulldogs are in the semifinals. I have to tip my hat to the never-say-die attitude of the kids wearing the red jerseys. However, the Soaring Eagle are a superior team going for their third straight championship. John Colosimo and the boys get it done.
Juan Diego 28, Judge 20.

JC: The Bulldogs are a great underdog story. Going from play-in game to 3A semifinals is a great accomplishment. Too bad for Judge that the clock is going to strike midnight this week. The Soaring Eagle have won three straight over their archrival and shut them down in a 21-7 victory back in September. Do I see four in a row? Yes. Do I see a finals rematch with Hurricane? Why not?
Juan Diego 21, Judge 7

Duchesne vs Rich

TP: Rematch time. Last year’s state championship was a boring, cold game between these two teams. With the change of venue to Jordan High rather than Alta High this year, I like the Eagles. I couldn’t tell you what relevance the location has but I’m going to run with it. Duchesne 21, Rich 17.
JC: I expect a far different outcome and more excitement in the 1A title game this time around. The Rebels forced overtime when these two teams met in the regular season before the Eagles finally prevailed. Rich is the defending 1A champ. But Duchesne is on a higher level this year. The Eagles are averaging 34.9 points per game and have an excellent running back in Braiden Despain. So far, Despain has rushed for 1,496 yards and 16 TDs on 140 carries. Duchesne has won nine straight overall and I like its chances to make it 10 in a row and bring home a state title.
Duchesne 21, Rich 14

South Summit vs San Juan
TP: Back to location talks. I think if these two teams played here, there or in Africa (Thanks Michael Beasley and go Jayhawks) San Juan would win. Honestly, the Broncos are better, and have that intimidation factor over South Summit.
San Juan 28, South Summit 14.

JC: South Summit in Africa? That would be an interesting road trip. I wonder how many car washes you would need to do to fund that one. Anyway, I can guarantee this 2A title game rematch will be different than last year’s 7-0 barnburner. For one, there will be no more press box blackouts from yours truly. I don’t plan on spending Saturday at SUU. Secondly, don’t expect this game to be remotely close. When these two teams played in Kamas earlier this fall, San Juan’s defense completely dominated South Summit’s offense. If not for a big interception by Trevor Rydalch, the Wildcats would have probably been shut out at home. The Broncos have long been a title game nemesis to South Summit and with San Juan sporting the state’s best scoring defense this season, I see no reason it will change. I would love nothing more than to see my hometown team win. But I see San Juan pulling a TCU and putting this one away early.
San Juan 24, South Summit 3