By Dannie Oliveaux and John Leggett | The Courier-Herald
DO: John and I put our hopes on Sumner, but ended up disappointed. The Lions also let him down as Bonney Lake got their first win. Overall, we have a better winning percentage than the Mariners. The SPSL 3A Division is getting interesting with Lakes, Enumclaw and White River all sporting perfect marks. But the landscape is changing week by week for those precious playoff spots. This week, we threw in an interesting game – Tennessee at Florida. Maybe I can keep my mark up. Last week, I was 6-1 and improved to 10-3 overall, while JL was 5-2 and dropped to 9-4 overall.
This week’s picks:
Bonney Lake at Clover Park:
DO: The Panthers got their first win for head coach Chad Barrett behind a balanced offensive attack. BL has proven they can move the football, but their secondary will be tested against the Warriors passing. A tough one to call. BONNEY LAKE
JL: This contest will be extremely close, but I give a slight edge to the Warriors for owning the home field advantage. CLOVER PARK
Sumner at Enumclaw:
DO: On thing is certain – the Spartans have to find some offense. The offense has only scored 3 points in the first two games, while the defense has given up too much yardage. The Hornets want to keep atop the SPSL standing with Lakes. ENUMCLAW
JL: Something has to give here as both teams have had difficulties getting their offenses untracked thus far in the 2009 campaign. I feel as though Enumclaw will win for three reasons though. 1.) They have a miserly defense that seems to rise to the occasion, which is one of the things that has enabled the Hornets to be 2-0 at this point. 2.) They are playing at the Pete’s Pool pasture, which is truly an advantage, since the spoiled Sparts are accustomed to playing on Sunset Chev’s field turf. 3.) Enumclaw owes Sumner a little payback. Hornet head coach Don Bartel assured me in our weekly phone conference, that the boys in maroon and gold have not forgotten what rude hosts the Spartans were to them last season, when they cleaned Enumclaw’s clock. ENUMCLAW
Lakes at White River:
DO: No. 2 Lakes brings their show to Hornet Stadium and one thing is for sure, they can put up the points. The Lancers have scored 42 points or more in their first two games. WR’s Blake Tidwell is a good back, but he hasn’t played against a defense like Lakes. LAKES
JL: Lakes better be smarter than to come into the Hornet Hive all cocky and not taking WRHS serious or the Lancers could be in for a bit of a surprise or even an upset. White River has something special going on with its running game, Tidwell has been unstoppable. Additionally, one thing I noticed about Lakes last year when it visited Enumclaw’s pasture (or I mean field); they don’t bring a very sizable traveling squad So, if the Hornets can wear Lakes down with that established rushing attack, the Lancers might be in trouble. The well-coached White River contingent, under Ken Fagan’s tutelage, won’t go down without a fight, but I think in the end the Lancers will prevail in this joust. LAKES
USC at Washington:
DO: The Men of Troy march into Husky Stadium with only one thing in mind… WIN! Jake Locker and the boys are much improved from last year, and so are the Trojans – they simply just reload. Could be an upset, but USC is “money in the bank.” USC
JL: USC….Nough said.
SMU at Washington State:
DO: Are the Cougars the worst team in the Pac 10? Probably – just ask Hawaii. Last week, the Mustangs snapped a 17-game Conference USA losing streak behind their passing attack. Look for the Horses to come out of the gate strong. SMU
JL: Being the visiting team playing before a drunken bunch of Wazzu fans can be an unenviable, unpleasant and unforgiving experience at times. The crowd plays a great 12th man and intimidates SMU. The wild Mustangs are broken with five turnovers and the Cougs luck out. WSU
Tennessee at Florida:
DO: The series is tied 19-19 with the Gators winning the last four meetings. The Vols are looking for their first win against UF since 2004. The Swamp is one of the most difficult places for opponents to play. Watch Tim Tebow and Co. pour on the points: FLORIDA
JL: The incredible virgin QB, Tim Tebow leads the Gators to a romp in the swamp. FLORIDA
Seattle at San Francisco
DO: The Seahawks looked impressive at home against a hapless Rams’ squad. The 49ers, behind Frank Gore, will try to establish a running game to keep the ball away from the Seattle offense. But if the 49ers have to abandon their running game, can they throw against the Seahawks. No easy win in the Bay. SEATTLE
JL: The Seahawks will have to shut down the vaunted Niner running game, led by “Fearless” Frank Gore, if they plan on going 2-0. Additionally, the tilt is in Frisco, but an improved and healthy Seahawk defense just might be up to the task. Hasselbeck must throw more to the man with the lucky 13 letters in his name, because San Fran is going to be covering John Carlson like white on rice. SEATTLE
