By Dannie Oliveaux and John Leggett | The Courier-Herald
For the first time this season, JL was stumped on his picks as he lost three games as he stuck with is alma mater picking Wazzu. With his 5-3 mark, he stands 31-11 overall. DO gain a game on JL with a 6-2 mark and improved to 30-12 overall. Once again, some interesting matchups, especially on the high school and college level.
Bonney Lake at Enumclaw
DO: A spot in the playoffs is on the line at Pete’s Pool. The Panthers were just a yard away from beating Peninsula last week. There is a chance of rain and a wet field could favor the team with the best running game. BONNEY LAKE
JL: In my weekly chat with Donnie “Football” Bartel, head coach of the 4-1 (in league) Enumclaw Hornet football squad, he said that Bonney Lake is going to be even more difficult to beat, since Peninsula edged them out last Friday.
“The most dangerous animal in the jungle, is the one that’s been wounded,” is how he put it, to be precise.
This game should live up to its billing as both teams are exceptional, but I am giving the advantage to EHS due to the fact that the game is being played at the Pete’s Pool Pasture.
Those “spoiled” Panther boys are used to playing football in 21st century, astroturf venues. Additionally, it isn’t as if the Hornets are going to be caught off guard or anything….They know what’s-a-comin down the state Route 410 tracks straight at them and they are prepared to keep the game from looking like a train wreck. ENUMCLAW.
Auburn Mountainview at Sumner
DO: It’s homecoming time in Spartanland. Last week, the Spartans were less than two minutes away from getting their first win, but MT scored with 12 seconds in the game. Surely Coach Keith Ross will have his boys riding high Friday night. Spartans get their first win. SUMNER
JL: Last Thursday evening the Sparts nearly collected their initial conquest of the season vs. the “Fabulous” Thunderbirds. But if I know Sumner coach Keith Ross at all, close but no cigar doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. Mr. Ross was in attendance and paying very close attention when Enumclaw trashed the Lions 33-0 last week, so he is probably pretty much in tune in regards to what can be exploited by his tough Spartan crew. Sumner earns the homecoming thumbs up for triumph number one and the SHS crowd and that wonderful Spartan band go wild. SUMNER
Peninsula at White River
DO: The Seahawks’ win over Bonney Lake wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. Peninsula has a balanced offense with speed in the receiving corps. The Hornets must stop the ‘Hawks passing attack or it will be a long night in the sticks. PENINSULA
JL: I have yet to see Peninsula play this season, but the Seahawks appear to be a solid group again this season. If White River can keep the Peninsula offensive machine at bay they will register an upset and do their Hornet brothers across the river a solid in the process. As far as the PHS defensive unit goes Hornets, just pretend that it is a brick wall. Hit that wall like a wrecking ball WRHS – Go Hornets! WHITE RIVER
Washington at Arizona State
DO: The Huskies know that every game is important is they are even looking at making a bowl game this season. ASU had to rough time, but finally knocked off Wazzu. Jake Locker and Co. need a win here. WASHINGTON
JL: If my boys from the Palouse could almost spank “Sparky” the Dawgs should be able do the deed with their paws tied behind their backs. WASHINGTON
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 20 Oklahoma
DO: The annual “Red River Shootout” is once again a toss up. The Sooners lost any national title hopes to BYU and Miami, but the Longhorns, with QB Colt McCoy in control, are title contenders. But throw out the record books, anything can happen in this epic rivalry in the Cotton Bowl. TEXAS
JL: Texas will torch the Sooner Schooner…McCoy is fun to watch as he dismantles teams….Hook ‘Em Horns. TEXAS
Arizona at Seattle
DO: The Seahawks need another win, but the key seems to be keeping Matt Hasselbeck healthy. ARIZONA
JL: I loved the no huddle offense implemented by the Hawks last week against the lowly Jacksonville Jags. It seemed to be a great little added device that gave Hasselbeck that extra second he needed to spot his open receivers that he didn’t have before. Say a prayer for that Boston College boy won’t you’all and Seattle D good luck with Fitzgerald and that darn allie oop reception he makes all the time. SEATTLE
New York (Giants) at New Orleans
DO: Two undefeated teams battle in the Superdome.
The Saints are a surprising 4-0 and lead the NFL in points per game with 36. QB Drew Brees has the Saints’ offense clicking. Like N.O., the Giants are averaging 30 ppg under QB Eli Manning, who is playing with a tender right heel. Look for plenty of scoring in the Dome deep in Cajun Land. NEW ORLEANS
JL: Okay, I confess that the Saints are undefeated and are just coming off a bye week, but I think that my partner in crime has been dipping into those hallucinogenic escargot again. The football Giants don’t get a bye week until week ten, so they know they have to keep the M0 aflow to stay abreast with the Philly Eagles (also a member of the NFC East) and stop that vaunted passing attack of the Saints. I just hope Eli, a Ole Miss alum can shake off the pain of that injury and do well in front of is southern home boys, who are likely going to be on hand to see how Eli has matured. And don’t forget who was one of the original Saint signal callers after Billy Kilmer and that bunch including Eli’s ole Daddy – Archie Manning. The guys in the gold helmets and fleur de lis are led by that dude with the cool tear drop birth mark on his facial cheek. But the NYG has the defensive crew to shut down the much bally hooed air attack of the Saints in the venue that was previously known as the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World in the Bayou (The Super Dome). Who Dat – Who Dat Gonna Beat Those New Orleans Saints? Well, the Gaints, of course. NEW YORK
