By Dannie Oliveaux and John Leggett | The Courier-Herald
JL stayed true to his Enumclaw Hornets and Minnesota Vikings, but they both came up short. Thus, JL, 5-2 last week, drops to 39-17 in the overall standings, while DO (7-0) improved to 41-15 – a three-game lead. But there is still more football for us to prognosticate. It’s rivalry week with two important games: Bonney Lake-Sumner and Enumclaw-White River. It’s Halloween Weekend and anything can happen. Here are our picks for the seven best “Games of the Week” – in our opinion.
Sumner at Bonney Lake
DO: Well it’s not really an away game for the Spartans, who share Sunset Chev Stadium with Bonney Lake. The Panthers can’t afford a loss against the Spartans, who are on a two-game winning streak. A win, depending on a Enumclaw victory, will give BL the No. 4 seed in the SPSL 3A Division and move on to the playoffs. BONNEY LAKE
JL: There is to much on the line for the Panthers. Sorry Coach Ross, but as much as I would love to see you continue your marvelous late season winning streak, I just don’t think it is going to happen. BONNEY LAKE
White River at Enumclaw
DO: The E-Hornets need a win to avoid a mini-playoff with Bonney Lake and White River. Enumclaw stubbled last week across the Narrows, but should return to winning form against its neighboring rivals. One thing for sure, the Hornets are going to win. ENUMCLAW
JL: Take it from me, Peninsula swung a baseball bat at the EHS Hornet Hive by beating Carel and Co. in Purdy last Friday evening. The Enumclaw players and coaching staff were truly angry at themselves for allowing that opportunity to slip through their fingers. White River isn’t any pushover though. So, don’t expect the WR-Hornets to lay down and die for Enumclaw at Pete’s Pool Field this Friday. Arrive early, because the venerable old venue should be packed to the rafters. They don’t like one another that much, and besides their is hardware and local bragging rights on the line here folks. Should be one hell of a game, because you can bet your bottom dollar that WRHS would love to demolish their county-line neighbors and force a play-off for a third place berth in the SPSL 3A standings going into the post-season. ENUMCLAW
Washington State vs. Notre Dame
DO: The Cougs travel southeast to the Lone Star State and a date with the ranked Fighting Irish on Halloween. It’s going to be a Halloween Massacre. NOTRE DAME
JL: I won’t be able to watch this one. Way to spooky. Besides my Catholicism leaves me no choice than to select the Irish in this one. Again I say I am loyal…not stupid. Just remember Cougar players the eyes of the Palouse, not Texas, are upon you. NOTRE DAME
USC at Oregon
DO: Could be the best matchup of the week in college football. The Ducks are riding a wave of wins since falling to Boise State in Week 1 and are on top in the Pac 10. While the Men of Troy lost to Washington, Oregon dominated UW. I think the Ducks squeak out this one at home. OREGON
JL: The crestfallen Tommy Trojan will be committing Hari Kari on Saturday in Eugene. No, not from having to look at those hideous Duck uniforms, but for the fact the Trojans lose a tight one. OREGON.
Seattle at Dallas
DO: The Seahawks are getting back some healthy players and could give the Cowboys a game. Dallas is tough at home, but who will be rooting for Tony Romo in the stand. Well it’s not going to be Jessica Simpson. DALLAS
JL: Dallas field general Tony Romeo has a new favorite target. No, he and Jessica aren’t getting back together.
Romeo will be attacking the Seahawk secondary and hooking up early and often with the guy in the Cowpoke receiving corp who makes about a tenth of what Jerry Jones paid Roy E. Williams (shape of a capital L on his forehead) and Miles Austin should light up Seattle’s secondary shorties with the Cowboy air attack, because that cagey little Austin has shown a knack for getting wide opened. DALLAS
Minnesota at Green Bay
DO: Once again, Mentor vs. Student. Brett Farve won the first round, but Aaron Rodgers has been on a roll since the Packers loss to the Viks earlier this season. The game is in Title Town as the ghosts of the Packers’ past will be looking on. GREEN BAY
JL: There is no way that this one is going to live up to all its billing and hype. There will be two players running in this contest. Minnesota’s fleet-footed running back, Adrian Peterson, will be rushing over, under, around and through the Packers porous defense and Aaron Rodgers will be running for his life, because his patchwork offensive line will not be able to stave off sackmaster Jared Allen, ahhh #69 if you were curious that is. Additionally, the Cheeseheads would love to see Favre fold like a house of cards, because they consider him to be the paragon of what a traitor is. Barring an injury though, which I am certain is at the forefront of all Packer fan’s minds, Favre will not embarrass himself, as I am sure he has a little bit of Dixie pride remaining. And finally, guess who the current Viking kicker, Ryan Longwell, used to kick field goals and PATs for. You’ve got it, Green Bay. So this is a homecoming for more than one Viking player. MINNESOTA.
Atlanta at New Orleans
DO: The Saints, undefeated and averaging 40 points per games, is playing a rare Monday night game. So far this season, the Boys from New Orleans have racked up the points on offense with Drew Brees at the controls. Could the Saints be on the way to their first-ever NFC championship and Super Bowl appearance. Could this finally be the breakout season. NEW ORLEANS
JL: Last Sunday I became a Saints believer. Anybody else see that dramatic New Orleans comeback over Miami? Then, I heard one of the Saint defensive backs who managed a pick six on the Dolphins, Darren Sharper, say on the radio, “There are four quarters in football. Even though we were down by a lot at the break, we knew there was a lot of football left to play, cause we never quit until we see triple zeros on the scoreboard clock.” Well said my friend. Who Dat…Who Dat gonna beat those New Orleans Saints. Not the Falcons – Atlanta will burn. NEW ORLEANS.
