Andrew Aragon
assistant prep editor | Oct. 29, 2010 at 11:18 a.m.
It's playoff time and I need to raise my game.
I've been a poor prognosticator since Week 1. I'm not sure what my problem has been. Maybe I just don't have a good feel for things this season.
I'm not entirely disappointed with it. Outside of the loaded-up all-star teams in the state, there has been a lot of parity in high school football in 2010. It's been a fun year and I think this week and next week will be even better.
John still leads the competition and I'll need a miracle to catch him. But I might just have a Juan Diego-style last-second touchdown pass left in me, so it's not over yet.
JC: Playoffs? We're talking about playoffs? Yes we are. This is the best part of the season because we finally separate the champions from the pretenders. What it means for me is a chance to finally gain some ground on Andrew and Trevor. If this competition is a marathon, I have burst through the wall and I'm running on my second wind. Andrew is still at the last aid station gulping down water. Trevor is beginning to cramp up and will soon collapse before the finish line, screaming in pain. Don't worry guys. It will all be over soon. Just sit back and accept your defeat. It will feel less painful.
TP: Is there anything else to say? High school football playoffs are here. I usually would say finally before that, but it seems like the season just started yesterday. At the start of the year several Deseret News sports writers offered predictions and opinions on the season. I predicted that Bingham, Mountain Crest, Hurricane, San Juan and Rich would take the title this year in their respected classifications. I still haven't changed my opinion, yet. Timpview, obviously, presents a huge challenge for MC as well as multiple other 4A teams. Also, it looks as if Juan Diego and Cedar could cause some serious problems for Hurricane as well. I also said that West, Olympus, Bear River, North Summit and Layton Christian would exceed expectations; and for the most part I got that right as well. I'm feeling confident about the playoffs - I'm also looking forward to topping Andrew and John in this pick 'em contest. Alright, John - I'm looking forward to your jabs when we predict the Alta game. I'm guessing you'll say that I tackled, or ran around chanting for Alta to beat PG or something to that regard. For those who don't know, I never see what John or Andrew writes until you do - watch me be right on this one.
Northridge at Alta
JC: Trevor has kicked his fanaticism into overdrive this time. Inspired by his all-time favorite cartoon, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Trevor jogged past Northridge High School dressed as He-Man. As he ran, he pulled out a plastic sword and shouted: "By the power of Grayskull! Alta has the power!" I'm not sure what that was all about, but I think he needs help. He's one step away from random tackling again. Northridge seems to be in good shape to claim its first playoff win since 2004. The Knights are yielding just 12.2 points per game. Brock Johnson, the team's leading rusher with 806 yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 carries, is also the leading tackler. The best hope for the Hawks is that Taylor Eyring has a monster game. Eyring has 1,298 yards and 15 TDs on 185 carries. The problem with the Hawks is there's no consistency at the quarterback position. I feel confident picking the Knights in this one. Northridge 20, Alta 17
TP: Ever heard of a 4-6 team being a second seed in the playoffs? Me neither. This isn't a very good Hawks team, and I mean that. Multiple times I've thought Alta would finally start to pull things together but the fact of the matter is they haven't - the record speaks for itself. During the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons' the Hawks had a combined five losses. This team has already lost six. 'Nuff said. Northridge 24, Alta 17.
AA: This is probably the best game of the day as the teams are evenly matched. I like Alta because the Hawks have had more success in recent postseasons and because we deserve a Bingham-Alta game next week. Who is we? Just people in general. Alta, 24, Northridge 23.
http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/21/10010405/High-school-sports-Week-11-football-picks.html
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