HIGH SCHOOL HYPOTHESIS:
Playoff Edition
Last Week: Will: 5-1 TJ: 4-2
Overall Will: 24-15 TJ: 24-15
PANORAMA (5-4) vs. PELLA CHRISTIAN (7-2)
WILL PICKS-Pella Christian
It’s hard to go against Pella Christian in this one. The Eagles had a strong first year in their new stadium and that is exactly where they open up the Class 1A Sub-state playoffs. One of the more intriguing things about this Eagles squad is that a lot of their main contributors are only juniors.
TJ PICKS-Panorama
Will’s right, it is hard to go against Pella Christian in this one. But unlike him, I actually am going against them. I may seem crazy, especially since Panorama brings a two game losing skid into post season play. But I feel that Panorama’s senior QB Zach Brehmer will outplay Pella Christian junior QB Kyle Nikkel and the Panthers will claw there way to the next round in an upset.
BEDFORD (6-3) vs. VAN METER (8-1)
WILL PICKS-Van Meter
How about the dual (er triple) threat that is Ben Fisher! The Van Meter QB has almost 2000 total yards this year and 29 tackles. I don’t really see many upsets happening in the first round (until later in this hypothesis)…
TJ PICKS-Van Meter
BATTLE OF THE BULLDOGS!! This will be a good one. But I like the enthusiasm that the town of Van Meter will bring to this game. Ben Fisher is one of the many QB’s of the new dual-threat generation. He, along with the Van Meter home crowd, will be enough to launch the Bulldogs of Van Meter into the next round. If Bedford does prevail in this one, you can bet that junior iron-man Jordan Walston will be the reason why.
VALLEY (5-4) vs. FORT DODGE (7-2)
WILL PICKS-Valley
Listen, I know that people get upset when that I keep picking Valley in these weekly things. To be quite honest, they are probably the only reason I’m losing to TJ in the overall standings. Here is my TRIVIA OF THE DAY…When was the last time Valley went 5-4? Answer: 2002. When did Valley win their first ever state championship in football? Answer: 2002. You just can’t count out the Tigers until they are defeated.
TJ PICKS-Valley
Gosh, this is tough. I‘ve been pre-conditioned to just automatically pick Valley in all things football, but this season they have burned me a couple times. So I’m going to go ahead and give them another chance to burn me. Although Fort Dodge took care of the Tigers 24-10 in week eight, I just can’t go against the team of the decade. This will also be a chance for Valley to seek revenge on Fort Dodge for keeping them out of the state baseball tournament last summer. Dodger’s stud running-back Jontel Clayton will be tough to contain, but I’m going to take Valley in a close one.
WASHINGTON (5-4) vs. CENTERVILLE (9-0)
WILL PICKS-Centerville
The number one seed in this game. NO question here.
TJ PICKS-Centerville
Centerville, duh. This one’s easy, plus Washington isn’t in our viewing area so I can’t make anyone mad with this pick. In all honesty, Centerville has been great all season long, and they won’t faulter here. Tanner Susin is one of the state’s best on both sides of the ball, add fellow seniors Ethan Moorman, Blake McPherren and Mike England to that defensive potion, and Centerville looks poised for a state title.
MANSON-NW WEBSTER (7-2) vs. MOUNT AYR (7-2)
WILL PICKS-Manson NW Webster
This game is decided in the offensive backfield. Who will be better? Kyle Twait and Brandon McGinty of Manson-NW Webster or will it be David Showalter and Matt Jones? I’m taking Twait and McGinty.
TJ PICKS-Mount Ayr
The Raiders are bringing a five game winning streak into the post-season after a slow 2-2 start. When a team is hot like that, how can you pick against them? Junior Cade Lambson and senior Dylan Lame will anchor the Raider defense, while senior Marcus Tague will be flying around for the Cougars. This will be a close one, but I’ll take the Raiders.
Will Marchino and TJ Rushing, High School Playbook
