Boy oh boy, where does the time go?

It seems as if it were only yesterday that I was starting out on my pick parade for the 2007 season and now there’s only four regular season games left (give or take a makeup game).

If I could do as well with my college picks as I do with my prep picks in the Daily News panel I’d be sitting in high cotton. But apparently my time following high school ball has made me more of an expert of those games than those played in the Southeastern Conference and beyond.

Last week was the second straight week I only missed one high school game, that being Niceville’s loss to Pace.

Hopefully I’ll atone for that miss and get them all right today.

It’s do or die time in a lot of districts and nowhere is that more apparent than in District 2-4A when Choctawhatchee (3-3, 0-1) travels to Navarre to take on the Raiders (4-1, 0-1).

With the exception of the Fort Walton Beach game two weeks ago, the Navarre offense has been flying high this season. That could spell trouble for a Choctaw defense that has known both feast and famine.

In Choctaw’s three wins the Tribe has given up a total of 12 points, but in the three losses the oppostion has averaged 39 points against the Indians. Which Navarre offense and Choctaw defense show up will determine this game.

The Indians haven’t shown me that they can stop a good team yet and the Raiders are a good team playing at home. I’ll take Navarre in this one 35-31.

Crestview (3-2, 1-0) at Fort Walton Beach (4-1, 1-0). This game will determine who is in the District 2-4A driver’s seat. The winner all but assures themselves a spot in the playoffs and the loser will face what could be considered a must win in two weeks.

Jason Parker and the Bulldog offense have opened things up recently shedding the old image of power football fans have come to expect in the Hub City. But the Bulldog defense has been anything but junkyard dogs in giving up 28 and 38 points the last two games.

Fort Walton Beach struggled to score two weeks ago against Navarre, but the Viking defense was stellar in holding the Raiders to a field goal.

This game looks to be interesting, but I believe Fort Walton Beach has a few more athletes. That’s why I’m taking the Vikings 28-17.

Niceville (5-1, 1-0 District 1-5A) at Pine Forest (4-3, 1-0). Another easy game to pick if I just wanted to say the Eagles.

Year in and year out these are two of the better teams in Northwest Florida. It’s only fitting that they are now in the same revamped District 1-5A.

Both Niceville and Pine Forest are coming off tough losses against teams that could battle for state championships. The Eagles of Niceville dropped their first game of the season on the road against a tough Pace squad that should make some noise in Class 4A. Pine Forest lost to Foley, one of the best teams in Alabama.

Both Niceville and Pine Forest have size and good skill players. I think Niceville will be the more disciplined squad and that’s why I’m taking the visiting Eagles.

I like Niceville 31-20.

The District 1-2A title will probably be decided tonight when Catholic (2-5, 1-0) travels to DeFuniak Springs to take on Walton (6-0).

The Braves have breezed through the first half of their schedule in impressive fashion. The opposite can be said of the Crusaders who have been less than impressive but still managed to beat Marianna in the only District 1-2A to be played so far.

The contrast in records comes into focus when it is noted the Crusaders have played in in competition, and the Braves have yet to play anyone in their class or larger.

I still believe Walton is as good as the record indicates. I saw the Crusaders against Navarre, and they struggled. They’ll struggle again against Walton.

I’m going with the Braves 33-13.

In District 1-2B action Baker (3-3, 1-1) is at Holmes County (1-5, 0-1).

The Gators currently find themselves in third place in the district behind Northview and Vernon. But victories tonight and next week against the Yellow Jackets will assure Baker a spot in the post season.

Last week was the first time Baker’s Cameron Domangue has failed to rush for 100 yards. Look for Domangue and the Gators to get back on the winning track after losing to Walton last week.

I’m picking Baker big 38-10.

Looking at the records West Gadsden (2-5, 2-2) at Freeport (2-4, 2-2) would seem to be an evenly matched game in District 1-A. But when comparing scores against common opponents the Panthers have played much better than the Bulldogs.

I like Jim Anderson and his scrappy group of players, but a long season is starting to tell on the Freeport players. A loss tonight and what ever hopes they have of making the playoffs are done.

I think it will be the Panthers who keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

That’s why I’m picking West Gadsden 32-17.

How do think things will shape up tonight?

Who are the pretenders, and who will be the real contenders?

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 18th, 2007 at 10:51 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.