Randy’s Picks Week 10
November 1st, 2007, 10:23 pm · Post a Comment · posted by rdickson
Can you believe we have just one more week left in high school football’s regular season after tonight? It seems as if it were only yesterday that fans were abuzz with the excitement of the upcoming campaign. And now the talk has turned to the fading days of fall.
In the next few weeks, if they already haven’t done so, area senior football players will walk on their home turf one last time.
About this time every season I journey back to a November night in 1975 when I left the world of being a high school football player. I feel fortunate that in some small way I can still be associated with the sport in my capacity as a sports writer with the Daily News.
Last week was my worst this year when it came to prep picks. I was an awful 3-4. On the bright side, I only missed one college game. But this site is about high school sports and this is a big week with playoff spots and bragging rights on the line.
No matter what the sport, there is no bigger game in Okaloosa County than Fort Walton Beach-Choctawhatchee. And no game is bigger than the annual Viking-Indian clash on the gridiron. Although this half of the District 2-4A playoff picture has been decided, it is still Choctaw-Fort Walton Beach, or to Viking fans, Fort Walton Beach Choctaw.
Talk about a no-win situation, I’m going to have half my friends mad at me whichever way I go with this one.
Choctaw is coming off an open date and Fort Walton Beach is coming off an unexpected loss to Mosley. The Indians haven’t played since they were eliminated from playoff contention by Navarre two weeks ago.
Give any coach worth the salt an extra week to prepare and no telling what will happen. Bobby Moore has had that extra week to get the Tribe ready for the Vikings. Jace Blanchard should be rested and the Indians should be as healthy as they’ve been in a while.
Luke Barnes has grown up a lot this year, and he’ll need to take another big step forward in this game.
A playoff atmosphere will greet the Vikings at Etheredge Stadium even if the Indians will be home for the post season.
The Vikings need some momentum and a win tonight will give them something to build on as the close out the regular season with Niceville before heading into the playoffs.
The Indians have scored in bunches, but most of their recent opponents have too. I don’t think Choctaw can score enough points to win this one. That’s why I’m picking the Vikings 41-35.
The Vikings have wrapped up the top spot in the district, but the other District 2-4A spot is up for grabs as Crestview heads to Navarre.
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, but you can forget about those games in a hurry. There is no doubt that Bulldog coach Matt Brunson and Raider boss Larry Olson will have their teams ready.
Earlier in the year I would have taken Navarre in an easy win. But the Bulldog offense is gaining steam in the spread with Jason Parker at quarterback.
The difference in this game should be the senior leadership of Austin Grimm at quarterback for the Raiders.
Navarre can’t repeat as district champs, but the Raiders can return to the playoffs for the second straight season and second time in the history of the football team.
The game is at Navarre, and I’m giving the home team the nod. Navarrre wins 31-24.
Washington is at Niceville tonight and the Eagles can wrap up the District 1-5A title and home field advantage throughout most of the playoffs. Speaking of the home field, it will be good for the Niceville players to be at home for the first time since beating Choctaw on Sept. 21.
The Wildcats have struggled to score points at times this season, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty of weapons.
Talking to coach John Hicks and some of the Eagle players earlier this week I sensed Niceville is ready to soar at homecoming tonight.
The Wildcats might play well early, but the Eagles should take the battle to them.
I like Niceville in this one 38-10.
Walton travels to Marianna hoping to secure the second playoff spot from District 1-2A. The Bulldogs are always tough at home and have been for more than 30 years that I can recall.
However, after losing to Catholic in their only other district game the Braves know they must win to make it to the playoffs.
Tarrell Bramlet, Issac Jackson and friends will try to light out the scoreboard and bring home the win.
It will be a battle, but I’m still going with the Braves. Look for Walton to win 28-13.
Baker at Bozeman, round two. The Gators look for rare same-season revenge when they travel to Panama City to take on the Bucks tonight. Bozeman won the first game 37-15, but it should be noted that Cameron Domangue was in his first game at quarterback.
Domangue has grown up this season and, although they are out of the playoff picture, so have the Gators. They should that maturity last week against Vernon.
That’s why I’m taking Baker to win 31-21.
South Walton is looking for an upset tonight when the Seahawks host Northview in a District 1-2B battle.
In beating Holmes County 16-14, a week ago the Seahawks kept their slim playoff hopes alive. If they can upset the Chiefs, the Seahawks, Baker and Northview will be tied with a 2-2 district record. In that event the teams would meet in a shootout on Monday to determine the second place team from the district.
There are a lot of “ifs” that have to happen, but the Seahawks could play spoiler and Cinderella in the same game.
I just don’t see it happening though. That’s why I’m taking the Chiefs 34-6.
The final game on tonight’s slate is Sneads at Freeport. The only thing at stake are a few bragging rights in District 1-A.
I really don’t have a feel for this game. And my crystal ball seems to have a short in it.
I picked Sneads in the panel, so I’ll stay with my pick.
Sneads wins 14-12.
Bonus makeup games from Sept. 21.
Pace at Crestview. Patriots 31-17.
Navarre at Milton. Panthers 21-14.
That’s the way I’m seeing things this week. What do you think?
