Well we both went 4-3 with Washington stumping us with a thrilling 16-13 win over nationally ranked USC. JL stuck with his Cougs as they beat SMU, but the Seachickens let us both down in the Bay Area. In high school football this week, the race for the playoff spot could become clearer with Enumclaw at Lakes (both undefeated), facing off.
After three weeks of racking our brains, JL trails DO by a game. DO is 14-6 overall, while JL is 13-7.
Sumner at Franklin Pierce
DO: The Spartans nearly pulled an upset at Pete’s Pool and maybe they are ready for a win. The offense was able to score and the defense kept them in the game. Could be a win. SUMNER
JL: Sumner is just about there. If the game wasn’t at Franklin Pierce I would be giving the nod to the Spartans to claim their initial victory of the season. While the Cardinals do have the home field advantage though, their speedy and aggressive defense tends to over pursue, so if the Spartans go with a reverse or two it may be beneficial to the SHS cause. Also, when I watched the Redbirds host the Enumclaw Hornets a couple of weeks ago, there was a lot of laundry on the field as Franklin Pierce was penalized 18 times for well over one hundred yards. If FP can keep those flags in the ref’s pockets, FPHS will beat Sumner. FRANKLIN PIERCE
Bonney Lake at Shelton
DO: Bonney Lake hits the road against the Class 4A Highclimbers in Mason County. The Panthers running game and passing game was effective against Clover Park and each week the offense is getting better. The defense is capable of keeping the opposing team out of the end zone. BONNEY LAKE
JL: The Panthers are building momentum as head coach Chad Barrett has those kids believing in themselves, but Shelton always is a hard hitting and prepared squad. It will be a nailbiter, but when the final horn sounds Bonney Lake will emerge with the conquest. BONNEY LAKE
Timberline at White River
DO: The Hornets found out last week just how good Lakes is. This week, Timberlines bring in a very balanced offense attack that averages 40 points per game. The key for Timberline – stop Blake Tidwell and you stop the Hornets. TIMBERLINE
JL: After being humbled and beat up by Lakes last week, White River will be looking to get back on the winning track and reestablishing its running game. It won’t be a walk in the park for the Hornets, but if they can win the battle in the trenches against an always physical Blazer bunch, by controlling the clock and slowing the game’s tempo they’ll win. WHITE RIVER
Enumclaw at Lakes
DO: Enumclaw may be looking for revenge after Lake’s narrow win at Pete’s Pool in 2008. But no one has been able to slowdown, much less stop the Lancer Express. Let’s see … Lakes at home and a win. LAKES
JL: Lakes escaped Pete’s Pool with a close win last season like a thief in the night. If it weren’t for a fumble on the goal line by the Hornets it may have been a different story. Enumclaw has been working their tails off and knock on wood the injury bug hasn’t hit them to hard yet. I think the Hornets are going to play the stingiest defense they’ve played all year and try run out the clock to keep the ball out of the talented Lakes offense’s hands. I am going to cross my fingers and go way, way out on a limb and say that the Lancer fans are going to be grumbling to themselves with their heads hung low in disappointment after Lakes doesn’t take the Hornets seriously and as a consequence tastes the bitter dregs of defeat. ENUMCLAW
Washington at Stanford
DO: The Huskies (No. 24, AP) travel to the Bay Area and are coming off a high with a win over USC. But the Cardinals have pulled a few upsets in last season in Pac 10 play. Locker and Co. should put on a show that could push them into the Top 20. WASHINGTON
JL: I guess I have a little crow to chow on don’t I, but toppling the unsuspecting Trojans at Husky Stadium and crushing the Cards (Trees) of Stanford in Palo Alto are two different dragons to slay. Sorry Dawg fans, but I don’t think U of W will capture lightening in a bottle twice in two weeks. I think last week was a flash in the pan and had a little something to do with the fact that Sarkasian was coaching with USC one short year ago and knew exactly what he had to do to win that game. I’ve got to give Sark his propers though he and his rejuvenated squad pulled it off. STANFORD
Washington State at USC
DO: I wouldn’t want to be the Cougars playing this week in the Rose Bowl. It will be ugly. USC
JL: Thanks for waking the sleeping giant U of W..The Cougs are going to get taken behind the wood shed by the Southern California dudes. That horse that Tommy Trojan rides around on is gonna be breathing fire. The Cougs will be lucky to score even a field goal…and USC? Well, let’s just say it is going to be an awfully long day for the crimson and gray. USC
Chicago at Seattle
DO: The Seahawks may be without QB Matt Hasselbeck this Sunday, they are an average team with Senaca Wallace. The Bears got a big win over Pittsburgh last week and are posed for another. CHICAGO
JL: At one point during last week’s contest in the city by the bay, the Seahawks had ten of their starters being tended to by the trainers, who definitely earned their pay last Sunday. The only way I can see Seattle winning this one is if that Vanderbilt Boy (Jay Cutler) with the big mouth gets a little to free and easy with his passes and bungles things up by tossing passel of interceptions. CHICAGO
