Well its finally that time of year. Playoffs are here and the guessing game is finally over on who will be sent where for round 1 matchups. I hope you are as excited as I am so lets cut to the chase and get to picking. I have included my three highlighted games as usual below. Feel free to comment or criticize as much as you please!
Ar-We-Va, Westside @ Glidden-Ralston
Clarksville @ Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction
Colo-Nesco @ Melcher-Dallas
East Union, Afton @ Fremont-Mills, Tabor
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton @ Sidney
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire @ Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn
Guthrie Center @ Newell-Fonda
Harris-Lake Park @ Boyer Valley, Dunlap
Kee, Lansing @ Janesville
Lenox @ Coon Rapids-Bayard
Meskwaki Settlement School @ Central, Elkader
North Iowa, Buffalo Center @ West Bend-Mallard
Stanton @ Lamoni
Twin Cedars, Bussey @ Don Bosco, Gilbertville
Wayne, Corydon @ H-L-V, Victor
West Central, Maynard @ Northwood-Kensett
Game of the week/Upset of the week: Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire @ MMC
Huge rematch game in Marcus this Wednesday as the Titans come to town in hopes to keep their season going. In what many people thought as a surprise as MMC fell to West Bend in week 9, Graettinger-Terril looks to capatalize on what may be downward momentum the Eagles have after losing the district title. I feel since the week 3 loss to MMC this year, Graettinger has been on a tear winning every game that has came in front of them, including one against the district champs West Bend Mallard on the road. I feel they ride that confidence into this game and end MMC's season earlier than expected and move on to the round of 16.
Game to keep an eye on #1: Wayne @ HLV
From what I have been reading this is a game a lot of people were hoping would happen as they have had some competitive contests over the past few seasons with each other. I feel this game will be no difference in the fact that neither team will want to go down easy. It would shock me a little for Wayne to pull the W out in this one but then again it wouldn't all that much knowing the run they went on last year before losing in the quartes as a 3 seed. Keep an eye on this one for sure.
Game to keep on eye on #2: Lenox @ Coon Rapids Bayard
A little off the radar game in probably most people eyes, but this game I feel will be a good measuring stick for both districts. Coon Rapids I am sure is a little disappointed in having the 2 seed this year with how well they have played up until they ran into the buzz saw that was Glidden Ralston. Lenox on the other hand is flying under the radar in my eyes as they have played the #1 team Fremont Mills closer than anyone has all season, only losing by 2 points. Like I said this will be a good measuring stick for each district. Should Coon Rapids win by a wide margin what does that say about the legitamacy of Fremont Mills OR if Lenox were to win this game what is that to say to District 7 as a whole having one of their top teams go down early. Keep an eye on this one as it should be a good one and a good judgement for things going forward for those two districts.
Ar-We-Va, Westside @ Glidden-Ralston
Clarksville @ Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction
Colo-Nesco @ Melcher-Dallas
East Union, Afton @ Fremont-Mills, Tabor
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton @ Sidney
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire @ Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn
Guthrie Center @ Newell-Fonda
Harris-Lake Park @ Boyer Valley, Dunlap
Kee, Lansing @ Janesville
Lenox @ Coon Rapids-Bayard
Meskwaki Settlement School @ Central, Elkader
North Iowa, Buffalo Center @ West Bend-Mallard
Stanton @ Lamoni
Twin Cedars, Bussey @ Don Bosco, Gilbertville
Wayne, Corydon @ H-L-V, Victor
West Central, Maynard @ Northwood-Kensett
Game of the week/Upset of the week: Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire @ MMC
Huge rematch game in Marcus this Wednesday as the Titans come to town in hopes to keep their season going. In what many people thought as a surprise as MMC fell to West Bend in week 9, Graettinger-Terril looks to capatalize on what may be downward momentum the Eagles have after losing the district title. I feel since the week 3 loss to MMC this year, Graettinger has been on a tear winning every game that has came in front of them, including one against the district champs West Bend Mallard on the road. I feel they ride that confidence into this game and end MMC's season earlier than expected and move on to the round of 16.
Game to keep an eye on #1: Wayne @ HLV
From what I have been reading this is a game a lot of people were hoping would happen as they have had some competitive contests over the past few seasons with each other. I feel this game will be no difference in the fact that neither team will want to go down easy. It would shock me a little for Wayne to pull the W out in this one but then again it wouldn't all that much knowing the run they went on last year before losing in the quartes as a 3 seed. Keep an eye on this one for sure.
Game to keep on eye on #2: Lenox @ Coon Rapids Bayard
A little off the radar game in probably most people eyes, but this game I feel will be a good measuring stick for both districts. Coon Rapids I am sure is a little disappointed in having the 2 seed this year with how well they have played up until they ran into the buzz saw that was Glidden Ralston. Lenox on the other hand is flying under the radar in my eyes as they have played the #1 team Fremont Mills closer than anyone has all season, only losing by 2 points. Like I said this will be a good measuring stick for each district. Should Coon Rapids win by a wide margin what does that say about the legitamacy of Fremont Mills OR if Lenox were to win this game what is that to say to District 7 as a whole having one of their top teams go down early. Keep an eye on this one as it should be a good one and a good judgement for things going forward for those two districts.
