Well the first round is done and what a round it was. A lot of good games across the state and even an upset with Harris Lake Park knocking off Boyer Valley. This new playoff system I feel is creating a lot of excitement among fans with teams not knowing where they are going but its also creating a lot of controversey as well. I will quit beating around the bush and go to it. Below are my picks for the week as well as the standard highlighted games:
Coon Rapids-Bayard @ Newell-Fonda
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton @ Lamoni
H-L-V, Victor @ Janesville
Harris-Lake Park @ West Bend-Mallard
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn @ Glidden-Ralston
Melcher-Dallas @ Fremont-Mills, Tabor
Northwood-Kensett @ Central, Elkader
Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction @ Don Bosco, Gilbertville
Game of the week: MMC @ Glidden Ralston
After the dust settled in Marcus last night with those two heavyweights getting pair up week one, MMC came out victorious and was drawn the tough task of heading to Glidden. Word on the street is that MMC is a little banged up from the last couple games but they are very very well coached so I feel they will be ready to play with what they have. Glidden might bring the most physical team in the state to the table whenever they stop on the field. They have the size and skill to play with anyone and with Coach Lensch at the helm you know they are very well prepared each week. I feel if MMC can get healthy they will bring some athleticism to the table that Glidden hasn't seen all year with the two backs in the backfield. This game I feel will be won and lost in the trenches. Whoever can run the ball better and control the game up front of defense will be the victor.
Game to keep an eye on #1: HLV @ Janesville
First real test for 10-0 Janesville. If they are wanting to take the next step and turn doubters into believers this is the game that they need to show up and prove it in. They have rolled thru their entire competition with ease but many question what kind of compettition it was until now as nobody questions what kind of a team HLV is. HLV is coming off a strong perfomance last night against a tough Wayne squad. Their defense really came to play after making a few adjustments and they will be hungry to get to the quarterfinal round this year. Keep an eye on this one for sure.
Game to keep an eye on #2: Exira-EHK @ Lamoni
Well its the target game for Peppers to be back for...will he be back is the question? Reading an article last week in the Omaha World Herald my guess would be no as he made it sound like it would be a stretch to come back at all this year BUT was that just a ploy by him to make a unexpected comeback? We shall see. I think its been a known that Lamoni was in a weaker district this year and we are now beginning to question Exira-EHK's district after #1 seed Boyer Valley tripped up in the first round against #4 seeded Harris Lake Park. This could be a really good matchup with two really unknowns for teams right now and what to expect from them. With Peppers I feel Exira-EHK will flex some muscles again and expose some of Lamoni's weaknesses. Without him I feel this will be one heck of a game. Keep an eye on this one without a doubt.
Coon Rapids-Bayard @ Newell-Fonda
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton @ Lamoni
H-L-V, Victor @ Janesville
Harris-Lake Park @ West Bend-Mallard
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn @ Glidden-Ralston
Melcher-Dallas @ Fremont-Mills, Tabor
Northwood-Kensett @ Central, Elkader
Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction @ Don Bosco, Gilbertville
Game of the week: MMC @ Glidden Ralston
After the dust settled in Marcus last night with those two heavyweights getting pair up week one, MMC came out victorious and was drawn the tough task of heading to Glidden. Word on the street is that MMC is a little banged up from the last couple games but they are very very well coached so I feel they will be ready to play with what they have. Glidden might bring the most physical team in the state to the table whenever they stop on the field. They have the size and skill to play with anyone and with Coach Lensch at the helm you know they are very well prepared each week. I feel if MMC can get healthy they will bring some athleticism to the table that Glidden hasn't seen all year with the two backs in the backfield. This game I feel will be won and lost in the trenches. Whoever can run the ball better and control the game up front of defense will be the victor.
Game to keep an eye on #1: HLV @ Janesville
First real test for 10-0 Janesville. If they are wanting to take the next step and turn doubters into believers this is the game that they need to show up and prove it in. They have rolled thru their entire competition with ease but many question what kind of compettition it was until now as nobody questions what kind of a team HLV is. HLV is coming off a strong perfomance last night against a tough Wayne squad. Their defense really came to play after making a few adjustments and they will be hungry to get to the quarterfinal round this year. Keep an eye on this one for sure.
Game to keep an eye on #2: Exira-EHK @ Lamoni
Well its the target game for Peppers to be back for...will he be back is the question? Reading an article last week in the Omaha World Herald my guess would be no as he made it sound like it would be a stretch to come back at all this year BUT was that just a ploy by him to make a unexpected comeback? We shall see. I think its been a known that Lamoni was in a weaker district this year and we are now beginning to question Exira-EHK's district after #1 seed Boyer Valley tripped up in the first round against #4 seeded Harris Lake Park. This could be a really good matchup with two really unknowns for teams right now and what to expect from them. With Peppers I feel Exira-EHK will flex some muscles again and expose some of Lamoni's weaknesses. Without him I feel this will be one heck of a game. Keep an eye on this one without a doubt.
