Week 1 Predictions & Discussion

[high90school]

Week 1 is finally here across the state. That means we can finally start making predictions and arguing a little over who thinks which teams will beat other teams and so forth. This early into the year their are already some great matchups to be played that will go a long ways in about 9 weeks on how districts match up with each other strength wise. Below is the entire list of week 1 games along with my picks in bold as well as a few specific games highlighted to focus on for the week:

East Mills at Boyer Valley, Dunlap (ND)
Fremont-Mills, Tabor at Woodbine (ND)
Sidney at West Harrison, Mondamin (ND)
West Bend-Mallard at Newell-Fonda (ND)
Ar-We-Va, Westside at St. Mary's, Remsen (ND)
Kingsley-Pierson at Clay Central-Everly (ND)
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn at River Valley, Correctionville (ND)
Graettinger-Terril at Northwood-Kensett (ND)
Harris-Lake Park at North Iowa, Buffalo Center (ND)
Northeast Hamilton, Blairsburg at CAL, Latimer (ND)
Central, Elkader at Tripoli (ND)
Riceville at Kee, Lansing (ND)
Rockford at Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction (ND)
West Central, Maynard at Clarksville (ND)
Central City at H-L-V, Victor (ND)
English Valleys, North English at Twin Cedars, Bussey (ND)
Grand View Christian School at Seymour (ND)
Janesville at Dunkerton (ND)
Melcher-Dallas at Colo-Nesco (ND)
Meskwaki Settlement School at Springville (ND)
Midland, Wyoming at Don Bosco, Gilbertville (ND)
Tri-County, Thornburg at Moravia (ND)
Laurens-Marathon at Coon Rapids-Bayard (ND)
Lenox at East Union, Afton (ND)
Remsen-Union at Glidden-Ralston (ND)
Stanton at Guthrie Center (ND)
Adair-Casey at CAM, Anita (ND)
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton at Nishnabotna (ND)
Essex at Lamoni (ND)
Murray at Mormon Trail, Garden Grove (ND)
Cedar Valley Christian School at Harmony, Farmington (ND)

Game Of The Week: East Mills @ Boyer Valley
An early test for both schools looking to compete for district titles this year. Boyer Valley returns a lot of their core athletes that helped them make a playoff run in possibly the toughest district last year. East Mills drops down from Class A to 8 Player this fall in hopes of looking for a first year district title as well. With teams like Fremont Mills and Exira-EHK looming on both their schedules, either teams look up for the task of an early season challenge to prepare themselves for those games. I expect BV to be very tough at home, just overwhelming EM in the first half before EM can get their feet under them for the first game at this level but quickly recovering and making the game interesting in the second half. BV in a very close game (7pts or less).

Upset Pick of the Week: Graettinger-Terril at Northwood-Kensett
Big things are to be expected this season out of Northwood-Kensett from numerous players returning from last years team to the no.7 ranking to start the year in the Des Moines Register. Graettinger-Terril hopes to bring NK back to earth in beating them in week 1. This, in my eyes, has the makings for a big upset. Week 1 nobody really knows what to expect from the upcoming opponent as far as what they bring back and how they are going to adjust with the players they have. I see G-T going on the road and springing the upset week 1 creating a sitr in the rankings and confidence of NK for the first few weeks of the seasons.

 

[Class A Fan 06]

I will be shocked if your upset pick happens. I hear GT is supposed to be pretty salty this year but I think after this game the talk is going to be about N-K. 46-20 N-K

 

[MGMaster]

NK is tough and big this year. They have a dual threat quarterback. He has the speed and the arm to torch any defense. Bratrud is a tough athlete at RB returning from a great year. NK is traditionally tough with a great field and atmosphere. Only thing GT has going from them is that head coach Capitani will not be calling the plays as he will be serving his 1 game penalty from last years playoff game against Don Bosco. Both teams will look sluggish for first game. NK - 42 GT - 12. NK should make a deep playoff run.

 

[high90school]

Someone explain to me how coaches suspensions work? Are they allowed to coach up till gameday basically then hand over everything to an assistant or does their suspension not allow them to be in contact with the team the entire week they are suspended? If it is the entire week then that is a HUGE advantage for GT depending on what the assistants are like for NK.

 

[hsmanhunt15]

East Mills at Boyer Valley, Dunlap (ND)[/I]
Fremont-Mills, Tabor[/B] at Woodbine (ND)[/I]
Sidney[/B] at West Harrison, Mondamin (ND)[/I]
West Bend-Mallard at Newell-Fonda[/B] (ND)[/I]
Ar-We-Va, Westside at St. Mary's, Remsen[/B] (ND)[/I]
Kingsley-Pierson[/B] at Clay Central-Everly (ND)[/I]
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn[/B] at River Valley, Correctionville (ND)[/I]
Graettinger-Terril[/B] at Northwood-Kensett (ND)[/I]
Harris-Lake Park[/B] at North Iowa, Buffalo Center (ND)[/I]
Northeast Hamilton, Blairsburg[/B] at CAL, Latimer (ND)[/I]
Central, Elkader[/B] at Tripoli (ND)[/I]
Riceville at Kee, Lansing[/B] (ND)[/I]
Rockford at Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction[/B] (ND)[/I]
West Central, Maynard at Clarksville[/B] (ND)[/I]
Central City at H-L-V, Victor[/B] (ND)[/I]
English Valleys, North English[/B] at Twin Cedars, Bussey (ND)[/I]
Grand View Christian School[/B] at Seymour (ND)[/I]
Janesville[/B] at Dunkerton (ND)[/I]
Melcher-Dallas at Colo-Nesco[/B] (ND)[/I]
Meskwaki Settlement School at Springville[/B] (ND)[/I]
Midland, Wyoming at Don Bosco, Gilbertville[/B] (ND)[/I]
Tri-County, Thornburg[/B] at Moravia (ND)[/I]
Laurens-Marathon at Coon Rapids-Bayard[/B] (ND)[/I]
Lenox[/B] at East Union, Afton (ND)[/I]
Remsen-Union at Glidden-Ralston[/B] (ND)[/I]
Stanton at Guthrie Center[/B] (ND)[/I]
Adair-Casey[/B] at CAM, Anita (ND)[/I]
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton[/B] at Nishnabotna (ND)[/I]
Essex at Lamoni [/B](ND)[/I]
Murray[/B] at Mormon Trail, Garden Grove (ND)[/I]
Cedar Valley Christian School at Harmony, Farmington[/B] (ND)[/I]

 

[MGMaster]

From my understanding, coaches can practice all week with them, but when Friday comes, can't be on school property an hour before the game and can't return until an hour after the game? I'm 90% sure on that. NK has a very experienced and veteran coaching staff. 75% of the staff has been together for 15-20 years dating back to the powerhouse NK teams in the late 90's. NK coach has 1 game suspension so will be back in the saddle Saturday watching film and leading practice on Monday. I don't see a problem

 

[buck_1006]

East Mills at Boyer Valley, Dunlap (ND)
Fremont-Mills, Tabor at Woodbine (ND)
Sidney at West Harrison, Mondamin (ND)
West Bend-Mallard at Newell-Fonda (ND)
Ar-We-Va, Westside at St. Mary's, Remsen (ND)
Kingsley-Pierson at Clay Central-Everly (ND)
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn at River Valley, Correctionville (ND)
Graettinger-Terril at Northwood-Kensett (ND)
Harris-Lake Park at North Iowa, Buffalo Center (ND)
Northeast Hamilton, Blairsburg at CAL, Latimer (ND)
Central, Elkader at Tripoli (ND)
Riceville at Kee, Lansing (ND)
Rockford at Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction (ND)
West Central, Maynard at Clarksville (ND)
Central City at H-L-V, Victor (ND)
English Valleys, North English at Twin Cedars, Bussey (ND)
Grand View Christian School at Seymour (ND)
Janesville at Dunkerton (ND)
Melcher-Dallas at Colo-Nesco (ND)
Meskwaki Settlement School at Springville (ND)
Midland, Wyoming at Don Bosco, Gilbertville (ND)
Tri-County, Thornburg at Moravia (ND)
Laurens-Marathon at Coon Rapids-Bayard (ND)
Lenox at East Union, Afton (ND)
Remsen-Union at Glidden-Ralston (ND)
Stanton at Guthrie Center (ND)
Adair-Casey at CAM, Anita (ND)
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton at Nishnabotna (ND)
Essex at Lamoni (ND)
Murray at Mormon Trail, Garden Grove (ND)
Cedar Valley Christian School at Harmony, Farmington (ND)

 

[Class A Fan 06]

Color me shocked at G-T and N-K game. It was an embarrassing performance by N-K. They got whipped in every facet of the game. The only player to show any heart was their backup quarterback. I don't know if G-T is that good or N-K that bad at this point. Mindset has to change or West Bend will whip them as well.