Week 6 Predictions & Discussion

[high90school]

Well its the week everyone has been looking forward to. Big games all across the state this week. After this Friday we will know who some of the contenders are vs who some of the pretenders are. Below are my picks along with my usual highlighted games for this week:


District 1Ar-We-Va, Westside at Newell-Fonda
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton at Woodbine
Kingsley-Pierson at West Harrison, Mondamin
River Valley, Correctionville at Boyer Valley, Dunlap


District 2Clay Central-Everly at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn
Harris-Lake Park at St. Mary's, Remsen
Remsen-Union at Graettinger-Terril
West Bend-Mallard at Laurens-Marathon


District 3CAL, Latimer at Northwood-Kensett
Janesville at Tripoli
North Iowa, Buffalo Center at Rockford
Riceville at Clarksville


District 4Central City at Springville
Kee, Lansing at West Central, Maynard
Midland, Wyoming at Cedar Valley Christian School
Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction at Central, Elkader


District 5Colo-Nesco at Grand View Christian School
Dunkerton at Tri-County, Thornburg
English Valleys, North English at Meskwaki Settlement School
H-L-V, Victor at Don Bosco, Gilbertville


District 6Lamoni at Twin Cedars, Bussey
Moravia at Mormon Trail, Garden Grove
Seymour at Harmony, Farmington
Wayne, Corydon at Melcher-Dallas


District 7Adair-Casey at Glidden-Ralston
Coon Rapids-Bayard at Murray
East Union, Afton at Northeast Hamilton, Blairsburg
Guthrie Center at Ankeny Christian Academy


District 8CAM, Anita at Nishnabotna
Essex at Sidney
Fremont-Mills, Tabor at Stanton
Lenox at East Mills

Game of the Week #1: Turkey Valley @ Central Elkader
Been enough chatter about these two teams on the boards all year long on who is better and who will win the district. This Friday it all gets decided. The first real test for both schools and also what looks like to be the deciding game for #1 and #2 spots in district 4. Elkader has been posting some monster scores all year long, not scoring less than 62 in a game and averaging over 77 points per conest. They look to ride the states second leading rusher (as of Sept 29 on quikstats) Nathan Fitzgerald who has over 1150 yards on the ground on only 76 carries (15.2 ypc avg.). Turkey Valley hopes to counter that with a much more balanced rushing attack with 4 different backs having at least 40 carries and over 240 yards rushing each. Key to success in this I feel will be the teams defense who makes the other team have to throw the ball. Neither team likes to throw it down field as they are a run first offense but the defense who stops the run more and forces some throws will win this game. I think this will be a very very close game. I feel Elkader though has the ability to throw it a little better than what Turkey Valley does and they will use the play action to their advantage with TV keying so heavily on Fitzgerald. Central Elkader with the bragging rights in District 4.

Game of the Week #2: HLV @ Don Bosco
Another huge game that will most likely decide who takes the #1 and #2 spots in District 5. Defending champs Don Bosco look to keep things rolling behind quarterback Mason Svoboda and that offensive line. They know what it takes to win the big games and this one will be no different for them as they know what they have to do to win it. HLV looks to put their foot down and say not-so-fast and take the crown from the Dons. They look to ride a much more balanced offense and a tough defense. This game I feel, as hyped as it will be, will be all Dons. HLV is a good team but they haven't played an animal like they are about to run in to since the first game last year against Springville. Dons win this one by 2+ scores.

Game to Keep an Eye on: Wayne @ Melcher Dallas
With Wayne's loss a few weeks ago to Mormon Trail, this game seems to have been pushed to the back of the line because of the two games above that we have highlighted on already. Wayne can still get a shot at winning the district title but they must get past a tough Melcher Dallas team first. If not they can kiss any chance at the #1 spot goodbye. Melcher keeps looking to improve on their 4-1 record and get closer to a week 8 and week 9 matchup with Lamoni and the team that knocked off Wayne in Mormon Trail who looks to be the other contenders for the #1 seed in District 6. Lets keep an eye on this one as it could provide us with some interesting scenerios in District 6 should Wayne win this on a short week of preperation.
This post was edited on 9/29 9:28 AM by high90school

 

[SICL Cares]

Really excited about the HLV/DB matchup. I hope HLV keeps up their strong play defensively and forces Svoboda to throw. He has been efficient with his limited passing attempts but I don't think he's felt pressure like Louis Kriegel is able to put on an offense.

Should be one heck of a game!

 

[Nailbomb]

FM/Stanton might be a better game than most expect. Stanton can stop the run and are physical.

 

[tm33_08]

Originally posted by SICL Cares:
Really excited about the HLV/DB matchup. I hope HLV keeps up their strong play defensively and forces Svoboda to throw. He has been efficient with his limited passing attempts but I don't think he's felt pressure like Louis Kriegel is able to put on an offense.

Should be one heck of a game!

I plan on making the trip from Des Moines to see it, and I've been looking forward to it ever since the districts were assigned for this season. Any word on whether Strudthoff will be playing or not?

 

[SICL Cares]

I will be making the trip from Cedar Rapids to Gilbertville as well. As far as Tanner's health is concerned, I'm not entirely sure at this time what his status is. Haven't had the opportunity to talk to him this week or anyone around the HLV community that might have any insight on his status. If I had to guess I would say right now HLV is planning on Nate Van Buren starting and getting the bulk of the carries, just to be on the safe side.

Nate's a hard worker who will look to run through you rather than around you. Very physical kid who goes out and does whatever it takes to get the job done. A team player on the football field no doubt. Hopefully we see a little smash and dash on Friday with both Van Buren and Strudthoff.

Can't wait for this matchup! Doesn't seem like many people on here are giving HLV any chance at all.

 

[TigerBlood65]

For me in this weeks 2 big games I have to go with Turkey valley and bosco. For me central elkader has played weak competition and that is why I think they have had monster numbers. Grant it both teams probably haven't played the strongest teams but I just think CE maybe overhyped or overrated. Nothing against them at all they must be a good team but when you win a game 94-7 your starters must be playing most of the game against a weak weak opponent and that could be where the monster stats are coming from. For turkey valley they remind of the 2012 MMC team. Not only do I think they surprise some people this week I also see them making a deep run in the postseason. As for the HLV and Don Bosco game, I gotta go with bosco. I know I may sound hypocritical, I have been against bosco the whole year but I think they get this win. HLV just doesn't impress me. I actually think it will be a decently big win. Both of these game will be huge in sorting out contenders from pretenders. Than onto next week's big game:Glidden/Coon-Rapids Bayard. Boy I can't wait for that one

 

[Sadey2011]

TigerBlood65 you are clueless. Your assumption of Elkader's varsity playing most of the game couldn't be farther from the truth. Like most posters on here, all you had to do was go to Quikstats and see for yourself that you are way off base making a statement like,"there starters must have played most of the game to score 94". In fact, the starters played the most against Springville, when they had 76, with 8 minutes left in the game. They scored 74 in the 1st qrt against CVC and the starting RB had 4 carries. A freshman RB had 18 carries, they threw 3 times. Against Dunkerton, when they scored 94, Fitzgerald had 6 carries. Yep, they sure did leave those starters in the entire game. The greatest thing is, CE and TV get to see who the best team is on Friday. Then make all the assumptions and analysis you want. One thing is for sure, this MIGHT be the first time the Elkader and TV teams play an entire game this season. We will see what happens Friday at 7:00. Rant over, let's play the game already.

 

[high90school]

I will have to partially agree with you Sadey on that. Go look on quikstats Tiger. Only half the game this year has Fitzgerald ran the ball more than 10 times and only once has he ran more than 20. What coach would be stupid enough to leave the starting kids in long enough to score 94 points. Not logical or ethical at all. Just a example of one team top to bottom better than their opponent. Now, if they did leave their varsity in long enough to try and hit the century mark then that coach should really do some soul searching. No way that should ever happen or even be allowed. But I dont think thats the case here .

 

[gonorse92]

As I said in another post on paper Central looks tough to beat. Not a prediction just a thought. I think it is hard to look at any teams and say that one team's starters played longer into games that another one etc and use that as a factor to determine a win or loss. Yes some teams that have not been pushed in a game may not know how to react when they are pushed and some teams react just fine. I am sure Central went as deep on their bench as they could in games like the Cedar Valley Christian game. You cannot ask your backups to not play hard and do what coaches have been coaching them to do everyday. They want to show they can play and they are excited for the opportunity. Who wouldn't be. Most coaches understand that what goes around can come around in real hurry. Bottom line the Central/TV game should be a good game with two well coached, physical teams that can play. As for Don Bosco/HLV. Until some shows differently Bosco is the team to beat in the eastern half of the state. They have depth and talent and are well coached. HLV will be a good test for Bosco but is hard to beat.

 

[tm33_08]

In the Wayne/Melcher-Dallas game, if Wayne's Tate Van Dyne is healthy and back in the lineup, I'll take the Falcons in a close one. He's been out with a shoulder injury and has been saying for awhile now that he feels great, but he hasn't been cleared to play (at least not as of Monday night). If he's out, I'd expect Wayne to hang around for awhile, but Melcher will pull away. They would be wise to stack the box and kick everything out of bounds, rather than give Kiefer a chance to get the ball in space (4 kick returns for touchdowns this year).

 

[Class A Fan 06]

Will someone be available to give updates on the Turkey Valley Central Elkader game, as well as DB vs. HVL? Thank you.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Originally posted by Nailbomb:
FM/Stanton might be a better game than most expect. Stanton can stop the run and are physical.

I might be wrong, but I am not sure it gets much more physical than what FM can and has been able to bring to the table.

 

[Voicefromthestands]

Originally posted by Nailbomb:
FM/Stanton might be a better game than most expect. Stanton can stop the run and are physical.

It was Brutal !!!!!!!!

 

[Nailbomb]

Obviously surprised me! Well, I thought EHK would go to the dome from around here but maybe not. FM is very physical as well. One things for sure; I'm not missing THAT game!!

 

[tm33_08]

Depending on how the playoff match ups shape up, Exira may still get there. I wouldn't be shocked if we end up with an Exira/Fremont-Mills semifinal.

 

[Nailbomb]

Guess I should've checked the playoff scheduling, I thought they'd be matched up to go to the dome...

 

[StayLow6]

You must not have checked playoff scheduling at any point this year, Nailbomb.

 

[Nailbomb]

I figured I'd check it closer to the playoffs but since we won't see the playoffs I'll prolly just wait till they're posted on here...

 

[StayLow6]

There is no 'playoff bracket' this year. The state will determine the games by round.