Argus sports staff prognosticates area football games
By Argus Observer sports staff
Thursday, October 30, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
Ontario — With the final week of the regular season in Oregon prep football and the beginning of the Idaho 3A and 2A state playoffs at hand, the Argus Observer sports staff shares in the excitement. Seven area games are on tap, all with huge implications for the schools involved.
Ray Rodriguez, Wil Anderson and Scott Ford all weighed in with their thoughts and picks.
La Grande at Ontario
Wil: Ontario 44, La Grande 12 — Ontario is still trying to shake off the road loss against Baker and will be ready to begin its postseason run. The Tigers will really bring it to La Grande early and get a big enough lead to rest some of their starters.
Ray: Ontario 34, La Grande 7 — Tad Anzaldua throws three first-half touchdowns, Jake Turner racks up 80-yards rushing and Ontario rolls to the easy win. The only score for La Grande comes in the fourth quarter, once the game has already been decided.
Scott: Ontario 50, La Grande 7 — The Tigers of Ontario score quick and often with an effective passing and rushing game. Turner and Frank Lopez both rush for more than 100 yards and Anzaldua throws for more than 250 yards. The La Grande Tigers score in the fourth quarter.
Wendell at Fruitland
Ray: Fruitland 60, Wendell 3 — Wendell proves to be no match for the streaking Grizzlies, who jump out to 52 first-half points on their way to the blowout victory. Caleb Crim kicks off his playoff onslaught with four touchdowns, and Nick Varriale adds triple digits in the rushing category.
Scott: Fruitland 34, Wendell 0 — The Grizzlies dominate all four quarters as they shut out Wendell. The Fruitland rushing game struggles a bit early, but in the end, does enough for the 34-0 win.
Wil: Fruitland 36, Wendell 6 — Picking against Fruitland is not something anybody should start doing now. With a senior loaded lineup, anything less than a state championship will not be accepted by the players in Fruitland.
Buhl at Payette
Scott: Payette 21, Buhl 20 — The Pirates trail the entire game, but in the fourth quarter, Reynolds explodes in the fourth quarter to lead Payette to a score. Buhl misses an extra point early in the game and that proves to be the difference as Payette wins 21-20.
Wil: Buhl 24, Payette 18 — Payette did a great job to get the second seed in the playoff, but its luck is set to run out. The Pirates will have the same trouble in the red zone that has plagued them all season and Buhl will take advantage of it and put an end to the Pirates’ season.
Ray: Payette 33, Buhl 21 — Payette’s secondary notches four picks, returns two for scores and the Pirates advance to the second round of state action with a dominant win. Garrett Grotheer, Damian Reynolds and Brad Pollock add scores for Payette, which uses its short passing game to wear down the Indians.
Weiser at Kimberly
Wil: Kimberly 30, Weiser 13 — Kimberly has ran through their conference without much resistance, allowing only 25 points. Weiser, on the other hand, will struggle on the ground and through the air, and it will be too little, too late for the Wolverines.
Ray: Kimberly 27, Weiser 20 — Weiser’s Gavin Eisenbarth and Trent Winegar have solid games, but a late Kimberly touchdown seals the deal down the stretch. Winegar rushes for more than 135 yards and scores once on the ground and adds another through the air.
Scott: Kimberly 28, Weiser 14 — The long bus ride takes its toll on the Wolverines despite Weiser jumping out to an early 14-7 lead. Kimberly battles back with three second-half scores for the 28-14 win.
Cole Valley at Parma
Ray: Parma 37, Cole Valley 0 — Rance Portenier strengthens his hold on an MVP season with 250 yards passing and three touchdowns to lead Parma to the next round. Randy Riley and Dalton Koplin rack up huge chunks of real estate to spearhead the Panther offense.
Scott: Parma 40, Cole Valley 0 — This game is over before it starts. Parma is the more talented team with more weapons at its disposal. The Panthers score all 40 of their points in the opening half.
Wil: Parma 42, Cole Valley 0 — Despite an opening game loss to Baker, the Panthers have quietly put together one of the better seasons in the area. Parma will have not trouble with Cole Valley.
New Plymouth at Melba
Scott: New Plymouth 27, Melba 24 — The Pilgrims get revenge from week four’s 42-35 loss against Melba. This time the Pilgrims take care of the football. New Plymouth’s offense is more balanced since that first meeting, and the Pilgrim running attack will show dividends in the win.
Ray: New Plymouth 49, Melba 30 — Revenge is sweet for the Pilgrims. Brady Harris rattles off 400 yards through the air, and Kyle King eclipses the century mark to lead New Plymouth to a second-half comeback against the pesky Mustangs.
Wil: Melba 30, New Plymouth 20 — With a gun-slinging shootout last time these two teams met, the Pilgrims have since picked up a rushing game, but it will not be enough, as the Pilgrims have had trouble stopping the run since beginning Western Idaho Conference play.
Nyssa at Vale
Wil: Vale 21, Nyssa 12 — With a playoff spot on the line, Vale will step up and keep their playoff streak alive. The Vikings will play with a lot of pride this week, as will the Bulldogs, but Vale will have just enough to collect the win.
Ray: Nyssa 19, Vale 13 — In a defensive struggle, Nyssa gets a late touchdown pass from James Larsen to John Iverson as the Bulldogs pull off the upset over Vale to advance to the state playoffs. Vale’s Jarrod Tucker scores a touchdown, and Bryant Haueter tosses another for the Viking offense, which squanders several red zone opportunities.
Scott: Vale 33, Nyssa 0 — Forget about all Vale’s injuries or Nyssa’s excitement from the success the Bulldogs have had in 2008 leading up to this game and a state playoff berth. Vale has tradition and that tradition will win the day. Vale will score early and its defense will pitch in with turnovers setting up the shut out. Jarrod Tucker is back in the line up and expect for him to rush for 100-plus yards.
Sam wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:39 PM: