Diehard Jock: Only three remain
By Scott Ford
Thursday, November 19, 2009 10:26 AM PST
With the prep basketball season already upon us, there is still some football to be played.
Three teams are still in contention in the prep playoffs. Ontario, however, is just getting started in its postseason, while Vale is playing its second game, and Fruitland is preparing for a shot at the 3A title.
Let’s start with the title game. Fruitland vs. Shelley, a rematch from 2007 but hopefully with a different outcome. Fruitland lost that game 19-13.
Shelley has won three of the past six 3A titles, with the latest coming in 2007, but it also won in 2005 and 2003. The Russets seem to be an odd-year team. Does that mean they will win it again in 2009? Not if the Grizzlies have something to say about it.
Fruitland has been impressive since losing in its first meeting with Payette. They are playing with a lot of heart and determination, and, for me, that goes a long way — Fruitland 20, Shelley 18.
In Oregon, the Vale Vikings will be faced up against Gold Beach, the team that defeated them, 42-0, in the 3A title game two years ago.
But that was then, and this is now.
Vale, despite its slow start, has reeled off six straight wins.
Gold Beach (8-2) has won three straight and finished second in the Sunset League behind Cascade Christian.
The Panthers have scored 302 points in 10 games, while giving up 161 points, compared with Vale’s 343 points on offense and its 155 points given up on defense.
On paper, this game looks like a wash, but Vale is hosting this game, and that will be good for at least two scores — Vale 33, Gold Beach 20.
Ontario (8-1) begins its title quest against Banks (9-1).
The Tigers’ lone loss came in the opening week of play against Pendleton in a 15-7 overtime thriller.
Since then, Ontario has punished it opponents, scoring an average of 38 points per game and allowing only 17 points per contest.
Banks is the No. 2 seed from the Cowapa League, finishing in the Associated Press coaches poll behind third-ranked Astoria Fisherman. Banks is ranked fifth in the state, and the Tigers are sixth. This game has the feel of one that might go down to the wire. But with the Tigers’ speed, I like Ontario in this one — Ontario 35, Banks 22.
