I have a friend who asks me what I’m going to blog about, and I often tell him, there is no prep time. Blogs, by nature, are about spontaneity, so here goes:
For some reason, the Pinkerton Astros pop to mind. Without Eric Guinto, the Astros went two tight ends and pounded it tackle to tackle.
Just for kicks, I’m going to play Brian O’Reilly for a minute. A pretty meaningless game with North approaches, it’s all but a sure win.
Saturday night, if I were the coach, I would air it out, throw 40 passes or so, just to show the MCs, Londonderrys and South that they’d better not think about packing eight men in the box to stop me come playoff time.
I don’t know. I would do something radical. I know Ryan Simpson can throw the ball. I’m not sure if the Astros can catch it. Why not show off the pass and work on it under game conditions, in a very winnable game, just to give the rest of the folks something to think about?
Ok, perhaps I sound like an old man ranting, but high school athletes, and high school kids overall, drop the “F” bomb all too much on the football field.
It’s getting nauseating. I want my 8-year-old with me on the sidelines with me to enjoy this stuff, and all I can hear if F#$%, F%^&, F%^^ all the time.
Fellas, I swear with the best of them, but it doesn’t make you look cool to do it in this venue.
Do your job, shut your mouth and play.
It was refreshing to watch Methuen coach Pat Graham, in a moment of celebration, bring that up to his team after the win over Central. He just doesn’t want to bother with it, and no coach should have to.
Oh well, here are the picks for the week, remember, Dave Dyer owns a six-game shrinking lead on me as the November action commences.
Friday’s games
Methuen vs. Haverhill
The Rangers are on the mission to 7-4. This is a must-win for that. Haverhill’s just so beat up.
Who’s going to tackle Mike Bartlett anyway?
Rangers 16, AL Golden Glove winner Carlos Pena’s alma mater 6
Wilmington at North Andover
I just think the Knights are better than they’ve played, with a 3-5 record.
NA 21, Wilmington 16
Central at Billerica
Perhaps, I’m still trapped in the 1990s, but Central just doesn’t fare well at the Marshall Middle.
Rica 14, Raiders 12
Andover at Dover, N.H.
Dover’s down, way down.
If by chance you try to avoid the highway traffic and take Route 125 up to Dover, the suggestion is to stop at the McDonalds at the junction of 125 and 101. Best McDonalds on the planet! Trust me.
Warriors 34, Lime Green Wave 7
Lawrence at Triton
Success on a soggy marsh might not come easy for the Lancers, who are teetering between super season and disappointment at 4-4. I’m buying the fried clams before heading to Byfield.
Lancers 23, Citizens of Salisbury/Newbury/Rowley 21
Pentucket at Masconomet
The game in the year in the CAL Large. Why isn’t anyone talking about it, though?
Are we all such staunch believers in the Chieftains? I am.
Masco 24, Penty 6
Salem at Manchester Central
MC is on cruise control, Salem can salvage the season. If it was in Salem, I’d be all over Gati’s gang. Figure the home fans on senior night to lead the little green.
Central 13, Salem 10
Alvirne at Timberlane
No. 1 Timberlane closes out a spectacular regular season with Erik Hatton breaking the 1,000-yards passing plateau.
Owls buck Broncs 28-6
Saturday’s games
North Reading at Georgetown
How many times can we note how good the Royals are and how banged up the Hornets have been?
Add one more.
Hoyas 31, Hornets 9
Greater Lowell at Greater Lawrence
In a battle for the Greater good, I’ll take the Reginals.
GLaw 36, GLow 30
Minuteman at Whittier
It will take more than 60 seconds, but a Whittier rout is in the works.
Wildcats 28, Minutia 3
Pelham at Epping
PHS folks, refer to my diatribe on the McDonalds on the way that I wrote about in the Andover-Dover synopsis.
Grab a Big Mac, then watch your team win.
Pelham 30, EPping 0
Phillips Exeter at Phillips Andover
Expect the unexpected in this matchup.
The Blue had its say on Tuesday, but it’s time for a little Red revenge.
Exeter 15, Andover 14
Brooks at Rivers
The quarterback spot and last week’s injuries are a Brooks mystery.
Philip Rivers 23, Brooks Bollinger 17
Pinkerton at North
Circle the Astro wagons and grit out a win.
Stros 34, Titans 19
