Thoughts on this week's games...
Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:54 pm
Slicker always posts the DOODLES list for us each week and Mister Doolittle and his computer always give us some thought provoking information. Sometimes, he is spot on and sometimes, like the best of us, these young guys playing in these games surprise us. Here are some thoughts based on DOODLES this week.
Westside 219.5 Easley 188.1 16
Westside is favored by the computer by over two TD’s and based on the past couple of weeks that may be a little low in my mind. The Green Wave started like a ball of fire, but wasn’t able to keep things going. The good news, it gets easier the next few weeks.
Woodmont 187.1 J.L. Mann 168.3 10
In what is the first of the big games in Region One {the only mystery left is which team doesn’t make the playoff} this one could determine who gets to start basketball first. And you go from this to….
Mauldin 234.1 Greenwood 232.6 Toss
A game that could go a LOOOOOONG way in determining who gets the #1 seed from Region Two. Doodles has this as a Toss Up, but does have Mauldin at the slightest of a favorite. In picking the games this week, this just may be your most difficult decision. I had Mauldin at that #1 Seed in the projections last week, and I guess I should leave them there for at least one more week, but after Friday night, Region Two Number #1 Seed may be firmly in one of these two team’s grasp.
Hillcrest 214.6 Riverside 156.7 29
The Rams should score early and often and then start thinking about Greenwood next week. Hillcrest has looked good against everyone except Region Three {and considering that is where they move next year, that doesn’t sound too good for the Rams}. I’m not saying that the Greenwood -vs- Mauldin winner is the champion, but Hillcrest must be more consistent if they want the title.
Laurens 194.2 Wade Hampton (G) 192.1 1
The game for the #3 Seed in the Region? Maybe, but Laurens turned it on from a similar spot last season and finished strong. I’m sticking with the game being the determining factor for the #3 seed.
James F. Byrnes 234.5 Boiling Springs 224.7 5
Who would have thought that Byrnes downfall would be they could not score? Once with first and goal at the three and you get zero points, and then first and ten at the Viking 30 and you go backwards and get zero points. Had they punched it in from the three and the FG had been good from 47 they would have hit the predicted score of 24-21 that I had made…. But through some tough goal line stand by the Vikings and a costly holding that moved the FG try back, they got zero and the Vikings Defense prevailed. The Viking running game was also very strong, looked like Larry Czonka in that backfield at times. {Some of you young ‘uns will have to Google that name}. The Bulldogs fell short against the Cavs and now this game will all but eliminate one team from almost any chance of being Region Champions. In fact, if you want a home game in the playoffs, you better win this one and keep it going.
Dorman 229.7 Gaffney 220.1 5
The Cavs actually surprised me {and maybe a few others} with all those points last week against the Bulldogs. A friend who was at the game said it was like watching an old Ohio State game, heavy on the run. Gaffney has been up and down and played Rock Hill last week and was in control for the entire game. This one may be one of those 24-23 games and it could be a 7-6 game. Can you stop the run? The Indians just hope it doesn’t come down to a FG as the kicking game has been, well, let’s just say it has been seen about as many times as Bigfoot.
Clover 197.1 Fort Mill 196.3 Toss
Fort Mill and Clover face off in a game that will probably mean a lot when the brackets are released. Clover lost to Nation Ford and has Rock Hill {they will be favored slightly} and Northwestern {big underdog} left on the schedule so they need this win. Fort Mill already played Northwestern and has the teams they are fighting for playoff position remaining. Since I see the Trojans taking the Region #1 seed, Ft Mill, Clover, Nation Ford or Rock Hill will get a home game in round one. The winner here would take the first step toward securing that home game.
Nation Ford 201.6 Rock Hill 186.1 8
Nation Ford has a Region win against Clover, so a win here and they are in the driver’s seat for that home game mentioned above. A loss, and it is wide open again. Should Nation Ford win, they would be a win over Fort Mill away from playing host to the #3 seed from Region 2 { Hillcrest, Mauldin or Greenwood } in week one of the playoffs.
Dutch Fork 264.2 Lexington 209.6 27
The Silver Foxes have got things rolling again after a crazy first part of the season. Open with a win over Independence then a week off, the losing to Fort Dorchester, then a cancelled game, that had to be difficult to get the momentum flowing. Lexington will find out that they have things worked out up in Dutch Fork on Friday. Doodles giving them a 27 point margin sounds like a lot, but I think the computer may be on to something here.
Spring Valley 235.6 Irmo 208.5 14
Spring Valley has to be the surprise of the season for many folks. Granted, the only win that grabs your attention may be the Sumter win, but they have won them all. I think that continues this week as well. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we looked at the schedule and thought that this could be a match up of undefeated teams, but Irmo dropped their first two Region games and some of the luster of this match up was diminished. Still could be a good game in spite of the computer giving a margin of 14 points.
White Knoll 203.8 River Bluff 189.8 7
Has this one developed into a rivalry yet? If White Knoll wants to play on after Week Ten, this one can’t slip through their hands. They need this one. The computer says only 7 point spread?
Carolina Forest 217.7 South Florence 191.3 14
If Carolina Forest has playoff thoughts, they cannot afford to lose this game. With Sumter and Conway as two of their last three, they don’t want to have one of those as a “must win” game. With only a win over Darlington, I think it was, South Florence has had a very disappointing year. I’m thinking 14 may be just a bit more than I would be willing to give SF, but maybe the computer knows something that I don’t?
Conway 219.1 Socastee 208.7 5
Conway has Socastee and then South Florence and then what could be the “BIG GAME” for Region Six. Conway does appear to be very solid and quite the candidate for Region Championship. Getting home field for the playoffs is a big deal in Region Six as that means someone has to make a very long trip to your house. I think they get at least one home game in the playoffs. Socastee already has a loss to Carolina Forest, but the playoffs are still on their minds as well. Mister Doolittle only has this as a 5 point spread; seems to be a lot closer than I think.
Sumter 229.1 West Florence 185.2 22
Sumter on cruise control again this week. After dispatching the Southern version of Florence, now it’s the Western version. I think Sumter takes control and holds on for an easy win, sort of like Doodles says.
Ashley Ridge 205.4 Stratford 177.7 14
Ashely Ridge must keep winning to get a home game come playoff time. The loss to Summerville, while expected, pushes them to the #3 spot and a match up against the #3 team from Region Six in the first round, but the bracket gives them Home Field. Stratford’s lone win, against James Island shows just how far this team has fallen, but they have been competitive in some of those losses, so this is not a given.
Fort Dorchester 274.1 Goose Creek 200.9 37
Fort Dorchester should not have to break a sweat in this match up, and likely not again until at least week two or three of the playoffs. While this is high school football and strange things have happened, I don’t see Goose Creek as a threat to slow down this high scoring offense. Now if the Patriots are thinking like that; it is a totally different story. I remember Coach Benteley telling the Rebels one time before a similar type game, “You better be preparing as if you are playing the Number One team in the state! I guarantee you the other team is doing just that!”
West Ashley 195.7 James Island 173.2 12
West Ashley cannot make the playoffs with a loss here. James Island is winless and would only be listed as a favorite against one or maybe two 5A teams, J L Mann and Riverside. I know very little about them, but Mister Doolittle’s Doodles doesn’t give them much respect at all at 173.2 points. West Ashley may only have 2 wins, but they took Summerville to the 4th quarter and Ashley Ridge as well. So they could very easily have 4 wins. I honestly don’t remember the score from the Goose Creek game but I remember they won fairly easily, but I do know those other two were extremely close.
**Summerville 211.1 Wando 208.2 2
A Green Wave win and they move closer to clinching Second Place. Yes, I know they could still take the Region winning out. However, winning out means they beat Fort Dorchester. Really? You think that is going to happen? Talk to me on 10/27 any time before kick off and let me know just how sure you are that the Wave will win. Hey, I’m not too certain they got this game in the bag. While Wando hasn’t knocked anyone’s socks off, they do have a shot. Doodles says a 2 point game. Now, I’m not interested in taking Wando and 2 points {unless you are talking about the band performance at halftime and then I’m ready!}. Summerville will probably prevail this week, but I think a 6-0 Region Record heading into Week Ten is going to look real good at 7:30 pm. But by 9:30, 6-1 will be almost a given.
** If that doesn’t get GoBigGreen’s blood pressure up, I missed a good chance!
Westside 219.5 Easley 188.1 16
Westside is favored by the computer by over two TD’s and based on the past couple of weeks that may be a little low in my mind. The Green Wave started like a ball of fire, but wasn’t able to keep things going. The good news, it gets easier the next few weeks.
Woodmont 187.1 J.L. Mann 168.3 10
In what is the first of the big games in Region One {the only mystery left is which team doesn’t make the playoff} this one could determine who gets to start basketball first. And you go from this to….
Mauldin 234.1 Greenwood 232.6 Toss
A game that could go a LOOOOOONG way in determining who gets the #1 seed from Region Two. Doodles has this as a Toss Up, but does have Mauldin at the slightest of a favorite. In picking the games this week, this just may be your most difficult decision. I had Mauldin at that #1 Seed in the projections last week, and I guess I should leave them there for at least one more week, but after Friday night, Region Two Number #1 Seed may be firmly in one of these two team’s grasp.
Hillcrest 214.6 Riverside 156.7 29
The Rams should score early and often and then start thinking about Greenwood next week. Hillcrest has looked good against everyone except Region Three {and considering that is where they move next year, that doesn’t sound too good for the Rams}. I’m not saying that the Greenwood -vs- Mauldin winner is the champion, but Hillcrest must be more consistent if they want the title.
Laurens 194.2 Wade Hampton (G) 192.1 1
The game for the #3 Seed in the Region? Maybe, but Laurens turned it on from a similar spot last season and finished strong. I’m sticking with the game being the determining factor for the #3 seed.
James F. Byrnes 234.5 Boiling Springs 224.7 5
Who would have thought that Byrnes downfall would be they could not score? Once with first and goal at the three and you get zero points, and then first and ten at the Viking 30 and you go backwards and get zero points. Had they punched it in from the three and the FG had been good from 47 they would have hit the predicted score of 24-21 that I had made…. But through some tough goal line stand by the Vikings and a costly holding that moved the FG try back, they got zero and the Vikings Defense prevailed. The Viking running game was also very strong, looked like Larry Czonka in that backfield at times. {Some of you young ‘uns will have to Google that name}. The Bulldogs fell short against the Cavs and now this game will all but eliminate one team from almost any chance of being Region Champions. In fact, if you want a home game in the playoffs, you better win this one and keep it going.
Dorman 229.7 Gaffney 220.1 5
The Cavs actually surprised me {and maybe a few others} with all those points last week against the Bulldogs. A friend who was at the game said it was like watching an old Ohio State game, heavy on the run. Gaffney has been up and down and played Rock Hill last week and was in control for the entire game. This one may be one of those 24-23 games and it could be a 7-6 game. Can you stop the run? The Indians just hope it doesn’t come down to a FG as the kicking game has been, well, let’s just say it has been seen about as many times as Bigfoot.
Clover 197.1 Fort Mill 196.3 Toss
Fort Mill and Clover face off in a game that will probably mean a lot when the brackets are released. Clover lost to Nation Ford and has Rock Hill {they will be favored slightly} and Northwestern {big underdog} left on the schedule so they need this win. Fort Mill already played Northwestern and has the teams they are fighting for playoff position remaining. Since I see the Trojans taking the Region #1 seed, Ft Mill, Clover, Nation Ford or Rock Hill will get a home game in round one. The winner here would take the first step toward securing that home game.
Nation Ford 201.6 Rock Hill 186.1 8
Nation Ford has a Region win against Clover, so a win here and they are in the driver’s seat for that home game mentioned above. A loss, and it is wide open again. Should Nation Ford win, they would be a win over Fort Mill away from playing host to the #3 seed from Region 2 { Hillcrest, Mauldin or Greenwood } in week one of the playoffs.
Dutch Fork 264.2 Lexington 209.6 27
The Silver Foxes have got things rolling again after a crazy first part of the season. Open with a win over Independence then a week off, the losing to Fort Dorchester, then a cancelled game, that had to be difficult to get the momentum flowing. Lexington will find out that they have things worked out up in Dutch Fork on Friday. Doodles giving them a 27 point margin sounds like a lot, but I think the computer may be on to something here.
Spring Valley 235.6 Irmo 208.5 14
Spring Valley has to be the surprise of the season for many folks. Granted, the only win that grabs your attention may be the Sumter win, but they have won them all. I think that continues this week as well. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we looked at the schedule and thought that this could be a match up of undefeated teams, but Irmo dropped their first two Region games and some of the luster of this match up was diminished. Still could be a good game in spite of the computer giving a margin of 14 points.
White Knoll 203.8 River Bluff 189.8 7
Has this one developed into a rivalry yet? If White Knoll wants to play on after Week Ten, this one can’t slip through their hands. They need this one. The computer says only 7 point spread?
Carolina Forest 217.7 South Florence 191.3 14
If Carolina Forest has playoff thoughts, they cannot afford to lose this game. With Sumter and Conway as two of their last three, they don’t want to have one of those as a “must win” game. With only a win over Darlington, I think it was, South Florence has had a very disappointing year. I’m thinking 14 may be just a bit more than I would be willing to give SF, but maybe the computer knows something that I don’t?
Conway 219.1 Socastee 208.7 5
Conway has Socastee and then South Florence and then what could be the “BIG GAME” for Region Six. Conway does appear to be very solid and quite the candidate for Region Championship. Getting home field for the playoffs is a big deal in Region Six as that means someone has to make a very long trip to your house. I think they get at least one home game in the playoffs. Socastee already has a loss to Carolina Forest, but the playoffs are still on their minds as well. Mister Doolittle only has this as a 5 point spread; seems to be a lot closer than I think.
Sumter 229.1 West Florence 185.2 22
Sumter on cruise control again this week. After dispatching the Southern version of Florence, now it’s the Western version. I think Sumter takes control and holds on for an easy win, sort of like Doodles says.
Ashley Ridge 205.4 Stratford 177.7 14
Ashely Ridge must keep winning to get a home game come playoff time. The loss to Summerville, while expected, pushes them to the #3 spot and a match up against the #3 team from Region Six in the first round, but the bracket gives them Home Field. Stratford’s lone win, against James Island shows just how far this team has fallen, but they have been competitive in some of those losses, so this is not a given.
Fort Dorchester 274.1 Goose Creek 200.9 37
Fort Dorchester should not have to break a sweat in this match up, and likely not again until at least week two or three of the playoffs. While this is high school football and strange things have happened, I don’t see Goose Creek as a threat to slow down this high scoring offense. Now if the Patriots are thinking like that; it is a totally different story. I remember Coach Benteley telling the Rebels one time before a similar type game, “You better be preparing as if you are playing the Number One team in the state! I guarantee you the other team is doing just that!”
West Ashley 195.7 James Island 173.2 12
West Ashley cannot make the playoffs with a loss here. James Island is winless and would only be listed as a favorite against one or maybe two 5A teams, J L Mann and Riverside. I know very little about them, but Mister Doolittle’s Doodles doesn’t give them much respect at all at 173.2 points. West Ashley may only have 2 wins, but they took Summerville to the 4th quarter and Ashley Ridge as well. So they could very easily have 4 wins. I honestly don’t remember the score from the Goose Creek game but I remember they won fairly easily, but I do know those other two were extremely close.
**Summerville 211.1 Wando 208.2 2
A Green Wave win and they move closer to clinching Second Place. Yes, I know they could still take the Region winning out. However, winning out means they beat Fort Dorchester. Really? You think that is going to happen? Talk to me on 10/27 any time before kick off and let me know just how sure you are that the Wave will win. Hey, I’m not too certain they got this game in the bag. While Wando hasn’t knocked anyone’s socks off, they do have a shot. Doodles says a 2 point game. Now, I’m not interested in taking Wando and 2 points {unless you are talking about the band performance at halftime and then I’m ready!}. Summerville will probably prevail this week, but I think a 6-0 Region Record heading into Week Ten is going to look real good at 7:30 pm. But by 9:30, 6-1 will be almost a given.
** If that doesn’t get GoBigGreen’s blood pressure up, I missed a good chance!
