Mike Bradley's Week Eight Picks

Thursday Games:

#3 Queen Anne's (6-1) at #5 Wicomico (5-2)-6pm-I will just come right out and say my gut and some of my head says WiHi wins this game. I say that because of the advantage at QB with Darius Foreman and having the best all-around offensive player in Malique Leatherbury. However, no defense has been able to stop Lions RB KJ Smothers this season. The Indians faced an equally productive and dangerous back in Kasey Heath of Kent Island and could not stop him. The Lions defense played better last week in limiting Decatur's scoring TDs (1TD was from special teams and 6 points came from FGs) but the Hawks did move the ball on them. The Lions defense will need to have their best game of the season and at minimum hold down the Indians in the Red Zone. My concern is giving up big passing plays and special teams. I don't think they want this one to get into a shootout especially if the Lions have to pass to come from behind. QA's was a short FG miss away from being 7-0. That said they lost by 2 to an Easton team at home that was blown out at home by these very WiHi Indians. This would be a big resume win and confidence booster for WiHi who lost to two quality opponents in Decatur and Kent Island after being ranked Pre-Season #2. I will give the nod to the Lions because they are more battle tested the last two weeks and will be as equally fired up at winning. They also have momentum from last week's strong win at home against a Decatur squad that beat these Indians by 1 on the road. A win here for either team helps in playoff seeding and rankings.

#6 North Caroline (2-5) hosting #7 Parkside (2-5)-6pm...Both teams come in struggling and with the same record. Both are similar physical teams that have run based attacks. The winner of this one I think is more than likely the one that doesn't necessarily make the big play but is just sound in what they are doing and doesn't hurt themselves. We have seen Caroline at times be able to be more balanced offensively and defensively. They almost pulled off an upset at then #1 Queen Anne's in Week #1 and lost to #4 Decatur on the road 16-14 two weeks ago in their best game of the season. They can't play much worse than they did last week in their loss to #1 Kent Island and should bounce back at least some. The Bulldogs are at home and until I can see Parkside's defense play better ball, I see the Bulldogs pulling this one out. A Rams win though is possible especially if they get the offense going consistently and eat clock.

#10 Kent County (1-6) hosting #13 Washington (0-6)-6:30pm-The Trojans got their first win of the year on the road at Snow Hill last week. They are back home in Worton where Washington has to make the long trip against a team that has yet to win a game (forfeited for the second time last week) or score a point. I will take the Trojans.

Friday Games:

#2 Easton (6-1) hosting #4 Stephen Decatur (5-2)-6pm-Another really good 2A East matchup between two similar teams in their offensive philosophy. Some of the best offensive minds will be coaching in this game that are in the Bayside. Both teams are battle tested and capable of winning this one. I am going to lean with Easton at home with a veteran QB and consistent multi-threat in Kevin O'Connor. The Warriors have enough balance on offense and a defense that has been good upfront for most of the year. I don't see Decatur trying to cross up Easton with a heavy run game for the reason I just mentioned, but Coleman has occasionally done it before. I still think the Seahawks will try to attack the Easton secondary in space and work the ball to Brycen Coleman or Luke Mergott (whoever draws less attention) with some Trybe Wise mixed in as the X factor. If it's a shootout Easton has enough firepower to outscore Decatur and if its defensive battle, I think Easton's defense is as good as if not better than Decatur and has been a little more consistent...This is our Overtime Live-Preston Ford "Friday Night Lights Game of the Week" on 94-3 WINX-FM, forevermidshore.com and the Forever Radio App

#8 Colonel Richardson (5-2) at #8 Cambridge-SD (4-3)-6pm-In a rematch for the Bayside Small School/1A title. Colonel won this one last year at home and the Bayside 1A for the first time since 1980 or 81 and broke over a 10-year run of titles for Cambridge. Cambridge has had a tougher schedule by one game and thus the one additional loss. The Vikings have had extra time to prepare for this one with the forfeit win from last week and they are at home. While I think the Vikings have the advantage at QB and have as much speed and athleticism if not a little more than Colonel, the Colonels offense has been able to put more points up by wide margin over Cambridge. Now if you take away the Wicomico game for Cambridge who Colonel did not play (or another 2A team) the numbers are better for the Vikings against hypothetically another 1A team (win or lose). If Washington had played Cambridge the offensive numbers would have been better but still there likely would have been a large gap between them and Colonel. I just feel with Colonel's win streak, the momentum they have going and the confidence from last year's win that they pull out. But if the Vikings win it would be no surprise to anyone. I also think not playing last week through no fault of their own hurts Cambridge, just a gut feeling there. It should be a good game; I don't expect a blowout from either team whoever wins it.  

#11 Snow Hill (2-5) at Northampton, VA (2-4)-6pm-The home team is scoring adequately this year (just a little over 20 points per game) but they are very battle tested and playing at home. The Eagles are capable of winning this game but again the defense is a big concern and the Blue Jackets have been a lot better in terms of PA. Going to go with the Yellow Jackets in this one, but I hope I am wrong.

Saturday:

#1 Kent Island (6-1) hosting #12 James M. Bennett (0-7)-1pm-Two teams in two totally different situations. The Buccaneers one of the gold standards in the Bayside for many years in a rare home game this season will come away with their 7th straight win.

Last Week: 7-0

Season: 48-5

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