Mike Bradley's Week Five Picks

THURSDAY GAMES

#9 Colonel Richardson (2-2) hosting Arcadia (VA) (1-3)-6pm-The Colonels rolled in a 1A battle on the road against Snow Hill last week 60-28. They face an Arcadia squad who lost to Snow Hill at home 42-6. The Colonels despite a lot of youth looked like a well oiled machine on offense last week and I don't expect them to be stymied in this one at all. They get this game at home and Arcadia has a long trip to make. I expect the Colonels to win.

#8 Cambridge (2-2) at #12 Kent County (0-4)-6pm-The Vikings two losses have come against teams who were simply better than them. In their wins, one came against a similar 1A opponent in Snow Hill who they blew out where they looked good. They also had a big comeback win on the road against 3A JM Bennett. They are a battle tested team. The Trojans, a 1A team, has had a very tough schedule with 3 of their 4 games against 2A teams so you have to cut them some slack. There is no reason at this point why the Trojans shouldn't have maybe their best game of the year so far against a similar 1A team. That said the Vikings have enough experience, speed and playmakers that I think they are able to pull this one out.  

#4 Stephen Decatur (3-1) vs. #7 Parkside (2-0)-6:30pm-The Seahawks are coming off a big upset win at #1 Wicomico on Saturday while Parkside took a big loss at home to Easton. The Seahawks run defense rebounded after a tough loss at home to Kent Island the week before. The offense made just enough plays this past Saturday. Will we see the same run defense this week is the question. The Rams offense will need to bounce back this week after getting off to a good start the first three weeks of the season. Parkside's defense needs to have their best game of the season against an offense that is similar to what they saw in Easton the week before including a dual threat at QB. Until we see the Parkside defense step up the Seahawks have enough fire power offensively to win in a shootout if it goes that way and they have proven they can contain a very good run game. I am going with the Seahawks who also get this one at home.

#11 Snow Hill (1-3) vs. Nandua, VA (3-1)-The Eagles took one on the chin at home to Colonel Richardson last week. They had no answers for Colonel's run game. This Nadua squad comes with three wins and has scored 115 points and given up just 56 albeit against teams with a combined record of 8-11. While Snow Hill may be able to put points in this one I am concerned about their defense. This could be a good game despite the records but I have to give the edge despite being on the road to Nandua.

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FRIDAY GAMES

#1 Wicomico (3-1) at #4 Kent Island (3-1)-6pm...The Indians were upset at home last week by Stephen Decatur. WiHi had 6 possessions inside Decatur's 25 yard line and came away with just 6 points. An interception and 5 dropped passes didn't help but give credit to the Seahawks defense who came up big when it counted most. WiHi rushed for over 200 yards in the loss. The Bucs took advantage of TOs and ran the ball well on Decatur winning by 17 two weeks ago and followed it up with a sizable win over Cambridge last week. The Bucs are still finding themselves offensively and while they lean on Kasey Heath they seem to want to be more multiple and less run heavy. This should be a good matchup in the trenches. Kent Island, you would think, will want to keep the ball out of the hands of WiHi's offense by running the ball and eating clock. While the Bucs playing in their first home game of the season have a chance to win this one I like the Indians to bounce back and get the victory. WiHi can match the physicality of the Bucs in the trenches on defense and have plenty of speed and athleticism to give them the boost. The WiHi defense has played very well and even if this is a low scoring game and should keep them in the game. They will have their work cut out for them in stopping Heath. The Indians offense will need to be detailed and disciplined to be successful. The WiHi O-Line will have one of their toughest tests this season...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

#2 Easton (3-1) at #6 North Caroline (2-2)-4:30pm-The Warriors bounced back from a tough loss to Wicomico at home with a convincing win at Parkside last week. The Bulldogs had a tough start to their schedule and started 0-2 but have been able to rebound the last few weeks as the schedule eased. Things ramp back up again on Friday. To me this will be a defining game for North Caroline. I think they and the rest of the Bayside are trying to figure out exactly what kind of team this is this season. They are on the younger end and have maybe the most speed I am told they have had in a while or maybe ever. We know schematically and philosophically what they are going to do primarily (although they are opening things up a little more this year we are told). Both teams are battle tested. I am going to give the nod to the Warriors playing at home with a better, more experienced and accomplished QB. The Easton defense started out the season playing well and faced a run heavy team last week where they got back on track some from the week before so that will be a help. Watch out for the wind in this one even though O'Connor has a strong arm. I like the Warriors to win in what should be a competitive game for a while but I see Easton pulling away later in the game.

#3 Queen Anne's (4-0) at #10 James M. Bennett (0-4)-6pm-The Lions are the Bayside's lone undefeated team coming off a blowout win at Kent County while Bennett is coming off a blowout loss to North Caroline. While both teams are young the Lions have more experience, boast the best RB in the Bayside and have been as battle tested as Bennett. Bennett is still rebuilding and learning how to win. The Lions should come away with win number five.

Yesterday: 4-0

Last Week: 5-2

Season: 28-4

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