Shore Sports MD

Mike Bradley's Week One Picks

This week features some non-conference and conference matchups. Remember Queen Anne’s forfeited their first game against Stephen Decatur as a self-imposed punishment. The two scrimmaged on Wednesday.

Our Overtime Live Game of the Week presented by Preston Ford can be heard on 94.3 WINX-FM on the Mid-Shore, on the WINX-FM App and streaming at WINX-FM at forevermidshore.com…the Friday Night Lights Game of the Week is:

#5 Easton (0-0) at Northeast (0-0)-7 pm

The Warriors are younger this season and will rely on their running game offensively and their stout defensive line to disrupt the other team’s offense. The Warriors are the better team as Northeast continues to rebuild their program. Northeast’s Head Coach is an Easton graduate.

#11 Snow Hill (0-0) at Annapolis Area Christian (0-0)-4pm

AAC was blown out by B Conference St. Paul’s last week. AAC is a MIAA C Conference school. AAC loves to throw the ball a ton. The Eagles who come in very experienced should be able to match the speed and athleticism of AAC. With a big emphasis on defense, new HC Raheem Hammond making his debut will look to contain AAC. You would expect improvement from last season. Tough call here but I feel better about SH this year and I will pick them to pull off the upset win on the road in a tight game.

#8 Cambridge (0-0) hosting #4 North Caroline (0-0)-6pm

This is an interesting Week #1 matchup with the speed & skill of the Vikings versus the power of the Bulldogs although Caroline has some good speed at QB and WB in their backfield. I think trench play is the difference and that coupled with the speed and athleticism that Caroline does have can counter the weapons from Cambridge enough. I think this does have the makings of a good game and in Week #1 sometimes anything can happen. Caroline’s defense will need to be ready to play right out of the gate. Nic McMorris makes his HC debut for the Bulldogs.

#6 Wicomico (0-0) hosting Linganore (0-0)-6pm

The Lancers who are receiving votes in the MD State Poll come to Salisbury in a non-conference matchup with the Indians. Linganore has long been a powerhouse in Frederick County. Last year was a down year for them but that’s playing one of the tougher schedules in the state. This will be a great test for the Indians who lost a lot of key seniors from last year, especially on offense. This will also be one of the toughest matchups they have had as a program in recent memory. The Lancers are making the long trip, but I have to give them the edge as the Indians break in a new QB.

#13 Washington (0-0) hosts #10 Colonel Richardson (0-0)-6pm

Jags HC Alec Meintzer makes his debut against the two-time defending Bayside 1A Champs. No pressure, right? The Jags are in rebuild mode but expected to show progress at minimum in being more competitive. Colonel comes in having established themselves as consistent winners after being where Washington was at one point over five years ago. It will be interesting to see how the Jags new triple option offense looks and if it can give trouble to Colonel. The Colonels are talented, battle tested and experienced enough. While it is Week #1 against new schemes and coaching staff anything can happen, but Colonel should be able to win this one on the road. It’s a great litmus test game out of the gate for Washington.

#12 Kent County (0-0) hosting Bo Manor (0-0)-6:30pm

This is a rematch game from last year and the Trojans are out for blood after being defeated soundly on the road in Week 1. This is a more experienced Trojan team, but they are starting a freshman QB albeit at home. I expect the Trojans to play better and be more competitive but until I see how the Freshman does and how the offense looks with him, I am going to lean Bo Manor.

#9 James M. Bennett (0-0) at Polytech-DE (0-0)-7pm

The Delaware News Journal guys have Polytech winning 28-14. I think the Clippers will be better this year, but I need to see it first and DE High School Football is solid throughout the state. It is a long trip and while Tech was not good last year, they had a tough schedule. I am going to lean Polytech in this one, but it could be interesting.

Saturday:

#7 Parkside (0-0) hosting #2 Kent Island (0-0)-Noon or 1pm

These two are similar in their physical, power run game approach on offense. The difference though is the Bucs come in with a better defense although they will be tested by the speed and depth of the Rams RBs.

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