After there were several non-conference games last week in which the Bayside Conference performed well, there are many more intra conference matchups this week coupled with just a few non-conference matchups.
Week #3 Bayside Conference Picks:
-After there were several non-conference games last week in which the Bayside Conference performed well, there are many more intra conference matchups this week coupled with just a few non-conference matchups.
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 forevermidshore.com…The Roto Rooter Pre-Game Show is at 5:40pm with a kickoff at 6pm…the Friday Night Lights Game of the Week is:
#4 North Caroline (2-0) hosting #6 Easton (1-1)-6pm-New Caroline Head Coach Nic McMorris is off to a good start in his young career but again faces a tough task this week. Easton got a tough test last week against Wicomico after comfortably winning week one despite several turnovers. As was the case in both of their games last week, I see this being a defensive game. While the Warriors, I believe, are more adept at making some plays in the passing game, I get concerned about their ability to protect Mikey O’Connor again as they struggled last week. They should be better this week with not having to deal with practices affected by the heat but that goes for both teams. Caroline brings a lot of pressure but will have to be careful as HC Matt Griffith and OC Brenden Pfeifer will look to make them pay for it. QB Nasai Bell for Caroline is one of the best athletes in the league and is another threat in the backfield along with two very speedy wingbacks. The Bulldogs are at home and have faced two different opponents, one that is athletic and speedy and another that has some of those elements but is tough in the trenches. The Warriors present a bit of both to the Bulldogs. This game could go either way and a few plays in the air and or special teams could be the difference, but I am leaning Bulldogs to win.
Thursday:
#7 Parkside (0-2) hosting #8 Cambridge (1-1)-6pm-The Rams have had some tough competitors in the first two weeks in Kent Island and North Caroline. They have had success at times on both sides of the ball but have had too many turnovers. The Vikings got their first win of the year on the Western Shore last week putting up over 40 points. If Parkside continues to turnover the ball in this one as they have, they will lose the game. However, given the size in the trenches coupled with the depth at RB and an athletic QB (who can run and pass) I think the Rams can match the athleticism of the Vikings enough and win upfront to give them their first win of the year and at home.
#11 Snow Hill (2-0) at Arcadia, VA (3-0)-6pm-The Eagles are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2007. Arcadia comes in averaging 37 points a game but two of their wins have come against teams that are a combined 0-5 to start the season. In their first win of the season, however, they beat a good team who is now 2-1 in a high scoring game. The Eagle’s defense has played very well in their first two games while the offense took some strides forward last week. Both teams will be tested, and I expect this will be a competitive game. I admittedly don’t know much about Arcadia, but I am going to give them the slight edge being at home having played an extra game, having some size advantages and it appears this may be the best offense Snow Hill has seen so far. I will be happy to be wrong though if the Eagles win. I am happy to see the program off to a good start.
Friday:
#1 Stephen Decatur (2-0) hosting #11 James M. Bennett (1-1)-6pm-Decatur got their first win on the field last week in a strong showing against Randallstown, while Bennett got their first win over Washington in a shortened game. While Bennett is taking positive strides, especially on offense, these programs are still in far different places. It will be interesting to see where Bennett stands at the end of the game after going up against one of the best in the Conference. Decatur at home should win in another strong showing.
#2 Kent Island (2-0) hosting #10 Colonel Richardson (1-1)-6pm-It was this matchup in Week #2 of last year for Kent Island (who lost in Week #1 to Easton) that launched the first win of what would be a 12-game winning streak that took them to the 2A State title game against Milford Mill. This season though the Bucs are off to a strong start including a big win against City College (Baltimore) last week while Colonel was blown out by Woodbridge (Bridgeville, DE). Kent Island will be of similar caliber if not better than the Blue Raiders. Turnovers hurt Colonel greatly in last week’s loss but even if Colonel limits those, the Bucs are still the better team. Kent Island at home should win though with another strong showing.
#3 Queen Anne’s (0-2) hosting #5 Wicomico (1-1)-6pm-The Lions lost their first game of the season on the field last Saturday to a quality non-conference opponent in 3A Chesapeake-AA 21-9. The game was tied at halftime. WiHi in a strong defensive showing beat Easton on the road 17-3…I see this as another defensive game where points will be hard to come by and the offensive lines could struggle. Neither team will likely light it up in the air. Both teams are battle tested coming into the game which helps. The Lions we are told should get back star OLB/TE/RB Jai Roy who did not play last week so that was a significant loss for QA going into the game. The Kent State commit is one of the best players in the Bayside. I think this game could go either way and it may be the team that makes a play or two in the air and or special teams that will be the difference. I am going with Lions in what should be a tight one. This game is another great litmus test game for both programs.
#13 Washington (0-2) at Delmar, DE (1-1)-7pm-The Jags continue to overhaul their program and the progress they make likely will not be seen in the win loss column this season. This is a very tough non-conference matchup against an historically good Delmar program even though in this case the Wildcats are coming off a loss. Delmar is simply the better program right now and should win in commanding fashion. For Washington though this will be a great opportunity to see the kind of program they want to become firsthand. Let’s hope they can take some steps forward in this non-conference matchup.
Saturday:
#12 Kent County (0-2) hosting Seaford, DE (0-1)-11:30am-The Trojans have had a rough start to the season on both sides of the ball to start the season. While Seaford, who made it to the Delaware 1A State Semifinal Playoffs last season, is not the same team as last year they are still good. They did lose in their Week 0 matchup to Woodbridge 26-20, but that is also a good Woodbridge team who happened to defeat Colonel Richardson 52-12 last week. Seaford did not have a game last week, so they have been able to spend extra time getting ready for this one. This will probably be the Trojans toughest game so far although they are battled tested. Seaford could be rusty, but the Blue Jays are the better team and should win.
Last Week Picks: 8-2
2023 Season Picks: 16-2
