Mike Bradley's Week Twelve Playoff Picks

2A Quarterfinals-Friday:

#2 Kent Island (10-1) vs. #7 Huntingtown (7-4)-6:30pm-And then there were just two, the Bucs are one of just two teams left in the Bayside in the playoffs. Last year the Bucs lost at home to Douglass-PG in the Quarterfinals. Huntingtown upset Douglass-PG last week to get to the Quarterfinals this season. The Bucs have won 10 in a row since losing their first game of the season including last week's 38-0 dominating win over Wicomico. At this point in the playoffs all the teams have proven themselves to an extent, but I am not overwhelmed by Huntingtown and their schedule. Yes, the Douglass win was a big one in terms of seeding and Douglass is the defending 2A champs but that was also last season. Douglass also did not have many quality wins on their resume. While you never take a team in the playoffs for granted and KI may very well be tested but I like the Bucs at home to take care of business. They are playing well and are confident. Their defense keeps them in games before there is even a kickoff. Just like with North Caroline upsetting Easton, Kent Island is the same boat as Stephen Decatur was last week. The Bucs got to see exactly what the Hurricanes did on video that may indicate a one week wonder or something they have to game plan for but either way they will be on higher alert now then they would have been and better prepared. KI though needs to set the tone early and get out to an early lead because the Hurricanes have been in a lot of close games this season so don't want to leave that door open and let them gain confidence...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

#5 Stephen Decatur (9-2) at #4 Potomac (9-1)-630pm-The Seahawks are back in the Quarterfinals for a 2nd straight year with a different team due to a lot of graduation although some key guys that returned (Mergott, Coleman, Solito to name a few) have produced in big ways this season and the team has improved. The offense is playing their best ball of the season. The Seahawks lost in the Quarters on the road last year to Huntingtown, the team that Kent Island is hosting. For those that played in that game they got some valuable experience they can use for this one. Potomac became ranked in the Top 25 in the state with their win over Douglass-PG and they followed that up with a win over Largo who has a good record (although they are not ranked in the state or getting votes). That all said, I am not so sure those two wins are as good as some of the voters think this season. This is a long trip for Decatur and the Wolverines have only given up 33 points all season to 351 points scored. Decatur's defense may be called upon to carry the team as much as the offense or more for the first time since the Wicomico game early in the season. That does concern me some. I have been going back and forth on this game. My head says Potomac, but my gut says Decatur who I believe has played a better overall schedule. I will go with the Bayside team here, but any outcome would not surprise me.

Last Week: 3-1

Playoffs: 10-4

Regular Season: 61-6

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