The high school playoffs are here and college football is coming down the stretch. We are into November and the stakes are getting higher. So many big games to chose from. Here are the ones I am picking.
High School
#9 Andover at #8 Franklin: One of the best playoff match ups in the region. Should be a fun game a potential shootout. I’m leaning Andover. John Stadler and company find a way. Pick: Andover
#11 Case at #6 Fairhaven: The last time these two teams met, Fairhaven won 45-37. I don’t expect that much scoring this time around but it will still be a good game that will come down to the wire. I’m going with the defending champs. Pick: Fairhaven
St. Joe’s at New Canaan: Heavyweight fight in the Nutmeg State. The Rams are coming off a rare loss so they will be plenty motivated but it won’t be easy against the Hogs. I expect a tight game that will go into the fourth quarter. I’m going Rams but it will be close. Pick: New Canaan
#9 North Andover at #8 Bishop Feehan: Defense will reign supreme in this one. The Shamrocks have the better running game and that will be the difference in what should be a tight game. I am going with Feehan. Pick: Bishop Feehan
#13 Reading at #4 King Philip: Tough draw for the Warriors in the opening round but this program is so battle tested, that it is hard to pick against them. Pick: King Philip
#5 St. Ray’s at #4 Cranston West: St. Ray’s won the first match up but the Falcons will flip the script this time and avenge that loss. The Falcons have been consistently good all season long and I don’t expect that to change Pick: Cranston West
#3 Lyndon Institute at #2 Fair Haven: Game of the year potentially in Vermont. Fair Haven won the first match up 20-0 in Week 3. Look for the Slaters to win again but in a much tighter game. Pick: Fair Haven
College
Florida State at Boston College: The Eagles need this one if they want to keep their slim bowl hopes alive. Florida State is showing up with interim staff and the weather will be bad. B.C has no excuses. Give me the Eagles. Pick: Boston College
North Carolina at UConn: The Huskies will hang tough in this game but it is hard to pick them when they have struggled in this spot before. I think they play tough but I’m not betting against Belichick and the heels. Pick: North Carolina
Albany at Bryant: Bulldogs slim at large playoff hopes are on the line against the Great Danes. I think Bryant battles and pulls it out in a close one. Pick: Bryant
Rhode Island at UNH: Rams still have a lot to play for. Wildcats hang tough for a half but URI pulls it out. Pick: Rhode Island Pick: Rhode Island
Brown at Yale: Brown is playing really good football of late. The offense has been impressive the past two weeks in wins over Cornell and Penn. I’m riding the Bears bandwagon and I’m picking them to win a close game at the Yale Bowl. Pick: Brown
CCSU at Stonehill: Skyhawks have been resilient this season but CCSU has hit its stride and they are going to be tough to beat the rest of this season. Pick: CCSU
Patriots
Packers at Patriots: Both teams need this one. Green Bay will be a tough match up but something tells me the Patriots will come to play and pull it out late. Pick: Patriots