High School Football- Week 8: Rivalry Week Picks

It is "Rivalry Week" here at Sports Corner, and there are a lot of high school rivalries taking place this week (and more rivalries in Week 10). Later this week, there will be a special story on what makes rivalries, well, rivalries.

RIVALRY GAMES OF THE WEEK:
There will be 14 Games of the Week this week.
# 1- St. Francis DeSales Stallions (4-3, 1-0) vs. Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (5-1, 0-0) at Columbus Crew Stadium
The Stallions have won the last five years (in both the regular season and the playoffs), after Watterson won six of the last seven regular season meetings, dating from 1999 to 2005. Since 1978, the rivalry has been a rivalry, with both teams winning 19 games (DeSales has a 17-15 edge in the regular season) each- including the playoffs. The wind was at the Stallions back the last few years. But after losses to New Albany, Orchard Lake St. Mary's (from Michigan), and a 62-0 shellacking by one of the top schools in Ohio- Lakewood St. Ed's, the wind is in DeSales's face. And so will Bishop Watterson.
BONUS COVERAGE: A story on the rivalry from a Watterson alum.
Pick: Watterson

# 2- Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-0, 4-0) at New Albany Eagles (7-0, 4-0)
There is a 100 percent chance that the Eagles will win this game. There is also a 100 percent chance that they will also lose this game. Big Walnut looks vulnerable to lose this game, because their offense still hasn't scored more than 28 points this season, and last week, they struggled in putting away Delaware Hayes, despite not letting the Pacers score at all. New Albany, on the other hand, has only one quality win over DeSales, plus surviving a scare from Olentangy Orange. Big Walnut's defense could make New Albany look vulnerable.
Pick: New Albany

# 3- Beechcroft Cougars (5-2, 4-0) at Brookhaven Bearcats (4-3, 4-0)
This is the premier rivalry in the City League North. In order to win that division, teams have to go through these two schools, and nobody in the City League North has been able to accomplish that. With that said, the wind is still in Brookhaven's face, because of their tough non-league schedule, and that this could actually be Beechcroft's year to win one from their rivals.
Pick: Beechcroft

# 4- Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0, 4-0) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (4-2, 4-0)
This is a must-win for the Warriors if they want to make it to the playoffs. The Red Devils have been unstoppable this season. This will be a great test for Marion-Franklin, as the Warriors are looking to extend their season into November.
Pick: Marion-Franklin

# 5- Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (7-0, 4-0) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-1, 4-0)
The last time these two met, Davidson ended Coffman's season in the Region 3 Championship, en route to a Division I State Title. Coffman is eager to return the favor, because the last school that Davidson lost to...was Dublin Coffman.
Pick: Hilliard Davidson

# 6- Bexley Lions (3-4, 1-3) at Columbus Academy Vikings (3-4, 1-3)
These two schools play for an interesting trophy, which is called the "Mayor-Headmaster Trophy". The Lions haven't put up big numbers in the games that have mattered, and trying to stop Academy's running game will be a big task for Bexley.
Pick: Columbus Academy

# 7- Westerville South Wildcats (6-1, 4-0) at Westerville North Warriors (0-7, 0-4)
Westerville South is running all over its opponents, having won six straight. However, this all has the makings of a trap game up at Westerville North on Friday night, as their crosstown rivals, Westerville North- losers of 22 straight, are looking to upset their rivals. The last time South was at North (in 2008), the Wildcats escaped with a 30-24 double overtime win.
Pick: Westerville...South

# 8- Northland Vikings (5-2, 3-1) at Whetstone Braves (2-5, 2-2)
This was a big rivalry in the 1980s between these two North side City League schools. In 2010, the Vikings- ranked 11th in Region 3 in last week's Computer Rankings, are looking to inch up closer. The Braves are looking for an upset.
Pick: Northland

# 9- Canal Winchester Indians (6-1, 4-0) at Hamilton Township Rangers (6-1, 4-0)
This Mid-State League matchup features two of the largest schools in the Mid-State League Buckeye Division, as Canal Winchester visits Hamilton Township. This will be a great match-up between these two southern Franklin County schools. The winner of this game will more than likely win the Buckeye Division. Experienced Canal has the edge over resurging Hamilton.
Pick: Canal Winchester

# 10- Granville Blue Aces (5-2, 3-1) at Heath Bulldogs (6-1, 3-1)
The Blue Aces need a win over rival Heath to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Heath is looking to stay home the first weekend of November (a) and (b) eyeing the Mid State League Ohio Division crown.
Pick: Heath

# 11- Licking Valley Panthers (5-2, 4-0) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (6-1, 3-1)- SATURDAY NIGHT
Last week, Newark Catholic Head Coach Bill Franks picked up his 100th win as Newark Catholic's Head Coach by spoiling Bexley's homecoming. Licking Valley, winners of five straight after an 0-2 start, will try to prevent Coach Franks from picking up his 101st win on Saturday night.
Pick: Licking Valley

# 12- Olentangy Liberty Patriots (4-3, 2-2) at Dublin Scioto Irish (4-3, 2-2)
The Patriots try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive as they travel down the road to play Dublin Scioto.
Pick: Olentangy Liberty

# 13- Dublin Jerome Celtics (4-3, 2-2) at Marysville Monarchs (3-4, 1-3)
Both of these Union County OCC Cardinal schools have one thing in common- an upset win over Olentangy. This will be an interesting match up in Marysville.
Pick: Marysville

# 14- Independence 76ers (2-5, 2-2) at West Cowboys (3-4, 1-3)
The last time these two played, they forgot to bring their defenses, as the Cowboys finally lassoed the 76ers in a 74-71 shootout, making it the highest-scoring game in a long time, if not ever. It is possible that there may be another basketball score at Magley Field on Friday night, but West's offense is just too much for the 76ers to handle.
Pick: West

TO BE CONTINUED
In Part 2- If the Playoffs Began Today... plus more High School Predictions