Week Six walkthrough
Two weeks to go, then two weeks to The Ralph. Talk about downhill running.
We've stolen a pitch from our Monday polls and repeated it here -- the curveball is that you vote for the second-best game of the week, since I'm going to go out on a limb that the top 10 large school and Class A battle of Iroquois at Williamsville South Friday night at 7 is the one most want to watch.
Select a game below. The entire season schedule is here.
Last week's poll winner was Orchard Park at Lancaster (30 percent), which became the story of the weekend -- and the season to date when the Redskins won on a last-second field goal.
Who's going to win? Why did you vote the way you did? Which game are you going to? Or is your top choice not here?
Let us know about it in the comments section below.
---Keith McShea
Mr Smith: I am on the Trench committee so I cant publicize that list. So you can laugh at my connolly list below..
Posted by: Mike Ferrentino | October 09, 2009 at 05:13 PM
For what its worth here is my updated list of the top 20 CONNOLLY Contenders so far in 2009.cut & paste that link
http://www.wgr550.com/Mike-s-Connoly-Cup-Update/5395520?contentRating=1
Posted by: Mike Ferrentino | October 09, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Awards? I'm all for them, but they have their downfalls too. Since alot of them are based on subjective judgement, its tough to really have a consensus pick. The division all-star teams are based on record, with the top team getting more picks than others which is fair, but it might leave someone out...so some politics do play. Most of the top awards like Trench and Connolly are nice, because the awards dinners that they have salute a number of kids.
I don't forsee Chiefs nabbing all the awards. Cal Sluberski would have to have an all-world performance in the playoffs for Connolly Cup. Brad Bowen or Jeff Sley could make noise for Trench Trophy, but it probably is Jasen Carlson's to lose at this point. Coach of the Year usually goes to either an upstart winner or a State Playoff performer, so maybe Sirianni, Zipp, Harris, Jankiewicz (and others)have the edge right now...but a run by the Chiefs with "no talent" could put Payne in the conversation. Sorry to disappoint you, Trip!
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 09, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Thank you. This is all very helpfull. How do you feel about these awards Milt?
Posted by: Mr Smith | October 09, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Mr. Smith, Everyone from Iroquois
Posted by: Trip | October 09, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Mr Smith- You can probably find the info you want here:
Trench Trophy
http://www.trenchtrophy.com/nominees.htm
Connolly Cup:
http://www.connollycup.com/
http://www.wgr550.com/Mike-s-Connoly-Cup-Update/5395520?contentRating=1
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 09, 2009 at 02:24 PM
As of Week six, who would you say the finalist are for the Connelly Cup and the Trench Trophy? Can anyone help me out?
Posted by: Mr Smith | October 09, 2009 at 01:11 PM
hoopster-shame on you for trying to get me to commit to a score. You know that will only open myself up to many Blog Bombs! But let's look at the hypothetical. Billie fans think their offense is unstoppable and have no need for a punter on the roster. Chief fans are optimistic as South's run defense has been prone to big lapses. Somethings gotta give. Iroquois has been prone to have games where teams only have a few possessions each half, so cashing in on chances will be key. Some unsung matchups include Iroq FB Garrison vs Billie LBs, Iroq DB Siejak making plays on quick outs, and South's RB Knight vs Iroq DEs. I'll put the over-under at 62 points. The last time Iroquois played an explosive offense with a suspect defense was their 67-49 Far West Regional win over Eastridge in 2004. The crystal ball is clouded but a fuzzy 35-27 is seen. An unsuccessful onside kick by the Smurfs is also coming into view. "Flu Bowl" ends as both teams are required to wash hands before shaking hands.
Subplots in the game. Does the matchup of Licata vs Sluberski establish a pecking order for Connolly Cup? This is the type of high profile game can establish All-WNY credibility, especially for guys in the trenches. The winner of the game will be considered a frontrunner to be at the Ralph, while the loser won't. But, both teams are ones that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
I give these words of advice to the boys in white (white means good, doesn't it?). You can do it if you try, VICTORY, you can do it if you try. Do it, do it. Do it, do it, do it. For the sake of what the repercussions will be if the Billies prevail on this blog can't ya just "Win One For The Milty"?
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 09, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Milt as the preeminent Iroquois fan, I'm sure the pervasive color blue is also on the faces of the South players once the epic game is complete. Final score???
Posted by: hoopster | October 09, 2009 at 08:36 AM
yeah, Williamsville South will be wearing blue...probably too much blue. With their blue uniforms and white helmets, they just might have to be called "The Smurfs".
Led by Papa Smurf Kurzanski, he'll be calling the signals from the sideline. Brainy Smurf Licata will try and read defenses to distribute the ball. Greedy Smurf Stasiak is always looking for that extra yard. Harmony Smurf O'Connell always seems to be in synch with his QB. Handy Smurf Coppola is always needed for any duty. Clockwork Smurf Krempa keeps making plays time and time again. Leading the line will be Hefty Smurf Gallagher, while Sloppy Smurf Gerlach can be counted on to have his shirt untucked. A whole bunch of Smurfettes will be cheering for the Billie faithful. Can't wait to hear the theme song during the pregame!
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 09, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Football is a team sport and both Iroquois (wearing white) and Williamsville South (wearing Blue) will put 11 players on the field on offense, defense, and special teams despite flu's, banged up ankles or knees for a great high school football game that's what makes football the greatest team sport of them all and leave Milt alone because he obviously has a passion for the game.
Posted by: Coach Payne | October 08, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Sweet Home had Day Day last year and didn't beat Iroquois by 30. As for complaining...not one person who will be on the Chiefs sideline (Coach Payne, etc) has come on here and complained. I'm sure for them its business as usual. Strap 'em up. Plug someone in. Hit the other guy. Find what works, and attack. Chiefs nation probably just laughs at half the things I type anyways.
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 08, 2009 at 06:36 PM
bullsfan-I have no idea if, how many, etc kids that are part of the program are/will be affected. I'll be the first one (well, I gotta drive home from South first) to come on here and give WillS credit for the win, and probably give a fair assessment of how the game went down. I obviously don't hope either team will have kids missing, as its one the bigger games of their high school careers. No one wants that. But, it is informative for all out there that the flu might be a secondary storyline for the game. Hopefully, it will be a 4th or 5th storyline. You know and I know that Day day would be an integral part of SH this year and would make them even better, but he accounts for one player. A school where 1/5 of its students aren't there has a few more issues to deal with.
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 08, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Just an FYI South is under the weather with the flu also. They have the second most kids out . How many play ball is the better question?
Posted by: Mike Ferrentino | October 08, 2009 at 05:17 PM
The whining ABOUT the whining is WAY more annoying than the whining.
Posted by: Fran | October 08, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Milt
So if Iroquious loses the flu bug is to blame. You are such a HOMER it is getting ridiculous.....Im sure South wants to play Iroquious at full strength and vice versa. Injuries and the flu happen all during the season and in the playoffs. You dont hear South complaining about the weather or the flu or the injuries. If South wins you will not give the win credibility due to the flu. Here is one for you Milt, if Sweet Home had Day Day playing they would have beat Iroquious and most other schools by 30. You dont hear Coach Faller complaining. Quit whining and lets play ball.
Posted by: bullsfan | October 08, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Damn, doesn't seem like this flu bug is leaving Iroquois quick enough. Just heard they had close to 500 students in the district out today (figure about 1/5). The only saving grace...maybe South tacklers won't want to get too close.
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 08, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Game of the week right here!!! Actually, the Intense Milk Harvard Cup Game of the week on Saturday, October 10 @ 12:30 with Burgard vs. East from venerable All High Stadium. 1440 AM WJJL on your radio or live and archived at: http://www.nhsbn.com/play/index.cfm?fuseaction=embstay&id=1415E24A50
Posted by: Rich Kozak | October 08, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Some intriguing matchups this week, as we near the playoffs and Road to the Ralph.
In AA, Lancaster at Jamestown has all sorts of implications. A possible three-way tie if Jamestown wins. The top four teams in AA North face each other as NT has the Falls, and Lockport and Will North tangle. One would think that the winner of the Lockport-WN game will have dibs on #2 seed. A North win could set up a Falls-Lockport game next week for #3/#4.
In Class A, the Iroquois-Will South game goes a long way towards determining who gets #2 seed and home throughout the playoffs, while staying on other side of bracket from Sweet Home. Grand Island vs Lake Shore likely decides who gets #6 seed. Kenmore East could play major spoiler vs Amherst, as a KE win opens the door for Williamsville East or even winless Starpoint to stay in the playoff hunt (Starpoint plays Will East, Amherst has Sweet Home in week 7, possible 4 way tie at 1-5, Starpoint could sneak in with Strength of Schedule tie break). Williamsville East can help itself by having a close game with West Seneca East (for a possible 3 way tie at 2-4 with Lake Shore and Amherst)
In Class B, Albion vs Cheektowaga is a swing game. If Albion wins, a three-way tie for 1st exists. If Albion loses, they may need to win rivalry game in week 7 for playoffs. Lew-Port should treat this week against Depew as a playoff game. They're 3-2, but a loss puts them at 3-3 and they can't afford tie breaks with Maryvale, who could get third win vs Newfane. There is a way for a 5 way tie at 4-2 to exist in B North, but lots needs to happen. In B South, Alden vs East Aurora might decide title, especially for EA. Dunkirk vs Lackawanna could decide seeding.
In Class C, the pecking order is fairly established, but Gowanda could throw in a monkey wrench by beating Cleve Hill. The Allegheny-Limestone vs Salamanca game should probably be called the "Eden Bowl" as winner likely takes #4 seed. Southwestern vs Fredonia could force a three-way tie, but let's not venture into fantasyland.
In Class D, the three division titles are probably at stake. Portville vs Catt/LV, Randolph vs Frewsburg, and Maple Grove vs Chaut Lake. One would think the losers of those three games will still make the playoffs, but they'll have to do it on the road. With Silver Creek in good position to grab a playoff spot, that leaves only one spot open for the final wildcard. Keep an eye on either West Valley or Panama as they'll be in discussion for that spot.
In MMA, Joe's vs Frannies just may tell us who will be home in the playoffs, and have inside track towards the Ralph. Canisius should have a home game.
Keep your eye on the scoreboard this week and get ready to update your playoff standings accordingly.
Posted by: Milt Latimer | October 08, 2009 at 09:22 AM