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This will be a weekly item on Rocketcorner...whether you like it or not. We do hope that you enjoy it as all these men have taken some time out of their busy schedules to contribute. Feel free to comment (as long as they are nice). No egg throwing (because it would just get your house all eggy...it's the Internet). And last but not least, please don't make your bets based on what we say. Just some friendly advice but it's your money, not ours.
So without further rambling, I bring to you the Know-It-Alls. Where's the applause
???? (My son just clapped)Week 1
Anthony Wayne @ Findlay
Delphos St John @ Elida
Tiffin Calvert @ McComb
Clyde @ Tiffin Columbian
Kenton @ Coldwater
Napoleon @ Defiance
Eastwood @ Patrick Henry
Wynford @ Liberty Benton
Liberty Center @ Tinora
Whitmer @ Perrysburg
ROCKETMAN- Founder of THE Rocketcorner.com
Findlay..........gotta believe that the Trojans won't have much trouble getting past the gates of Troy in this one
Delphos St John...........good first game for both teams. Elida has turned their fortunes around, but going with the Blue Jays in this one
McComb...................TD Jerry is gone but like the Panthers just a little bit more
Clyde.................Two good programs that are trying to return to glory......Taking a Flier on this one!
Coldwater.................Coldwater in a shoot out
Napoleon...............last year this one was on a Thursday if I remember. big rivalry game and I like Naptown in this one.
Patrick Henry........PH reloads again
Liberty Benton.........a few new recruits never hurts a thing so I'm going with LB to take down the Royals
Liberty Center............Liberty Center from the NWOAL vs. the GMC?.........give me the orange and black
Whitmer............Whitmer lost A LOT, while Pburg is an up and comer......but not enough this time......WHITMER
Jamie Baker- The Findlay Courier
Findlay over Anthony Wayne – Trojans lost a ton of talent but I still think they'll have enough depth to take the Generals.
Elida over Delphos St. John's – Blue Jays are still one of the premier D7 programs in Ohio but Elida has turned into one of the better programs in the WBL.
McComb over Tiffin Calvert – Calvert has everyone back but my gut instinct says take the Panthers here.
Columbian over Clyde – I rarely pick against a Colatruglio coached team.
Coldwater over Kenton – This one should be a real shoot-out.
Napoleon over Defiance – Like the defending NLL champs in this age old rivalry.
Patrick Henry over Eastwood – Tough opener but I think the Pats pass their first test of the season.
Wynford over Liberty Benton – I'm hearing there's a key injury in the L-B camp that could make the difference in this one.
Liberty Center over Tinora – Always take an NWOAL team vs. the GMC,
Whitmer over Perrysburg – Whitmer proving that it can reload year after year.
Tim McDonough- The Defiance Crescent
Anthony Wayne @ Findlay - Two teams with a host of talent. Findlay is just a little bit better than the Generals.
Delphos St John @ Elida - These two both have high hopes entering 2013. The Blue Jays are a perennial power, Elida has been on the rise the last few seasons. I'm going with a tough Elida defense to do enough to keep the Blue Jays at bay.
Calvert @ McComb - Calvert returns a ton of players, but McComb knows how to put points on the board. My pick is McComb.
Clyde @ Columbian - I have to admit, I don't know much about these two clubs, but from what I've gathered, Columbian is strong up front and Clyde is solid all-around. I'll take Columbian, you win in the trenches.
Kenton @ Coldwater - A pair of teams that aren't only thinking playoffs, but state championships. Kenton can flat out score with Grant Sherman at QB, but the Cavaliers are as physical as they come. I'll take the Cavs in a close one.
Napoleon @ Defiance - Both have inexperienced offense lines and new quarterbacks. I'll take Defiance in a close game because they have more overall experience back and a defense that has something to prove after getting blown out last season.
Eastwood @ Patrick Henry - These two teams just play close games when they meet. Patrick Henry usually wins, that's not about to change Friday.
Wynford @ Liberty Benton - Gabe Helbert has Wynford moving in the right direction, but Liberty-Benton just knows how to win. I'll take the Eagles.
Liberty Center @ Tinora - Liberty Center has size ... Tinora has speed. I like the Tigers because they're going to be more physical than the Rams.
Whitmer @ Perrysburg - Whitmer is one of the favorites in the TRAC, Perrysburg is among the top teams in the NLL. Whitmer gets my pick.
Eric Kastner- Rocketcorner News
Anthony Wayne @ Findlay - Findlay needs to identify themselves defensively before I can pick them this year. Last year they gave up way too many lopsided numbers.
Delphos St John @ Elida - I'm taking Elida in this one, but DSJ should have no problem making the playoffs in their weak region again.
Calvert @ McComb - Whispers of Calvert's starting quarterback being injured, but that doesn't stop me from going against their entire offensive line that returns along with some skilled positions.
Clyde @ Columbian - Both of these teams are without a couple of star players, but Columbian will produce one of the biggest offensive lines in NW OH including D1 hopeful, Moore
Kenton @ Coldwater - What, is this the 2nd game of the week that I've gone against the MAC? Hmm, This might come back and haunt me.
Napoleon @ Defiance - Defiance only produces pitchers, right?
Eastwood @ Patrick Henry - There is a nice tradition of football at PH, and they should be able to reload and make the playoffs again this year.
Wynford @ Liberty Benton - LB doesn't shy away from a tough non-conference opponent in Wynford, even when they know they'll face Leipsic and McComb every year.
Liberty Center @ Tinora - I have LC in this one, but it may be closer than one may think.
Whitmer @ Perrysburg - Whitmer has proven that they're in a class of their own in Northwest Ohio. I look for them to have another solid year.
Joel Miller- WNDH Napoleon
AW @ Findlay...Findlay - Trojans need some inexperience to step up, but they get it done in Week 1.
DSJ @ Elida...Elida - tough call here, but Elida's D is able to give their new O some time.
Calvert @ McComb...Calvert - another tough call - big rematch and Calvert gets some revenge after 2 losses last year.
Clyde @ Columbian...Columbian - man, you guys make this hard. Columbian will be tough again this year. More returning than Clyde reloading.
Kenton @ Coldwater...Coldwater - better in week 1...Kenton will get better as season moves along.
Napoleon @ Defiance...Napoleon - the River Rivalry will come down to if Napoleon can stop the big plays. Scoring big will be tough for the Cats this year.
Eastwood @ PH...PH - Need big plays from their skill players returning. Kolpien will throw the ball around the yard. Eastwood is tough, though...
Wynford @ LB...LB - Eagles are tough at home, Wynford might be down from their highest levels, but still solid.
LC @ Tinora...LC - Those Pohlman boys are tough - will Coach Lingruen look to the pass more this year??
Whitmer @ P-burg...Whitmer - Panthers still strong...Perrysburg will have an uphill battle this week.
Kevin Oberhaus- Rocketcorner News
Findlay....Trojans look to replace some major parts quickly. AW has an experienced QB and RB but I think Findlay will squeeze out a tight one.
Elida...The Bulldogs program is gaining steam. Their defense should be able to stop Jettinghoff and the Jays just enough to claim the W.
McComb....McComb lost Touchdown Jerry Brown but return a good core. Calvert is riding high off a couple successful seasons BUT might be without its starting signal caller. Panthers seem the safe bet now.
Columbian....Huge O line and a couple key players missing for Clyde make Columbian the choice. They also return a standout RB and outstanding D. Pay no mind that Tiffin might be starting a sophomore 3rd string QB.
Kenton....The Cavaliers lost quite a bit from the State Champioonship team but always reload. Kenton has a high powered offense led by Sherman and tough defense led by Michigan commit Furbush. I think the Wildcats come out on top as Coldwater gains momentum as the season progresses.
Napoleon....The River Rivalry is a great tradition. Almost always a close game. Napoleon made a big run last year and even tho they lost a lot, look to build on that.
PH....Patriots have a key lineman out for two games but will still have Virginia Tech commit Pettit and outstanding RB Hernandez. Eastwood returns its starting QB and a lot of speed but leading rusher/receiver Conkle is gone. Gonna take PH at home.
Wynford....This is the hardest game for me to pick this week. But with an LB injury I will take the Royals in a mild upset.
Tinora....another tough game to pick. LC has size and Righi returns at RB but with Drewes and Kahle back, I think they are the difference makers for the Rams.
Whitmer....TRAC>NLL. Whitmer has a ton of talent left to make another long run in the D1 playoffs. Perrysburg is solid and should contend for the NLL title. I have to go with the Panthers fairly easily.
Joshua Morgret- Fremont News-Messenger
AW....Findlay is super young. A win for AW would start their season off well before conference play.
DSJ....A huge game for two teams with playoff thoughts on their mind. I think DSJ wins on Elida's home field.
McComb....I went back and forth with this game but I like McComb at home. McComb won twice over Calvert last season.
Columbian....A huge coaching edge goes to TC here as Clyde coach Ryan Carter makes his football debut. Both teams rumored to have suspended players.
Kenton....Game of the week in NW Ohio. Coldwater looking to make 5th straight title game but Kenton's passing offense makes outstanding defenses look average.
Napoleon....My favorite game of the week because its on Thursday. Napoleon had a huge 2012 season and a 2nd straight win over Defiance starts 2013 off right.
PH....Patrick Henry is one of the best "small school" teams in the area. They have big playoff thoughts on their mind and a win over Eastwood is a good start.
LB....Another one of the best in the area is LB. They pick up a tough opponent in Wynford, but LB gets it done at home.
Tinora....Both teams need this week 1 win to set their playoff sights on the right track. Tinora in a close one.
Whitmer....The Panthers made the big boy D1 State Championship game but came up just short. They carry that momentum into 2013. A win over Perrysburg would be huge for their season.
Dave Boninsegna- Zsportslive.com
Findlay
DSJ
Calvert
Columbian
Coldwater
Defiance
Patrick Henry
LB
Liberty Center
Whitmer
Kyle Timmons- SanduskyCountyLive.com
Findlay over Anthony Wayne - The Trojans need an early season victory to gain some confidence for what appears to be a long season in Findlay.
Delphos St. John over Elida - Despite the size differential in enrollment, Delphos St. John always plays to higher standards.
McComb over Tiffin Calvert - McComb takes advantage of playing on its home field and an injury from one of Calvert's best players. Should be a fun game to watch.
Tiffin Columbian over Clyde - Clyde will have too much to overcome in the battle of the trenches.
Coldwater over Kenton - One of the better games in our region this weekend, but I'm going with Coldwater until someone can knock them off.
Napoleon over Defiance - Napoleon is coming off a very successful season and should be able to put up quite a few points on Defiance.
Patrick Henry over Eastwood - Eastwood is trying to get back to their glory days, but another loss in their season opener to PH won't help.
Liberty Benton over Wynford - Kind of a toss-up for me, but LB was pretty much unstoppable last season until they ran into Coldwater in the playoffs.
Tinora over Liberty Center - Again, another toss-up game. I'm choosing the home team because I honestly know very little about both teams.
Whitmer over Perrysburg - While I wouldn't be surprised to see Perrysburg pull off the upset Friday, I went with what I know best. Panthers are still one of the top teams in NW Ohio until proven otherwise.
Jordan Strack- WTOL Toledo 11
ANTHONY WAYNE - FINDLAY
>>ANTHONY WAYNE: GENERALS RUNNING BACK SAM BRUNO LIKELY WONT PLAY THIS WEEK, BUT FINDLAY LOST TOO MUCH FROM LAST YEARS TEAM AND ANTHONY WAYNE WILL CONTROL TEMPO.
DELPHOS ST. JOHN’S – ELIDA
>>ELIDA: BOTH PLAYOFF TEAMS A YEAR AGO…BUT I THINK ELIDA IS DEEPER AND THAT WILL BE A BIG ADVANTAGE EARLY IN THE SEASON.
CALVERT-MCCOMB
>>MCCOMB: THEY MADE AN AMAZING RUN LAST YEAR AND AREN’T THE SAME TEAM AS LAST YEAR. I STILL THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO WIN THE OPENER.
CLYDE-COLUMBIAN
>>COLUMBIAN: CLYDE HAS HAD A WEIRD OFFSEASON WITH THE BASKETBALL COACH TAKING OVER THE FOOTBALL DUTIES…COLUMBIAN HAS A CHANCE TO BE SPECIAL.
KENTON-COLDWATER
>>COLDWATER: NOT MANY TEAMS BEAT UP ON KENTON…BUT COLDWATER DID IN THE OPENER LAST YEAR. THE STATE CHAMPS WILL BE GOOD ONCE AGAIN.
NAPOLEON-DEFIANCE
>>NAPOLEON: THE CATS ARE COMING OFF A MAGICAL SEASON. THEY’VE RELOADED AND ARE GOOD ONCE AGAIN. LOOK OUT FOR A NEW YOUNG QUARTERBACK BLAKE DUNBAR.
WYNFORD-LIBERTY BENTON
>>WYNFORD: THEY’VE BECOME A VERY WELL KNOWN PROGRAM IN OHIO. THEY’RE COMING OFF ANOTHER STRONG YEAR AND LB IS BREAKING IN A SOPHOMORE AT QUARTERBACK.
LIBERTY CENTER-TINORA
>>LIBERTY CENTER: THEY’VE JUST GOT TOO MANY GOOD SKILL PLAYERS. THEY RUN THE BALL VERY WELL AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO IN THE OPENER.
PATRICK HENRY – EASTWOOD
>>PATRICK HENRY: THEIR OFFENSIVE LINE CREATES HOLES FOR HERNANDEZ AND THEY HAVE THE TYPE OF TEAM THAT CAN SLOW EASTWOOD DOWN.
WHITMER-PERRYSBURG
>>WHITMER: THIS WILL BE A MUCH CLOSER GAME THAN MOST ANTICIPATE. PERRYSBURG WILL USE MARK DELAS TO CONTROL TEMPO BUT WHITMER IS TOO MUCH AND TOO DEEP.
