Brian's Week 3 in Review

Well, if you've been reading the pick segments so far this season, you may have been wondering at times if I really know what I'm talking about. And I'm sure Sully Buttes fans are probably still wondering that, after I grossly underestimated them last weekend. But other than that, I'd call it a pretty good week after picking 62 of 69 games correctly in Week 3, including a perfect 8-0 in 11AA games, for the first time this season. 21-2 in the rest of 11-man and 33-5 in the 9-man games - I'll take that. But even in the 7 losses, I find I'm still learning some things about some teams that are worth noting, not the least of which is that Sully Buttes is well worth watching this year. They've got a couple of games to look forward to in 3 & 4 weeks, but they're next game is against another team I'm learning a lot about, but for a different reason. It seems that Ipswich has really fallen hard after playing in the Dome last year. They can still score, but it seems they can't keep opponents from scoring more.

One other thing I'm not necessarily learning, but I am starting to question, is whether the gap between the Sioux Falls schools and the Black Hills schools is starting to shrink a little. Well, the gap between the best (SF Washington) and the worst (Spearfish) might still be a huge one, but how about that Stevens-O'Gorman game last weekend - 13-6? Stevens led 3-0 at the half, and I know they've got OG's respect now. We'll see how they do against Roosevelt this weekend. And even on a slightly smaller scale, Belle Fourche went to West Central and gave the Trojans all they could handle. Belle was better last year, but this year's team still had a 14-3 halftime lead before West Central figured things out and won 23-14.

I think the bottom line in most classes this season is that there are certain teams we can all expect to appear in the Dome this year, but there are sleeper teams in all classes that the top dogs had better watch out for, and that's what is making this season so fun and interesting so far.

Week 4 picks will be submitted Thursday or Friday, but here are the season totals:
Overall: 204-52 (.797)
11AA: 26-6 (.813)
11A/B: 68-20 (.773)
9-man: 110-26 (.809)

Big games to really look forward to for some area teams:
Pierre at Yankton - if anyone still doesn't believe in the Govs, a win at Yankton should answer any remaining questions.
Stanley Co. at Mobridge - 11B Region 4 is overloaded with playoff caliber teams, and this game will go a long way in deciding the seedings.
Howard at Lyman - 9AA #1 at #3 - how bad do you want it, Raiders?
There are others coming this weekend worthy of marquee matchup status, so look for those in this weekend's picks, coming soon.......