Week 3 Picks/Predictions

Week 3 is here and it's time for Lee and myself to pick the games:

Boone Co (1-1) @ Anderson (2-0)

Boone comes in off a 30-14 loss to Scott Co while Anderson comes in off a 44-0 win over Woodward.

Predictions:

Lee: Even though the Rebels have one of the top backs in the state, I think the #6 ranked D1 team in Cincinnati is too strong playing at home. I like the Redskins.

Anderson 40
Boone Co 24

Ryan: Anderson is a lot like Boone. Almost all of their yards this year have come on the ground and but have less than 100 through the air. I like Boone in a close one as they have faced better competition thus far and are more balanced on offense than the Skins.

Boone Co 29
Anderson 23

Holy Cross (2-0) @ Beechwood (0-2)

When was the last time these two teams met and Holy Cross was undefeated, while Beechwood was winless? Holy Cross comes in off a bye week while Beechwood comes in off a 48-20 loss to Highlands.

Predictions:

Lee: Beechwood showed glimpses of a bright future this past week with soph. RB Cameron Vocke but Holy Cross has a veteran squad and too much size. I like the Indians.

Holy Cross 36
Beechwood 22

Ryan: One of the biggest reasons Beechwood has struggled early on is injuries to key players. With the Tigers coming in to this game healthy, I expect to see a completely different Beechwood team. I like the Tigers.

Beechwood 31
Holy Cross 19

Scott (0-2) @ Bellevue (1-2)

Scott is really struggling right now after a 28-27 loss to Cooper this past week. Bellevue on the hand lost to a good Holmes team 24-8.

Predictions:

Lee: Bellevue is a very solid power football team and had opportunities last week against Holmes that they didn't capitalize on in a loss. Scott is a struggling program that will not have enough to beat the Tigers on the road.

Bellevue 38
Scott 20

Ryan: Scott's defense has been very bad against the run this year allowing Nick West to run all over them in week 1 and Dvontae Bradley to set a school record with 264 yards against them last week. With Bellevue being a power football team, I like them to control this one and get the W.

Bellevue 42
Scott 28

Covcath (0-3) @ Campbell Co (1-1)

Covcath comes in off a tough 44-35 loss while Campbell comes in on a high after coming from behind to beat Roger Bacon 31-28.

Predictions:

Lee: Campbell Co is coming off a huge win over Roger Bacon and Covcath showed improvement last week. I like the home Camels in a shootout.

Campbell Co 42
Covcath 28

Ryan: You have to feel like Covcath is eventually going to put it all together but I don't think this is the week they get their first win of the season. I think the arm and legs of Brayden Erpenbeck won't be enough to lead them past the Camels.

Campbell Co 35
Covcath 24

Cooper (2-0) v Holmes (2-0)

Cooper is coming in on a high after getting their biggest win of their program's short history, a 28-27 win over Scott. Holmes on the other hand cruised past Bellevue 24-8.

Predictions:

Lee: Cooper has one of the top backs in the are and are playing an undefeated Bulldogs team who got a nice road win over Bellevue last week. I like Cooper in this one as Dvontae Bradley rushes for over 100 yards and 2 TD's.

Cooper 28
Holmes 20

Ryan: Dvontae Bradley is one of the best backs in the area and has put up some huge numbers the first two weeks of the season but I think that comes to a stop this week. Cooper hasn't seen a defense yet that plays as physical or fast as Holmes will. Bradley gets his but it's not enough as Holmes wins at home.

Holmes 34
Cooper 13

Dixie (2-1) @ Conner (3-0)

Dixie is coming of an embarassing 49-28 loss while Conner destroyed Lloyd last week 64-0.

Predictions:

Lee: This will be a dandy as the Colonels travel to Hebron to take on the Nick West led Cougars. Dixie should rebound from last week's loss and I think they contain West. I like the Colonels by a 2 pt conversion.

Dixie 22
Conner 20

Ryan: These two teams have practically put up the same numbers offensively early on this season. Both have outstanding quarterbacks and explosive players on both sides of the ball. I like Conner's defense against Dixie's offense.

Conner 34
Dixie 27

(0-2) Dayton @ (0-2) Lloyd

Dayton comes in off a 20-16 loss to Taylor, OH while Lloyd was blasted by Conner 64-0 last week.

Predictions:

Lee: Lloyd has been eyeing this game on their schedule all year and especially after being drubbed last week. Dayton is slow out of the game and struggling. I like the Juggs by 4 td's.

Lloyd 42
Dayton 14

Ryan: The bigger school usually wins in match ups like this and with the schedule Lloyd has played so far, I see no reason why they don't win this one.

Lloyd 35
Dayton 13

Shroder,OH (1-1) @ Simon Kenton (2-0)

Simon Kenton comes in off a 49-28 win while Schroder won big over Finneytown last week, 56-0.

Predictions:

Lee: Shroder isn't even ranked in Ohio D2 and Simon Kenton looks poised for another 6A state championship run. Expect a blowout here for the Pioneers.

Simon Kenton 48
Shroder,OH 7

Ryan: Two words....Miles Simpson. Expect him to rush for atleast 200 yards and lead the Neers past the Ohio school.

Simon Kenton 49
Shroder, OH 0

Highlands (3-0) @ Withrow, OH (1-1)

Highlands comes in after defeating Beechwood 48-20 while Withrow was pounded 67-6 by Winton Woods.

Predictions:

Lee: Withrow was beaten bad last week by Winton Woods and I expect the same this week as the Bluebirds cross the river.

Highlands 48
Withrow 21

Ryan: The only thing that saves the Tigers from having 80 put up on them this week is the fact that their coach played under Coach Mueller 20 years ago when he was the head coach at Withrow.

Highlands 63
Withrow 14

NKYSPORTS.COM Game of the week
Ryle (1-1) @ Newcath (1-2)

The Breds got their first win of the year last week over Madison Central, 38-12 while the Raiders come in off a bye week. You can watch this game live Saturday night at nkysports.com.

Predictions:

Lee: This may be the breakout game for Travis Elliott as he solidifies himself as a top running back in the state as a sophomore. NCC has a very big line and Chris Kelly who will keep it close for a half but the pure size of Ryle will wear down the Breds. Expect a close one til half time then the Raiders breaking away.

Ryle 27
Newcath 14

Ryan: Ryle's thunder and lightning running game of Elliott and Eubanks will really wear the Breds down in this one. Hempel should be able to pick NCC's inexperienced secondary apart. I like the Raiders in the nkysports.com game of the week.

Ryle 35
Newcath 20

Heading in to week 3, here are the results of the "Pick Em Challenge" between myself and Lee:

Lee: 24-3
Ryan: 20-7