DON'T THINK. IT CAN ONLY HURT THE BALLCLUB

To say it's been a disappointing postseason for high school football teams in the Daily Bulletin coverage area would be like saying the weather is nice in Southern California. It goes without saying.

We thought the Baseline League underachieved last year in the playoffs with one win. The September League - I can't take credit for that label, San Bernardino Sun colleague T.J. Berka coined the term - didn't even produce a single win in the CIF-SS Inland DIvision playoffs this year despite beating 11 playoff teams combined during nonleague play.

Diamond Ranch didn't even make the playoffs after its season was turned upside down in Week 7. An error with the transfer paperwork of a player caused the Panthers to forfeit all their wins to that point, including two league wins in the five-team Miramonte League. A dispirited team that had clearly lost its focus - evidenced by players failing to show up to practice the final week - squandered any playoff hopes when it laid down for Charter Oak in a season-ending 48-7 loss. This was a team capable of winning a CIF title considering its talented defense, strong running game, heady senior quarterback and playoff experience from a season ago.

Bonita, the Miramonte League's second place team - which lost 19-0 to Diamond Ranch before the transfer fiasco - exited in the first round of the playoffs courtesy a 52-14 beating from Santa Ana Foothill.

While Ayala was the story of the year during the regular season (the Bulldogs went from 0-10 in 2006 to 7-3 in 2007) the Sierra League seemed doomed from the beginning. A loaded Chino Hills team lost enough close games, not to mention stud RB Michael Harris for four of its five league games, to slip out of the playoff picture.
Defending league champ Damien was a spirited team this season, it just didn't seem to have the talent of last season. Thus, the Spartans were hammered in the first round by an accomplished Miller squad. It probably would have been too much to ask of Ayala to compete with two-time defending champion Norco in the first round. It was.

San Dimas, the Bulletin's lone team in the Valle Vista League, put together a 9-1 regular season but ran into Oaks Christian in the first round. Granted this Oaks Christian team isn't comparable to the ones that strung together the 48-game win streak that ended this season. That said, it is still capable of winning a fifth straight CIF title and legitimately gets San Dimas off the hook for losing in the first round.

So, our teams from the Sierra, Baseline, Valle Vista and Miramonte Leagues: 0-7.

Norco, our lone team in the ridiculously loaded Mountain View League simply didn't have it this season, relatively speaking, of course. The Cougars have been to four straight CIF title games. They won the last two.
But this team lost most of its offensive line from last season and 2,000-yard rusher Josh Nakamoto for most of the year with a dislocated ankle. It just had too little margin for error. But Norco still put together an 8-2 season and made a quarterfinal appearance where it lost to an undefeated REV team. Nothing to be ashamed of all things considered.

That brings us to Colony, er, the Mt. Baldy League. The defending champion Titans have a date with Moreno Valley Saturday in the Central Division semifinals (see my impending entry on Saturday). Chaffey, however - second-seeded Chaffey! - shockingly went down in the first round 51-46 to a mediocre Pasadena team in one of the wildest games of the season.

The Tigers, who went 9-1 in the regular season, scored the game's first 24 points. Then two of its three most important players went down with injuries. Although I didn't see the game, I have no doubt the loss of running backs Deveion Bauman and Travis Rossman (who are key defensive players as well) crippled Chaffey. And the Tigers nearly pulled it out anyway. It's unfortunate because this was a team built to go deep in the playoffs with a stout defense and strong running game. Particularly in a Central Division that isn't exactly loaded.

The Mt. Baldy's third-place team, Don Lugo, capped a disappointing year in fitting fashion, losing 51-0 to Colton in the first round. I say disappointing year because it seemed to me Don Lugo had a boat load of talent but lost handily virtually every big game it played. I had higher hopes for the Conquistadores than a third-place, one-and-done season.

Miller, the Bulletin's No. 1 team for most of the season, disappointingly bowed out in the Inland Division quarterfinals. The once-beaten Rebels looked like they were going to survive the inevitable tester game when player of the year candidate, QB A.J. Springer, led them back from a two-touchdown deficit against Temecula Chaparral in the final minutes. But the Miller defense surrendered a season-ending touchdown drive in the final 1:20 to lose 34-30. Even in as difficult a bracket as the Inland Division, Miller seemed capable of challenging anybody.

In summation, the Daily Bulletin team's combined record in the playoffs: 4-11.

It practically speaks for itself.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Three years later, we have an Aaron Rodgers sighting.

Alex Smith probably would have preferred to wait another three.

How far did Rodgers' performance Thursday night go towards determining he should have been the 49ers' No. 1 pick overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft?

The only way it could have gone further was with some help from a Packers defense that was shredded by Dallas in the Cowboys 37-27 win.

All we've seen of Rodgers since the eight hours of close-ups in the green room before finally being selected 24th in the first round by the Packers was when he broke his foot last year the one chance he got to do some mop-up duty for Brett Favre.

As for the No. 1 overall pick, the Niners' Alex Smith, we've heard plenty about him. When he hasn't been injured - Sunday will mark the 13th game he's missed in less than three seasons - he has put up these career numbers:

• completion percentage - 54%


• interceptions: 31


• touchdowns: 19


• QB rating: 63.5

He had zip on his passes. Against a pass rush that rattled Favre, he had pocket presence, scrambling effectively when necessary. In six possessions Rodgers led the Packes to two TDs and a field goal. The last of those six was a desperation turnover on downs when the game was out of reach.

Smith, who has had more than enough time to prove a shred of worth, doesn't get off the hook because of a poor surrounding cast. Frank Gore is a top-flight running back. Darrell Jackson was an above average receiver in Seattle. Arnaz Battle, the 49ers' leading receiver, is at least decent. Vernon Davis may be an elite tight end.

One wonders how much rope Smith has left in San Francisco. This is year THREE, after all.

But Rodgers was up for bid after so many Jeff Tedford quarterbacks - Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller - had failed. Thus, the Niners were scared off. Smith is smart and mobile, but he succeeded in an unconventional offense in college. Urban Meyer's spread option is unconventional by NFL standards, at least.

For the first time since he was selected 23 picks behind Smith, we have reason to believe Rodgers is a legitimate NFL quarterback - something Smith is yet to prove. But by the time he gets his chance to led a team of his own, Smith may not be around for any more comparisons.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The heat eminating from our NFL picks is reaching such a feverish level that an 11-5 week by yours truely is no longer good enough to be termed hot by DON'T THINK standards. Nor is a 'run of the mill' 10-6 mark by Overton. The lingo, if you will, is changing.
Our boy Lingo, however, has dipped into frigid territory, relatively speaking of course.

Last week
Clay: 11-5
Overton: 10-6
Lingo: 6-10

Season standings
Clay: 32-23-2
Overton: 31-24-2
Lingo: 26-29-2

Here are this weeks picks. The HOME teams are in caps.

Clay's picks
DALLAS (-7) over Green Bay
ST. LOUIS (-4) over Atlanta
WASHINGTON (-6) over Buffalo
Detroit (+3.5) over MINNESOTA
Houston (+3.5) over TENNESSEE
Jacksonville (+6.5) over INDIANAPOLIS
N.Y. Jets (+1.5) over MIAMI
San Diego (-5.5) over KANSAS CITY
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over Seattle
San Francisco (+3) over CAROLINA
Tampa Bay (+3.5) over NEW ORLEANS
Cleveland (+1) over ARIZONA
Denver (-3.5) over OAKLAND
CHICAGO (+2) over N.Y. Giants
PITTSBURGH (-7) over Cincinnati
New England (-20.5) over BALTIMORE

Lingo's picks
DALLAS (-7) over Green Bay
ST. LOUIS (-4) over Atlanta
Buffalo (+6) over WASHINGTON
MINNESOTA (-3.5) over Detroit
Houston (+3.5) over TENNESSEE
Jacksonville (+6.5) over INDIANAPOLIS
N.Y. Jets (+1.5) over MIAMI
KANSAS CITY (+5.5) over San Diego
Seattle (+3) over PHILADELPHIA
CAROLINA (-3) over San Francisco
NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Tampa Bay
Cleveland (+1) over ARIZONA
Denver (-3.5) over OAKLAND
N.Y. Giants (-2) over CHICAGO
PITTSBURGH (-7) over Cincinnati
New England (-20.5) over BALTIMORE

Overton's picks
DALLAS (-7) over Green Bay
ST. LOUIS (-4) over Atlanta
WASHINGTON (-6) over Buffalo
MINNESOTA (-3.5) over Detroit
TENNESSEE (-3.5) over Houston
INDIANAPOLIS (-6.5) over Jacksonville
San Diego (-5.5) over KANSAS CITY
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over Seattle
CAROLINA (-3) over San Francisco
NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Tampa Bay
ARIZONA (-1) over Cleveland
Denver (-3.5) over OAKLAND
CHICAGO (+2) over N.Y. Giants
PITTSBURGH (-7) over Cincinnati
BALTIMORE (+20.5) over New England

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Trojans are who we thought they were. Or are they?
If you want to crown 'em, then crown 'em. I'm not.

USC has one big win to its credit this season - 44-24 over a legitimate Arizona State team - it just happens to have been the last game it played.

Is that enough to make it a 20-point favorite over UCLA? It seems any chance USC gets to return to dynasty status, people are waiting in line to hand it to them.

Remember, this is the same UCLA team that re-routed the Trojans' season to the Rose Bowl last year when overrated Ohio State was waiting to be had in the national championship game.

But all of a sudden, UCLA doesn't have a chance on Saturday?

The Bruins have motivation: They can still win the Pac-10 for cryng out loud. They managed to stay in contention in the most non-threatening way possible - with one of the ugliest wins in college football history last week, a 16-0 victory over Dennis Dixon-less Oregon.

The Trojans, however, are suddenly world-beaters becasue John David Booty doesn't have a broken finger? Take a look at his numbers (11-for-20, 129 yards, 1 TD) in a 7-point win two weeks ago over Cal, the SEVENTH-PLACE team in the Pac-10. His stats are mediocre for the entire season.

While the Trojans quarterback problems consisted of inserting blue-chip recruit Mark Sanchez for a couple of games, UCLA started a guy last week (and the week before that) who might still be listed as a receiver on the depth chart. Garey High School's own Ossar Rasshan never even completed 50 percent of his passes in high school. His illustrious run as the Bruins starter ended at halftime last week.

Enter Ben Olson.

What better time to get back your No. 1 guy than the week before the USC game? Olson, while less than spectacular during last week's second half, was the guy expected to lead the preseason No. 14 team in the country this year. He is the most talented of the UCLA quarterbacks.

It goes without saying that the Trojans have more talent in one of their (broken) fingers than UCLA does on its entire roster. But who expected the Bruins to even hang with mighty USC last season? I was at the Oregon-UCLA game last week. I'm well aware of how horrendous the Bruins looked. But they didn't exactly singe the grass at the Rose Bowl last season while dropping the Trojans. The only things burning were Pete Carroll's cheeks.

After a disappointing season, USC has less on the line this year. And UCLA actually has something significant to play for. The Bruins will need to play inspired football to have a chance but rivalry games tend to bring that out in teams.

So, on one side you've got highly motivated underdog UCLA with its most talented QB back under center. On the other side you've got a USC team looking for its second significant victory of the season.

Let's not crown the Trojans just yet.

At least not until the Bruins "let 'em off the hook."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The picks were perfect on Thanksgiving except for Lingo inexplicably picking against the juggernaut that is the Dallas Cowboys (I know, it's no surprise he's in last place). The question is: Can he make up a gigantic two-game deficit with just 5 weeks left in the season?

Season standings
Clay: 24-18-2
Overton: 24-18-2
Lingo: 22-20-2

Clay's picks
Denver (+1.5) over CHICAGO
CINCINNATI (-1) over Tennessee
JACKSONVILLE (-8.5) over Buffalo
KANSAS CITY (-4) over Oakland
Houston (+3) over CLEVELAND
Seattle (-3) over ST. LOUIS
Minnesota (+7) over N.Y. GIANTS
New Orleans (-3) over CAROLINA
TAMPA BAY (-3) over Washington
ARIZONA (-10) over San Francisco
SAN DIEGO (-8.5) over Baltimore
NEW ENGLAND (-24.5) over Philadelphia
Miami (+16) over PITTSBURGH

Overton's picks
CHICAGO (-1.5) over Denver
CINCINNATI (-1) over Tennessee
JACKSONVILLE (-8.5) over Buffalo
KANSAS CITY (-4) over Oakland
CLEVELAND (-3) over Houston
ST. LOUIS (+3) over Seattle
N.Y. GIANTS (-7) over Minnesota
New Orleans (-3) over CAROLINA
TAMPA BAY (-3) over Washington
ARIZONA (-10) over San Francisco
Baltimore (+8.5) over SAN DIEGO
Philadelphia (+24.5) over NEW ENGLAND
PITTSBURGH (-16) over Miami

Lingo's picks
Denver (+1.5) over CHICAGO
CINCINNATI (-1) over Tennessee
JACKSONVILLE (-8.5) over Buffalo
KANSAS CITY (-4) over Oakland
Houston (+3) over CLEVELAND
ST. LOUIS (+3) over Seattle
N.Y. GIANTS (-7) over Minnesota
New Orleans (-3) over CAROLINA
Washington (+3) over TAMPA BAY
ARIZONA (-10) over San Francisco
Baltimore (+8.5) over SAN DIEGO
NEW ENGLAND (-24.5) over Philadelphia
Miami (+16) over PITTSBURGH

Posted by Clay Fowler at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Daily Bulletin area football teams took a beating in the first round of the playoffs.
There are only five area teams still alive and it ain't gettin' any easier.

Last week: 9-3
Overall: 90-39-1

Inland Division
Redlands East Valley (11-0) at Norco (9-2)
Norco has found a way to the CIF finals every season for the past four years. But this team just doesn't have that feel (or the talent). It's not REV's dominance that gives me confidence in it, but its penchant to prevail close games, even with a sophomore QB. That undefeated record didn't come as easily at it appears. Prideful Norco will keep this one close, but REV will prevail.
REV 28, Norco 21

Miller (10-1) at Temecula Chaparral (8-3)
Chaparral showed the moxy to reach the finals last season but it simply doesn't have the talent to slow a Miller team who may not be the frontrunner by a longshot, but is capable of winning this division. Miller is coming off a stress-free blowout while Chaparral squaeked by Los Osos 10-7 on a late field goal last week.
Miller 27, Chaparral 14

Central Division
Colony (9-2) at Arroyo Valley (7-2-1)
Defending champ Colony squeaked by Burbank Burroughs 20-17 in the first round, remenicient of sneaking by Cajon in the opening game of the playoffs last year. The Titans survived their wake up call but they won't hammer Arroyo Valley the way they did their quarterfinal and semifinal opponents last season. Colony will, however, use that playoff experience to their advantage against an explosive team that will put up some points on them.
Colony 34, Arroyo Valley 28

East Valley Division
Ontario Christian (8-3) at San Jacinto (9-2)
A Ontario Christian team likely better than this year's version lost to San Jacinto in last year's quarterfinals. This feisty team will avenge that loss against a plenty talented San Jacinto squad.
OCHS 17, San Jacinto 13

Eastern Division
Kaiser (5-6) at Riverside North (10-1)
Kaiser's Dick Bruich may be in the midst of pulling off his best coaching job in recent memory. But he simply doesn't have the horses to pull this one off. Riverside North will simply overwhelm the Cats.
North 41, Kaiser 10

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Overton ate Lingo's and my lunch last week, pulling him into a first-place tie for the season.
Here's to hoping these picks don't make us look like turkeys.

Last week
Overton: 9-6-1
Clay: 7-8-1
Lingo: 6-9-1

Season standings
Clay: 21-18-2
Overton: 21-18-2
Lingo: 20-19-2

Clay's picks
Green Bay (-3) over DETROIT
DALLAS (-14) over N.Y. Jets
Indianapolis (-12) over ATLANTA

Overton's picks
Green Bay (-3) over DETROIT
DALLAS (-14) over N.Y. Jets
Indianapolis (-12) over ATLANTA

Lingo's picks
Green Bay (-3) over DETROIT
N.Y. Jets (+14) over DALLAS
Indianapolis (-12) over ATLANTA

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

WARNING: If your computer has a touch screen, you may burn yourself. The NFL picks (I'm not even sure we can refer to them as picks at this point, certainties maybe) were positively scorching last week.
Lingo posted a sizzling 10-3-1 mark, followed by yours truely at 9-4-1. Any time our trailer is above .500 - Overton at 7-6-1 - you know we're good.

Yes, I just guaranteed one of us will go 2-13-1 this week. Karma.

Season standings
Clay: 14-10-1
Lingo: 14-10-1
Overton: 12-12-1

Last week
Lingo: 10-3-1
Clay: 9-4-1
Overton: 7-6-1

Clay's picks
San Diego (+3) over JACKSONVILLE
INDIANAPOLIS (-14.5) over Kansas City
Oakland (+5) over MINNESOTA
Cleveland (-2.5) over BALTIMORE
Pittsburgh (-9.5) NY JETS
Tampa Bay (-3) over ATLANTA
Arizona (+3) over CINCINNATI
PHILADELPHIA (-10) over Miami
New England (-16) over BUFFALO
DALLAS (-10.5) over Washington
New Orleans (+1) over HOUSTON
GREEN BAY (-9.5) over Carolina
NY Giants (-3) over DETROIT
St. Louis (-3) over SAN FRANCISCO
Chicago (+5.5) over SEATTLE
Tennessee (+2) over DENVER

Lingo's picks
JACKSONVILLE (-3) over San Diego
INDIANAPOLIS (-14.5) over Kansas City
Oakland (+5) over MINNESOTA
Cleveland (-2.5) over BALTIMORE
Pittsburgh (-9.5) over NY JETS
Tampa Bay (-3) over ATLANTA
CINCINNATI (-3) over Arizona
PHILADELPHIA (-10) over Miami
BUFFALO (-16) over New England
DALLAS (-10.5) over Washington
New Orleans (+1) over HOUSTON
Carolina (+9.5) over GREEN BAY
NY Giants (-3) over DETROIT
St. Louis (-3) over SAN FRANCISCO
SEATTLE (-5.5) over Chicago
Tennessee (+2) over DENVER

Overton's picks
JACKSONVILLE (-3) over San Diego
INDIANAPOLIS (-14.5) over Kansas City
MINNESOTA (-5) over Oakland
Cleveland (-2.5) over BALTIMORE
Pittsburgh (-9.5) over NY JETS
Tampa Bay (-3) over ATLANTA
CINCINNATI (-3) over Arizona
PHILADELPHIA (-10) over Miami
New England (-16) over BUFFALO
DALLAS (-10.5) over Washington
New Orleans (+1) over HOUSTON
GREEN BAY (-9.5) over Carolina
NY Giants (-3) over DETROIT
St. Louis (-3) over SAN FRANCISCO
SEATTLE (-5.5) over Chicago
DENVER (-2) over Tennessee

While DON'T THINK is reluctant to waste space acknowledging it (despite space being infinite on the internet), after firing shots across my bow, it should be noted that San Bernardino Sun colleague T.J. Berka 'Kept It Real' last week with another losing record while each of the "Clay Fowler All-Stars" lived up to their given name.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The playoffs have arrived. It's time to win or go home.
I, however, will likely be doing both.

Last week: 7-5
Season: 81-36-1

Here are my first round playoff picks:

INLAND DIVISION
Carter (4-6) at Corona Centennial (9-1)
Still riding high on their 36-point win over Norco, top-seeded Centennial will let Carter hang around for a while. Only a while, though.
Centennial 46, Carter 22

Upland (7-3) at Glendora (8-2)
Glendora got the worst draw in the entire division, a matchup with an Upland team that shared the Baseline League title but was deemed the third-place team via coin flip. It will be evident by the time this one is over that the Tartans have a right to be upset.
Upland 26, Glendora 14

Los Osos (8-2) at Chaparral (7-3)
Chaparral has the experience edge on Los Osos, having been to the title game last season while Los Osos went out in the first round. But Los Osos will add at least one more game to their playoff experience this year.
Los Osos 33, Chaparral 28

Damien (5-4-1) at Miller (9-1)
With a chance for a rematch with REV, Miller wil blow past Damien.
Miller 41, Damien 21

Ayala (7-3) at Norco (8-2)
Ayala's dream season won't end until this one is late in the game as the Bulldogs will hang around longer than expected.
Norco 19, Ayala 12

Corona Santiago (4-6) at Etiwanda (6-4)
Etiwanda's fall from grace began with a 34-10 pasting at the hands of Upland last week. In a reversal of last season when the Eagles were the only Baseline team to win a playoff game, they'll be the only one to lose in the first round.
Santiago 27, Etiwanda 24

CENTRAL DIVISION
Burbank Burroughs (4-6) at Colony (8-2)
This is a more dangerous game for top-seeded Colony than first appears. Burroughs was the No. 1 seed last year and lost in the first round. Colony won't have the same fate, but it'll flirt with disaster.
Colony 21, Burroughs 17

Don Lugo (7-3) at Colton (6-3)
Don Lugo nearly outasted San Gorgonio in triple overtime to make the quarterfinals last season. Colton will end this one in regulation.
Colton 31, Don Lugo 20

Pasadena (6-4) at Chaffey (9-1)
Chaffey may be good enough this year to meet league foe Colony in the finals. Combined with the Tigers affinity for the dramatic, I'm expecting Chaffey to march deep into this postseason.
Chaffey 27, Pasadena 10

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
Flintridge Prep (7-2) at Ontario Christian (7-3)
Ontario Christian's seven-game win streak was interrupted by Aquinas last week in the Christian League title game. The Kinghts will begin a new one this week.
Ontario Christian 24, Flintridge Prep 13

SOUTHWEST
Bonita (6-4) at Santa Ana Foothill (8-2)
Bonita's most impressive win of the season may have been a 16-6 win last week over a Los Altos team fighting for a playoff spot. The Bearcats won't be able to carry that momentum into the playoffs against an accomplished Foothill squad.
Foothill 31, Bonita 14

NORTHWEST
Oaks Christian (7-3) at San Dimas (9-1)
Oaks Christian isn't what they once were - they won't make it a fifth title in a row this year. The fact that San Dimas is one dimensinal will spell the end for a young Saints team that'll be back with a vengence next year.
Oaks Christian 26, San Dimas 14

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The regular season finale prompted some notable movement - and notable non-movement - in the final Daily Bulletin top 10 high school football poll.

1. Miller (1) 9-1
2. Norco (2) 8-2
3. Colony (4) 8-2
4. Los Osos (5) 8-2
5. Upland (8) 7-3
6. Chaffey (7) 9-1
7. Diamond Ranch (3) 2-8*
8. Etiwanda (6) 6-4
9. San Dimas (9) 9-1
10. Ayala (10) 7-3
Also receiving votes: Don Lugo (7-3), Damien (5-4-1)
Dropped out: none
* - Diamond Ranch forfeited five wins due to an ineligible player.

Etiwanda lost sole possession of the Baseline League title (and two spots in the poll) after Upland laid a 34-10 lashing on the Eagles, valuting the Highlanders from 8th to 5th.

Diamond Ranch plummeted four spots after a losing by a jaw-dropping 41 points to Miramonte League champ Charter Oak.

Norco managed not to move at all despite a 43-7 shellacking at the hands of CIF-SS Inland Division No. 1 Corona Centennial. The two-time defending CIF champion Cougars did hand Centennial (9-1) three first half turnovers in digging a 30-7 hole in two quarters.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just because a few of us, and by a few I mean all three, picked under .500 in the debut of the NFL picks competition between me and my friends Lingo and Overton, doesn't mean we're not NFL gurus.
Round 2 promises to get better (or maybe worse).

Look at it this way, If Overton and I were picking best ball-style last week, we'd have gone a combined 8-4. Yeah, still hardly impressive. Before I drop any more Ryder Cup references, on to the picks...

Standings
Clay: 5-6
Overton: 5-6
Lingo: 4-7

The home teams are in caps.

Clay's picks
TENNESSEE (-4) over Jacksonville
KANSAS CITY (-3) over Denver
Buffalo (-3) over MIAMI
Cleveland (+10) over PITTSBURGH
NEW ORLEANS (-10.5) over St. Louis
Atlanta (+4) over CAROLINA
Philadelphia (+3) over WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY (-6) over Minnesota
Cincinnati (+3.5) over BALTIMORE
Chicago (-3.5) over OAKLAND
Dallas (-1.5) over NY GIANTS
Detroit (+1.5) over ARIZONA
SAN DIEGO (+3.5) over Indianapolis
SEATTLE (-10) over San Francisco

Lingo's picks
Jacksonville (+4) over TENNESSEE
KANSAS CITY (-3) over Denver
Buffalo (-3) over MIAMI
Cleveland (+10) over PITTSBURGH
St. Louis (+11) over NEW ORLEANS
Atlanta (+4) over CAROLINA
Philadelphia (+3) over WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY (-6) over Minnesota
Cincinnati (+3.5) over BALTIMORE
Chicago (-3.5) over OAKLAND
Dallas (-1.5) over NY GIANTS
Detroit (+1.5) over ARIZONA
SAN DIEGO (+3.5) over Indianapolis
San Francisco (+10) over SEATTLE

Overton's picks
TENNESSEE (-4) over Jacksonville
Denver (+3) over KANSAS CITY
Buffalo (-3) over MIAMI
PITTSBURGH (-10) over Cleveland
NEW ORLEANS (-10.5) over St. Louis
Atlanta (+4) over CAROLINA
Philadelphia (+3) over WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY (-6) over Minnesota
Cincinnati (+3.5) over BALTIMORE
Chicago (-3.5) over OAKLAND
Dallas (-1.5) over NY GIANTS
Detroit (+1.5) over ARIZONA
Indianapolis (-3.5 ) over SAN DIEGO
San Francisco (+10) over SEATTLE

Posted by Clay Fowler at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm going undefeated this week. Yeah, I said it. This will be my grand finale (and my last realistic chance to proclaim somthing as absurd as going undefeated before I flop in the playoffs).

Week 9: 16-3
Overall: 74-31-1

THURSDAY

No. 3 Diamond Ranch (2-7) vs. Charter Oak (7-1-1)
This would have been a shwodown for the Miramonte League title until an ineligible player forced Diamond Ranch to forfeit all five of its wins two weeks ago. The remaining eligible (and angry) Diamond Ranch players will prevail.
Diamond Ranch 24, Charter Oak 20

No. 4 Colony (7-2) vs. Garey (3-6)
If Colony hasn't been lulled to sleep by the last few weeks, this one might not be pretty.
Colony 37, Garey 7

No. 7 Chaffey (8-1) at Montclair (0-9)
Chaffey rushed for 500 yards last week. They might top that this week.
Chaffey 41, Montclair 0

No. 9 San Dimas (8-1) vs. Covina (5-4)
With some help, San Dimas can still share the Valle Vista League title. Covina will need some help if it's to stop Nico Barbone and Co.
San Dimas 28, Covina 16

No. 10 Ayala (6-3) vs. Chino (3-6)
Even though it has locked up second place in the Sierra League, there is no such thing as a meaningless game for an Ayala team that was winless last season.
Ayala 28, Chino 14

Chino Hills (6-2-1) at Damien (4-4-1)
This one won't compare to last year's meeting for the Sierra League title because, well, that's impossible. With a playoff spot at stake, it'll be a good one between these budding rivals.
Chino Hills 29, Damien 26

Don Lugo (5-4) vs. Ontario (4-5)
The playoffs start early for these two: There's one postseason berth left in the Mt. Baldy League and after Thursday night it'll belong to one of these teams. Unfortunately for Ontario, the playoffs will end before they started.
Don Lugo 33, Ontario 14

Bonita (5-4) at Los Altos (5-4)
Los Altos needs a win to get into the playoffs. Bonita, however, is already in. They'll both leave happy.
Los Altos 28, Bonita 24

Rancho Cucamonga (3-6) vs. Alta Loma (4-5)
Alta Loma will finish a disappointing season at .500.
Alta Loma 34, Rancho Cucamonga 20

Glendora (7-2) at Diamond Bar (2-7)
Glendora has come too far not to finish a perfect 5-0 in the Sierra League.
Glendora 30, Diamond Bar 24

Summit (2-7) at Jurupa Valley (6-3)
Summit won't get its first league win with a Sunkist League title potentially at stake for Jurupa.
Jurupa Valley 21, Summit 7

Notre Vista (2-7) vs. Kaiser (3-6)
Norte Vista won't be able to resist the potential to create a four-way tie atop the Sunkist League.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On the final play of its 28-27 loss to undefeated REV on Friday, Miller went for two and the win. The undaunted fearlessness is something 'DON'T THINK' can truely respect. Accordingly, Miller remains the Daily Bulletin's No. 1.

Here are the official rankings that ran in Monday's Bulletin.

Team (last week's ranking) record
1. Miller (1) 8-1
2. Norco (2) 8-1
3. Diamond Ranch (3) 2-7*
4. Colony (4) 7-2
5. Los Osos (5) 7-2
6. Etiwanda (6) 6-3
7. Chaffey (7) 8-1
8. Upland (9) 6-3
9. San Dimas (10) 8-1
10. Ayala (8) 6-3

Big matchups in the top 10 this week:

Two-time CIF-SS defending champ No. 2 Norco (which is No. 4 in the Inland Division rankings) takes on Inland Division No. 1 Corona Centennial (8-1) for the Mountain View League title.

No. 6 Etiwanda will try to hold off No. 8 Upland on Friday to prevent the Baseline League title from being shared three ways between itself, Upland and No. 5 Los Osos.

*No. 3 Diamond Ranch gets a chance to sweep the Miramonte League when it meets Charter Oak Thursday. Of course, due to an ineligible player, the Panthers had to forfeit all five of their wins two weeks ago, including two league victories.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The discussions didn't begin immediately upon our introduction (we were in preschool, after all) but my friend Lingo and I have exchanged many a thought on the sporting world since. Seeing as we've both transplanted from Texas to the Los Angeles area, we find ourselves in the middle of Kobe country. Well, it's Kobe country for now, at least. While this discussion may not satisfy Kobe's demands, it involves him and a trade (of thoughts).

CLAY: While the Kobe trade talk seems to have cooled the last few days (during which the Lakers just happened to have beaten Phoenix and Utah) the damage has been done. It's too late for Kobe to go back on his word, particularly after he reiterated it every chance he got, even when he didn't actually have to do it verbally - "I've got the uniform on, the Laker uniform on (and) I'm ready to play and represent the organization the way it should be represented," Kobe said on opening night. Inspirational, if I've ever heard it.
Now that the psychological area has been broken down to its absolute core, let's get into the nuts and bolts of the situation.

LINGO: The catch 22 that makes trading Kobe so difficult hinges on the fact that his contract gives him the right to nix any trade deal if he doesn't like it. The Lakers' brain-trust (or brainless-trust if you like) is determined to get fair value in return, as well it should be. Kobe is determined to play for a contender. But to put together a package of players that would represent fair value for Kobe, you would have to gut any potential trade partner. Look at the rumored deal with Chicago, the Lakers are asking for half of their team and almost all of their best players (Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah). Kobe, plus the remaining half of the Bulls, puts him right back where he started, on a middling team where Kobe has to do all the heavy lifting, making the trade unattractive to him.

CLAY: You're right, Kobe would never agree to be traded for half the Bulls roster. The Bulls wouldn't agree to it either.
If a Kobe trade does go through, the only possible reason will be Kobe's alienation of Lakers management, fans and teammates making it unbearable to keep him around.
At this point the standoff between Kobe and the Lakers front office looks like it could get Kobe what he wants - to be traded for 50 cents on the dollar to a team that isn't dismantled by the deal. Of course, this likely leaves the Lakers in full-scale rebuilding mode. It's impossible to get fair trade value for the best player in the NBA and the Lakers know this.
Take the three-team deal mentioned recently: Bulls get Kobe, Lakers get Ben Wallace and Ron Artest, Kings get Ben Gordon and P.J. Brown. Let me get this straight, the Lakers are losing the league's best (and most clutch) scorer who is also one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders and gaining two good defensive players, one of whom is a solid scorer? You go from a Kobe-Lamar Odom one-two punch to Odom-Artest? That's a precipitous drop-off.
But it's great for the Bulls, of course, which is exactly why Kobe would agree to it.

LINGO: It brings up a developing issue with the NBA that really is starting to hack me off - star players forcing trades when their team isn't performing to the star player's expectations. Now, I can appreciate a player's competitive desire to compete for a championship every year. That's fine and dandy. But that doesn't outweigh their contractual obligation, not to mention obligations to the city and the fans. How did we get to the point where players, who willingly signed long-term contracts for tens of millions of dollars, are forcing management to trade them, when, as with Kobe's case, that management doesn't do what that star player wants. Kobe wanted the Lakers front-office to make certain personnel moves, such as trade for Jason Kidd or Kevin Garnett. They didn't and now Kobe wants out. Not that I want to defend Mitch Kupcake and Jerry Buss' diletant son, but where the hell does Kobe get off dictating to them what they should or should not do. He signed a contract to play basketball, not to manage the team, and nothing in his contract guarantees that the Lakers will be contending for a title every year.
Whether or not the Lakers' wins thus far over two of the last four teams left in the West last year mean anything, it's not like Kobe is stuck on a perennial lottery team. The Lakers are a middle of the pack team in the far more difficult Western Conference, which means they're about the 10th best team in the NBA.

CLAY: Exactly, they may even be a good team if Kobe would give his teammates something to believe in. There's a reason Lakers management refused to trade Andrew Bynum - he's developing into a potentially dominant center. And Lamar Odom isn't quite chopped liver, either. The Lakers have too many role players, but there certainly are some useful ones in the bunch.
Beyond Kobe and other star players taking lightly contractual obligations, what makes Kobe think it's such a small task to build a championship caliber team? Sure, it's easy to put together a contender when the NBA's best player is shipped off in a lopsided trade, but there have been teams - big-market teams, at that - toiling in mediocrity for years. The Bulls were a legitimate contender last year for the first time since the Jordan era ended almost A DECADE AGO. And still their young team got knocked out in the second round. Look at the Knicks for crying out loud. How 'bout the other team in L.A., the Cippers, or Atlanta.
The disgruntled players that handle themselves intelligently are the ones whose gripes we never hear about. Sure there are franchises out there players have a right to want out of (cough, Milwaukee). But their chances of being traded in a realistic deal are exponentially better when they don't advertise that their team is desperate to unload them.

LINGO: The worst part about all of this is the toll it takes on the teams and their fans. The star player, by forcing his team's hand, is ensuring that the team can never get fair value in any trade for that star player, hurting the team in the long term. In the short term, the antics that these players use to force their own trade are even more destructive to the team and disrespectful to the fan base. How could they not be. They are done intentionally to hurt the team, like blackmail. Trade me or I'll ruin you. And how do they do it? There are a many handy ways... Vince Carter, the Michael Jordan of me-first athletes, faked injuries and tanked his way through a season or two. Kobe, who is too competitive to tank, has chosen to take very public shots at the Lakers management, thereby poisoning his relationship with them, his teammates, as well as the fans. Despicable.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know we're starting this a little late, but the competition between me and NFL pundits Lingo and Overton (who also happen to be my friends) is going to be so heated that we'll make up for the lost time, and then some.

I grew up with these two in Texas, met Lingo in preschool. The pride on the line has been building since Overton came into the fray in sixth grade.

The winners are in caps.

Clay's picks
WASHINGTON (-3.5) @ NY Jets
GREEN BAY (+2.5) @ Kansas City
ARIZONA (+3.5) @ Tampa Bay
Carolina (+4) @ TENNESSEE
San Francisco (+4) @ ATLANTA
Jacksonville (+3.5) @ NEW ORLEANS
CINCINNATI (PK) @ Buffalo
SAN DIEGO (-7) @ Minnesota
Seattle (+1) @ CLEVELAND
NEW ENGLAND (-5.5) @ Indianapolis
Houston (+3) @ OAKLAND
DALLAS (-3) @ Philadelphia

Lingo's picks
WASHINGTON (-3.5) @ NY Jets
GREEN BAY (+2.5) @ Kansas City
ARIZONA (+3.5) @ Tampa Bay
Carolina (+4) @ TENNESSEE
San Francisco (+4) @ ATLANTA
JACKSONVILLE (+3.5) @ New Orleans
CINCINNATI (PK) @ Buffalo
SAN DIEGO (-7) @ Minnesota
Seattle (+1) @ CLEVELAND
NEW ENGLAND (-5.5) @ Indianapolis
Houston (+3) @ OAKLAND
DALLAS (-3) @ Philadelphia

Overton's picks
WASHINGTON (-3.5) @ NY Jets
Green Bay (+2.5) @ KANSAS CITY
Arizona (+3.5) @ TAMPA BAY
Carolina (+4) @ TENNESSEE
San Francisco (+4) @ ATLANTA
Jacksonville (+3.5) @ NEW ORLEANS
CINCINNATI (PK) @ Buffalo
SAN DIEGO (-7) @ Minnesota
SEATTLE (+1) @ Cleveland
NEW ENGLAND (-5.5) @ Indianapolis
HOUSTON (+3) @ Oakland
DALLAS (-3) @ Philadelphia

Posted by Clay Fowler at 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Turns out I was a couple weeks early on the proclamation I'd pick at least 80 percent.

Week 8: 12-2
Overall: 58-28-1

No. 1 Miller (8-0) at REV (8-0)
Miller's eight-game run will come to an end at the hands of big bad Redlands East Valley, who has compiled its undefeated record against a much more difficult schedule.
REV 37, Miller 24

No. 2 Norco (7-1) vs. Rancho Verde (5-3)
Norco will get caught looking ahead to its the Mountain View League "title game" against Corona Centennial.
Rancho Verde 21, Norco 19

No. 3 Diamond Ranch (1-7) at Nogales (2-6)
This is a trap game for a Diamond Ranch team already distracted by having to forfeit its 5 wins last week... but the Panthers will win anyway.
Diamond Ranch 24, Nogales 7

No. 4 Colony (6-2) vs. Ontario (4-4)
Colony beat Chaffey by 21 and Chaffey beat Ontario by 29. So, that means Colony will win this one by 50, right?
Colony 50, Ontario 0

No. 5 Los Osos (6-2) vs. Rancho Cucamonga (3-5)
Young Rancho just isn't ready to compete with a veteran, talented Los Osos squad.
Los Osos 30, Rancho Cucamonga 10

No. 6 Etiwanda (5-3) at Claremont (0-8)
Claremont made its push once league play began three weeks ago, dropping an average of 31 points a game on foes. Unfortunately its push is over after not having translated into any wins.
Etiwanda 36, Claremont 17

No. 7 Chaffey (7-1) vs. Don Lugo (5-3)
I keep waiting for Don Lugo's season-defining win. With two weeks left, I'm through waiting.
Chaffey 28, Don Lugo 14

No 8. Ayala (6-2) at Glendora (6-2)
This is the game of the week: Winless last season, Ayala is playing for the Sierra League title. The Bulldogs have come to far for me to pick against them now.
Ayala 21, Glendora 20

No. 9 Upland (5-3) vs. Alta Loma (4-4)
Both of these teams lost monster Baseline League games by three points last week. I'm willing to guarantee both of them won't lose by three this week.
Upland 28, Alta Loma 14

No. 10 San Dimas (7-1) at Ganesha (0-8)
Nico Barbone might rush for 200 touchdowns, er, yards in the first half of this one.
San Dimas 41, Ganesha 0

Bonita (5-3) at Charter Oak (6-1-1)
Charter Oak will hand Bonita its first Miramonte League loss.
Charter Oak 32, Bonita 24

Chino (3-5) at Damien (3-4-1)
Damien will stay alive for the final playoff spot in the Sierra League.
Damien 31, Chino 21

Chino Hills (5-2-1) at Diamond Bar (2-6)
Chino Hills will end its two-game Sierra League losing streak.
Chino Hills 27, Diamond Bar 14

Yucaipa (5-3) at Eisenhower (5-3)
Yucaipa will continue to stay on course for the playoffs.
Yucaipa 28, Eisenhower 17

Redlands (2-6) at Rialto (1-7)
Redlands will cling to hope for the final CBL playoff spot.
Redlands 17, Rialto 7

Fontana (1-7) at Carter (3-5)
Carter isn't about to let Fontana derail its impressive run in the CBL.
Carter 30, Fontana 21

Patriot (2-6) at Kaiser (2-6)
Patriot will take advantage of a reeling Kaiser coming off a double-OT loss that would have all but sewn up the Sunkist League.
Patriot 20, Kaiser 17

Bloomington (4-4) at Summit (2-6)
Bloomington will surge to the front of the Sunkist League title race.
Bloomington 28, Summit 7

Arrowhead Christian (3-5) at Ontario Christian (6-2)
OCHS will roll to its sixth straight win.
Ontario Christian 41, Arrowhead Christian 7

Posted by Clay Fowler at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chino High School head football coach Manny Saiz stepped down on Thursday, two games from completing his second season at the school.
Saiz, reached by phone Thursday night, said the move was for personal reasons.
"I've just got some personal things to figure out right now," Saiz said.
Assistant coach Matt Montello, who will take over on an interim basis, said the move centered on a disagreement.

"I know there was more or less a difference in opinion," Montello said. "There was a disagreement over a certain situation."
Montello declined to elaborate on the situation.
Chino, which carries a 3-5 record into tonight's game against Damien, finished 4-6 last season, its 2-3 Sierra League record a game short of landing the Cowboys in the playoffs.
Saiz has been a head coach for 10 years, including stints at Diamond Bar and Brea Olinda.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)