DON'T THINK. IT CAN ONLY HURT THE BALLCLUB

Entering the final week of the regular season I clearly have momentum on my side; consecutive 5-11 weeks will do that. Overton is clearly in the driver's seat... leaving me and Lingo in the trunk. But nobody is giving up here. Disregard my prior empty promises when I say there will be drama in Week 17. Oh yes, there will be drama.

Last week:
Overton: 8-8
Lingo: 8-8
Clay: 5-11

Season standings
Overton: 68-51-2
Clay: 61-58-2
Lingo: 61-58-2

Clay's picks
N.Y. GIANTS (+13.5) over New England
Buffalo (+7.5) over PHILADELPHIA
TAMPA BAY (+3) over Carolina
Cincinnati (-2.5) over MIAMI
WASHINGTON (-9) over Dallas
Detroit (+4) over GREEN BAY
HOUSTON (-6.5) over Jacksonville
New Orleans (-2) over CHICAGO
Pittsburgh (-3) over BALTIMORE
Seattle (+1) over ATLANTA
CLEVELAND (+10.5) over San Francisco
Tennessee (-6) over INDIANAPOLIS
Minnesota (-3) over DENVER
San Diego (-8) over OAKLAND
St. Louis (+6) over ARIZONA
Kansas City (+6) over N.Y. JETS

Overton's picks
New England (-13.5) over N.Y. GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA (-7.5) over Buffalo
TAMPA BAY (+3) over Carolina
Cincinnati (-2.5) over MIAMI
Dallas (+9) over WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY (-4) over Detroit
Jacksonville (+6.5) over HOUSTON
CHICAGO (+2) over New Orleans
Pittsburgh (-3) over BALTIMORE
Seattle (+1) over ATLANTA
CLEVELAND (+10.5) over San Francisco
Tennessee (-6) over INDIANAPOLIS
Minnesota (-3) over DENVER
OAKLAND (+8) over San Diego
ARIZONA (-6) over St. Louis
N.Y. JETS (-6) over Kansas City

Lingo's picks
New England (-13.5) over N.Y. GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA (-7.5) over Buffalo
Carolina (-3) over TAMPA BAY
Cincinnati (-2.5) over MIAMI
WASHINGTON (-9) over Dallas
Detroit (+4) over GREEN BAY
HOUSTON (-6.5) over Jacksonville
New Orleans (-2) over CHICAGO
Pittsburgh (-3) over BALTIMORE
ATLANTA (-1) over Seattle
San Francisco (+10.5) over CLEVELAND
INDIANAPOLIS (+6) over Tennessee
Minnesota (-3) over DENVER
San Diego (-8) over OAKLAND
ARIZONA (-6) over St. Louis
N.Y. JETS (-6) over Kansas City

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

Well, it was bound to happen sometime... Overton came crashing back to earth with a 5-11 mark last week as did yours truely. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, after a 8-8 mark last week Lingo is in position for a stretch run.

Last week
Lingo: 8-8
Clay: 5-11
Overton: 5-11

Season Standings
Overton: 60-43-2
Clay: 56-47-2
Lingo: 53-50-2

Here are this week's picks. The home teams are in caps.

Clay's picks
Pittsburgh (-7.5) over ST. LOUIS
Dallas (-10.5) over CAROLINA
Cleveland (-3) over CINCINNATI
Green Bay (-8.5) over CHICAGO
Houston (+7) over INDIANAPOLIS
Kansas City (+4.5) over DETROIT
Miami (+22) over NEW ENGLAND
N.Y. Giants (-2.5) over BUFFALO
Oakland (+13) over JACKSONVILLE
NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Philadelphia
Washington (+6.5) over MINNESOTA
ARIZONA (-10) over Atlanta
SEATTLE (-10) over Baltimore
TENNESSEE (-9) over N.Y. Jets
Tampa Bay (-6) over SAN FRANCISCO
Denver (+8.5) over SAN DIEGO

Overton's picks
Pittsburgh (-7.5) over ST. LOUIS
Dallas (-10.5) over CAROLINA
CINCINNATI (+3) over Cleveland
Green Bay (-8.5) over CHICAGO
INDIANAPOLIS (-7) over Houston
DETROIT (-4.5) over Kansas City
NEW ENGLAND (-22) over Miami
N.Y. Giants (-2.5) over BUFFALO
JACKSONVILLE (-13) over Oakland
NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Philadelphia
MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Washington
ARIZONA (-10) over Atlanta
SEATTLE (-10) over Baltimore
TENNESSEE (-9) over N.Y. Jets
Tampa Bay (-6) over SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO (-8.5) over Denver

Lingo's picks
Pittsburgh (-7.5) over ST. LOUIS
Dallas (-10.5) over CAROLINA
Cleveland (-3) over CINCINNATI
Green Bay (-8.5) over CHICAGO
INDIANAPOLIS (-7) over Houston
Kansas City (+4.5) over DETROIT
Miami (+22) over NEW ENGLAND
BUFFALO (+2.5) over N.Y. Giants
JACKSONVILLE (-13) over Oakland
Philadelphia (+3) over NEW ORLEANS
MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Washington
ARIZONA (-10) over Atlanta
SEATTLE (-10) over Baltimore
N.Y. Jets (+9) over TENNESSEE
Tampa Bay (-6) over SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO (-8.5) over Denver

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Player of the year: A.J. Springer, Miller QB
Over 2,200 passing yards, over 1,700 rushing yards, 45 combined touchdowns, a completion percentage of 71. His team went 10-2, would have made the semifinals if the D hadn't given up a devastating last-minute touchdown drive. This was an easy choice.

Coach of the year: Tom Inglima, Ayala
0-10 in 2006 to 7-4 in 2007. From last place to second place in the Sierra League and a playoff berth in his second year at Ayala. This one was easier.

Best game of the year: Chaffey 30, La Quinta 28 (Week 4)
Keep in mind, this was the best game that I personally witnessed, not necessarily the best game of the year. Deveion Bauman (4 TD's - two receiving, one kickoff return, one interception return) dueled with La Quinta RB Kamani Harper (223 yards, 3 TD's), eventually catching the winning touchdown over Harper as time expired. Doesn't get a whole lot better than this.

Play of the year: Diamond Ranch QB Joe Carrillo's 83-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Sermons with 26 seconds left to give the Panthers a 28-24 win over Los Altos. Sermons, a 6-foot-4 speedy cornerback rarely plays offense. He was only needed for one play in this game, the only play of Diamond Ranch's final possession. He ran a go route down the right sideline, made a leaping catch over double coverage and ran the final 40 yards into the end zone.

Most clutch performance: Colony QB Jeff Ginolfi's 16-for-21, 326-yard, 5 TD performance in the CIF-SS Central Division championship game, a 41-14 Colony win. This was extra sweet for the senior considering he was the second option on a team that ran the ball 66 precent of the time.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

All right, I admit it. I am scaring even myself with the talent I've unearthed. My friend Overton is now a frighteningly awesome 23 games over .500 after going 14-2 last week. FOURTEEN-AND-TWO! I mean, 12-4 seemed decent enough... I just don't know what to think any more. I'm scared and I like it.

Last week
Overton: 14-2
Clay: 12-4
Lingo: 9-7

Season standings
Overton: 55-32-2
Clay: 51-36-2
Lingo: 45-42-2

Here are this week's picks. The home teams are in caps.

Clay's picks
Denver (-1) over HOUSTON
Cincinnati (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
Arizona (+3.5) over NEW ORLEANS
TAMPA BAY (-13.5) over Atlanta
MIAMI (+3.5) over Baltimore
Buffalo (+5.5) over CLEVELAND
Green Bay (-9.5) over ST. LOUIS
PITTSBURGH (-3.5) over Jacksonville
NEW ENGLAND (-21) over N.Y. Jets
Seattle (-7.5) over CAROLINA
Tennessee (-4) over KANSAS CITY
Indianapolis (-10.5) over OAKLAND
SAN DIEGO (-10) over Detroit
DALLAS (-10.5) over Philadelphia
N.Y. GIANTS (-4.5) over Washington
MINNESOTA (-10) over Chicago

Overton's picks
Denver (-1) over HOUSTON
Cincinnati (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Arizona
Atlanta (+13.5) over TAMPA BAY
Baltimore (-3.5) over MIAMI
CLEVELAND (-5.5) over Buffalo
Green Bay (-9.5) over ST. LOUIS
PITTSBURGH (-3.5) over Jacksonville
N.Y. Jets (+21) over NEW ENGLAND
Seattle (-7.5) over CAROLINA
KANSAS CITY (+4) over Tennessee
Indianapolis (-10.5) over OAKLAND
SAN DIEGO (-10) over Detroit
DALLAS (-10.5) over Philadelphia
N.Y. GIANTS (-4.5) over Washington
MINNESOTA (-10) over Chicago

Lingo's picks
HOUSTON (+1) over Denver
Cincinnati (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Arizona
Atlanta (+13.5) over TAMPA BAY
MIAMI (+3.5) over Baltimore
Buffalo (+5.5) over CLEVELAND
Green Bay (-9.5) over ST. LOUIS
Jacksonville (+3.5) over PITTSBURGH
N.Y. Jets (+21) over NEW ENGLAND
Seattle (-7.5) over CAROLINA
Tennessee (-4) over KANSAS CITY
Indianapolis (-10.5) over OAKLAND
Detroit (+10) over SAN DIEGO
DALLAS (-10.5) over Philadelphia
N.Y. GIANTS (-4.5) over Washington
Chicago (+10) over MINNESOTA

Posted by Clay Fowler at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The possibility exists that Canyon Springs could win a CIF championship simply because it rained in Southern California - twice.

The Cougars (8-4) won a 13-0 semifinal game over a more talented Colton team mostly because Colton fumbled on its first possession. Neither team could move the ball playing in the lake that formed over the Moreno Valley High School football field. The game was 7-0 for nearly its entirety.

Colony, however, won its semifinal 29-13 on that same Moreno Valley field a day later. The conditions weren't nearly as bad, but they were far from optimal.

Since most of the rain came Thursday and only a little Friday morning, Colony's field should be in similar condition to the Moreno Valley field the day the Titans (11-2) played their semifinal. Plus Colony just seems to have some magic on its side. The defending champs will repeat in a sloppy, mud-caked game.

Predicted score: Colony 14, Canyon Springs 6

Last week: 1-0
Season: 94-41-1

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lingo decided he didn't want to make this a two-man race, flippin' the scrip' on the 6-10 record he posted two weeks ago with a 10-6 mark last week. Of course, Overton drops 10 wins like he's the Dallas Cowboys or something (if they'd allow the Cowboys to play 10 times a week, that is). Overton went 10-6 for the second straight week, moving to a lofty 11 games above .500. Anyone else smell a bad week?

Last week
Overton: 10-6
Lingo: 10-6
Clay: 7-9

Season standings
Overton: 41-30-2
Clay: 39-32-2
Lingo: 36-35-2

Here are this week's picks. The HOME teams are in caps.

Clay's picks
WASHINGTON (-3) over Chicago
JACKSONVILLE (-10.5) over Carolina
Dallas (-11) over DETROIT
BUFFALO (-7) over Miami
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over N.Y. Giants
GREEN BAY (-10.5) Over Oakland
NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Pittsburgh
San Diego (PK) over TENNESSEE
CINCINNATI (-6.5) over St. Louis
Tampa Bay (-3) over HOUSTON
SEATTLE (-7) over Arizona
Minnesota (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
Cleveland (-3.5) over N.Y. JETS
DENVER (-6.5) over Kansas City
BALTIMORE (+9) over Indianapolis
New Orleans (-4.5) over ATLANTA

Lingo's picks
WASHINGTON (-3) over Chicago
JACKSONVILLE (-10.5) over Carolina
Dallas (-11) over DETROIT
Miami (-7) over Buffalo
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over N.Y. Giants
Oakland (+10.5) over GREEN BAY
NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Pittsburgh
San Diego (PK) over TENNESSEE
CINCINNATI (-6.5) over St. Louis
Tampa Bay (-3) over HOUSTON
Arizona (+7) over SEATTLE
Minnesota (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
Cleveland (-3.5) over N.Y. JETS
DENVER (-6.5) over Kansas City
BALTIMORE (+9) over Indianapolis
New Orleans (-4.5) over ATLANTA

Overton's picks
WASHINGTON (-3) over Chicago
JACKSONVILLE (-10.5) over Carolina
Dallas (-11) over DETROIT
BUFFALO (-7) over Miami
N.Y. Giants (+3) over PHILADELPHIA
GREEN BAY (-10.5) Over Oakland
NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Pittsburgh
San Diego (PK) over TENNESSEE
CINCINNATI (-6.5) over St. Louis
Tampa Bay (-3) over HOUSTON
SEATTLE (-7) over Arizona
Minnesota (-8.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
Cleveland (-3.5) over N.Y. JETS
DENVER (-6.5) over Kansas City
Indianapolis (-9) over BALTIMORE
New Orleans (-4.5) over ATLANTA

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

If you're feeling down, UCLA, about being upset at home 63-61 Sunday by the now No. 4 Texas Longhorns, don't.

You're fretting because D.J. Augustine is probably the only one of the Longhorns you've ever heard of. Well, Kevin Durant's presence will do that. Texas was furtively developing a legion of young talent last year while the country was fixed on the player of the year.

The Longhorns started four freshman and a sophomore last season (with two other freshmen and a sophomore playing heavy minutes). Quietly turning into not only a premiere point guard but a premiere player last season, was Augustine. Ask Darren Collison how he turned out. Running next to the the player of the year has a way of skewing perception.

I wasn't sure how Augustine would react to the role of unquestioned leader as a sophomore. But really, the versatile point guard fits it better than Durant. Think about it, he is has the ball in his hands most of the time with the capability to distribute and score. Where as, if Durant has the ball in his hands he's probably going to do one thing - score.

With 19 points on Sunday Augustine outplayed Collison, a fringe first-round pick last season had he opted for the NBA. (Yes, Collison deserves a little sympathy for having just come off a knee injury) Augustine had 23 points and eight assists Nov. 24 when the Longhorns beat then No. 7 Tennessee by 19. Take nothing away from Durant and his greatness, but this team is for real because now it is just that, a team.

Sophomore power forward Damion James was so effected by Durant's presence that Rick Barnes almost reflixively yelled at him anytime he took a shot that wasn't a lay-up. Defense and rebounding have never been a problem the 6-foot-7, 230-pound athletic freak but all of a sudden the scoring prowess he displayed at Nacogdoches (Tx.) High is showing up in college a year later. Funny what kind of void is left by the nation's fourth leading scorer. All James did this past week was average 19 points and 10 boards in earning Big 12 player of the week honors while Texas beat two top 10 teams. He's got a sweet mid range jumper that he can shoot over just about anybody.

Junior A.J. Abrams, the veteran of the group, provides a top-notch outside shooting presence, one UCLA was so concerned about the Bruins didn't allow Russell Westbrook to leave him to play help defense.

The Longhorns weakness is no longer flighty freshman but interior defense and rebounding. But Kevin Love, whose cause wasn't aided by foul trouble on Sunday, proved a little too green to exploint another 'veteran' Longhorn even though junior Conner Atchley weighs about half as much as Love. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Alfred Aboya couldn't solve James' defense.

Durant's absence is forcing Texas to play more like a team, not sit back and rely on a superstar. Ask UCLA about that, the Bruins know a little about team ball.

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

There is one team in the Daily Bulletin coverage area left in the playoffs. Coloy will face off with Moreno Valley in the CIF-SS Central Division quarterfinals tonight in Moreno Valley.

The Titans will use a little moxy and a lot of their running game to outlast Moreno Valley in a sloppy game tonight. If it comes to it, Colony QB Jeff Ginolfi will prove the difference in the game. The Titans are fielding a very different team than last season but they just seem to always rise to the occasion.

Predicted score: Colony 21, Moreno Valley 10

Last Week: 3-2
Season record: 93-41-1

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