Prep football predictons, Oct. 25
Charlo (6-1) at Victor (6-1)
Both of these teams have clinched playoff berths, but hosting a playoff game is on the line here and, depending on how the math works out, perhaps a conference title as well. … The Vikings dropped their first game against Drummond last week and are looking to refocus in their road finale. The key for Charlo will be getting Tyler Delaney back on a roll. Last Friday’s loss was the first game this year that the senior did not find the end zone. … The big question mark for Victor is the health of star quarterback Matt Kittel, who was injured in the Pirates’ 33-32 victory over Drummond on Oct. 4. He sat out last week’s blowout win over Darby, but that game didn’t have nearly the implications that this one does. If Kittel goes, that’s one more dynamic for the Charlo defense to take into account.
Robertson’s prediction: Charlo 44, Victor 36
Troy (3-4) at Mission (1-7)
The Trojans may well be a different team than the one we saw get throttled by Ronan early this season. They won big last week against Thompson Falls and fell to a solid Eureka team by just one point the week before that. … Troy’s big guns are quarterback Gabe Hickman and tailback Luke Haggerty, a bruising back who can run through tackles. … If the Bulldogs are to win on Senior Night, expect running back Raymond Matt to have a big game, along with a defensive line led by Emilio Bravo and Bill Von Holtum, both of whom have been tackling well recently.
Robertson’s prediction: Troy 32, Mission 24
Polson (5-2) at Columbia Falls (7-0)
The Pirates hit the road for the Flathead again, this time the underdog to third-ranked Columbia Falls. The Wildcats are yet to lose in 2013, their closest call coming on a last-second 30-29 win at Hamilton on Sept. 6. … A Polson win earns the Pirates at least a share of the Northwestern A title. Andrew Weltz is the key for the Pirates; if he can take care of the football in the passing game, Polson will have a shot. The Pirate defense showed up last week, shutting out a high-powered Havre passing attack in the second half. They will need to do the same to slow down C-Falls QB Jared Trinastich this week.
Robertson’s prediction: Columbia Falls 28, Polson 14
Ronan (3-4) at Florence (1-6)
A Chiefs win keeps them in the hunt for that North/West B wild-card spot, but they’ll have to outpoint Chester and Choteau to make it in for sure. As for what Ronan can control, the running game has been red hot, thanks to seniors Lucas Gerhardt and Connor Benn. … Florence QB Brady Pickering got all surgical on Mission’s defense a few weeks ago, but Ronan’s secondary has been the Chiefs’ strong point all season. Something has to give.
Robertson’s prediction: Ronan 36, Florence 22