High School Football Picks: Week 2
Bishop Gorman fans cheer during the first half of a football game against Kahuku (Hawaii) High School at Bishop Gorman’s Fertitta Field Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 | 2 a.m.
The narrative last week: This picks column successfully projected 87% of high school football games in 2023 and was ready for another equally accurate season of analysis.
The narrative this week: I’ve got some work to do.
The column went just 6-4 in Week 1, where there were a few upsets — at least in this columnist’s mind — and a few other games I painfully missed.
An example: Las Vegas High gave up just six points and beat Palo Verde, 27-6. I had Palo Verde winning by two touchdowns.
Let’s take another crack at it. Here are the picks for Week 2.
Bishop Gorman at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
There’s a lot going against Gorman this week — travel to the East Coast, the Florida humidity and a tough, nationally ranked opponent. Yet the Gaels are still the reigning national champs. They’ll put on a show for the ESPN audience in a close win. Gorman 21, St. Thomas Aquinas 19
Skyridge (Utah) at Liberty
One theory: Always take the team with a game under its belt. And this is no ordinary team. Skyridge might win the Utah state championship. Skyridge 33, Liberty 23
Sierra Vista vs. Coronado
Coronado has a potent combination with quarterback Aiden Krause and University of Utah commit JJ Buchanan at wide receiver. Coronado 34, Sierra Vista 12
Las Vegas at Basic
The first home game at Basic’s Don Taylor Stadium is always a great community event. The Wolf Pack won’t disappoint. Basic 23, Las Vegas 18
Highland (Idaho) at Legacy
Huge advantage for the Legacy players who are used to the Southern Nevada heat. Legacy 30, Highland 20
Note: I picked against Legacy in the Prep Sports Now podcast because I thought the Longhorns were playing Highland of Salt Lake City.
Centennial at Desert Pines
Anyone have a coin? In the season opener for both teams, Centennial makes the least number of mistakes and hangs on for the win. Centennial 16, Desert Pines 15
Hurricane (Utah) at Moapa Valley
This will be one of the most competitive games of the week. Hurricane 24, Moapa Valley 21
Damien (Hawaii) at Mojave
Any team traveling from Hawaii to Las Vegas is an underdog. Mojave 22, Damien 20
Sunrise Mountain at Foothill
Foothill is better than anticipated. Props to the Falcons for reloading at the skill positions. Foothill 37, Sunrise Mountain 13
Desert Oasis at Silverado
Circling back to the game under your belt theory. Desert Oasis played last week; Silverado didn’t. Desert Oasis 32, Silverado 17
Green Valley at Herriman (Utah)
Green Valley will have its hands full in its season opener. Herriman 30, Green Valley 11
Bonanza at Valley
Chalk one up for the Bonanza Bengals. Bonanza 29, Valley 0
Losee at Eldorado
Losee is a different team without leader RJ Olivieri at quarterback, but it still has plenty of playmakers. Losee 41, Eldorado 13
Spanish Springs at Shadow Ridge
Another rule: Always take the Las Vegas team when playing a Reno school. Shadow Ridge 43, Spanish Springs 15
Spring Valley at Cimarron-Memorial
We’ve already hit the “anyone have a coin” quota for the week. This one will also be close. Cimarron-Memorial 13, Spring Valley 12
Cheyenne at Pahrump
Another rule: Always pick Pahrump at home. Pahrump 29, Cheyenne 12
Chaparral at Virgin Valley
Hate picking against my Cowboys. Virgin Valley 43, Chaparral 6
Faith Lutheran at Bakersfield Christian (Calif.)
It’s been fun introducing new readers to the many rules in picking games. Another: Always take the California school. Bakersfield Christian 25, Faith Lutheran 10
Northview (Calif.) at Durango
Second verse, same as the first. Northview 27, Durango 14
Slam Nevada at Mohave (Ariz.)
Slam is still a favorite in the Class 3A South. After all, losing to a team in the state’s top classification isn’t that big of a black eye. Slam 40, Mojave 0
Clark at Pinecrest
I can’t see Clark, one of the valley’s most established schools, losing to a charter school playing in its third varsity season. Clark 19, Pinecrest 16
Democracy Prep at Western
Another case of taking the team with a game under its belt. Democracy Prep 13, Western 12