I, The Great Fitzini, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, Sage of Sages and Sports Prophet Extraordinaire, am back for another week of predicting prep football games and defending my NEA Fantasy League title. There were upsets aplenty on the final week of the regular season as Blytheville and Rivercrest both won road games. The Chicks needed the win to advance to postseason action and the Colts just wanted to ruin a perfect conference season for their county rival, Osceola. Gosnell had no problems on its final game posting a school record, 74, against Harrisburg. As for Chico's Bail Bonds, thanks to a huge performance from Dez Bryant across the pond against Jacksonsville, I soundly defeated Team He Hate Me and moved back into third place at 6-4.
The Chicks advanced to this game with one of the most thrilling high school games I've covered in my eight years of covering games.
They'll need another one if they are going to get by Pulaski Academy's machine.
The Bruins are averaging over 50 points a game and are only giving up a measly 17.
When you don't practice punts or kickoffs, you have confidence in both your offense and your defense.
Blytheville's season has been a success.
They're going to move the ball and put up some points Friday night. I'd love to see them pull off another upset but there is still work to do.
Pulaski Academy 48, Blytheville 35
It's the Battle of the Pirates Friday night. Gosnell won its last two games of the year by wide margins and averaged 37 points a game this season while giving up under 17.
While Dover doesn't have the highest scoring offense (287 points), it runs its power offense well and keeps the opponent's defense on the field a long time.
This game will come down to third down conversions.
If the Gosnell defense can get off the field by stoping Dover on third down, Gosnell should have its first playoff victory since 2008.
Gosnell 28, Dover 22
The Seminoles were upset on their home field by Rivercrest last week but still managed a 3-3A co-conference championship and the No. 1 seed.
Harmony Grove is the fifth seed out of the 6-3A.
They scored a few points, averaging 26 points a game, but opposing offenses outscored them by an average of one touchdown per game.
Osceola 33, Harmony Grove 20
The roller coaster ride of season continued last week for Rivercrest as the Colts upset county rival, Osceola, on the Seminoles home turf and ruined their run at a perfect conference season. McGehee averaged nearly 39 points a game this year and gave up 21 with the only league loss coming against 9-1 Smackover.
If Rivercrest was at home, I'd be more confident but I think last week was the final peak for the Colts this season.
McGehee 35, Rivercrest 27
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Last Week 4-1, Overall 34-10-1
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com on Twitter @CN_AaronF