The Sideline Whisperer

Predictions for Saturday, February 16th, 2013

By The Sideline Whisperer

When I started writing this column, I thought it would be cool if I maybe got one team's score exactly right at some point in the season. Never did I think I would get a full score EXACTLY right! Thanks to Boca and Daytona for obviously reading my column last week and making sure I had something to smile about the whole weekend. On the other hand, no thanks to Fort Lauderdale and Pelicans for taking away two of my games (no, I'm not counting a forfeit win as a correct pick). At least things are a lot clearer now in regards to the teams in the race fot the D2 postseason. So, on to this Saturday, where we have a few interesting matchups. Photo credit: Facundo Manuel Fabbri Posted on 2/12/2013 9:54:29 PM		Division 2 Naples at Daytona - Last week's narrow loss to Boca hurt the Coconuts, but they still remain in contention for a postseason spot - no matter what format ends up being used - and will also be looking to spoil any premature Naples celebrations this weekend. It's a very long trip for the Hammerheads, and as always, a lot will depend on the squad they bring up from the southwest coast. A win here for Naples would put them one step closer to clinching the top seed following the crossovers, which could either mean an automatice berth into the postseason or a game against the No. 4 seed if the 'knockout' format suggested is kept in place. Hopefully we'll have some clarity regarding this situation after this weekend's AGM. I really would like to have the cojones to pick the upset here, but I think I'll pick the visitors to just edge it. Naples 28, Daytona 25 Tampa Krewe at Miami Tridents - The Tridents fell to Orlando last week, but remain in the thick of the race for the No. 4 spot along with Daytona. A win here would be a massive boost for the home side's postseason chances, but Krewe are back at close to full strength and while ineligible for the playoffs, will not be taking any of these crossover games lightly. A four-hour drive to Miami-Dade County is never an easy proposition, however I think Krewe have too much talent for the Tridents to handle. Krewe 30, Tridents 14 Orlando at Fort Lauderdale - The Knights pretty much saw their season end last week when they failed to make the cross-state trip to Krewe, and you have to think they won't be particularly up for this contest, even if it is at home against one of the three teams that have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Orlando will want to keep winning to clinch a spot in the top two spots and shouldn't have much difficulty in this one. Orlando 35, Fort Lauderdale 12 Division 3 Brevard (4-1) at Gainesville (4-1) - This matchup is undoubtedly the best one of the week. With these two teams and Palm Beach clearly the class of the division, whoever finishes first will avoid a very difficult first-round matchup against one of the other two sides. Thus, this game could go a long way to deciding who gets that top spot. The previous meeting between these two ended up in a bizarre 66-0 home win for Red Eye. Surely the Hogs didn't take their strongest side down side for that contest, and revenge will be a monster factor this time. I'm going with the home team here, but only just. Gainesville 30, Brevard 27 Treasure Coast (0-5) at Palm Beach (4-0) - This one is always a fun local rivalry, but the Pirates are 0-5 this season and lost 40-10 to the Panthers earlier this season at home. Expect things to turn out the same this time around. Palm Beach 45, Treasure Coast 7 Last Week (2/9/13): 4-0 (including perfect 25-12 pick in Daytona/Boca game) Overall: 38-14 (73.1%)

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