Last week I was grandstanding. This week I am grabbing the soap box. Maybe next week I will start “Tebowing” just for kicks.

I have noticed that we, as fans, too often get caught up in the passion we have for our teams. In the past few weeks I have covered several prep contests where I have seen some disappointing behavior from adults and students in the stands. I am not going to break out a book on ethics and sportsmanship here but rather just make a few quick points for our more “intense fans” out there.

1. If you are a student cheering on your school and you find yourself cheering or laughing at an opposing player when he or she gets injured, you need to stop and imagine it being one of your friends out on the field writhing in pain. It should become a little less humorous when you do that.
2. If you are a fan, young or old, yelling out obscenities at a coach, official or player. You have become way too invested in the game and need to just sit down and breathe.
3. Finally, (I see this way too often and it is just embarrassing) If you are a grown adult fan of a local prep team and you find yourself mocking or yelling at the “obnoxious kids” in the opponent’s student section for being “immature” you may want to stop and reevaluate that decision.

Okay, I am getting off the soap box now and on with my picks!

Last Week: 3-7
Overall: 44-25

High School Football Week 8 10/11

Rochester (5-2) at Whitko (5-2), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Whitko sits alone atop the Three Rivers Conference at 5-0. The Wildcats control their own destiny in the final two weeks of the season but also face their two toughest opponents of the year. One win and the Wildcats grab a share of the TRC crown. Nobody asked for my advice (not surprising) but I am pleased to offer it anyways (also not surprising). Get it done this week, Wildcats. Do not put yourselves in a “must win” situation next week against a rival. Do not get away from what you have done so well all year (Translation: RUN THE BALL) and enjoy the hardware that is to come.
The Pick: Whitko 42, Rochester 24.

North Miami (1-6) at Tippecanoe Valley (4-3), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: The Vikings are hitting on all cylinders at the right time of year. The only thing that can slow down Valley this week is itself. North Miami does not bring much of anything to the table that should concern Ben Shriver and the Valley offense but that does not mean this is a guaranteed win. That being said, the Vikings should have this game under control by halftime.
The Pick: Valley 45, North Miami 13.

Triton (1-6) at Knox (2-5), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: The schedule is finally getting easier for Triton after a three week run of playing Bremen, John Glenn and New Prairie. The Trojans had a decent showing lat week against LaVille but are still waiting for some injured players to get back on the field. If coach John Johns wants to capture his second win of the season, it will probably have to come this week as an unfavorable match up with Jimtown is next on the Trojan’s calendar.
The Pick: Knox 24, Triton 20.

Elkhart Memorial (2-5) at Wawasee (3-4), 7:30 p.m.The Scoop: Wawasee had its nice two-game winning streak come to a screeching halt last week against Warsaw. The good news is that Wawasee continued its good defensive play for most of the game. Memorial’s athleticism will prove to be a problem, as it does most years for Wawasee, but not enough to change my opinion of this game. The spark should be back in the Warrior offense and fans will enjoy a nice homecoming victory.
The Pick: Wawasee 37, Memorial 21.

NorthWood (4-3) at Warsaw (5-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Warsaw did an outstanding job in proving me wrong last week. The defense stepped up and the offense did its part in claiming a big win over rival Wawasee. The most important part of last week’s win for me is that the Tigers did it with pretty pedestrian numbers from Tristan McClone. That should have Tigers fans smiling and excited for the regular season home finale against NorthWood.
The Pick: Warsaw 35, NorthWood 23.

Boys Soccer Sectional Championship Saturday 10/12

Plymouth (6-11-2) v. Warsaw (11-2-5), 2 p.m. at Warsaw High School.
The Scoop: The Tigers are proving that they just might be a team of destiny after their stunning comeback victory on Wedneday night. On Saturday the Tigers will take on NLC foe Plymouth in the Class 2A boys soccer sectional title tilt. Warsaw already waxed Plymouth 3-0 earlier in the year and will be fired up with the opportunity to claim a championship on its home field.
The Pick: Warsaw 4, Plymouth 1.

College Football Week 7 10/12

Nebraska (4-1) at Purdue (1-4), 12 p.m.
The Scoop: Purdue is coming off of a bye week and going into what I am calling its biggest game of the year at this point. True freshman Danny Etling had his redshirt removed in the Boiler’s last outing and will get his first this week, something that Purdue fans should be excited about. With an entire week to prepare for a Nebraska team that is good, but not great by any means, Etling should have a chance to show off what he can do. I do not like moral victories, but this week is not so much about winning for the Boilers in my opinion. Coming off a bye and being at home should show just exactly how well the coaching staff can make adjustments for the team and prepare its new signal caller. If there are not obvious improvements in Purdue’s play this week, then it is time to panic about the future.
The Pick: Nebraska 31, Purdue 21.

Indiana (3-2) at Michigan State (4-1), 12 p.m.
The Scoop: Indiana made a statement win last week by defeating Penn State for the first time in program history. The win shows that this IU coaching staff is actually making progress compared to the false hope provided over the years from the likes of Cam Cameron and Gerry DiNardo. It is important to note that this Penn State team is not at all like the teams in the Joe Paterno years, but it is still Penn State. As big as a stepping stone that last week’s win was for IU, the road gets tougher from here on out. The Hoosiers go on the road for the first time this season to battle for The Old Brass Spittoon ( I cannot make this stuff up) against a Spartan team that they have not beaten since 2006. This is another “prove it” games for the Hoosiers.
The Pick: Michigan State 41, Indiana 30.

NFL Week 6 10/10-10/14

New York Football Giants (0-5) at Chicago Bears (3-2), Thursday Night Football 8:25 p.m.
The Scoop: The Bears have fallen on some tough times, losing their last two games by giving up a lot of points. However, Thursday night should prove to be a nice rebound game for Chicago. While it is never good to sleep on an offense with a Manning leading the charge, this Giants team is really, really bad and Jay Cutler needs to make a statement tonight and get back in the good graces of Bears fans. Also, the Bears defense should make an appearance this week.
The Pick: Chicago 45, New York 10.

Indianapolis Colts (4-1) at San Diego Chargers (2-3), Monday Night Football 8:40 p.m.
The Scoop: Okay, it turns out that the Colts are pretty darn good. They have already beaten the two teams that most people thought were the best in the NFC and have lost just one game by only four points. This is by far the most physical Indianapolis team on both sides of the ball in over a decade and the defense is legitimately good. This week the national spotlight will be on the Colts for the first time in 2013 against a good Chargers team led by a resurgent Phillip Rivers, should be a good game with a great result (if you like the Colts).
The Pick: Indy 35, San Diego 20.