St. Bonny will stay unbeaten

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I’ll probably eat these words by around 10 p.m. Friday night, but I’m feeling pretty good about my predictions heading into Week 2. As far as I’m concerned, there were only a few Week 1 surprises across the board in my coverage area and I was only off by a touchdown on the Hart-Moorpark score (although it easily could have been an Indians’ shutout).

Now, I take up the task of trying to figure out who will win the Canyon-St. Bonaventure game. Do I go with the defending state Division I bowl champs who are eager to prove they still “got it” following a loss to Notre Dame? Or do I go with a team that has Darrell Scott and is ranked No. 6 by this newspaper?

Well, if you’ve been reading any of my blogs over the past couple weeks, you know which team I’m picking because you’re probably tired of me ranting and raving about Scott & Co. Translation: I know St. Bonny is going to win this one.

The Seraphs haven’t had the easiest season (just ask Santa Margarita), but I firmly believe they’re the front-runner for the Northern Division title. Scott rushed for 203 yards and caught three passes for 69 yards in St. Bonny’s 34-14 victory over Atascadero last week

“We’re expecting a large dose of Darrell Scott,” Canyon Coach Chris Varner said. “We have to control him.”

It seems Varner’s top priority, however, will be to get more experience under the belts of his mostly green starters. Sure, he’d like to get a win, but he’s more concerned about getting the Cowboys ready for Foothill League play rather than making a ‘statement.’

“A win against St. Bonny would certainly be a positive note, but I certainly don’t see it as a mark against the season if it doesn’t go our way,” Varner said. “We have a lot of kids who’ve never played at this level. These games are here to help us get mistakes out of the way.”

Not exactly the most rousing pregame pep talk I’ve ever heard, but I suppose a league title is a more practical goal for the Cowboys since their loss to Notre Dame. Another state championship bowl game appearance is out of the question.

What: No. 21 Canyon (0-1) vs. No. 6 St. Bonaventure (2-0)
Where: Ventura High School
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
My Prediction: St. Bonaventure 28, Canyon 14

- Austin Knoblauch