During a corporate meeting this week, I was asked by The Chief how I did with last week’s predictions. Actually, it was pretty impressive. My record was 8-2 which, as many of you readers commented, is a lot harder than it looks on the surface.
I’m not upset about the 80 per cent accuracy or my .853 year-to-date record, but frustrated about the two misses after analyzing the numbers with the Ouija.
The first miss involved Patrick Henry, who I said was on a roll. PH actually led 21-0 last Friday night, before rolling in the wrong direction to eventually lose to Albemarle 22-21. The difference was a safety, and safeties are hard to predict.
The second miss involved Hidden Valley. I said last week Hidden Valley would go to the air for the win. The Titans threw for 3 TDs, ran for 3 more, had a kickoff return for a score and kicked a field goal and 5 PATS. 50 points. I also said HV needed to stop Liberty’s speedsters. I think you’ll agree, they didn’t. Liberty never completed a pass, but ran for 529 yards. 53 points.
Economist Aaron Levenstein once said “Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.”
Yes, you always learn something in this column.
Bikinis ?,,,,so, that’s what was blocking my view of the planchette.
Without further comment, let’s just jump in the water and take on this week’s slate of ‘Big-11’ games, where this weekend’s heavy rain predictions likewise affect mine. William Byrd has the week off.
HIDDEN VALLEY AT SALEM: The Titan defense has its work cut out against the potent Salem offense. The rain may hold the score down, but it won’t hold the Spartans down. Salem- 28 Hidden Valley- 13
NORTHSIDE AT LORD BOTETOURT: The last time these two met in Daleville, it was an overtime thriller. Expect no less this time around. Can the 2-loss Vikings surprise undefeated LB ? Well, might as well start with a soggy upset special. Northside- 27 Lord Botetourt- 23
CHRISTIANSBURG AT PATRICK HENRY: The challenge for PH is to right the ship after their loss at Albemarle. This one should be very interesting on the wet artificial turf. Operative words…artificial turf. Patrick Henry- 21 Christiansburg- 15
STAUNTON RIVER AT WILLIAM FLEMING: The Colonels come off a huge win against E.C. Glass. Staunton River has the big running game. Once again….operative words….artificial turf. Staunton River- 31 William Fleming- 19
PULASKI COUNTY AT CAVE SPRING: Another one on artificial turf, but the Knights will need their young defense to rise like floodwaters against the Cougars. Pulaski County- 35 Cave Spring- 14
GLENVAR AT COVINGTON: The undefeated Highlanders have a bulls eye on their back. But, Glenvar is used to the mud, so Covington’s pasture should be no problem. Glenvar- 27 Covington- 18
ROANOKE CATHOLIC AT FISHBURNE MILITARY: The Celtics look to regroup after their first loss at Auburn last Friday night. No better place than taking on the Caissons among wet gunpowder. Roanoke Catholic- 33 Fishburne Military- 12
BLUE RIDGE AT NORTH CROSS: (SAT) The heavy rain on Saturday will put a damper on the Raider passing attack. But, will it matter enough for an upset? North Cross- 29 Blue Ridge- 20
On to more somber notes.
Last Sunday, Jack Larson passed away at age 87. Larson, better known as Jimmy Olsen, was the offbeat reporter and photographer for the Daily Planet newspaper in the old Superman TV series, whose run ended in 1958. Like myself, Olsen called his boss, “The Chief”, usually soliciting the response from Perry White, “Don’t call me Chief!” It may have been 57 years since the publishing mayhem at The Planet, but we still keep it going here at The Star where The Chief is always front and center.
Also, this week, New York Yankee icon Yogi Berra passed at age 90. Yogi was my kind of guy. Off-the-wall, hilarious and not worried about being serious. Yogi would have been the perfect match for this column.
Off to the mailbag where another reader asks about the centerpieces of predicting.
Dear Wild Bill: Another amazing week. Can you reveal your keys to accurate predictions? (Walter/Salem)
Pretty basic, Walter. Predictions are 90 per cent mental and the other half is physical.
Hey, keeping that planchette under control requires a little muscle. Yogi would have told me I shouldn’t have given away my secret. But, think 90 per cent hard, and send your questions to [email protected]
Bill Turner
