It’s the sixth week of the high school football season, and normally by now I would have had at least one week of perfect picks. But no, it’s been elusive this season.
Something else that bothers me is after last week’s 4-2 mark, I’m at 20-7 overall. Not bad, but I only missed on 11 games all of last season. I must be missing some of my mojo or something.
Anyway, this week we take a break from region play for some interesting non-region action. Maybe that’s just what I need to pick up that perfect week of picks.
Gaylesville (0-4) at Victory Christian (2-3)
The Trojan offense has scored 94 points in four games, averaging 24 points per game, but the problem is the defense has given up 187 points for an average of 47 per contest.
The Lions have struggled to put points on the board the past two weeks in losses to Spring Garden and Donoho, but they’ve had a little more success than Gaylesville this season, and they’re at home, so …
The pick: Victory Christian.
Collinsville (3-1) at Gaston (1-3)
Keaton DeBoard and Mason McAteer have made a potent combination for the Panther offense this season. I look for the duo to keep their numbers up against the Bulldogs.
The pick: Collinsville.
West End (4-1) at Sand Rock (2-3)
The Wildcats got one of their major weapons back last week at Collinsville when quarterback Ace Ashley returned to the lineup. Ashley suffered an ACL injury during Sand Rock’s spring game.
Ashley was pretty effective. He completed 12-of-22 pass attempts for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Ashley’s return gives head coach Alan Heath multiple options at quarterback now along with Carson Chesnut. It’s homecoming, and the Wildcats have won the last 20 meetings with the Patriots, so I’ll give them a slight edge in this one.
The pick: Sand Rock.
Munford (3-1) at Cherokee County (4-1)
The Warriors defense will have to keep their eyes on Munford quarterback and Tennessee commitment Sylvester Smith. He ran for 211 yards on 20 carries, scored four touchdowns and had two interceptions to lead Lions over Cleburne County last week 42-28.
Munford’s lone loss this season has been at Anniston back on Sept. 2, so this is a formidable opponent, but I think the Warriors might just have the right game plan in store to come out with a homecoming win.
The pick: Cherokee County.
Anniston (5-0) at Piedmont (3-1)
The first of two Foothills Tractor Games of the Week, and boy, it’s a doozy.
It’s the first meeting between these two schools since 1948. Both teams have tremendous athletes, and both teams are ranked in the top five in their respective classes. Jack Hayes, Kam Sandlin … this has all the makings for a classic battle.
I rarely pick against Piedmont, especially when they’re playing at the Field of Champions, but I think Anniston’s speed will prove to the difference here.
The pick: Anniston.
Spring Garden (4-1) at Cedar Bluff (3-2)
Like I said in last week’s pick against Decatur Heritage, the health of Bucky Leek is crucial for the Tigers. He tried to give it a go last week but just played one series in the loss. Kaden Pack filled in admirably at quarterback, but it just wasn’t enough.
Even with a healthy Leek, I don’t think if it would be enough against a solid Panther squad that’s giving up just an average of over nine points per contest. I’m going with the Garden in our second Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Spring Garden.