I’ve had a lot going on this summer.

The lovely Bethany Garmon and I have been making plans for our future together. Our wedding is right around the corner (Oct. 28 for those of you who have been asking). Bethany’s bridal tea was Sunday. Last night, Bethany and I met with WEIS radio’s own Karli Morgan to help us put together our wedding music, and our new house is coming right along.

In between, I’ve been bouncing around to volleyball and football practices the past few weeks. You can read previews on our teams scattered throughout the WEIS social media platforms.

Last week we had our first End Zone Show of the season – a two-hour premier. So, yeah, I’ve been a little busy. It’s a summer offseason the likes of which I haven’t experienced before.

But now the big day (well, football season, I should say) is finally here. All seven of our coverage area teams are in action this week. Five of them officially kick off their seasons tonight and tomorrow.

So here’s hoping I’ve had enough time to study our teams and their season-opening matchups long enough to give you the best educated guesses I can.

Cedar Bluff at Winterboro: These two teams played a nail biter of a game last season. The Tigers squeaked out a 22-20 victory, but that was last year.

A lot of things have changed since then, including Garrett Crane as the Tigers’ new head coach.
Conventional wisdom might say give the Bulldogs the edge here. They’re playing at home. It’s Skylar Mansfield’s fourth season at the helm, but there’s something to be said for the enthusiasm Coach Crane brings to the Tigers. That might just be all they need to get him his first win Thursday night.

The pick: Cedar Bluff.

Gaylesville at West End: The Trojans plan to utilize Kyler Bradley at quarterback this season. While I think he’ll lead them to some success this season, I think it might be too tall a task for him and the rest of the Trojans to pull off a season-opening road victory against the Class 2A Patriots.

The pick: West End.

Spring Garden at Sand Rock: For me, this one comes down to the experience factor. The Panthers have plenty of athletes returning this season, including versatile senior quarterback Chapel Pope. The Wildcats don’t have the luxury of a lot of experience on their side.

Spring Garden has also had its way of late in the series. The Panthers have won five in a row, including a 40-8 thumping last season.

Add to that veteran defensive coordinator Barrett Ragsdale is making his debut as Panther head coach, so you know Spring Garden will be pumped to get him that first win. I like the Panthers in this one.

The pick: Spring Garden.

Alexandria at Cherokee County: Kudos to Jacob Kelley and Alexandria’s Todd Ginn for renewing this rivalry. It’s been one of this area’s best throughout the years, and I think Friday night will add another chapter to that ledger.

The Class 5A Valley Cubs are coming off a 5-5 season. They’ve lost a few key players, including explosive standout Antonio Ross. But in my years of covering them in the early 2000s, they’re traditionally a team not to be taken lightly, especially in those years when not so much is expected of them.

Speaking of expectations, there are plenty of them with the Warriors in 2023. They’re coming off a state runner-up with 13 seniors, including the backfield tornado known as Jacob Cornejo. They’ve also got a defense that has the potential to dominate, led by Tae Diamond.

I think Alexandria will give the Warriors a game early, maybe for three quarters, but in the end, Cherokee County will pull away for a season-opening victory in the Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.

The pick: Cherokee County.