I’ve been known for saying the first week of a new high school football season is always the toughest to pick. There are just all sorts of unknowns, like how new starters are going to step up for graduated seniors and respond. And sometimes I’ve put too much stock into jamboree results, where coaches go so vanilla with their offensive and defensive schemes it’s hard to get a vibe.
But somehow through the years, I’ve managed to weather the storm.
However, last weekend was different. I felt like I almost drowned.
Things got off to a good start for me on Thursday night. I correctly predicted Spring Garden to defeat Sand Rock, but on Friday night the flood gates opened. Not a single pick went the way I thought it would.
When the storm cleared, I was under water at 1-3.
And I heard about it too.
Following the Battle for Highway 9 between Piedmont and Cherokee County on Friday, one of my mentors and dear friends, Rip Donovan of The Anniston Star, teased me – along with Piedmont star receiver Rollie Pinto – about not picking Piedmont to win. Pinto even put his arm around me and said, “Next time you’ll know better.”
Even when I returned home from the radio station late Friday night, my lovely wife Bethany showed me a text message from one of her co-workers at the Cherokee County Commission office. Cedar Bluff alum Ethan Teague sent her a picture of the Tiger scoreboard and said, “Get some of that Shannon.”
Yes, I’ve had my share of humble pie. But hey, it could be worse. I could be The Post Herald’s Roy “Poobah” Mitchell. He went 0-for-4 last week.
I’m kidding, Roy. You know I love ya.
Here’s hoping we both pick better this week.
Asbury (0-1) at Gaylesville (1-0)
Jack Sentell picked up where Alex Baty left off last season. He ran for 242 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Trojan’s 30-6 win at Donoho.
Sentell’s scores weren’t the 1-or-2-yard variety either. They went for 88, 36, and 52 yards.
I said last week I thought it might take Gaylesville a week to get things rolling, but Coach Brian Knapp’s bunch appears to be ahead of schedule.
I look for Sentell and company to roll again against the Class 3A Rams on Thursday.
The pick: Gaylesville.
Cedar Bluff (1-0) at Collinsville (0-0)
Back during the preseason, Collinsville coach Ernie Willingham remarked how the Panthers’ numbers were low this season, but when you’ve got playmakers like Mason McAteer, Gavin Lang, and Kyler Beene who have been starting for a while, this is still quite a dangerous team.
The Tigers proved last week they’re a dangerous team too. Last week against Valley Head, quarterback Kuper Bradley completed 9-of-12 passes for 184 and three touchdowns to Dylan McDaniel in a 35-19 victory.
I feel the difference in this one is the Panthers have had an extra week of preparation. I like the Panthers Thursday night in the first of two Foothills Tractor Games of the Week.
The pick: Collinsville.
Saks (1-0) at Piedmont (1-0)
Like my pick last week with Gaylesville, the main reason I picked against the Bulldogs last week was they lost so much of their offensive production from last season.
The Bulldogs graduated 12 seniors from last year, including Cole Wilson, but they’ve turned to another “Cole-blooded” quarterback in sophomore Cole Austin.
Austin led the Bulldog ground game against Cherokee County, rushing for 144 yards on 20 carries. He also threw for 93 yards, including a touchdown to Pinto before halftime in the Bulldogs’ 24-8 victory.
I look for Piedmont to pound Saks in its region opener. Like Pinto said, this time I know better.
The pick: Piedmont.
Sand Rock (0-1) at West End (0-1)
Tanner Nelson’s debut as head coach at Sand Rock didn’t quite go as planned against Spring Garden last week, but I think things will go a little smoother this week. I look for the Wildcats to clean up a few of the mistakes they made, Alec Ashley to have another solid night in the passing game, and for Nelson to pick up his first Wildcat win.
The pick: Sand Rock.
Pleasant Valley (1-0) at Spring Garden (1-0)
The Panthers showed a lot of resiliency in last week’s win at Sand Rock. Clayton Sadler is workhorse. Ben Baker appears to be the next great Spring Garden tailback, and Tanner Ruark did his best Johnny Manziel impression.
But the men behind their accolades are the Panther offensive line.
If the unit blocks like it did last Thursday night, I like Spring Garden’s chances of coming away with a win in their home opener. Here’s thinking it can.
The pick: Spring Garden.
Arab (1-0) at Cherokee County (0-1)
The Warriors had their chances at Piedmont last week, but a penalty here and a turnover there helped put them in some bad situations.
It was kind of reminiscent of their 2024 opener against the Bulldogs, and we all know where they went from there.
“Last year’s bunch handled it well. We’ll see if this bunch wants to do the same,” Cherokee County head coach Jacob Kelley said.
Here’s thinking the Warriors have a better outing this week at home against the Knights in our second Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Cherokee County.
