Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had several people ask me when I’m going to make my return to the football sideline following a broken left fibula I suffered back on Aug. 29.
As of this column, my return is still yet to be determined. I’m still under a light duty order, but I am in the physical therapy stage now.
Kaitlyn Revette and Emilee Paul at Revette Physical Therapy in Centre are both working wonders. After just a couple of sessions, the swelling in my foot has gone down tremendously. I also have to give credit to my lovely wife Bethany for making sure I do my exercises. They’re all doing their best to get me back in the game soon, and I can’t thank them enough.
Even though I’ve been missing in action, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been keeping up with what’s going on with our local teams. In fact, I’ve gone 16-1 picking area games over the past three weeks, including a 5-0 mark last week to improve to 36-9 on the season.
I can’t complain too much picking eight out of every 10 games correctly.
Will my recent hot streak continue this week? Let’s see ‘What In The World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?’
Spring Garden (5-3, 3-2) at Ider (1-6, 0-4)
With their 34-8 victory over Gaylesville last week, the Panthers clinched a playoff spot. But don’t think for one minute head coach Barrett Ragsdale will tell the Panthers to let up on the gas pedal. I look for the Panthers to pound Ider and head into their bye week with some momentum.
The pick: Spring Garden.
Ragland (2-5, 1-3) at Gaylesville (3-4, 1-3)
Only one playoff ticket remains from Class 1A, Region 8 and these two teams, along with Valley Head, are vying for it.
The Trojans feature one the best running duos in this part of the state in Jack Sentell and Aydn Heinrich. If they can get loose and gain some yards, I think that will wear down the Purple Devil defense. Here’s thinking they can do just that to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The pick: Gaylesville.
Weaver (2-5, 2-3) at Piedmont (7-0, 5-0)
There isn’t a team that’s much hotter than the Bulldogs right now. Piedmont has outscored its opponents 329-50 this season, including 161-9 over the last three weeks on the road.
Jacksonville State commitment Rollie Pinto continues to prove to be a deadly weapon every time he touches the football, which should give Weaver fits on Friday.
The pick: Piedmont.
Collinsville (5-2, 3-2) at Brindlee Mountain (2-6, 1-4)
The Panthers are currently in a tie with Holly Pond for the third playoff spot in Class 3A, Region 8. They’ll maintain that spot following a convincing victory at Brindlee Mountain following Friday night, setting up a showdown with the Broncos.
The pick: Collinsville.
Cedar Bluff (2-6, 1-4) at Sand Rock (1-6, 1-3)
Both of these teams have been in a tailspin much of the season, but they’re both still alive for a playoff spot. A win is a must for both to keep hope alive.
Cedar Bluff has won the past two meetings, including last year’s 28-26 nail biter. Given that Sand Rock is coming off a bye week, and playing at home, I’ll go with the Wildcats to win a close rivalry game in the Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Sand Rock.
Cherokee County (6-2, 4-1) at Alexandria (6-1, 4-1)
The Warriors grinded out a 24-10 victory over Hokes Bluff last week to not only earn a milestone 600th win in the football program’s rich history, but also remain neck-and-neck with the Valley Cubs for second place in Class 4A, Region 6.
Like last week, I look for a heavy dose of running from Keyshawn Woods.
However, I think the Valley Cubs will be up for the challenge. They’re playing at home in Death Valley, where they’ve won their last seven contests dating back to last season.
The pick: Alexandria.
