I don’t think it’s a stretch to say football coaches are superstitious.
Take the University of Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer for example.
DeBoer is 15-2 when coaching the Crimson Tide in what has been deemed the “black hoodie of death.” That includes a seven-game winning streak this season. I’m sure the odds are pretty solid he’ll wear it again next Saturday night against LSU.
On the high school level, 101 high school football games are curiously being played tonight. Four of those are in the WEIS coverage area. Only Spring Garden at Ranburne and Glencoe at Piedmont have remained on Halloween night. Cherokee County High School has the week off.
Why have such a large amount of high school football games been moved?
Some coaches might be ready to get the regular season over with, especially those who have had a disappointing season. Others might like to have an extra day of preparation for the state playoffs, which begin next week. Some might even be concerned with the amount of money made from the ticket gate, thinking parents might take their kids trick or treating instead.
But I’m inclined to believe our coaches are, indeed, superstitious. They just don’t want to take that chance of a black cat crossing their path on the football field.
Either that, or they want to take their kids trick or treating on Friday night themselves (and just maybe sneak a few pieces of candy).
To quote an old Tootsie Pop commercial, “The world may never know.”
But you’ll know exactly “What In The World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?” for this week in this Halloween edition of area high school football picks below.
Gaylesville (3-6) at Notasulga (4-3)
Gaylesville head coach Brian Knapp’s dad Buddy will be honored during Thursday night’s game. The elder Knapp coached at Notasulga from 1968-76. The football field is named after him and Coach Dwight Sanderson, who will also be honored.
A Trojan win would make the night all the more special, but the near three-hour trek down south concerns me in this first-ever meeting with the Blue Devils.
The pick: Notasulga.
Collinsville (7-2) at Valley Head (3-6)
When the Panther offense is clicking, it’s hard to stop. Quarterback Mason McAteer has weapons all over the field, but he can also tuck it and run. Just ask last week’s opponent Holly Pond.
I look for the Panthers to have another solid performance against Valley Head to tune up for the first round of the state playoffs next week.
The pick: Collinsville.
Sand Rock (3-6) at Whitesburg Christian (4-5)
The Wildcats clinched a playoff berth last week with their 44-28 victory at Gaston. Meanwhile, Whitesburg Christian is in a 3-way tie with Holly Pond and Sylvania for the fourth and final playoff spot from Class 3A, Region 8.
Like Sand Rock’s game last week, I feel like this one means a little more to the Warriors. I’ll give them a slight edge since they are playing at home.
The pick: Whitesburg Christian.
Donoho (0-9) at Cedar Bluff (2-7)
It hasn’t been the best of football seasons at Cedar Bluff, but the Tigers do have a chance to head into the offseason with some momentum. They’ve had an extra week to prepare, so I think that’ll pay off for them in the Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Cedar Bluff.
Spring Garden (6-3) at Ranburne (3-6)
As I mentioned with Cedar Bluff, the Panthers are also coming off a bye week heading into their regular-season finale. And, like I said with Cedar Bluff, I think that makes a tremendous difference. I like Spring Garden to pick up its seventh win for the 12th straight season.
The pick: Spring Garden.
Glencoe (7-2) at Piedmont (9-0)
Friday is Halloween, but it’s also homecoming for Glencoe head coach Bayley Blanchard.
Blanchard, a 2016 Piedmont graduate and 2015 state champion, was a standout receiver for the Bulldogs. He’s done an excellent job in his first year at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. Their only two losses this season have both been on the road at Westbrook Christian and at Hokes Bluff.
A win over his alma mater would be a signature one for sure, but the Bulldogs have plenty to play for as well.
With a win, Piedmont will secure the Class 3A, Region 6 title for the second straight year and the program’s sixth undefeated regular season since 1990. That should provide the Bulldogs all the motivation they need to take the sting out of the Yellow Jackets.
The pick: Piedmont.
