Who knew all it took for me to get back on the right side of picking area high school football games properly was a broken leg and some pain medication?

I continued my slow surge up the ranks last week with a 5-1 record, improving my overall standing to 10-6 on the season. Four games above .500 is not where I’m used to be at this point, but all things considered, I’ll take it.

And I feel like my mark might be even better after this week. I’m starting to get a better understanding for who our teams are now, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We’re just a month into the season, and anything can happen the rest of the way.

Here’s hoping my recovery continues to go well.

Cedar Bluff (2-1) at North Sand Mountain (3-0)

We start this evening with two teams tied atop the Class 2A, Region 7 standings.

I was really impressed with how the Tigers picked themselves up from the loss to Collinsville two weeks ago with their 42-20 victory over Gaston.

Kuper Bradley was very efficient throwing the ball. He completed 12-of-14 pass attempts for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Kadien Tracy had the running game under control by rushing for 114 yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns.

But the Bison are just a bit hotter right now. They have two shutouts in three games, including last week’s 41-0 victory at Sand Rock. They’ve outscored their three opponents 137-7.

While I do expect Bradley, Tracy and company to be formidable, I’m afraid the Tigers won’t be as successful as they were last week.

The pick: North Sand Mountain.

Collinsville (1-1) at Whitesburg Christian (1-1)

The Panthers can say they hung with Fyffe before the Red Devils got rolling last week. This week, I think a sharp first half from Mason McAteer and company will be more than enough for Collinsville to pick up another win.

The pick: Collinsville.

Gaylesville (2-1) at Appalachian (3-0)

Like Collinsville last week, things were going pretty well for the Trojans in the first half of their game last week against Valley Head.
But then Jack Sentell was lost to injury, and the Tigers forged in front to stay.

Aydn Heinrich picked up the slack with 227 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass and posted nine tackles on defense, but it wasn’t enough for the Trojans to earn their first 3-0 start since 1994.

I think Sentell’s injury proves too much for the Trojans to overcome at Appalachian on Friday.

The pick: Appalachian.

Spring Garden (2-1) at Woodville (2-1)

Brady Ruark and Ben Baker came to Spring Garden’s rescue last week against Ragland.

Ruark ran for 176 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also completed 6-of-7 pass attempts for 89 yards and two scores – both to Baker – to lead Spring Garden to a 52-33 victory.

Baker added 129 yards on 13 carries with Spring Garden’s first three touchdowns.

I look for more of the same from that duo at Woodville on Friday night.

The pick: Spring Garden.

Cherokee County (2-1) at Etowah (0-2)

Keyshawn Woods ran wild against the Oneonta Redskins last week. He accumulated 218 yards on 26 carries and scored five touchdowns to lead the Warriors to a 42-29 victory.

Look for Woods to make the Blue Devils black and blue in this one.

The pick: Cherokee County.

Section (0-3) at Sand Rock (0-3)

If the Wildcats get more of a running game established to compliment the passing of quarterback Alec Ashley, then look out. Here’s thinking they get just that against the Lions and finally give new head coach Tanner Nelson his first win at Sand Rock in this week’s Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.

The pick: Sand Rock.