After a month in, it looks like I have put my tough start to the 2025 high school football season behind me.

For the second straight week, I’ve posted a 5-1 mark picking games, improving my overall record to 15-7 on the season.

Now there’s only one thing that can top that, and that’s picking perfectly.

Just looking at some of the matchups we have on paper this week, achieving perfection just might be possible. However, there are a couple of games that could definitely go either way, not to mention a surprise or two like we had last week.

Will I finally earn that perfect week of picking, or take a step back and have to start from scratch again? Let’s find out “What In The World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?’ for this week.

Cedar Bluff (2-2, 1-1) at Section (0-4, 0-2)

The Tigers had a tough start last week at North Sand Mountain. The Bison turned two quick Cedar Bluff turnovers into an early double-digit lead and held the Tigers scoreless until the game’s final play in a 34-6 setback.

This week, I look for Cedar Bluff to get off to a fast start and overwhelm the Lions.

The pick: Cedar Bluff.

Asbury (0-4, 0-2) at Collinsville (2-1, 1-1)

The Panthers found themselves in a battle with Whitesburg Christian last week.

Mason McAteer connected with Gavin Lang on a 20-yard touchdown pass with two minutes remaining, and Collinsville’s defense held on from there to earn a 24-21 victory.

I don’t think they’ll be in that predicament again this week against the Rams.
Collinsville has never lost to Asbury. The Panthers are 7-0 against the Rams, including last year’s 62-0 thumping.

I look for Collinsville to easily make that eight in a row for a happy homecoming.

The pick: Collinsville.

Valley Head (3-1, 2-0) at Spring Garden (2-2, 1-1)

Like last week’s Collinsville at Whitesburg Christian game, Spring Garden’s loss last week at Woodville raised my brow a bit.

Now, all of a sudden, the Panthers face a must-win game against a solid Valley Head team to stay in contention for the Class 1A, Region 8 championship.

Since a season-opening 38-19 loss at Cedar Bluff, Valley Head has won three in a row, including last week’s 29-22 decision over Ider.

But I just don’t see Spring Garden losing two in a row. Technically the last time it happened was back in 2023 to Coosa Christian and Wadley, but the Coosa game was forfeited to the Panthers. Before that, you have to go all the way back to the 2017 season, when the Panthers dropped their last two regular season games against Cedar Bluff and Pleasant Valley.

I like for Brady Ruark, Ben Baker and company to rebound in a close contest.

The pick: Spring Garden.

Sand Rock (1-3, 1-1) at Pleasant Valley (3-1, 0-1)

Sand Rock’s offense was clicking in last week’s 35-12 win over Section.

Alec Ashley completed 27-of-32 pass attempts for 367 yards and five touchdowns. Brendon Lindsey and Ryker Woodall were his top targets with 10 catches apiece.
Lindsey had 194 yards and three touchdowns. Woodall gained 98 yards and two scores. He also had an interception on defense for good measure.

But posting those numbers against a solid Pleasant Valley team that’s coming off its first loss of the season (44-20 at Pisgah) might prove more difficult.

I think the Raiders come out with the win in this one.

The pick: Pleasant Valley.

White Plains (1-2, 0-2) at Cherokee County (3-1, 2-0)

The Warriors appear to be hitting their stride. Keyshawn Woods continues to be a workhorse, Adam Griffith is hitting on a few big pass plays, and the Warrior ‘D’ is demonstrating how good it can be.

I look for the Warriors to continue those trends and their dominance over White Plains.

The pick: Cherokee County.

Westbrook Christian (3-0, 3-0) at Piedmont (3-0, 2-0)

This battle could quite possibly be the best game on the Week 4 slate.
You have two undefeated teams featuring two of the best coaches in the state in Westbrook’s Steve Smith and Piedmont’s Jonathan Miller.

The Warriors haven’t had a close game thus far this season. They’re coming off a 53-7 victory over Locust Fork. Their other wins have come over upstart Glencoe 44-7, and at Saks 42-6. They’re averaging 46 points per game, while giving up only a touchdown per contest.

Westbrook features one of the top quarterbacks in Northeast Alabama in Brody Blevins. He’s thrown for 571 yards and six touchdowns so far this season.

But, of course, Piedmont is Piedmont.

The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week after blasting their three opponents by a combined score of 128-14. As a side note, they’re honoring the 10th anniversary of their 2015 state championship team. That year, Piedmont defeated Bayside Academy 44-7 to win their second Class 3A state title.

I look for those last two tidbits to provide Piedmont the extra edge over Westbrook.

The pick: Piedmont.