Seven weeks into the high school football season and one thing has proven true.

It’s been a roller coaster of a ride as far as me picking it.

I began the year at 1-3. A month ago, I had my first perfect week, followed by a second straight undefeated mark, but then I crashed back down to 4-3.
Last week, I went back up to 5-1 to improve my overall record to 27-12 for the season.

I feel pretty confident in my picks for this week, but who knows what’ll happen?

Will I keep climbing up the track, or take another nosedive?

Anyway, here’s ‘What In the World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?’ for this week.

Fyffe (6-0, 4-0) at Sand Rock (3-3, 2-2)

The Red Devil express keeps on rolling.

Top-ranked Fyffe is coming off a 62-0 victory at Ider. The defense forced five turnovers as the Red Devils posted their fourth shutout this season.

Offensively, the Red Devils ran for over 400 yards. Maddox Doss rushed for three touchdowns, threw for another, and intercepted a pass at the Fyffe 1-yard line.
Ryder Gipson led the Red Devil rushing attack with 143 yards on six carries, including a 99-yard touchdown run after the Doss interception.

Meanwhile, Sand Rock grinded out a 34-27 victory at North Sand Mountain. Alec Ashley ran for 132 yards on seven carries and scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He also completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 110 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown pass to Bailey Martin. On defense, Ashley made 10 tackles, with four going for loss.

I’m afraid Ashley and the Wildcats will find the yards and the points tough to come by this evening in the Foothills Tractor Mahindra Game of the Week.

The pick: Fyffe.

Spring Garden (4-3, 4-0) at Valley Head (1-5, 0-3)

The Tigers had an open week last Friday following their first win of the season at Sand Rock. In that game, Tytan Blevins ran for 198 yards with two touchdowns. He also completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 152 yards and two scores – all to his brother Ethan Blevins.

The Panthers have a pretty potent duo themselves in Brady Ruark and Ben Baker.

Ruark ran for 122 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. He also connected on four passes for 60 yards and two more scores with two 2-point conversions, and had an interception on defense. Baker cooked up 80 yards on 13 carries with a score in leading the Panthers to a 44-0 victory over Cedar Bluff.

This one could be shootout, but I like Spring Garden to come out with a hard-fought win.

The pick: Spring Garden.

Cedar Bluff (3-3, 1-2) at Woodville (5-1, 2-1)

Since a 35-20 loss at Appalachian back on Sept. 11, Woodville has won three in a row, including last week’s 70-26 victory over Ragland. It was the third time this season the Panthers surpassed 60 points in a game, and it was the second-most points scored in a game.

Jonah Sparks accumulated 231 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries. Caleb Lancaster collected 189 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Quarterback Kaden Franklin added 118 rushing yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. He also completed 4-of-9 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers.

Cedar Bluff appeared to turn a corner two weeks ago against Ider in a dominating 33-6 victory, but early turnovers and penalties plagued the Tigers last week at Spring Garden.

I’m afraid the Tigers will have their hands full again this week against another Panther team.

The pick: Woodville.

North Sand Mountain (2-5, 1-3) at Collinsville (5-1, 4-0)

After opening the 2026 season with a win, the Bison have now five of their last six games, including last week’s 34-27 decision against Sand Rock.

It’s been quite the opposite for Collinsville. The Panthers shook off their lone loss against Class 5A Douglas with a 42-point victory at Section. I look for the Panthers to keep on rolling.

The pick: Collinsville.

Saks (0-6, 0-4) at Piedmont (6-1, 4-0)

The Wildcats have lost 15 games in a row dating back to last season’s 43-0 setback to Piedmont. Behind Cole Austin and Jaxson Howard, I look for the Bulldogs to keep the Wildcats’ winless streak going.

The pick: Piedmont.

Cherokee County (3-3, 3-1) at Sardis (1-5, 1-3)

The Warriors have had a brutal three-week stretch of games at Guntersville, at Jacksonville, and last week against undefeated Scottsboro. I think they catch a break this week and get back in the win column against the Lions.

The pick: Cherokee County.