I had a wonderful weekend celebrating my lovely wife Bethany’s birthday. On Saturday, I took her all over the outskirts of Birmingham, looking at fall/Halloween decorations for our home, among other things. We ate a late lunch at Dreamland Barbeque before heading to the Summit, then on to Hoover for a little more shopping before we made our way home.
Despite having less than six hours of sleep after covering high school football the night before, my body was running on adrenaline. It might have been because I was pumped up by my first perfect week of picking this high school football season.
It took almost a month, but I finally got that perfect week I had sought. I went 6-0 last week, bringing my overall mark to 20-3 on the season.
So now that I can finally say I was perfect picking for a week, what’s next? Why two straight undefeated weeks of course. Will I make it back-to-back perfect weeks? Read on to find out ‘What In the World Shannon Fagan is Thinking?’
Collinsville (2-1) at Asbury (0-4)
We begin with tonight’s game between the Panthers and the Rams. This one should be a no-brainer. Collinsville is 6-0 all-time against Asbury, including a 31-6 decision back in 2021. The Rams have scored just six points this season. Fyffe shut them out last week 63-0.
Look for the Panthers to pounce.
The pick: Collinsville.
Section (1-3) at Cedar Bluff (1-3)
The Tigers lost a heartbreaker in overtime last week to North Sand Mountain, but things are looking a little better on the injury front. They got senior running back Hunter Jenkins back in the lineup, and he didn’t disappoint. Jenkins finished the game with 119 yards on 19 carries. He scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Tigers in overtime on a 10-yard run.
Bryson Teague also had a nice night, throwing for a pair of scores to Caleb Edmondson and Kadien Tracy. I like the Tigers to tame the Lions and bounce back in the win column.
The pick: Cedar Bluff.
Cherokee County (3-1) at White Plains (1-2)
I was really impressed with Warrior sophomore quarterback Adam Griffith last week against Etowah. He played like a veteran behind center, especially early on.
And he was well-spoken after the game.
Now that he’s got that first start under his belt, Griffith said he’d get better as the season rolls along. I’ll take him at his word.
Look for Griffith and the Warriors to have another big night at White Plains.
The pick: Cherokee County.
Piedmont (3-0) at Westbrook Christian (2-1)
Piedmont should be refreshed following a week off. Meanwhile, Westbrook Christian is coming off a shootout of a contest with Locust Fork. The Warriors fell by the final of 47-43 in a game that featured almost 1,000 yards of offense.
This one has the potential for some offensive fireworks. Warrior quarterback Brody Blevins ran for 273 yards and four touchdowns last week. He was also 7 of 12 passing for 46 yards. Piedmont senior quarterback Cole Wilson leads the WEIS coverage area with 653 yards and nine touchdowns through the air.
I don’t think it’ll be another 47-43 game like the Warriors had last week. The Bulldogs have already had the experience of handling a high-powered offense two weeks ago against Ohatchee. I look for Piedmont to have a similar game at Westbrook and come away with a hard-fought win.
The pick: Piedmont.
Pleasant Valley (2-2) Sand Rock (3-1)
Sand Rock has flipped the switch since its season-opening setback at Spring Garden. Kane Robison has turned into one of the area’s best backs, and the Wildcat defense isn’t too shabby either. The unit has allowed a total of 14 points in the past three weeks.
I look for Robison and the Wildcat defense to continue their upward trend and make it a happy homecoming in this week’s Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Sand Rock.
Spring Garden (4-0) at Valley Head (4-0)
It might be just the midway point of the season, but the winner here has the inside track of winning Class 1A Region 8.
One thing’s for certain. Neither of these teams has a shortage of playmakers.
Spring Garden’s John Welsh scored touchdowns in three different facets of the game in last week’s 48-0 win over Woodville. He had a 53-yard fumble recovery in the first quarter, a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Barber later in the first quarter, and on a 15-yard run in the second quarter.
Connor Bates added 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just two carries. He also caught a pair of passes for 81 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown from Barber. Barber connected on 4 of 5 pass attempts for 150 yards and two scores, and Clayton Sadler ran for 114 yards on five carries, including a 60-yard touchdown to open the third quarter.
Valley Head blew past Ider last week 50-7. In that game, Cayson McElrath ran for 138 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries. Nate Bain tallied 90 yards and two touchdowns, and Tytan Blevins finished with 79 yards on six carries and a score.
This one will come down to which team better controls the line of scrimmage for its playmakers. I believe that team will be the Panthers.
The pick: Spring Garden.