I don’t have much time to brag about last week when I only missed one prep game. The Walton Braves were my lone miss last week. I guess it’s just enough to keep me humble.

If you saw Thursday’s Panel of Experts you know I’m one game in the hole coming into tonight’s contest.

Fort Walton Beach went on the road and took it on the chin against Mosley last night. At least I’m not alone in missing that game. All my fellow “experts” picked the Vikings as well.

Bragging rights in one game, and a playoff spot in another, will be on the line in District 1-2A tonight.

South Walton travels to Bonifay to take on Holmes County with the loser in all probabilty ending up the cellar dwellar in the district.

I’m going with the home team here and that’s why I’m taking the Blue Devils 28-10.

More than bragging rights will be on the line when Vernon takes on Baker at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium. Vernon is coming off a surprise win over Northview last week. A win for the Yellow Jackets and they wrap up first place in District 1-2A.

In fact, word has filtered back to Baker that the Vernon players are already looking to the first round of the playoffs. The Gators don’t like being overlooked and know they can still win the district if they beat the Yellow Jackets and can win a shootout.

Baker coach Bob Kellogg will be the first to admit, that on paper, the Yellow Jackets appear to be the better team because of their athletic ability. But the game isn’t going to be played on paper and the gritty Gators will have something want a shot a the district title.

My gut tells me to take the Gators at home. That’s why I’m picking Baker 24-21.

Crestview from District 2-4A, travels to Santa Rosa County to take on Milton out of District 1-4A.

The Panthers are the real deal and have the complete package. Matt Brunson will need for his Bulldogs to play their best game of the season if they are to pull off the upset. Frankly, I don’t see that happening, at least not at Milton where balls and calls tend to go the way of the home team.

That’s why I’m picking the Panthers 35-10.

Crestview’s next week opponent, Navarre, will be hosting Florida High.

To be honest with you, I know nothing about Florida High, but I have seen the Raiders a couple of times this year.

Navarre is coming off an exciting win over Choctawhatchee. I don’t see any let down coming this week even though it would be easy for the Raiders to look toward the Bulldogs.

Look for Navarre to get the offense untracked again. That’s why I’m taking the Raiders. 38-14.

Freeport travels to Port St. Joe in a 1-A game.

The Sharks are tied with Jay for the district lead and I don’t see the Bulldogs raining on Port’s parade.

I’m going with the Sharks 28-10.

The final game on the schedule has Walton hosting West Florida. The Braves should be seeing red after their loss to Catholic last week.

Walton has too many athletes to drop two in a row. That’s why I’m picking the Braves 31-0.

That’s the way I see it. What do you think.

Boy oh boy, where does the time go?

It seems as if it were only yesterday that I was starting out on my pick parade for the 2007 season and now there’s only four regular season games left (give or take a makeup game).

If I could do as well with my college picks as I do with my prep picks in the Daily News panel I’d be sitting in high cotton. But apparently my time following high school ball has made me more of an expert of those games than those played in the Southeastern Conference and beyond.

Last week was the second straight week I only missed one high school game, that being Niceville’s loss to Pace.

Hopefully I’ll atone for that miss and get them all right today.

It’s do or die time in a lot of districts and nowhere is that more apparent than in District 2-4A when Choctawhatchee (3-3, 0-1) travels to Navarre to take on the Raiders (4-1, 0-1).

With the exception of the Fort Walton Beach game two weeks ago, the Navarre offense has been flying high this season. That could spell trouble for a Choctaw defense that has known both feast and famine.

In Choctaw’s three wins the Tribe has given up a total of 12 points, but in the three losses the oppostion has averaged 39 points against the Indians. Which Navarre offense and Choctaw defense show up will determine this game.

The Indians haven’t shown me that they can stop a good team yet and the Raiders are a good team playing at home. I’ll take Navarre in this one 35-31.

Crestview (3-2, 1-0) at Fort Walton Beach (4-1, 1-0). This game will determine who is in the District 2-4A driver’s seat. The winner all but assures themselves a spot in the playoffs and the loser will face what could be considered a must win in two weeks.

Jason Parker and the Bulldog offense have opened things up recently shedding the old image of power football fans have come to expect in the Hub City. But the Bulldog defense has been anything but junkyard dogs in giving up 28 and 38 points the last two games.

Fort Walton Beach struggled to score two weeks ago against Navarre, but the Viking defense was stellar in holding the Raiders to a field goal.

This game looks to be interesting, but I believe Fort Walton Beach has a few more athletes. That’s why I’m taking the Vikings 28-17.

Niceville (5-1, 1-0 District 1-5A) at Pine Forest (4-3, 1-0). Another easy game to pick if I just wanted to say the Eagles.

Year in and year out these are two of the better teams in Northwest Florida. It’s only fitting that they are now in the same revamped District 1-5A.

Both Niceville and Pine Forest are coming off tough losses against teams that could battle for state championships. The Eagles of Niceville dropped their first game of the season on the road against a tough Pace squad that should make some noise in Class 4A. Pine Forest lost to Foley, one of the best teams in Alabama.

Both Niceville and Pine Forest have size and good skill players. I think Niceville will be the more disciplined squad and that’s why I’m taking the visiting Eagles.

I like Niceville 31-20.

The District 1-2A title will probably be decided tonight when Catholic (2-5, 1-0) travels to DeFuniak Springs to take on Walton (6-0).

The Braves have breezed through the first half of their schedule in impressive fashion. The opposite can be said of the Crusaders who have been less than impressive but still managed to beat Marianna in the only District 1-2A to be played so far.

The contrast in records comes into focus when it is noted the Crusaders have played in in competition, and the Braves have yet to play anyone in their class or larger.

I still believe Walton is as good as the record indicates. I saw the Crusaders against Navarre, and they struggled. They’ll struggle again against Walton.

I’m going with the Braves 33-13.

In District 1-2B action Baker (3-3, 1-1) is at Holmes County (1-5, 0-1).

The Gators currently find themselves in third place in the district behind Northview and Vernon. But victories tonight and next week against the Yellow Jackets will assure Baker a spot in the post season.

Last week was the first time Baker’s Cameron Domangue has failed to rush for 100 yards. Look for Domangue and the Gators to get back on the winning track after losing to Walton last week.

I’m picking Baker big 38-10.

Looking at the records West Gadsden (2-5, 2-2) at Freeport (2-4, 2-2) would seem to be an evenly matched game in District 1-A. But when comparing scores against common opponents the Panthers have played much better than the Bulldogs.

I like Jim Anderson and his scrappy group of players, but a long season is starting to tell on the Freeport players. A loss tonight and what ever hopes they have of making the playoffs are done.

I think it will be the Panthers who keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

That’s why I’m picking West Gadsden 32-17.

How do think things will shape up tonight?

Who are the pretenders, and who will be the real contenders?

It’s the latest rage in all of pro and college football.

Just when a team is set to kick a game-winning or tying field goal, the opposing coach calls a last-second time out.

The time out has been an respected and well-used weapon as long as kickers have been lining up in crucial situations. In the past the traditional wisdom was to call the time out early and let the kicker think about the magnitude of the upcoming kick.

That changed a year or two ago when a NFL coach called a time out just as the ball was about to be snapped. The opposing kicker made the kick that didn’t count because of the last second time out, and then, as hoped, missed it the second time.

Other coaches have picked up on this strategy including Florida coach Urban Meyer. As you probably know, recently tried to rattle Auburn’s freshman kicker Wes Byrum with the late time out. But Byrum was as true on his second kick as the he was on the first and the Tigers celebrated a win in Gainesville.

It seems now that it is only a matter of time before some high school coach, here or somewhere else, tries the strategy.

Personally, I don’t like the move. There are too many variables that can take place. For one a coach needs to be close enough to an official to call the time out. I tend to question how closely even the most well intentioned official can be watching the field when he knows a coach might be calling a late time out.

And then there seems to be a greater chance for injury. I know football is a contact sport and players get hurt all the time, but why double the risk on a play that you are going to literally blow off? Players are taught to play full speed on both sides of the ball.

If a team knows their coach is going to be calling, or trying to call, the last-second time out the players might not go as hard on the play. If the official refuses to grant the time out that could lead to an uncontested field goal.

Those are a few of my thoughts on the subject.

My questions ard do you think we will ever see this strategy used at the high school level? If so, how quickly do  you think coaches will start trying to copy the pros and colleges? Finally, do you like or dislike the strategy and why or why not?

I look forward to hearing from you.

W

It seems I’ve finally hit midseason form with my picks, and fittingly enough it’s midseason.

Last week I went 5-1 with my prep picks. The only game I missed was Crestview’s 34-28 win over Choctawhatchee. Of course you can never count a Matt Brunson team especially when he has an extra week or two to get ready for a game.

Tonight it’s actually supposed to feel like the fall and football season with the temperatures fall into the 60s and falling during the game.

So the question for tonight is, Are you ready for some football Week 7?

A couple of local games lead off the slate and both could get ugly in a hurry.

The first game has Class 2B South Walton traveling to Choctawhatchee to take on the Class 4A Indians. No disrespect to David Barron and South Walton, but this game probably shouldn’t have been scheduled. The Seahawks have neither the numbers nor the athletes to line up with Choctaw.

In all reality the question isn’t if the game will get ugly, but how quickly it will get ugly. Even with the running clock that I think will be used most of the second half the Seahawks won’t slow the Indians. LeKendrick Ingram, Jace Blanchard and the other Choctaw starters will get their reps and their stats early before coach Bobby Moore empties the bench.

Choctaw wins big 63-0.

Walton at Baker is another local game that could be a blowout. But the Gators might have a trick or two up their sleeves a well.

Cameron Domangue continues to lead the area in rushing, but Walton’s Issac Jackson is second. The difference is Jackson has more weapons around him on both sides of the ball.

The Gators will keep it close for a while, but I think the night will belong to the Braves. I’m picking Walton 42-20.

The best game of the night should be No. 6 Class 5A Niceville (5-0) at No. 7 Class 4A Pace (5-0).

The Eagles have been flying high with their new spread offense averaging 39 points a game. The Patriots are allowing just 5.4 points a game on defense. Last week Pace held a strong Milton team to 10 points.

I don’t think the Panthers are as good as the Eagles. And I doubt if Pace has played a team as deep as Niceville this year.

Usually in a game like this when everyone is talking about the Niceville offense against the Pace defense it will be either Niceville’s defense or Pace’s offense that makes the difference.

I don’t think Niceville will score 39 points tonight, but I don’t think Pace will hold the Eagles to less than a touchdown either.

I like Niceville here 24-10.

Freeport heads to Jay in a big District 1-A clash.

The Bulldogs saw their two-game win streak snapped last week when they lost to Liberty County.

The Royals are coming off a 14-10 district win over West Gadsden and at 2-0 in District 1-A play are just a half game behind Liberty and tied with Port St. Joe for second in the district.

Freeport is 2-1 in the district and might not be in a must-win situation, but the Bulldogs can’t afford to fall two games behind the Royals and the Sharks.

I’m taking Jay at home in a “Battle Royal,” 20-17.

The final game on the schedule finds Crestview hosting Mosley.

I almost picked the Bulldogs in this one. And while I was impressed with Crestview’s offense in last week’s win over Choctaw, the young Bulldog defense still looks suspect as the Indians rang up 400 yards in total offense.

I just think there will be too much of a let down after the big win over the Indians. That’s why I’m picking Mosley 24-21.

There you have it for this week’s games. What do you think?

There’s an old saying that everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. And while we can’t do anything about the weather, maybe we can do something about the scheduling of fall sports — in particular football.

Friday night marks Week 7 of the 2007 prep football season. Although it has officially been autumn for more than two weeks you’d never know it by the heat and humidity at most football games. And if it’s hot in this part of the state imagine what our neighbors to the south are feeling.

As the playoffs have been expanded to give more teams a shot at the state title, the start of the regular season has continually been moved forward. Gone are the days when football season started in mid to late September. These days we are lucky if it doesn’t start in mid August.

Ask almost any coach in the state, and they’ll tell you it’s really too hot for football, but what are they to do? Let’s face it, the two weather conditions people associate with the Sunshine State are heat and hurricanes.

Maybe it’s time to regain some sanity and start the season later. Even moving the season back two weeks would help with the heat. 

I know that would push state championship games close to the Christmas break. At one time it could be argued that such a move would conflict with basketball season. But these days the number of athletes that play both sports is shrinking quickly.

High school football used to mean cool fall nights with a bit of chill in the air. I think players, coaches and fans alike would all enjoy the games a little more if it really felt like football season.

The high school football season turns for the home stretch tonight.

But before I look ahead to this week’s games, a quick review of last week found me going 5-1. The only game I missed was the Choc-tawhatchee-Milton game in which the Panthers came away with the win.

Two of my scores were fairly close as well. I said Walton would beat Chipley 41-38, and the final was 43-37. I had Cottondale beating South Walton 27-6 and the final was 22-10.

But that was last week and it’s on to the Week 6 Picks.

District play opens in District 2-4A with two big games in the four-team district as Choctawhatchee (2-2) travels to Crestview (2-1) and Fort Walton Beach (3-1) hosts Navarre (4-0).

The winners tonight won’t necessarily guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs, but they’ll have the early advantage in the fight for the two post season spots.

It has been three weeks since Crestview played and Choctaw is coming off two tough loses. In rolling to an early 2-0 record the Indians scored at least 40 points against Gulf Breeze and Washington while holding the Dolphins and Wildcats without at touchdown. In the two losses to Niceville and Milton Choctaw has given up 41 and 42 points. It’s doubtful the Bulldogs can put up the offensive numbers as the Eagles and the Panthers. However, Crestview should be able to score more than Gulf Breeze or Washington.

The real key will be if the Bulldog defense can contain Jace Blanchard, LeKendrick Ingram and friends of the Indian offense.
I think the Bulldogs will keep it close at home, but in the end I’m taking Choctaw 27-17.

Navarre at Fort Walton Beach is one of the most interesting games of the season.

The Raiders have been challenged by Catholic and Mosley and answered those challenges well. They had little trouble with West Florida and Rutherford.

After losing their opener at Milton, the Vikings have come storming back to win three straight.

The Fort Walton Beach defense is playing well, and the offense has hit its stride behind sophomore quarterback Luke Barnes.

But if you want to talk quarterbacks and offense look no further than Navarre’s spread attack triggered by senior quarterback Austin Grimm. Grimm is comfortable spreading the ball around and that could keep the Vikings off balance. Sophomore Michael Pettus is quickly emerging as one of the best all purpose backs in the area for the Raiders.

This game could come down to special teams and turnovers, or perhaps the home field.

I give the Vikings a slight edge on defense. That coupled with what should be a home field advantage is why I’m taking Fort Walton Beach 28-24.

District 1-5A play kicks off tonight as well with Niceville (4-0) traveling to Pensacola to take on Escambia (1-2).

In their two losses the Gators have been outscored 87-28, and they haven’t seen a team as complete as the Eagles.
Niceville has proven it can handle anything thrown its way as senior quarterback Josh McDorman is thriving in the new spread offense.

The game will be played at Emmitt Smith Field, but unless another Smith emerges for the Gators tonight this game won’t be close.

I’m picking Niceville big 48-7.

District play continues in District 1-2B as Baker (3-1, 1-0) travels to Northview (2-2, 1-0) to take on the Chiefs and Vernon (0-4, 0-0) heads to Santa Rosa Beach to take on South Walton (1-4, 0-1).

Baker’s Cameron Domangue became the first local back to top the 1,000 yard mark two weeks ago against South Walton. An open date should have given running mates Billy Whatmaugh and Anthony Thompson a chance to get healthy.

The Gators will need all the fire power they can muster against the athletic Chiefs, but I still don’t think it will be enough.
I like Northview in this one 31-21.

Vernon at South Walton is an interesting game.
Former Niceville assistant Russ Rogers is still looking for his first win as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets and the Seahawks would seem to be a perfect victim.

South Walton hasn’t won since beating Franklin County in the first game of the season. But everyone is beating Franklin County in its first year of football so it’s hard to measure how good that win was for David Barron’s boys.

The Seahawks need a statement win to jumpstart the season, but I don’t think they have enough players to take the sting out of the Yellow Jackets and that’s why I’m going with Vernon 38-10.

The final game on tonight’s slate is Freeport (2-2, 2-0) at Liberty County (4-0, 2-0) in a District 1-A battle of the Bulldogs.

When Patrick Henry declared, “Give me liberty or give me death,” he probably wouldn’t have wanted Liberty County on the football field.

Liberty’s offense is averaging 36 points a game and is capable of scoring a bunch of points in a hurry.

Freeport was impressive last week in beating Franklin County 45-0, but reality sets in this week on the road in Bristol.

I could take the easy way out and just say I like the Bulldogs in this one. I’ll go all the way and state my pick as Liberty County 36-14.

Let the discussion begin. How do you see tonight’s games playing out?

Covering Freeport’s game with Franklin County on Friday I noticed something missing, the pre game prayer.

At most schools the idea of praying before a football game has gone the way of cheap gas, but at schools in communities such as Freeport and Baker, they still offered up words asking God to protect the young men as they played their game.

However, a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court not to hear an appeal on a ruling by the Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, has placed an end to prayer in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Personally, I don’t get it, and never have.

Somewhere in the last 40 years or so it seems as if society has gone crazy with trying to get God out of everything that is the federal government. It amazes me that it took 175 years or so to come up with a separation of church and state in our constitution, and how quickly that idea has been embraced as the intent of our nation’s founders.

If you’re my age or older you probably remember reading a Psalm and reciting the Lord’s Prayer along with the Pledge to the Flag at the start of each school day. If anyone objected, I never heard about it. And from what I understand, teachers had been leading their students in similar displays of faith and patriotism as long as there had been public schools.

Pre game prayers were as much a part of the program as the football game. Usually there was a public prayer, and in the locker room the football team would pray. Shortly before or after the team prayer, a couple of my teammates and I would get off to the side and pray.

I don’t ever once recall asking God to help Gulf Breeze win…not even when a game was close. I do remember asking for protection of all the players and for the game to be played cleanly and with good sportsmanship.

So tell me, what’s wrong with that?

If someone is an agnostic, atheist or of some other religious heritage, does it really harm them to hear a prayer of which the majority approve? And if they don’t agree, is it too hard for them to show respect for those who to believe in God?

It has been almost 32 years since I last put on the pads for Gulf Breeze. We lost the last game of my senior year to Crestview. I can’t tell you what the score was, but I do know after the game our head coach, Jim Smith, asked me to lead the team in prayer. It was as great an honor as I’ve ever received in my life.

It seems to me that there’s a lot more bad in schools and society since prayer was taken out of our public schools. Shouldn’t we give it another try and put it back in our schools…at least at a football game? It can’t hurt, and it just might help.

Would you like to see the pre game prayers returned? Let me know why or why not.

Can you believe it, we’re nearing the midway point in the high school football season?

Week 4 was so much of a washout I won’t even try to review how I did.

So it’s on to Week 5, and here’s hoping we all stay dry and have a fast track.

The first game on the list is Niceville (3-0) at Gainesville Buchholz (1-3).

The Eagles will be the first to tell you there’s no place like home as they’ve opened with a perfect record at Eagle Stadium. Niceville is averaging 37 points a game and the defense is starting to jell.

The Bobcats have struggled this year and have yet to score more than 20 points in any game.

On the road or not, Niceville should spread the wealth and roll to a nice win. Eagles take this one 38-13.

Milton (3-0) at Choctawhatchee (2-1): The Panthers JVs and varsity combined to beat the Indians in the Kickoff Classic, but this game’s for keeps.

Indian quarterback Jace Blanchard has had a hot hand all season. He’ll need to stay hot if the Tribe is to take measure of the Panthers. Milton has a great quarterback in his own right. Dustin Land has committed to Iowa State and Choctaw will trying to take some of the shine of his credentials.

I’ll go with the home team in this one, Choctaw 27-21.

South Walton (1-3) at Cottondale (1-3).

Not much you can say about this game as two teams that are struggling square off against each other. Both squads have played Wewahitchka with Cottondale beating the Gators 30-6 and the Seahawks losing to Wewa 25-7.

For that reason I’m going with Cottondale 27-6.

Walton (4-0) at Chipley (4-0): This might be the best game of the night as something has to give with the two high-scoring teams.

Can the Tigers shut down the passing attack of Tarrell Bramlet and Company? Can the Braves hold Chipley to under 40 points? Which offense will slip first? Or which defense will rise to the occasion?

Stay tuned for the answers. For now I’m going with the Braves in a classic shootout 41-38.

Franklin County (0-3) at Freeport (1-2). The Bulldogs are coming off their first win of the season at Wewahitchka last Friday. The first-year Franklin County team has yet to experience the thrill of victory.

Don’t look for Jim Anderson’s Freeport squad to be the first victims of Franklin County.

I’m taking the Bulldogs in an easy win 26-6.

Mosley (2-1) at Navarre (3-0). The Raiders would have loved to have come into this game 4-0, but Tropical Depression 10 forced a postponement of Navarre’s game with Milton last week.

A week off shouldn’t hurt the Raiders who found a sparkplug in running back Michael Pettus two weeks ago against Catholic.

The better Pettus runs the more opportunities it gives Raider quarterback Austin Grimm to spread the ball around.

I think Pettus and Grimm will both have big games as the Raiders move to 4-0. I’m taking Navarre over the Dolphins 31-17.

So there you have it for another week. Give me your feedback. Laugh at me if I’m wrong. Please, let me know what you think.

The Old Picker struggled a bit last week, but not too badly going 4-2 with the high school picks. I don’t even want to talk about my college pick.

But now it’s another week, and I’m trying to dig myself out of a bit of a hole. In a few hours we’ll know how I do.

This week’s slate is full of rival games starting with Choctawhatchee at Niceville.

If there has been a hotter team in the area than Choctaw I don’t know who it is.

The game between the Indians and the Eagles looks to be a Okaloosa County classic with a pair of offenses hitting on all cylinders. Choctaw’s Jace Blanchard and Niceville’s Josh McDorman are two of the best quarterbacks in the area.

I think this game will be won or lost at the running back and defensive line positions. I believe those are the places the Indians have an edge. Choctaw’s LeKendrick Ingram might be the best running back in the area. and Chris Martin is without a doubt the best defensive lineman in this part of the state.

If the Eagle offensive line can’t contain Martin it will be a long night for McDorman.

I still think this will be a close game. I’m picking the Indians 24-17.

Pace at Crestview tends to be one of the better 4A games of the season. The Patriots seem to be right where they always are among the top teams in the state.

The young Bulldogs are still trying to find themselves despite their 2-1 record. Crestview will need to play much better than it did against Niceville if the Bulldogs are to have a chance.

Even if Crestview keeps it close, I still like the Patriots. My pick, Pace takes this one 31-14.

District 1-2B cranks up tonight when South Walton visits Baker.

The two biggest questions coming into the game are, can the Seahawks slow down Baker’s Cameron Domangue who has rushed for more than 650 yards the last two games? And can Domangue, who now has close to 775 yards on the season go over the 1,000 yard mark on the year?

My answer to the first question is, I don’t think so. I really don’t believe the Seahawks can slow down the Domangue Express. And yes, I think Domangue goes over the 225 mark to move to 1,000 plus yards in the season.

When that happens, the Gators will come away with the impressive home win 35-14.

Vernon at Walton is another game that has rival implications, although not as great as it did a year ago when Jeff Webb was still roaming the sidelines for the Yellow Jackets.

Walton’s defense is really coming together having allowed just three touchdowns all season. And everyone knows what the Braves offense led by quarterback Tarrell Bramlet and running back Issac Jackson is capable of doing.

I really don’t think this one will be close.

I’m picking the Braves 42-10.

Freeport at Wewahitchka is a key District 1-A.

The Bulldogs (0-2) look to open district play with a win over the Gators, but to do so Freeport has to find a way to score more than a touchdown.

I’m taking the home team in this one. My pick, Wewa 21-7  over the Bulldogs.

Santa Rosa County bragging rights will be on the line as Navarre (3-0) travels to Milton to take on the Panthes (3-0).

Austin Grimm was sharp last week in leading the Raiders past Catholic. Sophomore running back Michael Pettus had a breakout game gaining 165 yards and scoring three touchdown.

The Raiders will need to be at full force to down the powerful Panthers. Strange things have been known to happen in Milton’s favor through the years that favor the Panthers.

I think Milton takes this one in a close game. I’m picking the Panthers 17-14.

The final game on the slate is Gulf Breeze at Fort Walton Beach.

This looks like the biggest mismatch of the night. The Dolphins defense has given up more than 30 points in each of Gulf Breeze’s three losses. And after a shaking start in the opener, the Viking offense has found the groove.

Luke Barnes throws wild against the Blue and Gold to lead the Vikings to an easy win.

My pick, Fort Walton Beach 48-7.

Well, there you have it. Let me hear from you the fans.

Do Niceville fans think the Indians will step on their turf and take the win? Do Crestview fans think the Bulldogs have a chance against the Patriots? And what about you Navarre fans, do you think your team can post a win against the Panthers?

So, let the discussion begin.

I’m glad to say I had a pretty fair week last time around going 7-1 in my prep picks. If I had followed my gut instincts and stayed with Walton I would have been perfect, but…

This week we have a slightly abbreviated slate of prep games with Choctawhatchee and Niceville getting the night off so here I go.

The first game on the panel is Baylor of Chattanooga, Tenn., at Fort Walton Beach. This is a hard game to pick because we don’t see much of East Tennessee teams in Northwest Florida. To be honest, I took the Baylor Raiders based on their reputation during the years I spent in Knoxville. Baylor plays in what amounts to a private school classification and generally plays one of the tougher schedules in Tennessee. Last week the Raiders got waxed by Montgomery Bell Academy of Nashville. Two of MBA players have committed to Tennessee.

The Vikings looked very good against Rutherford last Friday. Luke Barnes had a breakout game throwing for more than 230 yards. And I’m really impressed with freshman running back Charlie Lott.

Although the Raiders will be traveling some 400 miles, I’m taking Baylor in a close one 31-27.

Bozeman at South Walton is an intersting game. The Bucks are a much improved team from a year ago as seen in their win over Baker in Week One.

The Seahawks got off to a nice start winning their opener at Franklin County, but lost las week to Wewa.

I’m taking the Bucks over the Seahawks because I think Bozeman has too many athletes for South Walton to contain. Bozeman 33-14.

West Gadsden at Crestview is a game where the two teams have at least one thing in common, they both lost to Niceville this year.

Crestview is young and growing up. I think the Bulldogs are better than the Panthers. A Crestview defense led by Brett Moore will rise to the challenge. And the Bulldog offense will grow up a little more.

My biggest concern is that Crestview won’t be looking ahead to next week’s game with Pace. I know Matt Brunson well enough to say that won’t happen.

I’m taking the Bulldogs 28-7.

Baker at Arnold presents an interesting question. Can Gator quarterback Cameron Domangue run wild against the Marlins the same way he did last week when he ran for 391 yards and four touchdowns.

If Domangue is on the Gators stand a chance, but with Billy Whatmough and Anthony Thompson hampered by shoulder injuries I just don’t know if Baker has enough weapons to assist Domangue.

That’s why I’m going with the Marlins 24-14.

Catholic at Navarre seems like dejavu all over again. For the third straight season the Raiders enter the game undefeated. Two years ago Navarre won at home. Last year it was the Crusaders turn to take a home win.

The Raides have scored almost 80 points in wins over Rutherford and West Florida. Catholic’s once potent offense has managed just 38 in losses to Chipley at Tate.

Navarre is in the second year of its spread offense and quarterback Austin Grimm has plenty of weapons with which to keep the scoreboard operator busy.

Catholic quartback David Kooi is a good one, but most of his weapons from the past two years have graduated. I think Navarre has way too much fire power for the Crusaders.

I’m picking the home standing Raiders 34-10.

Last but not least is Northview at Walton. Mark my words, you’ll be seeing both of the teams in the playoffs in their respective classifications.

The Braves are showing that they could be the class of District 1-2A, and the Chiefs are a good bet to win District 1-2B. There will be plenty of athletes on the field for both teams.

I don’t know if the Chiefs will have an answer for Walton quarterback Tarrell Bramlet and running back Issac Jackson.

I like Walton in this one 33-24.

And, while I know this is a high school site, I’m throwing in my rare bonus college pick as my beloved Volunteers head to the Swamp to take on the Gators.

Will Tim Tebow lead Florida to another impressive win, or will it be Erik Ainge’s turn to shine in the big game? If Tebow could play defense I might pick the Gators, but defensive tackle is a concern for Florida and I think the Vols will be able to run the ball. If they do, Tennessee wins a high-scoring affair 45-38.

So there you have it. Tell me what you think. Let me hear how you see who you like and why.