Good Hope’s Isaiah Green takes the handoff from Bailey Quick during a fall practice. The Raiders travel to Carbon Hill on Friday night.

Welcome back.

It’s been an unbearably long break from the gridiron, but it’s once again time to write about prep football.

More specifically, it’s time for me to make a few predictions.

And what better way to start than with a terrific Week 0 slate that features a number of quality matchups.

Both Cullman and Hanceville open the 2018 season with new  coaches, while Fairview heads over to West Point for the second Brandin’ Iron Bowl. 

Addison, Cold Springs, Good Hope and Holly Pond also play crucial openers in Week 0.

Vinemont, meanwhile, heads to East Lawrence for a fall jamboree.

Before we get started, however, let’s remind those in attendance that these weekly preview columns will — like last season — include “The People’s Pick,” which is determined by a series of Twitter polls. Want your voice to be heard? Then don’t forget to cast your vote when polls are posted on my Twitter timeline (@winfreyjake) each and every Monday.

Best of luck to you.

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% Class 2A Addison at Class 4A Curry: The Bulldogs haven’t played the Yellow Jackets since 1979.

And although Addison captured a 28-21 triumph back then, the all-time series is deadlocked at 14-14-2.

None of that matters come Friday night, though.

Curry might have the bigger school, but the Bulldogs have the bigger stars.

Expect coach David Smothers and Co. to start the season off with a victory.

% Jake’s Pick: Addison

% People’s Pick: Addison (87 percent — 124 votes)

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% Class 1A Meek at Class 2A Cold Springs: I’ll go ahead and state my opinion here.

I have no idea which team is going to win this game. Not a clue. Not an inkling. Nothing at all.

It’s the first meeting between the two teams since 2007 — the Tigers secured a 13-7 victory — and Meek holds a 19-12 lead in the all-time series.

The Eagles are coming off a disappointing campaign and will no doubt be looking to shine in front of their home fans on Thursday evening.

Whether it’s enough to overcome the Tigers, a 7-4 team a year ago, remains to be seen.

% Jake’s Pick: Meek

% People’s Pick: Cold Springs (53 percent — 120 votes)

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% Class 5A Jasper at Class 6A Cullman: Will the Matt Plunkett era begin with a victory?

That’s a question only the Bearcats can answer in Thursday night’s clash against the Vikings.

However, there are some things working in Cullman’s favor.

The Bearcats have won nine of their previous 10 outings against Jasper (formerly Walker) and have built up a whole lot of belief and confidence under a new head coach.

The Vikings, meanwhile, hold a slim lead (34-33-2) in the all-time series.

% Jake’s Pick: Cullman

% People’s Pick: Cullman (74 percent — 141 votes)

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% Class 4A Fairview at Class 5A West Point: Let’s get one thing straight right here and now.

The Hog Wild Cheese Fries at Brandin’ Iron is one of the best meals offered in Cullman County.

But that has nothing to do with the second Brandin’ Iron Bowl, which is slated for Thursday night.

The Warriors have won the last five games in this series by an average of 14 points per matchup.

They also have the best player in running back Hunter Persall and lead the all-time series 30-16-1.

Two plus two usually equals four.

% Jake’s Pick: West Point

% People’s Pick: West Point (75 percent — 146 votes)

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% Class 4A Good Hope at Class 3A Carbon Hill: The Raiders will hit the road for their season opener, but I don’t expect that to affect them come Friday night.

Good Hope is poised for a breakout season, while Carbon Hill is searching for its first playoff berth since 1999 and first winning season since 2002.

Barring injuries or turnovers, I like the Raiders (6-0 in the all-time series) to get off to a flying start.

% Jake’s Pick: Good Hope

% People’s Pick: Good Hope (66 percent — 119 votes) 

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% Class 2A Sumiton Christian at Class 3A Hanceville: It’s time to see just what the Bulldogs will look like under first-year head coach Cody McCain.

Coming off its worst season since 2008, Hanceville will duke it out with Sumiton Christian on Friday night in hopes of taking a step toward securing the program’s first playoff berth since 2013.

The Eagles, who also brought in a new head coach this offseason, hold a 2-0 lead in the all-time series.

I’m not entirely sure what to expect here, but my initial lean is toward the home team.

% Jake’s Pick: Hanceville

% People’s Pick: Hanceville (70 percent — 126 votes)

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% Class 3A New Hope at Class 3A Holly Pond: This, to me, is the easiest pick of the Week 0 slate.

I’m high on the Broncos this season … for good reason.

Holly Pond should rack up the rushing yards and collect its third straight season-opening win for the first time since 1993-95.

The Broncos boast a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series, but New Hope has won the past two meetings (2012 and 2013) between the two programs.

% Jake’s Pick: Holly Pond

% People’s Pick: Holly Pond (78 percent — 125 votes) 

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% Class 3A Vinemont at Class 4A East Lawrence (Jamboree): This outing won’t count in the win-loss column for either team, but it will hopefully allow me to gain a point against the People’s Pick.

The Eagles won the varsity portion of last year’s jamboree against East Lawrence by a score of 21-0 and enter Friday night’s matchup as the much better team, in my humble opinion.

% Jake’s Pick: Vinemont

% People’s Pick: East Lawrence (54 percent — 154 votes)