PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: County contests headline Week 10 slate

Published 6:01 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Well, well, well.

Yet another regular season has come and gone.

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And, much like a Tiger Woods victory, they should all be appreciated.

It’s certainly been a great one — my eighth with The Times — and it’s ending on a high note this week.

With that said, it’s time to talk about the slate of fun-filled matchups awaiting us.

This is the final preview column of the season. Thanks to all who read and/or voted in “The People’s Pick.”

Look for a comprehensive playoff preview next week.


% Vinemont (3-6) at Cold Springs (4-5): It’s a battle of — you guessed it — the Eagles.

Unfortunately, neither team is soaring entering this year’s county contest.

Both Cold Springs and Vinemont have dropped four of their past five outings, which means both are going to be hungry for a victory on Friday night.

Vinemont, which leads the all-time series 20-6, downed Cold Springs 34-0 in 2018.

I give the road team a slight advantage in this one. So, too, does the People’s Pick.

% My Pick: Vinemont

% People’s Pick: Vinemont (52 percent — 94 votes)


% Fairview (7-2) at Holly Pond (2-7): The Aggies and Broncos head into Friday night’s bout riding high.

Fairview is fresh off corralling its first region title since 1998, while Holly Pond is looking to make it two in a row following a terrific road victory against Vinemont last week.

History, however, favors the Purple and Gold.

The Aggies, who lead the all-time series 36-20, have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the two and possess one of the best offenses the Broncos have seen this season.

Having said all that, I do think Holly Pond will play hard in coach Mike Bates’ farewell game.

I’m not sure it’ll be enough, though.

% My Pick: Fairview

% People’s Pick: Fairview (94 percent — 153 votes)


% Good Hope (7-2) at Hanceville (3-6): This could be a fun matchup.

Both teams have offenses that are capable of putting up huge numbers on the scoreboard.

The Raiders, however, have been much better on defense (21 points per contest) than the Bulldogs (30.6) and have won the past two meetings by a combined score of 78-18.

But I like the direction Hanceville is heading under second-year coach Cody McCain.

And the Purple and Gold does lead the all-time series by a comfortable 26-17 margin.

Still — it’s hard to see Good Hope not getting the win.

% My Pick: Good Hope

% People’s Pick: Good Hope (94 percent — 94 votes)


% West Point (4-5) at Cordova (4-5): The Warriors will look to close out their season with a victory.

But they’ll definitely have to work for it on Friday night.

The Blue Devils are averaging 35.75 points per contest during their current four-game winning streak, but three of those wins have come against teams with losing records.

West Point also won last year’s meeting 55-14.

While I don’t think it’ll be that lopsided this time around, I do think the result will ultimately be the same. 

% My Pick: West Point

% People’s Pick: West Point (57 percent — 89 votes)


% My Record: 56-22

% People’s Record: 55-22-1