Hard to believe we have reached the finish line — again.

I was only 23 years old during my first football season at The Times and now sit at 35 nearing the end of my 13th.

A piece of advice: Stay young for as long as you can, kids.

It might be the final week of the regular season, but it’s certainly not the least.

Let’s do this one last time.

As always, though; thanks for reading along the way.

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Fairview (8-0, 6-0 in Class 5A, Region 7) at Good Hope (9-0, 7-0 in Class 4A, Region 5)

Due to several factors, I’ve been unable to stay at a game for all four quarters this season. (Huge shoutout to all my updaters).

That won’t be a problem here.

These teams have been on a much-anticipated collision course for a while now and it should culminate in one heck of a clash.

And it could all come down to one matchup.

No. 4 Fairview is second in Class 5A in points scored per game (40.4), while the No. 5 Raiders rank first in points allowed per game (7.2) in Class 4A.

Good Hope leads the all-time series 18-11, but the Aggies have won in each of the past two seasons.

Two good teams. Two good coaches. Two good fanbases. Be there.

My Pick: Fairview

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Oak Grove (7-2, 5-2 in Class 4A, Region 4) at Hanceville (1-8, 1-6 in Class 3A, Region 5)

It’s been a tough season for the Bulldogs, but they have one final chance to earn a second win.

Oak Grove, however, won’t make that easy.

The Tigers have already netted their most victories since 2010 — with their two losses coming against No. 2 Pleasant Grove and No. 7 Bibb County.

This first-ever meeting between the programs should favor the road team.

My Pick: Oak Grove

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Holly Pond (3-6, 2-5 in Class 2A, Region 8) at Cleveland (2-7, 1-5 in Class 2A, Region 6)

The Broncos will hit the road for their regular season finale — and they should triumph.

Holly Pond is averaging 30.7 points per game, which is likely bad news for a Cleveland defense that has yielded 45.6 points per game during the team’s current five-game losing streak.

A win for the Broncos would give them four in a season for the first time since 2018 (6-5).

My Pick: Holly Pond

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West Point (2-7, 2-4 in Class 5A, Region 7) at Brewer (1-8, 0-6 in Class 5A, Region 8)

Neither of these squads has had the seasons it’s wanted, but only one can enter the offseason with a bit of momentum.

West Point leads the all-time series 21-13, including a 27-13 win last season.

The Warriors have been better on the defensive side of the ball than the Patriots, but the home team has had a bit more offensive consistency — at least, according to the raw numbers.

It’s only fitting that the last game I pick this season is one of the toughest.

My Pick: West Point

Season Record: 64-14