TALKIN’ PREP FOOTBALL: Huddle up, Friday nights are officially back
Published 1:19 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2024
- Hanceville’s Luke Brown looks to make a play during last week’s jamboree against West Point.
Welcome back, folks.
It’s mid-August and I’m penning a column, so we all know what that means.
And although the summer probably felt too brief to most — my golf game will likely suffer because of it — high school football has returned in full force.
This’ll be my 13th season here at The Times, but the excitement never wanes.
Make sure to check out www.cullmantimes.com, www.facebook.com/TheCullmanTimes or my Twitter account (@winfreyjake) for complete coverage of Friday night football.
For now, though, let’s take a look at Week 1.
Editor’s Note: Fairview and Good Hope will both play jamborees — the Aggies host Pisgah while the Raiders travel to Fyffe — on Friday night and are therefore not mentioned below.
Thursday
Cullman at Bob Jones
These programs have never met on the gridiron, but that’ll change Thursday night.
Both the Bearcats and Patriots notched 5-6 records and playoff berths last season, so this could be a back-and-forth affair at Madison City Stadium.
I never feel good about Week 1 picks — a common theme moving forward — and here’s no exception.
My Pick: Bob Jones
Friday
Addison at Winston County
We’ve got a rivalry game just one county over to start the season.
The Bulldogs won 10 of 11 matchups from 2010-20, but the Yellow Jackets have recorded three wins since —including a 14-0 triumph last fall.
A win here could help boost an Addison team with a ton of potential.
My Pick: Winston County
Cold Springs at Hanceville
The Eagles and Bulldogs will meet for the first time since 2017 and only the ninth time overall.
Cold Springs has won both of its openers under coach Brendan Voce, while Hanceville is searching for a fast start to the Levi Estes era.
For whatever reason, I see a low-scoring contest here (watch it be 50-49).
The pick, however, is another coin toss.
My Pick: Cold Springs
Appalachian at Holly Pond
The last time (2013) these two meet on the football field, the Kick Six had yet to occur.
The Eagles pulled out a 22-20 victory over the Broncos back then — and I could see another thriller this time around as well.
I believe Sawyer Olinger makes the difference for Holly Pond, which gives Will McDaniel his first win as the team’s head coach.
My Pick: Holly Pond
Falkville at Vinemont
Not sure which game to attend on Friday night? This may well be your best bet.
The past four meetings between these programs have been decided by a combined 27 points — with each team holding two victories.
Don’t ask me why, but I like the Eagles to get the job done.
My Pick: Vinemont
Haleyville at West Point
The Warriors will take on the Lions for the first time since 2009.
West Point doesn’t have a lot of success against Haleyville (1-7 overall), but I liked what I saw during last week’s jamboree.
Don’t get me wrong … the Warriors will need to play well to beat this road team, but something about this matchup has me leaning with the Maroon and White.
Call it a hunch as Kevin McCravy picks up his first official win as West Point’s coach on Friday night.
My Pick: West Point
Some facts and figures from this story were taken from AHSFHS.org.
