High School Sports

I'll take a 15-5 mark most weeks and no doubt 16-4 is "aiight" with me.

But too many 15-5 weeks — like the one I suffered through this past week — and the wheels may begin to fall off of my dream to make it to the top. You've got to excel to prevail.

Also, JSU beat reporter Al Muskewitz is back on top this week after going 16-4 to put Kevin Jeffers behind him in second place among the staffers.

Here's your weekly update on Kevin. Remember last week how I (through a certain editor who will remain nameless) mentioned that Jeffers was the only one of us to pick Munford over Saks in Week 4? If you guys care, somebody get a 2002 Saks High School yearbook and skip to the Js in the senior section. Just a suggestion.

Here are the picks:

• HANDLEY AT ANNISTON: Player for player, this could be the most athletic game in the The Star's coverage area this week. The Tigers — who reached the third round of the playoffs and whose lone loss came on the road to Lincoln — have to be the out-and-out favorite. But Anniston's defense is talented enough to keep them in any ball game. Don't be surprised if it's a lot closer than you think. … Handley 24, Anniston 13.

• OXFORD AT HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Oxford's offense struggled a little by its standards last week in its win against Huntsville at home. The Jackets still scored 26 points. Needless to say, the beat will go on. … Oxford 32, Hewitt-Trussville 7.

• PLEASANT VALLEY AT LEEDS: Pleasant Valley began showing signs of a potent passing game at just the right time in its 33-27 home win over Jacksonville, with quarterback Michael Lockridge throwing for nearly 250 yards and four touchdowns. They also ran the ball with running back Kyle Bean going for a buck-20 on the ground. But third-ranked Leeds' best just might be better than the Raiders' best, plain and simple. … Leeds 38, Pleasant Valley 14.

• SAKS AT LINCOLN: Saks may be facing the wrong team at absolutely the wrong time. Already with a tough enough schedule as a member of the rough and tumble Class 4A, Region 4, the Wildcats had to travel to Ashland to face Clay County in Week 5 in non-region play. And that came after a pair of losses. They still have to face Lincoln, the toughest of all, Handley and Cleburne County before the season is out, too. … Lincoln 42, Saks 14.

• TARRANT AT WEAVER: The past month hasn't been kind to Weaver. After opening 2-0 on the account of a pair of monster rushing games, the Bearcats have dropped three in a row during the murderer's row portion of their schedule that included Leeds, Piedmont and Cedar Bluff. And things don't appear to be getting much easier. Tarrant isn't the juggernaut it's been in years past but the Wildcats are still nobody to play around with. … Tarrant 31, Weaver 20.

• LANETT AT CLAY COUNTY: This matchup will likely decide the Class 3A, Region 5 title. With a pair of Top 10 teams going toe to toe for their shot at the crown. Lanett is known for it's litany of athletes at the skill positions and could pose a threat to the regular season throne of Clay. Though they haven't dropped a game yet, by their standards the undefeated Panthers started slow, but seem to pick up steam toward their typical swagger as of late. It'll be close, but I'm still not picking against them, especially in Ashland. … Clay County 27, Lanett 17.

• WOODLAND AT RANBURNE: I was thinking about reinstituting the coin flip for this one, but I'll go head and use the old thinker for something other than to rock a low-fade on instead. ... Ranburne 26, Woodland 13.

• HORSESHOE BEND AT RANDOLPH COUNTY: Horseshoe Bend has been solid since giving Wadley all it could handle in the opener. But home field advantage and a good dosage of the Tigers' Anthony Bell (remember that name) could be enough for them to pick up the "W." … Randolph County 22, Horseshoe Bend 16.

• JACKSONVILLE AT HOKES BLUFF: Jacksonville's offense looked good, producing 27 points despite losing three fumbles that cost them a game on the road against Pleasant Valley a week ago. But I'm still going with Hokes Bluff in a close contest in this one. … Hokes Bluff 28, Jacksonville 24.

• LINEVILLE AT OHATCHEE: Lineville hasn't been, well, Lineville this season. But I'm thinking they may have what it t takes to get one on the road this week. … Lineville 27, Ohatchee 15.

• As for the rest of them: Alexandria 36, Locust Fork 16; Wadley 42, Donoho 0; Parkway Christian 30, Jacksonville Christian 29; Piedmont 44, White Plains 6; Glencoe 20, Wellborn 14; ASD 32, South Carolina S.D.31; Cedar Bluff 40, Collinsville 21; Cherokee County 32, St. Clair County 14; Cleburne County 28, Central-Coosa 0; Munford 30, Childersburg 10; Ragland 21, St. Bernard 7; Spring Garden 24, Gaylesville 7; T.C. Central 37, Notasulga 12.