Once again, I risk the wrath of fans and coaches as I make a fool of myself trying to forecast the outcome of weekly high school football games.
I’ve made this point more than once, but it’s one I need to repeat because every season, there’s a new generation of readers who have never read one of the picking masterpieces.
For the record, don’t read anything into this beyond a guy who loves high school football trying to make an informed choice about who will win on Friday nights.
If you overread what I write, you may develop the opinion that I don’t like some schools and love other ones. You couldn’t be more wrong.
Over the years, I’ve been accused on more than one occasion of being a fan of more than one school around the county. Interestingly, the ones I was accused of favoring happened to be the ones that were enjoying the best football season at the time.
So try to take these picks with the point of view of neutrality from where they were written.
Here goes for Week 1:
Pine Forest at Cape Fear: As Coach Bill Sochovka noted in his preview, the Trojans could score a three-peat this year as champion of the All American Conference. I like their chances, as well as for tonight … Pine Forest 28, Cape Fear 14.
Red Springs at Douglas Byrd: All signs point to continued improvement of the football program on Ireland Drive … Douglas Byrd 32, Red Springs 8.
E.E. Smith at Gray’s Creek: Antonio Wallace is working hard to change the run of bad luck at Smith, but I think the Bears have experience going for them tonight … Gray’s Creek 22, E.E. Smith 15.
Hoke County at Jack Britt: I expect another solid season from the Buccaneers and Brian Randolph … Jack Britt 29, Hoke County 12.
Seventy-First at Richmond Senior: Richmond is always a tough place for Cumberland County Schools to play, but I think the Falcons have the stuff to come out with a win … Seventy-First 22, Richmond Senior 12.
Overhills at South View: I’m looking for the Tigers to rebound from a rare losing season in 2022 … South View 24, Overhills 14.
Topsail at Terry Sanford: The Bulldogs will be a team with heavy emphasis on the run this year. They’ll give it a first test tonight … Terry Sanford 27, Topsail 8.
St. Pauls at Westover: The Wolverines look to open the year with a win and best last year’s 6-5 record … Westover 19, St. Pauls 7.
Earl’s Pearls
Paschal competed in the U.S. Amateur at famed Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado.
Paschal qualified for the Round of 64 by shooting 3 under par, including a round of five under the final day. He tied for 17th place in stroke play.
In the Round of 64, he fell 6 and 4 to Connor Gaunt.
Horne announced his commitment to play golf for Georgia Southern. The Eagles have won 10 conference titles and made 21 appearances in the NCAA championship final.
Horne tied for sixth in the state 3-A finals won by Terry Sanford. He shot 72-76-148.
The Bulldogs hold the No. 2 position in the first poll while the two-time defending 3-A dual team champion Colts are No. 4.
The teams are in different conferences and are not scheduled to meet in the regular season.
Two teams, E.E. Smith and Terry Sanford, will have crews that will call all their varsity games.
For Smith, it will be WIDU, 1600 AM, with the main voices being Glenn Adams and Jimmy Harvey.
Trey Edge and Mark Heil will again call Terry Sanford games on WFNC, 640 AM.
Lastly, the Mid-South Sports crew including Charles Koonce, Steve Driggers and Chris Koonce will continue their game-of-the-week format, broadcasting various county games on Sunny 94.3 FM.
Follow Earl Vaughan Jr. on Twitter: @EarlVaughanJr.
