Prep picks

The people have spoken. The votes have been counted. And, once again, I was re-elected to serve the readers of the Augusta area by making predictions for high school football games.

Some of you, I'm sure, don't like the way I've led for the past two months, and that's OK.

Some of you think I'm an idiot, and that's fine.

Some of you think I'm swell, and those are the people I'll focus on during my next term.

If you don't like the way I run things around here, go look at another paper.

If you do enjoy the way I've performed, bless you child. You were always my favorite anyway.

My record from last week: 7-3

Overall: 73-19

WJBF sports director John Hart's record from last week: 8-2

Overall: 72-20

Burke County (4-4) at Glenn Hills (5-3)

Glenn Hills needs this win to secure its first playoff appearance since 1984. Burke County needs this victory to stay in the playoff hunt. The gut is saying the Bears will win - and that I need to lay off on the meatloaf.

My pick: Burke County 23, Glenn Hills 17

John's pick: Glenn Hills

Cross Creek (0-8) at Lakeside (0-8)

Cross Creek has the better athletes; Lakeside is playing at home. Those should be advantages, but remember, both teams haven't won yet. The biggest advantage is that they're playing each other.

My pick: Cross Creek 14, Lakeside 9

John's pick: Lakeside

No. 10 Westside (7-2) at Harlem (5-3)

Westside has been involved in two big games, and I thought the Patriots would win both. Instead, they made me look like a fool by losing to Washington County and Laney. I can't see them falling here, though. To do so, would be disastrous.

My pick: Westside 35, Harlem 14

John's pick: Westside

Lake City (5-5) at Midland Valley (6-4)

All right, enough with the Georgia picks. Now, it's time for the South Carolina playoffs to start. Midland Valley has outscored its opponents 172-26 in its last five contests. If I was Lake City, I'd be kind of scared by that.

My pick: Midland Valley 38, Lake City 13

John's pick: Midland Valley

Strom Thurmond (5-5) at Myrtle Beach (7-3)

Strom looked shaky last week against Midland Valley. The Rebels will need to be pretty darn good to get by the Seahawks.

My pick: Myrtle Beach 19, Strom Thurmond 12

John's pick: Myrtle Beach

Burke (3-6) at Silver Bluff (7-3)

The journey to defend its two-time Class AA state championship begins tonight for Silver Bluff. Don't be fooled by the Bulldogs' records. They'll go deep into the playoffs.

My pick: Silver Bluff 45, Burke 10

John's pick: Silver Bluff

Barnwell (3-7) at Hanahan (9-1)

It was a nice victory for the Warhorses to make the playoffs. Hanahan, though, will have no problem showing them the door.

My pick: Hanahan 35, Barnwell 7

John's pick: Hanahan

McCormick (4-6) at Blacksburg (10-0)

The Chiefs destroyed Ridge Spring-Monetta 56-0 a few weeks ago. Blacksburg will show McCormick how bad that feels.

My pick: Blacksburg 38, McCormick 6

Elloree (2-7) at Blackville-Hilda (9-1)

You've got to love a coach with self-deprecating humor. Here's a conversation Elloree coach Sean Glover and I actually had Wednesday.

Stud: "So coach, what do you guys do well?"

Glover: "Lose."

Stud: "Coach, can you give me the names of three of your key players?"

Glover: "Can I include coaches?"

Priceless.

My pick: Blackville-Hilda 38, Elloree 14

John's pick: Blackville-Hilda

Non-playoff special!!!

South Aiken (7-3) at Aiken (4-6)

It's the end of a long, painful road for the Hornets. The Thoroughbreds kiss them goodnight before pressing the pillow over their face.

My pick: South Aiken 20, Aiken 14

John's pick: South Aiken

Reach Josh Katzowitz at (706) 823-3216 or josh.katzowitz@augustachronicle.com.