Ever been sitting in a restaurant eating a big ol’ steak, reach the end of the meal and say to yourself, “That wasn’t quite right?” It’s one of those situations where if they had left the meat on the grill for just a minute more or less, it would have been perfect.
That is sort of how this high school football season has gone for me so far. I pride myself on being THE Prep Pigskin Prognosticator, your Guru of Gridiron Guessing. But so far, I wouldn’t last very long on Extreme Chefs with the bland steaks I have been serving.
The only thing I can say is that I have missed on the appetizers, and now it is time for the main course. Region games and region crossover contests are on tap for this week, and it is time to prepare the perfect sauce, add the exact combination of spice and sweetness and deliver up a sizzling morsel that slices itself when you look at it and dissolves into the nectar of the gods when you put it in your mouth.
Last week, my bisque was a little bitter on the way to a 3-2 week, and I’m 10-7 for the year.
Bring it on!
• Game of the Week — Cartersville at North Murray: If I had known my column was going to mean receiving Kool-Aid in the mail, I would have said I wasn’t buying the Mercedes Benz the Mountaineers are selling.
I will say that my kids are loving the sugary red deliciousness, though, so send some more. My son Chance, who turns 6 on Saturday, asked when we were getting some watermelon Kool-Aid, so consider that a request, North Murray faithful.
My only request this week is that Cartersville blows in like the Category 5 destructive powerhouse it should be, and not some tropical storm that is all blow and little bluster.
Yes, yes, Mountaineers, you had fun against Southeast Whitfield (guarantee they don’t lose this week), Dade County and Johnson-Gainesville, but how will you fare when the National Weather Service issues a Purple Hurricane warning tonight?
Board up the windows and head for higher ground, because my wife is a little mad I said you boys could shave my head if you make the playoffs.
Whit’s Pick: Cartersville 42, North Murray 21
• Cass at Northwest Whitfield: The Bruins have won all 10 meetings between these two teams, which really gives me pause and nudges me toward picking the Colonels in this one. But I keep coming back to the Northwest Whitfield defense, which I believe to be legit.
Granted, Pepperell and Pickens aren’t exactly on the cutting edge of offensive performance, but I think Northwest can stop other teams.
Tonight will tell the tale.
Whit’s Pick: Northwest 28, Cass 10
• Dalton at Gilmer: I went to Harmon Field a couple of Fridays ago and didn’t notice that the field had been enclosed in an arena or moved out to the Western Athletic Conference for one of the highest-scoring football games I have ever been to. It was like I was suddenly in Reno for a game between Arena League powerhouses with points flying back and forth.
Thankfully, this week’s matchup should resemble a football game the Big Red faithful would be a lot happier with. In short, that means that Dalton will actually play defense.
Whit’s Pick: Dalton 28, Gilmer 10
• Coahulla Creek at Sonoraville: I’ve been in a classical mood this week, whether it be listening to some Brahms with my 15-month-old son and the Little Einsteins or reading a little Homer during my down time. It seems that maybe the gods of Greek antiquity are pointing me in the direction of the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Either that or I am just really mad at the Colts for making me look bad last week by losing to Christian Heritage when I picked them to win.
Whit’s Pick: Sonoraville 22, Coahulla Creek 20
• Christian Heritage at Fellowship Christian: Coming soon! An in-depth and detailed explanation of the GHSA’s new Class A Power Standings/Pythagor-ean/Bertram’s/Murphy’s Law/Gillebeau Theorem of the Playoffs. But first we have to figure it out ourselves.
All you need to know about it this week is a Christian school will win. Oh wait, that didn’t clear things up.
Whit’s Pick: Christian Heritage 27, Fellowship Christian 21
• Murray County at Armuchee: Even against an 0-3 team, Murray County starts the game down by three, with Armuchee getting the home-field advantage.
Whit’s Pick: Armuchee 31, Murray County 7
• Other games: Ridgeland 35, Cedartown 24; Pickens 28, Heritage-Catoosa 10; River Ridge 14, LaFayette 13; Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 24, Adairsville 21; Ringgold 17, Gordon Central 14.
Chris Whitfield is a sports writer for The Daily Citizen. He takes his steak medium. You can write to him at chriswhitfield@daltoncitizen.com. You can send Kool-Aid to 308 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton, Ga., 30720.
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
