The 32nd year of Pigskin Pickers has returned for what could very well be the strangest football season sine the column started.
High school teams in Ohio are playing a six-game regular season schedule and the Big Ten Conference is sitting things out due to the coronavirus.
What the season turns out to be remains a big question mark, but we’re starting it again with four games on Friday night.
Our in-house Pickers are managing editor Chad Williamson, sports editor Tim Miller, publisher Kevin Behrens, reporter Mac Cordell and sports reporter Sam Dillon.
Our guest Pickers are Dave Laslow of Burger King, Dean Cook of Dean Cook Nationwide Insurance, Bob Van Hoose of Van Hoose Garage Doors and Rob Eubanks of Eubanks Electric.
Marysville-H. Bradley
Williamson: Marysville by 7
Miller: Marysville by 6
Behrens: MHS by 1
Cordell: Monarchs by 3
Dillon: Marysville by 7
Laslow: Marysville by 6
Cook: Marysville by 21
Van Hoose: Marysville by 14
Eubanks: Marysville by 7
Fairbanks-Springfield Catholic Central
Williamson: Fairbanks by 9
Miller: Fairbanks by 14
Behrens: FHS by 2
Cordell: Panthers by 11
Dillon: Fairbanks by 10
Laslow: Fairbanks by 6
Cook: Fairbanks by 3
Van Hoose: Fairbanks by 14
Rob Eubanks: Fairbanks by 6
North Union-Jon Alder
Williamson: Jon Alder by 3
Miller: Jonathan Alder by 6
Behrens: JAHS by 3
Cordell: Pioneers by 2
Dillon: Jon Alder by 3
Laslow: North Union by 3
Cook: North Union by 1
Van Hoose: North Union by 6
Rob Eubanks: Jonathan Alder by 14
Triad-Southeastern
Williamson: Triad by 9
Miller: Triad by 6
Behrens: THS by 4
Cordell: Cardinals by 4
Dillon: Triad by 7
Laslow: Triad by 7
Cook: Triad by 3
Van Hoose: Triad by 6
Rob Eubanks: Triad by 7
Disclaimers:
Williamson: “I have to be honest. This is going to be a ridiculous year to try to pick high school football games. All I know is to look for teams with strong defenses and simple offenses. Overly complex offenses are never going to get fully fleshed out and good defense tends to be more of a mindset than a game plan. Also, it will be very important for me to get out of an early lead in case all seasons get canceled.”
Miller: “This could be the first of a very short Pigskin Pickers season. Who knows how many games will be played? Triad has a new head coach and it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals can do.”
Behrens: “Honestly, for all the prognosticating that has gone on for the last several months about whether the teams would even play, I can’t believe the Pickers is happening. If the teams can make it through Hurricane Laura this Friday, though, I think they can make it through Covid-19.”
Cordell: “Football has always been a simple game. This year more than most, teams with a philosophy, who know who they are and what they do will excel. Coaches who can help their team be flexible and respond to adversity will teach their athletes far more than football, though it will be a helpful trait this season.”
Dillon: “North Union vs. Jon Alder is going to come down to discipline. They are two teams that are very familiar with each other, so who is really ready for this first weird week of football? Triad has a lot of hype behind them with new facilities and coach on their side. I hope they can turn it into something and pull off some wins. For now, Friday nights are back.”
Laslow: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Cook: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Van Hoose: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Eubanks: “Good luck to the local teams!”