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Also, I had a perfect week picking in the college football ranks (10-0) on the WEIS radio “End Zone Show.�

Heck, even my college alma mater, Jacksonville State, won a squeaker over Coastal Carolina, and my pro team, the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, captured a victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

And, I’ve even been welcomed back on the sideline at Sand Rock (for now) after the Wildcats earned a hard-fought 23-7 win over Gaston on Friday.

Yes, it doesn’t get much better than that … unless I could make it two weeks in a row. LetÐÔÊӽ紫ý see if I can make lightning can strike twice.

Appalachian (2-3) at Gaylesville (1-3): SomeoneÐÔÊӽ紫ý going to end a three-game skid in this one. If the Trojans were healthy, I’d go with them, but since they’re not … Appalachian 23, Gaylesville 16.

Spring Garden (4-0) at Donoho (1-3): Speaking of losing skids, the Falcons have had their wings clipped in their last three outings. They’re coming off a bye week, but I still think that doesn’t help them against the Panthers. Look for the trio of Ben Ivey, Dakota Lambert and Quintin Downey to provide plenty of offense and for the defense to have another lights-out performance … Spring Garden 42, Donoho 7.

Carver-Birmingham (3-1) at Cherokee County (3-2): The Warriors have been gaining some momentum. The defense has been coming up big of late, only allowing two touchdowns the past three weeks. They’ll have to work extra hard against Class 6A Carver, which is coming off a bye week after suffering its only loss of the season (55-18 at Gardendale).

I’m afraid the Warriors’ out-of-region bad luck this season will continue, but they’ll give the Rams a game … Carver 28, Cherokee County 17.

Sand Rock (3-1) at Pisgah (2-3): During pre-game warm-ups against Gaston last Friday, Sand Rock head coach Steven Chesnut looked over at me and shrugged his shoulders. I know he’d much rather have seen my young protégé Grant Benefield there, since heÐÔÊӽ紫ý brought the Wildcats so much luck prowling the sidelines over the past season and a half.

But, Sand Rock was stuck with me on their homecoming, and several of the Wildcat coaches (past and present) let me know about it.

I don’t know if I brought them luck or not, but a winÐÔÊӽ紫ý a win, and I think I improved my stock with the team by a couple of points.

I have to admit, though, I was beginning to believe there might be something to that good karma/bad karma thing in the first half of FridayÐÔÊӽ紫ý game. Things got off to a rocky start against the Bulldogs, but I have to say, I was impressed with how well the Wildcat defense performed. ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý not easy stopping those Pope boys the Bulldogs feature in the backfield.

And the Wildcat offense wasn’t too shabby either in the second half.

Quarterback Jansen Alexander settled into a groove, and running back Braden Carver was a bulldozer of a runner to bring down.

I’m sure the Eagles will find all of that out for themselves come Friday night, even if the Wildcats’ ‘lucky charms’ aren’t with them … Sand Rock 33, Pisgah 13.

Leeds (4-1) at Piedmont (5-0): The Green WaveÐÔÊӽ紫ý offense sputtered last week against Handley in a 14-7 setback, but the Piedmont express just keeps rolling right along with engineer Taylor Hayes at the helm. I think Hayes will find the yards a little harder to come by this week, but the other Bulldog playmakers will step up their games and help Piedmont earn another ‘W’ … Piedmont 21, Leeds 16.

Cedar Bluff (3-1) at Collinsville (2-2): This rivalry game certainly lives up to its’ billing.

Since 2007, only two games have been decided by more than two scores, and I expect this one to be no different.

I know Cedar Bluff is a bit banged up. They’re missing senior quarterback Josh Decker, who had an emergency appendectomy last Monday, but freshman backup quarterback Luke Hampton performed admirably, and veteran playmakers like Ivory Starr and Delontae Williams took care of him.

Meanwhile, Collinsville had the opportunity to rest some of its starters in last weekÐÔÊӽ紫ý win over Asbury. The Panthers are playing at home, and Cagle Civitan Stadium is certainly a tough place for opponents to play, especially for a talented young quarterback … Collinsville 28, Cedar Bluff 20.