The Anniston Star, Ala., Nick Birdsong column [The Anniston Star, Ala.]

Aug. 26--I came in the game blind as ever.

When I first took this job in July of 2007 following the departure of former Star prep sports writer Shannon Fagan, I couldn't have been any greener. I was unfamiliar with the area. Even more foreign to me were the teams around here and their athletic reputations.

But I can see clearly now.

This fall represents my fourth football season around these parts. I liken it to a player's senior season. There's no more room for excuses. Outside of Sports Editor Bran Strickland and columnist Joe Medley, I'm the elder statesmen among this year's cast of pickers. I should emerge the victor. I can't let rookies such as copy editors Lacie Pinyan and Jared Gravette school me. They're new to this. I'm true to this.

Let's pick them ...

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ERWIN AT NO. 9 ANNISTON: One thing is for certain. There'll be athletes all over the field for this one. Call me overly optimistic, but I see this being the start of something special for the Bulldogs. The Eagles are a formidable opponent. Anniston's at home, and they've got one of the best playmakers in the area in quarterback Josiah Atkins. Be ready for the resurgence of running back Troymaine Pope, too. ... Anniston 28, Erwin 21.

NO. 10 CEDAR BLUFF AT NO. 6 CHEROKEE COUNTY: Mr. Football award-winner Coty Blanchard, the man who guided the Warriors to a 29-1 record and back-to-back trips to the Class 4A state title game, including a title last year, isn't lining up for Cherokee County. Neither is all-state wide receiver Gabriel Chambers, linebacker Caleb Crane or Clemson safety Desmond Brown. However, the Warriors still have the confidence and dare I say swagger of being the defending state champs. That should be enough to guide them to a win at home against a 1A squad, even if it's a really good 1A team. ... Cherokee County 28, Cedar Bluff 14.

No. 1 LEEDS AT ALEXANDRIA: You have to respect Alexandria.

The Valley Cubs could've easily gone looking for a tune-up opponent for their Week 1 contest. Instead the Valley Cubs chose to take on the 2008 Class 3A state champs. The Green Wave's roster boasts 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete Jonathan Rose. The Auburn commit is the third-ranked cornerback in the nation, and he'll also see time on offense. Valley Cubs' coach Frank Tucker and his staff will find a way to contain him. They'll take a tough loss and build a lot of confidence going into 4A, Region 6 play next week. Leeds 26, Alexandria 16.

OXFORD AT CARROLTON (Ga.): This might be the trickiest game to call of this week's bunch, having only seen Oxford in a 7-on-7 competition without starting quarterback Jackson Stephens, and having never laid eyes on Carrollton. I know their rep though, and, since I think Strickland will pick the Yellow Jackets, I'll go with the home team by a touchdown to try to get a leg up on him. Carrolton 23, Oxford 16.

HOKES BLUFF AT NO. 4 PIEDMONT: This isn't the Piedmont team that took to the field and won the 3A state championship in 2009. But that doesn't mean they're not capable of beating any and everyone on their schedule. Hokes Bluff will struggle to match up with wide receivers Jamaal Johnson and Noah Willis on the edges, and the slash-and-dash combination of Jamie Major and Derrick Jackson should be too much for the Eagles to handle between the tackles. I'm sure the Piedmont faithful will serve as a more-than-effective 12th man as they always do. Piedmont 31, Hokes Bluff 18.

ASHVILLE AT SAKS: Ashville's got too many "ain't gots" to win this one. They ain't got anyone who can catch speedy Saks running back Brandon Johnson if he gets outside. They ain't got anyone who can cover Lavontae Young and Mike Looney at receiver. They ain't got anybody who wants to meet linebacker Mark Wilson at the line of scrimmage. In short, they ain't got a chance. Saks 38, Ashville 10.

NO. 9 LINEVILLE AT CLEBURNE COUNTY: I'll be on the sidelines at L.E. Bell Field in Heflin, making this The Star's Nick Birdsong Game of the Week. I have heard great things about Lineville. They were good a year ago despite an injury to tailback Jonathan Glenn. They should be even better this year. However, and I'll go ahead and put this out there now -- Heflin is back. Expect big things from Tigers' quarterback Matt Norton, running back Rocky Hayes and fullback Chris Ervin. Cleburne County 41, Lineville 24.

GASTON AT WELLBORN: You'll be hard-pressed to find a place that'll be jumping more than Wellborn Friday night. The Panthers practiced at midnight on the first day of practice to build some excitement around this year's team. Dandy Dozen running back Delrickus Rhoden will do what Delrickus does and give the Panthers all the rushing yards they'll need. Gaston tight end Colin Jarbo will be a serious matchup problem for Wellborn, but the Panthers will get the win. Wellborn 22, Gaston 17.

JOHN CARROLL AT JACKSONVILLE: Jacksonville surprised me with their ability to take it to the air in its jamboree against Piedmont last week. I'm certain quarterback Forrest Pearson and the offense will have the timing down on the pitches in their option attack, and John Carroll will see a lot of Jacksonville running back Cordero Little. I still think the Golden Eagles aren't ready to beat a 5A squad from Birmingham, though the matchup between defensive end Kameron Wood and Jacksonville offensive lineman Taylor Warner should be good. John Carroll 24, Jacksonville 13.

WHITE PLAINS AT GLENCOE: This could be the year White Plains makes the playoffs and what better way to kickoff the season than for quarterback Konnor Amis to lead his team to a region win on the road. White Plains 22, Glencoe 15.

As for the rest of them: Decatur Heritage 32, Donoho 23; Jacksonville Christian 19, ASD 17; North Sand Mountain 13, Ohatchee 12; Pleasant Valley 18, Sand Rock 16; Susan Moore 34, Weaver 20; Clay County 28, Randolph County 16; Handley 35, Heard County (Ga.) 11; Etowah 25, Lincoln, 24; Sylacauga 9, Munford 7; Ragland 31, Fayetteville 21; Ranburne 24, Spring Garden 11; Talladega 20, Winterboro 19; T.C. Central 38, Parrish 34; Horseshoe Bend 36, Wadley 28; Woodland 35, Bowdon (Ga). 32.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

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