Week 4 High School Football Picks

 Week 4 is upon us in area high school football. My overall record in picks stands at 60-18, including 11-1 in spotlight games. This week, some teams move into conference play:

LAKE COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK: Hawken (2-1) at Kirtland (3-0). This CVC Crossover matchup features longtime local rivals. After losing to University, the Hawks have won a couple in a row, although against easier competition. Kirtland, meanwhile, keeps rolling along, maybe to another 10-0 season.
PICK: Kirtland

ASHTABULA COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK: South (1-2) vs. Geneva (2-1). The Rebels are off to a slow start, but things could start to pick up here. The Eagles have achieved a winning mark against fellow Ashtabula County schools thus far, but step up in class against a PAC foe. This game was a season-opening staple in the 80s and 90s. PICK: South

GEAUGA COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK: Wickliffe (2-1) at Kenston (1-2). It's a little surprising that the Blue Devils would have the better record of these two teams coming into the game, but the Bombers have played much stronger opponents. Wickliffe has not beaten Kenston in football since the 1989 season. PICK: Kenston

EASTERN CUYAHOGA COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK: Madison (3-0) at University (3-0). This was my preseason pick for the game of the year in the PAC. I felt that the winner of this game would be the conference champ. That may not be the case, as some other teams in the PAC have shown signs of possible contention. Still, there's a very good chance that these teams could finish 1-2, and at any rate, this should be one of the best games of the weekend. That's provided, of course, that the Preppers can match up physically, and the Blue Streaks can counter the big-play capability of University. PICK: Madison

The rest of the schedule:

FRIDAY NIGHT

Fairport over Cardinal
West Geauga over Harvey
Youngstown Mooney over Lake Catholic
Mentor over Mayfield
North over Chardon
Perry over Orange
Riverside over Lakeside
Ledgemont over Conneaut
Pymatuning Valley over Edgewood
Grand Valley over Jefferson
Independence over Berkshire
Cuyahoga Hts. over Newbury
NDCL over Bay
Benedictine over Holy Name
Brush over Valley Forge
Aurora over Chagrin Falls
Akron St.Vincent-St.Mary over Euclid

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Central Catholic over Gilmour
Beachwood over Richmond Hts.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Warren JFK over VASJ