I have been with the Standard Democrat sports department since 2007. I took over as sports editor in May of 2011 and have been slightly crazy about sports since I can remember. I attended Southeast Missouri State University and Scott County Central High School. I co-created our sports web show "The Last Word" and my two children, Elijah and CJ. I was married to my wife, Angie, in May of 2014. I love to golf, I am an avid NBA2K gamer and root for the Fighting Irish on Saturdays.

Media Football Pick 'Em -- Week 6

Posted Thursday, October 3, 2013, at 7:02 PM

We're hitting the back stretch of the 2013 high school football season and the race for the best pick 'em record is heating up.

A congratulations is in order for David Jenkins for taking sole possession of first place following last week. Hey, we all get lucky from time to time...

I took a turn for the worse missing two picks and, I can't believe I have to say this, but my colleague, Brent Shipman, is currently ahead of me by one game.

Sigh....

Although it won't change this week because we have the same picks, but hopefully that changes and changes soon.

Now, the game of the week is obviously Sikeston v. Jackson at "The Pit", seeing as that game had the closest win-loss margins of our lineup of games. Three of our nine panelists took Sikeston in a game I think Jackson is the favorite in. I took Jackson by two scores, 35-21, only because I think they score one late to seal what could be one of the closest games of the season.

It's been said many times, but Jackson is the team to beat right now in the SEMO North Conference. I know Sikeston is undefeated and have one of, if not, the best defenses in the area, but they'll need that 'D' to step up Friday as Jackson possesses one of the highest scoring offenses led by dynamic quarterback Dante Vandeven.

The Bulldogs will have to mix it up a bit to try and disguise their only 'weakness' -- pass defense. If Jackson can exploit that area, it could be a longer night for the Bulldogs.

Sikeston will need to sustain drives and keep Jackson's offense off the field as much as possible to win this one. Another solid game out of their signal caller, Reese Porter, wouldn't hurt and running back Chris Word will need to grind out chunks of yards on the ground, which he's perfectly capable of doing.

That's my simple, yet 'expert' opinion about this game. I look for this one to be a bit closer than some might expect.

All of our other games seem to be cut and dry within our panel. I see the Portageville-Scott City game going either way and Dexter may surprise folks again against NMCC, but other than that, the matchups on paper suggest not much else.

But, as we all know, anything can happen on Friday nights.

Let me know how my, or all of our panel's picks look to you. Love to hear your input. In the meantime, be sure to check my blog again tomorrow as I'll post the newest installment of The Last Word. Thanks for reading!