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.

Time to crown champions, media pick 'em style

Posted Thursday, November 6, 2014, at 11:26 AM

Not only will district champions be named after Friday night, but we'll also have a new Media Pick 'Em champion as well.

The Standard Democrat's own David Jenkins leads the pack entering our last week of the 2014 Media Football Pick 'Em with a grand total of 86-26. With four games left and a one-win lead, it looks as if "Jenks" will pull off the win IF his, and many others', upset pick of Vianney over Jackson goes the way he, and others, plan. Remember, this year we instituted a new twist with the winning panelist choosing which charity receives our pot-o-cash to go along with a year's worth of bragging rights.

So that brings me to our picks. Just like Jenks, Southeast Missourian writer Trent Singer and SEMO ESPN broadcaster Todd Bonacki, I too took Vianney in its rematch with state-ranked Jackson. The noise surrounding the injury bug that has recently hit the No. 1 Indians is unfortunate for a team poised to make a decent playoff run but possibly missing up to seven guys may be too much to overcome. Quarterback Dante Vandeven is certainly a player that could propel Jackson to a win, but Vianney, the third seed, has given Jackson fits the past two seasons and I think the Griffins, who have D-I talent throughout it's lineup get their revenge from earlier this season.

There's also The Rematch that has consumed Class 2, District 1 all season long. Most think Malden, the district's top seed, has no problem beating Caruthersville for a second time this season and I agree. Both teams have improved since then but the Green Wave have shown no signs of slowing down and look to be heading straight into a semifinal matchup with the defending Class 2 champions, Lamar.

I think Kennett's cinderella season comes to an end against Park Hills Central, but I've been wrong before. It's been a dream run so far for the Indians and newfound quarterback Edward Wilson, who has put up ridiculously insane numbers in the last six games, has shown he can carry this Kennett team, who is one of the first six seeds I've seen make it to a district championship game, to unseen heights. I think it turns out to be a fairly close contest with state-ranked Park Hills being just a bit too much. If Kennett does go down, they have absolutely nothing to hang their heads about. Kudos to them and the coaching staff for getting this far seeing as guys like me and many others didn't see this coming.

Then there's No. 3 Hillsboro taking a drive down to top-seeded Cape Central. This was a unanimous choice for our panel with Cape Central winning it's second-straight district title. Friday marks the third time in as many years that Cape Central and Hillsboro have met in the championship game. Hillsboro won in 2012. Cape Central returned the favor last year. I think the Tigers are, once again, the most talented team on the field and they've had a knack for scoring points in bunches. Cape Central is more than capable at beating teams by out-scoring them (obviously they have to out-score teams to beat them but I'm referring to scoring tons of points to do so) rather than holding teams down. They have weapons galore and they will be on full display against Hillsboro.

On behalf our our star-studded panel, I want to thank everyone who takes the time to view our media picks each week. We'll see you again next year.