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.

2013 Media Football Pick 'Em -- Week 1

Posted Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at 11:42 PM

Here is your official welcome to the 2013 high school football season.

I'd like to start the year off by issuing in an old tradition the Standard Democrat newspaper has done in the past by revealing a new and improved (okay, just new) Media Football Pick 'Em.

I've gathered some of the area's sports scribes to give their opinion on upcoming football matchups throughout the season. All except one on our panel will be on the sidelines covering all semoball football schools. The lone 'one' will be in a broadcast booth tickling the airwaves for the Sikeston Bulldogs as their radio announcer for Withers Broadcasting.

Every week each panelist will provide who they think will win each matchup and provide the point spread. (DISCLAIMER: Point spreads are simply our best guesses as to what the final score will be to give readers a better understanding of how the matchup will likely play out. It in no way indicates that we do not like your team. Please, see it for what it is and not for what you THINK it is.) I will keep a running total of our record each week as well so everyone can see who the top dog is or who will be dwelling in a cellar.

Honestly, this is a lot of fun for people in my position. We're not allowed to take part in our official Pigskin Pick 'Em (which you can enter through the Standard Democrat still yet) where awesome prizes are given out, so we settle for this. It's all in good fun and informative from guys who have a good bead on the local sports scene. I'll chip in with a bit of analysis as the season goes on as to why I picked the way I did.

I've attached the exact tab that will run in our paper every Thursday above. I know it's kind of small, but picks, scores and names are still legible enough to make out everything. If you need help seeing, just give me a shout in the comment section. Or, take it back to the old school and pick up a paper Thursday afternoon.

Our panelists include the entire SD Sports department. Former editors Derek James and David Jenkins, myself and cool-guy Brent Shipman. The Daily American Republic's Rob Tate and Scott Borkgren from Poplar Bluff, Southeast Missourian sports editor Scott Roscovius and Withers broadcaster Joe Cameron. I also received picks from Southeast Missourian writer Jeff Breer. I'll post his picks below.

Let me know how you think our picks stack up week in and week out. Or slap your picks down below and see how you compare to the guys who get paid to watch sporting events. Either way, thanks for reading and here's to a great football season for each team.

Here's Jeff Breer's picks minus the mugshot:

Liberty Mtn. View 35, Caruthersville 27
Chaffee 45, Grandview 6
Sikeston 28, Charleston 20
Ste. Genevieve 48, Dexter 7
Perryville 24, East Prairie 12
Thayer 35, Hayti 12
Jackson 42, North County 14
Fredericktown 28, Kennett 7
Malden 35, New Madrid 10
Poplar Bluff 28, Union 24
Portageville 45, St. Pius X 0
Herculaneum 28, Scott City 6
St. Vincent 40, Sumner 14
John Burroughs 28, Central 13