Media Football Pick 'Em -- Week 8

So, here we are. It's getting close to the end of the season and the race for the "Best Sportswriter Football Picker Guy" is heating up. I made the move to the inside lane following my 10-1 Week 7 picks and I'm looking to speed by my colleagues after Week 8 is all said and done.

However, I'm not as confident as I may sound.

This week features tons of out-of-area teams which I'm simply not familiar with. The best I can do is look up their record, who they've played and possible stats (if their available) and make the best educated guess I can. It's tough, but that strategy has done me well so far.

Let's start with Sikeston's home game against Jennings. If we all remember last season, Sikeston needed a great third quarter and Kyland Gross to pull off a win in St. Louis. Kyland Gross isn't walking onto that field Friday, but I feel Sikeston will get a win. Why? Simply, they need one. They've lost their last two in devastating fashion and can't afford to drop a third-straight if they want to stay in the top three of the Class 4, District 1 standings. A win against Jennings and they may secure at least two home games during districts. A loss will certainly damper those hopes. They may have also found a recipe to move the ball with a bit more consistency by switching between quarterbacks Reece Porter and Nathan Hampton, who saw considerable playing time against Cape Central last week. Scoring will continue to be Sikeston's Achilles heel, but I feel they win this one 28-18.

Next we have Chaffee and Jefferson who score lots of points. I mean, tons. Jefferson, who visit Chaffee for the first time ever Friday, averages 48 points a game. Chaffee scores around 44 points per. The bad news for Jefferson is that they give up 35 points a game on defense. The Red Devils sit at 17. Advantage -- Chaffee. Although my only concern surrounding Chaffee is that this game has a certain feel to it. They're coming off of a huge win against Malden last week that secured SEMO South Conference championship in 34 years. They have Charleston next week in what many fans considered a possible barn-burner. Friday has all the makings of a trap game. I would like to think the the Red Devils know the task in front of them and can't overlook anyone at this point of the season, especially with a potential lock on the district's second seed on the line. Trap game or no, I got Chaffee, 32-28.

We had a few other close games to choose from this week as well.

Fredericktown-NMCC was a mind bender, but I went with the Eags 28-24.

Cape Central has played great at home so far this season, but they've struggled with St. Louis schools. With Chaminade coming to town, I think home field advantage wins out. Cape Central, 35-31.

Although they've went through a gruesome schedule, Hickman falls to Jackson 27-21. The Indians are extremely talented and are playing the best football around at the moment.

Malden takes out it's frustrations after the Chaffee loss on Kennett, 32-14.

If you'll notice, I snuck in the Portageville-Kelly junior varsity contest in our lineup of games this week. It's being played on Friday, so I thought I'd add the Hawks in on our week of fun-filled pick 'em magic and hopefully get their feet wet for next year when they become a full-fledged member of the varsity society. However, I'm not ready to give Kelly their first Pick 'Em win though. I took Portageville.

We have a new leader this week. Southeast Missourian writer Jeff Breer took sole possession of first place after going an impressive 11-0 last week. Myself, David Jenkins and Brent Shipman (all SD Sports peeps) are tied for second. A second place tie will not be in place following Friday as we all have differing opinions -- some more brilliant than others -- about this week's games.

I want to hear from you. Let me know how my, or all of our panel's picks look to you. As always, thank you very much for reading and look out for the newest episode of The Last Word. I should have it up later tonight.