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 Pick 'Em in the books. Plus, The Last Word on district football.

Posted Thursday, October 31, 2013, at 11:53 AM

Congratulations to the Southeast Missourian's Jeff Breer for topping the list of our media's best football picker guy for the 2013 season. Out of 102 regular season games, he finished with an 85-17 record edging out fellow coworker David Jenkins by two games. Yours truly rounded out the top three with an 82-20 mark. I would like to thank each of our panelist for a job well done. I appreciate their weekly commitment and for putting their opinions out there for all to see. I hope it was as much fun for our readers as it was for me.

Before I get to my predictions on the upcoming postseason, here is the newest edition of The Last Word for all of our "Wordies".

Now, here's how I see our respective district tournament's play out. I'll give who I think will make the championship game, the winner and a snippet of why I think so.

Class 1, District 1

Championship: Valle v. Chaffee

Winner: Valle

Big surprise, right? OK, there's not much you can say about Valle that hasn't been said already. They're the cream of the crop in Class 1 and have a stud running back in Tyler Fallert who will more than likely carry them to the title game. But, I think the real upset will be Chaffee taking down Thayer in the semifinals. Chaffee sacrificed a perfect regular season for a deep run in the district tournament by sitting starting quarterback Peyton Montgomery against Charleston last week. I think that move pays off. Until they get to Valle...

Class 2, District 1

Championship: Caruthersville v. Charleston

Winner: Caruthersville

Yeah, that's right I said it. And so has everyone else...

Again, I took the upset in the semifinal round. Charleston over Malden. If, and that's a big IF, the Bluejays dispel their recent bad habit of slowing down in the second half and continue to showcase their vast amount of playmakers, I'll go as far as to say that Charleston has a slight chance to knock off Caruthersville in the title game. They showed they can at least play with the nine-time defending district champs earlier this year. But not so fast Caruthersville fans. I still think that Monroe-Grissom & Co. own this district. How far will the Tigers make it Class 2 is the real question.

Class 3, District 1

Championship: Park Hills v. Ste. Genevieve

Winner: Park Hills

I'll be honest, I haven't seen either team play and my prediction is strictly based on what I've read, heard and schedule. With my abundance of knowledge on display, I'm taking Park Hills. Why? They beat Ste. Gen already. See my stone-cold logic there? Although, it was a close 17-14 game, the championship game will be on Rebels territory. Always an advantage when you have little to no clue about what you're talking about...

Class 4, District 1

Championship: Cape Central v. Hillsboro

Winner: Cape Central

After losing four of their first five, Cape Central has been on a tear of late. The Tigers enter the district tournament riding a four-game win streak including a thrilling OT win over Chaminade and putting up 62 against Festus. Scoring points in bunches like they have been, basically all season, will never hurt you during a postseason run. Allowing bunches of points like they have been, basically all season however, will. As good offensively as they have been (305 points, 33.9 ppg, 44.5 ppg in their last four games), Cape Central's defense is much to be desired (299 points, 33.2 ppg). If Hillsboro, whose scored 403 points for a 44.8 clip, and Cape Central meet it could be a record-setting day for offenses and a day off for defensive coordinators.

Class 4, District 1

Championship: Vianney v. Jackson

Winner: Vianney

All of us SEMO'ians hope for a Jackson win this time around, but I think a closer-than 52-27 loss is all I can expect. You can't discredit the caliber of schedule the Indians have played this season but they've lost two close contests against Hickman and Francis Howell Central the last two weeks as they've struggled to close out games. We'll see if the long layoff due to their first round bye gives them a chance to rest and recover, but I see another Vianney win in the making.

There you have it folks. I hope you all stay dry tonight as you take in the first round. Hopefully the rain moves on before kickoff and sideline reporters can do their job without the wet stuff drenching them...

Safe travels for all and good luck to all of our local teams.