High school football picks: Week 1

Local and area games
— Fort Gibson at Tahlequah: This game last year was one-sided for nearly three quarters. Fort Gibson, behind running back Jake Gandra, beat up Tahlequah, 30-10. Gandra is back, but THS seems determined to be better than its 2-8 record last year. This game will be won in the trenches. My pick: Tahlequah 21, Fort Gibson 16.

— Okemah at Sequoyah: Sequoyah has weapons everywhere on offense, but the Indians fall in love too much with the deep ball, which they complete about 30 percent of the time (seems like). Still like Sequoyah, though. My pick: Sequoyah 30, Okemah 20.

— Keys at Eufaula: Keys coach Gary Willis mentioned Eufaula's injuries that led to the Ironheads revamping their offense. The only thing keeping the Cougars from winning this game is if they're more focused on playing Vian in Week 2. My pick: Keys 29, Eufaula 14.

— Yale at Hulbert: These two teams combined to go 1-19 in 2010. Hulbert seems to be going in the right direction under new coach Mitchell Crittenden, but I don't if the Riders are there yet. My pick: Yale 17, Hulbert 10.

— Muskogee at Sand Springs: A lot of people have loved what they've seen from Muskogee to this point. Josh Blankenship might have one of the best athletes in the state at wide reciever (Victor Williams).  My pick: Muskogee 30, Sand Springs 27.

— Wagoner at Coweta: How will Wagoner fare without last year's QB Prince McJunkins? They'll be OK in 4A, but not in Week 1. My pick: Coweta 22, Wagoner 19.

— Hilldale at Pryor: I like Hilldale among the 4A ranks this year. Hornets always seem to have good talent at key spots. My pick: Hilldale 28, Pryor 13.


Other top games around the state
— Jenks at Bixby: For years, this matchup was one-sided in Jenks' favor. Oh wait, it's still that way. My pick: Jenks 42, Bixby 20.

— Evangel, La. at Union: Not sure how the Kendal Davis eligibility trial affects the Redskins. Even if it has, Union still has Kendall Holmes at tailback. My pick: Union 30, Evangel 27.

— Lawton at Lawton Eisenhower: As always, Lawton a team to reckoned with in Class 6A. My pick: Lawton 24, Ike 17.

— Owasso at Broken Arrow: Everyone seems so sure that BA will win its season opener. But I'm not so convinced with Keon Hatcher and Kason Key leading the Rams on offense. My pick: Owasso 27, BA 24.

— Ponca City at Sapulpa: While working at the Sapulpa paper, I covered this game twice. Both times it came down to the wire. Expect nothing less again this year. My pick: Sapulpa 25, Ponca City 20.

— Carl Albert at Booker T. Washington: BTW, after losing a wealth of talent from last year's team, will likely retool for another deep playoff run this season. But Week 1 could be shaky against the Titans. My pick: Carl Albert 20, Booker T. 12.

— Miami at Grove: A lot question marks surround both teams. My pick: Grove 14, Miami 10.

— Skiatook at Catoosa: Like Hilldale, I like Catoosa in 4A. Indians always end up plenty of talent and strength on both lines. My pick: Catoosa 24, Skiatook 13.

— OKC Douglass at Desoto, Texas (Monday): Oklahoma's reigning champ in 4A takes on a Texas powerhouse. Should be good. My pick: Desoto 23, Douglass 20.

— Caddo at Kiefer: Loved covering Kiefer and coach Josh Calvert's club while I was in Sapulpa. The Trojans continue to get better every year. My pick: Kiefer 30, Caddo 24.

— Berryhill at Glenpool: Regardless of the season, Glenpool is always a force. My pick:

— Ringling at Davis: Davis is a perennial power in 2A. Ringling, despite being in A, should be able to hold its own. My pick: Davis 30, Ringling 20.

— Bethany at Blanchard: Bethany is a sleeper in 3A. My pick: Bethany 27, Blanchard 9.