Common Sense says the prep football picks are going to be smarter now that Rotisserie baseball season is over.
Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders mixed football and baseball pretty well, but the guy who handles the Common Sense column isn’t quite as talented as those guys.
It’s been tough to concentrate on picks, as I’ve had to budget time to scream at Jeff Francouer to stroke his weekly single or Bobby Jenks to get his monthly save.
I’ve done everything in my power since July to get that Cub flub Kosuke Fukudome on the next plane back to Japan. And don’t get me started on the aptly named Nick Swisher or the even more aptly named Adam Dunn.
Other than worrying about Roto baseball, the only excuse I have to offer for so many erroneous pigskin picks is the sun has been in my eyes for six solid weeks.
Actually, some picks are just too hot to handle. South Rowan at Carson, for instance.
It’s the most anticipated game this season ó at least until Nov. 7 when Mooresville goes to West Rowan and A.L. Brown visits Concord.
South needs it bad. Carson wants it bad.
A lot depends on South’s mental health. How do you recover from the once-in-a-blue-moon game they lost last week?
No idea.
Carson quarterback Ryan Jones said hello and shook hands Tuesday at Gary’s Barbecue where he works, and I haven’t come across anyone more resilient.
When he was 9, he was diagnosed with the most severe form of diabetes. The average person hears that and figure athletics are over.
Jones and his family didn’t give up.
Jones said he wanted people to know he’s dealing with a serious disease that is treatable, but incurable, and he has for a long time. Not so people will feel sorry for him, but so they can draw a little hope from what he’s accomplished.
“Too many people I know that have diabetes gave up and sit around on the couch and get bigger and bigger,” he said. “I figured if people know about me, then they’ll realize, ‘Hey, my life’s not over just because I’ve got this.’ ”
Being 0-22 obviously wasn’t the toughest thing Jones has ever overcome, and as a senior he’s helped Carson kick a few butts.
He pulled out Saturday’s game with late passes to Daniel Yates and Travis Hayes, and when Carson needed someone to kick PATs in a pinch, well, he did that too.
An hour before I ran into Jones, South quarterback Blake Houston climbed the bleachers at a volleyball game to shake hands and say hello.
Houston, a junior, might be all-county in three sports before he graduates.
Talented guy. Old school.
He didn’t whine about officials, moan about fickle fate or fuss about coaches, he just wanted to say he knew he and his teammates were going to turn things around.
Houston threw four times Friday, and some places he might be throwing 40. No complaints. He just wants to win, and if that means handing off and letting Deandre Harris and the hogs get after it, he’ll do it.
In an increasingly self-centered world Houston’s attitude is pretty cool, and all you can do is hope he gets the baseball scholarship he’s working for.
In the old days, you could cheer silently for a tie, but now there’s overtime, and one bunch of class coaches and good guys is going to be heartbroken when this rivalry game is in the books.
Wish Jones and Houston could both celebrate.
Only one can.
The picks were 11-2 last week, with the misses on Carson’s wild win at Lake Norman and South’s wild loss at home to West Iredell.
Two homecoming parties spoiled. Not that we minded Carson winning a whale of a game.
The season record is 32-12. The picks:
S. Rowan 20, Carson 16The offensive numbers are dead even. South’s defense has been stingier.
W. Rowan 28, W. Iredell 14
West Rowan has won 29 of its last 30 NPC games.
Falcon coaches probably mentioned a time or two this week that the lone loss in that impressive stretch was to West Iredell in 2007.
The Falcons will get revenge and their 20th straight NPC road win.
L. Norman 24, E. Rowan 13Lake Norman beat West Iredell. East didn’t.
Salisbury 42, E. Davidson 7History says it will be close, but this year’s stats say it’ll be over faster than you can say Romar Morris.
W. Davidson 20, N. Rowan 8Green Dragons could get their first win in Spencer.
Page 28, Davie 24
Just a hunch. Shootout.
A.L. Brown 31, Parkwood 15 Parkwood always dares the Wonders to throw it.
Career games for Jamill Lott and T.J. Johnson.
Mooresville 28, NW Cabarrus 7Mooresville’s Jjshaun Pinkston has rushed for 1,000 yards and owns 16 TDs. Plus, this is a payback game for the guys in blue.
NPC: Statesville 24, N. Iredell 7
CCC: Lexington 27, Ledford 14; Providence Grove 20, C. Davidson 12
SPC: Anson 35, Hickory Ridge 20; Sun Valley 31, Porter Ridge 13; Marvin Ridge 27, Piedmont 7