By Gary Thomas

Area teams are gearing up to face off this weekend. Here are my game picks for upcoming games.

Highland Home Flying Squadron vs. Ariton Purple Cats

Coach Justin Bragg and his No. 1 ranked Highland Home Flying Squadron will journey into Dale County to take on the 7-5 Ariton Purple Cats in the third round of the 2A AHSAA playoffs this Friday. 

This week, the man with the plan, quarterback TJ Washington, will return to direct the Flyboys wing-T after a week’s absence. Highland Home is coming off a 42-6 win over the Providence Christian Eagles. Coach Steven Kilcrease’s Purple Cats are coming off a second round upset, 27-7 win over Clarke County. 

The Squadron and the Purple Cats have two common opponents this — Providence Christian and Brantley. The Flyboys won both going away. Ariton lost both. Look for Washington and his teammates to roll Ariton in the 2A semi finals with a big win.

Gooch’s winner pick: Flyboys 49, Ariton 16

Best of the Best 

As football season draws to a close, here is my pick for which teams dominated in each AHSAA class.

1A – Sweet Water over Millry

2A – Cottonwood over Reeltown

3A – TA Miller over Houston Academy

4A – Jackson over Tallassee

5A – Central of Clay County over Vigor

6A – Saraland over Spanish Fort

7A – Carver Montgomery over Enterprise

And, in NCAA action, my picks for Best of the Best are:

* Alabama over Oklahoma

* Auburn over Texas A&M

* Louisiana over Troy

Gary “Gooch” Thomas is a long-time Crenshaw County resident, football fan and freelance writer.