We’re coming down the stretch of high school football’s regular season. It’s Week 8, which means there is only two more football Friday nights after this one before the postseason begins.

Just like our area teams, I want to finish the regular season strong, and if last week is any indication, I’m beginning to peak for the playoffs.

I posted a perfect week picking last week, going 6-0 to improve my overall record to 38-6 this season. And that was even being a little under the weather.

It was my third perfect week of the season, but I haven’t posted back-to-back perfect weeks so far … yet. That’s my motivation for this week. So let’s see if I can do just that.

Gaylesville (4-4, 2-3) at Woodville (0-7, 0-4)

Following last week’s loss at Cedar Bluff, the Trojans are still mathematically alive for the playoffs, but they face a must-win situation this week and need some help.

The playoffs aren’t the only thing on the line for the Trojans. They can still finish the season with a winning record with a win this week and a victory in their season finale against Alabama School for the Deaf on Oct. 29. It would be their first winning season since 2013.

I look for those two things to be enough motivation for the Trojans to come out with a victory at Woodville.

The pick: Gaylesville.

Appalachian (0-6, 0-4) at Cedar Bluff (4-3, 4-0)

While things are complicated for Gaylesville concerning the playoffs, it’s quite the opposite for Cedar Bluff. The Tigers are in the driver’s seat to win their first region championship since 2017, and they’re facing a team which has yet to pick up a win this season.

Look for Cedar Bluff to take another step toward a region title with a big win over Appalachian.

The pick: Cedar Bluff.

Collinsville (2-5, 1-3) at Asbury (2-5, 1-3)

These two teams are playing for pride the rest of the way.

Asbury ended its five-game skid last week with a win over Brindlee Mountain. Meanwhile, the Panthers have lost three in a row and have struggled offensively. They haven’t scored more than a touchdown in each of those games during that skid.

I look for the Panthers to come out of the gate strong, put their recent losses behind them, and improve their record to 6-0 all-time against Asbury.

The pick: Collinsville.

Piedmont (6-1, 4-1) at Hokes Bluff (3-4, 3-2)

The Bulldogs find themselves in the three-way tie atop Class 3A, Region 5 with Ohatchee and Saks, so winning this week at rival Hokes Bluff is a must for Piedmont to keep its hopes for winning another region title alive. Here’s thinking they do just that.

The pick: Piedmont.

Cleburne County (4-3, 2-2) at Cherokee County (5-2, 3-1)

Even with last week’s loss at top-ranked Handley, the Warriors still find themselves in good shape to host a playoff game. But they’ve got to get back in the win column against Cleburne County to keep those hopes alive.

I look for Damien Ramsey, Cade Hopper and company to help the Warriors rebound and post their fourth straight win against the Tigers.

The pick: Cherokee County.

Spring Garden (7-0, 5-0) at Sand Rock (6-1, 4-1)

In all my years of covering high school football, I can’t recall seeing two teams take such interesting paths to success in the same season, particularly in the same region.

A couple of weeks ago, the Panthers picked up a forfeit win from Cleveland, which pushed them to the top of the Class 2A, Region 6 standings, where they’ve stayed with backup quarterback Chapel Pope following a foot injury to his older brother Chaz.

Sand Rock’s success has also been unorthodox. All six of the Wildcats’ wins have come on the road. Their lone loss has been at home to Southeastern.

Go figure. It wouldn’t surprise me if something else crazy happened in this one.

So who do I give the edge to in this one? I know the Wildcat offense has put up some big numbers behind Ace Ashley and company, but I think Spring Garden’s defense will be up for the challenge.

The pick: Spring Garden.