Prep predictions

By Wes Holtsclaw

  Elizabethton, Unaka and Johnson County begin their football seasons this week along with the majority of the state.
  Here are my predictions and ramblings of the upcoming week.
  Science Hill at Elizabethton -- The Cyclones begin a tough three-game home stretch to open their season with big rival Science Hill.
  'Betsy hopes to prove several of its doubters wrong against the Hilltoppers, but still have some unanswered questions at skill positions.
  I look for the team's quarterback race to keep heating up after this Friday's game, going into next week's encounter with Tennessee High.
  Elizabethton will battle hard, but Science Hill has a little too much talent this season. 'TOPPERS 21-12
  Happy Valley at Unicoi County -- After they took it easy on North Greene last Friday, the Warriors will undoubtedly play their best ball against one of their biggest rivals.
  Former assistant coach Drew Pettit is now at the helm of the Blue Devils. I see his Coach Stan Ogg and his former team giving him a tough welcome to the Erwin sidelines. WARRIORS 42-14
  Hurley, VA at Unaka -- Football will be the big surprise on Stoney Creek this fall. The early word is that the Rangers are the favorite to win the Mountain East Conference.
  Only time will tell, but first Unaka must conquor the Hurley Rebels. The Rebels must endure the tough ride to Unaka, where the Rangers will crank up their first win of the season. RANGERS 32-6
  Cloudland at Sullivan East -- According to a writer from a Bristol-area paper, the Patriots are looking for revenge against the 'Landers.
  I expect a tough, no-quit effort from Cloudland, but Matt Eads will be too much through the air. PATRIOTS 30-8
  Johnson County at West Greene -- The Buffaloes are hoping to bounce back from a 40-0 whipping at the hands of the Cherokee Chiefs.
  It will be hard against a solid group of Longhorn juniors, who will get their season going with lots of points. 'HORNS 42-18
  OTHER AREA/STATEWIDE PICKS
  Maryville 38, Alcoa 9
  Anderson County 18, Greeneville 17
  Tennessee High 30, Cherokee 12
  Volunteer 14, Daniel Boone 13
  David Crockett 18, South Greene 15
  Knox Catholic 33, Gatlinburg-Pittman 16
  Dobyns-Bennett 48, Sullivan South 14
  Pigeon Forge 24, Greenback 21
  Riverdale 60, CPA 7
  Goodpasture 24, Ezell-Harding 6
  Lincoln County 44, Blackman 31
  Brentwood Academy 53, Oakland 21
  Overton 14, ECS 7
  Williamsburg, KY 36, Jellico 7
  Avery County, NC 28, Ashe County, NC 6