By Kevin Williamson

Last Week: 6-4

Season Record: 14-5

We now move to week three of the 2010 season, and the teams are starting to show their identities. The opening game jitters have been left in the gridiron grass, so coaches and players are now working feverishly to correct the most obvious mistakes that live action has exposed. After this week we should be able to somewhat – emphasis on somewhat – start projecting who the regional favorites might be.

South Jones at Perry Central: After getting blasted by Purvis in their opener, the Perry Central Bulldogs lost a 13-12 nail-biter to Columbia last week. South Jones, meanwhile, played perennial 2A power Taylorsville close for much of the game, before dropping a 20-3 decision. The Braves have improved, and the Bulldogs don’t have super tailback Nick Griffin this year (he is at MSU), so South Jones will cash in the first of several payback games this fall.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

South Jones – 21

Bulldogs – 7

Laurel at Oak Grove: The Tornadoes have started 0-2 and need something good to happen soon. Maybe “soon” will come next week versus Mendenhall, because a repeat of last year’s hotly contested match-up versus Oak Grove (Laurel lost that one 21-20) is not in the works this season.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Laurel – 14

Oak Grove – 35

Heidelberg at Newton: Mr. Zach Jackson, Heidelberg’s Dandy Dozen selection, told me in the preseason that the Oilers were going to surprise a few teams this year. HHS had a tough summer and preseason with a late coaching search and selection, but they can’t use that excuse forever. It’s time to spring one of those surprises Jackson told me about.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Oilers – 18

Newton – 14

Magee at West Jones: Magee busted St. Andrew’s in the chops last week, 19-7. The Trogans get to feel what a chop-busting feels like this weekend.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Mustangs – 28

Magee – 10

NE Jones at Wayne County (Thursday): The War Eagles could have beaten Meridian last week, if they had not been so careless with the pigskin – they just kept giving Meridian turnover gifts. War Eagles coach Marcus Boyles will get that ironed out in practice this week. NEJ head coach Keith Braddock has more ironing to do: his team will improve over the course of the year but not enough to beat Wayne County this early in his tenure.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

War Eagles – 31

Tigers – 7

HA Rebels at Alpha Christian: The Rebels suffered a huge setback last week when they lost to Newton Academy, 26-14. Alpha, after getting a beat-down from powerful Simpson Academy in Week 1, bounced back to shut out Russell Christian, 26-0, Friday. These teams are evenly matched, so I’m going with the squad holding home-field advantage.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

HA Rebs – 19

Alpha – 21

Sylva Bay at Winston: The Saints should win this game, but for some reason the Patriots always give SBA a hard time. Winston Academy has a 6’3” 220-pound sophomore QB who likes to throw it around. If he doesn’t get some steady pressure, it’s going to be a long night for the visitors. After blowing a 13-0 lead and losing their opener, 20-13, to Leake, the Patriots bounced back and squeaked out a win over 3A Heritage in Week 2. Sylva Bay will have to earn this win, because Winston will not be intimidated by a 1A team, even if it does have a Dandy Dozen on its roster.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Sylva Bay – 27

Winston – 24

Columbia Academy at Wayne Academy: The Jaguars met one MAIS 2A team last week and got their socks beat off. Another MAIS 2A team comes to town this week. Will the results be the same? Nope!

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Jaguars – 37

Columbia – 12

Taylorsville at Collins: Collins lost a last second heart-breaker to Northeast Lauderdale last week on a short field goal. This week the Tigers won’t have to suffer through that again . . . because the Tartars will put them to sleep much sooner.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Tartars – 29

Collins – 13

Stringer at Richton: The Red Devils are 0-2, but they haven’t played that bad in their first two games. They were within one final drive of slipping past Sylva Bay and battled a tough North Forrest team closer than many expected. The Red Devils will gain a little momentum this week by picking up win number one for 2010.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Richton – 14

Stringer – 20

Raleigh at Bay Springs: The Bulldogs let a golden opportunity to snatch a win get away from them last week against Newton. There will be nothing golden about how the Lions treat their hosts this weekend.

Kevin’s Pick . . .

Bulldogs – 6

Raleigh – 40