First, I cannot go forward with out saying what a great game it was at Memorial Stadium between Butler and Independence! While there may have been more drama throughout the game if the teams had traded touchdowns on the way to double overtime, but never mind that. The Patriots rallied from 21 down, just like against Providence last year to extend their winning streak to 103 games.

Now getting back to the playoffs, and my picks and some match-ups to look forward to - if I’m right! (I have to state for the record, I’m generally a sucker for schools I like or for teams with a better record or seed so I’m about as bad at picking brackets as a person can be.) Let’s start with the 4AA bracket where I predict Independence will roll to their 7th consecutive title, but the road will not be without plenty of drama. Butler opens up with a tough test against always prepared Scotland County, but the Bulldogs will advance all the way to the quarterfinals where I see an upset coming at the hands of Providence, who will also give Independence a serious run for their money in the semifinals. North Meck will also enjoy a good run but won’t get out of the quarterfinals where they will lose to the Patriots.

In the 4A bracket I see the Crest Chargers rolling all the way, but a very tough test awaits them in the second round against West Charlotte.

There are a lot of great possible games in the 3AA bracket if my picks pan out. The class of this field again will be the Charlotte Catholic Cougars but they will have their hands full against Kannapolis in the second round, and Olympic in the third round.

In the 3A bracket, I already said I’m a sucker for the sentimental pick but I like what the Concord Spiders are doing right now and I think head coach EZ Smith is primed for a second State Championship. Their biggest hurdle will be in the semifinals against a surging Hunter Huss team.

The undefeated Shelby Golden Lions will remain so and win the 2AA championship and Maiden will take it in the 2A bracket. I like Thomasville in the 1AA, and I give the nod to 10 and 0 Cherokee in the 1A.

In the end who knows if I’m right or wrong about the picks, but what I do know is we are going to have some great games to watch over the coming weeks and we’ll be there with you every step of the way. We’ll blow it up on Friday Night Blitz throughout the playoffs, as we do each and every Friday night. They call it March Madness, what do you think about November Nuttiness? If you have a better name, let me know!

See you on the Blitz!

Ira