I’m a bit surly so I’ll keep the intro short this week. I lost to a girl last week in Fantasy Football. And it wasn’t just one of those games where you lose, it was one of those where you’re computer starts smoking because the other team is scoring so many points your 1980s era laptop can’t keep up. It was one of those type of losses where you consider retiring to a hallway closet with a box of Ho Hos and crying while it’s happening. It was the type of defeat where friends aren’t even busting you out about losing because they fear for your own personal well being.

So, here are your picks:

Jeff-New Albany

It just hasn’t been a lot of fun for New Albany so far.

Six games, six losses. The Dogs have been defeated by a rival (Providence), two sectional foes (Castle, Bedford North Lawrence), a powerhouse (Columbus East) and two teams that they have owned for nearly an entire decade (Jennings County, Madison).

And now comes Jeffersonville — which qualifies as not only a rival, but a team on a tear.

The Red Devils have won three straight since a 1-2 start and its defense has allowed just two touchdowns in that stretch (Providence’s second touchdown during its 19-14 loss to the Devils last week was a defensive score).

And Jeff hasn’t beaten bad foes during this stretch either. One win came against then-unbeaten Floyd Central, one came against an improved Madison team, and Providence.

Two of those squads already own wins over the Bulldogs.

Don’t expect a blowout (Jeff’s offense may not have the firepower to light up the scoreboard). But, don’t expect a Jeff loss either.

Jeffersonville 19, New Albany 7



Charlestown-Salem

As part of my rigorous training regimen when it comes to making football picks, I am now officially trained to never pick against Charlestown ever again.

I knew better than to pick against the Pirates last week, but Corydon played temptress.

I got caught looking at another girl when I knew the best looking one was sitting right there.

As punishment, I’ve been writing, “I will never pick against the Pirates again,” in cursive on a blackboard in my sister’s classroom at Jonathan Jennings Elementary School since Saturday morning.

Charlestown 13, Salem 7



Floyd Central-Bedford North Lawrence

Things may get easier this week for the Highlanders, but not by much.

Sure, the Stars aren’t considered by pollsters as being as good as last week’s foe, Columbus East.

But Bedford is still sitting pretty right now at 5-1 on the year and actually does control its own destiny in the race for the Hoosier Hills Conference.

Floyd hasn’t passed its first two big-challenge tests — falling against Jeff and East the past two week.

Floyd needs this game to regain momentum in a season that started with great promise.

These two teams look a lot alike, other than Bedford’s one win over Jeff, while Floyd suffered a loss against the Devils.

I’m going to pick the bounce back and take the Highlanders.

Floyd Central 22, Bedford 17



Clarksville-Brownstown

If there was a team of the week award for one week, my vote likely would have gone to the Generals.

Grab a preseason roster from the 2009 football preview and line it up next to a current General roster. You’ll notice some names missing.

At least nine players from Clarksville’s opening-day roster are gone, for a variety of reasons that really don’t merit discussion.

It would have been easy to look at Clarksville and say their season is done. Most people probably thought that and few would have seen a victory by winless North Harrison last Friday as much of a surprise.

But the team banded together behind senior quarterback Drew Farney and found a way to win — and win convincingly.

It’s going to take another inspired effort to win this week. The Generals are on the road against Brownstown.

Despite the Braves’ 3-3 record, they still sit 3-1 at home. On the other hand, the Generals have surrendered at least 39 points in three road losses on the year.

Brownstown 35, Clarksville 8



Providence-Evansville Bosse

Historically, the trip to Evansville has been difficult, but Providence stands a good chance of victory this week as Bosse enters play with a 1-5 mark (including an 0-5 record against Indiana teams).

Providence has yet to go streaking this season. No win has been followed by another victory, no loss has been followed by another loss. Using that logic, it’s time to see Providence win again this week.

Providence 24, Evansville Bosse 13