High School Football Prediction: Who Will be No. 1?

Every week, I pick high school football games that are played in Patch coverage areas from Cumming to Stone Mountain.

Check out this week's predictions, then let us know how you think your team will fare in the comment box below ... if you dare.

Last week’s best picks: Peachtree Ridge 28, Collins Hill 24 (actual score, Peachtree Ridge 28, Collins Hill 27); Parkview 21, Central Gwinnett 14 (actual score, Parkview 22, Central Gwinnett 15).

Last week’s worst picks: Shiloh 17, Archer 14 (actual score, Archer 35, Shiloh 0); Lambert 21, Johns Creek 20 (actual score, Johns Creek 23, Lambert 0).

Last week's record: 17-6-1. Overall record: 124-36-1.

Grayson at : These Grayson Rams may be undefeated and nationally ranked, but they only get to play 11 players at a time. And they have to play in the Big Orange Jungle, Parkview’s home field in Lilburn. No doubt, Parkview coaches have been telling the Panthers not to think of the Rams as something more than this week’s opponent and concentrate on the fundamentals each time the ball is snapped. Do your job, they might tell every player, and good things can happen.

The winner of this game will grab sole possession of first place in Region 8-AAAAA. Parkview, winners of four in a row, is 4-2 overall, 4-0 in the region. Grayson is 6-0, 4-0 and hasn’t been challenged in a month and a half. Parkview will have its hands full, for sure, with Grayson’s balanced offense and tenacious defense. But the Panthers do have two things that make them able to pull off an upset. The Panthers play well defensively and are tough to beat at home, especially in big games. It’s difficult to pick against the Rams, but Parkview will make a game of it. Grayson 20, Parkview 16.

Berkmar is idle this week.

Scott Bernarde is the Associate Regional Editor for 12 Patch sites in Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

COMING FRIDAY: Who's the Best? Take our poll to tell us which team you think is the area's best. ... Friday Night Scoreboard: All the scores you want, updated as they're reported to Patch.