By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

Week 5 predictions: 10-1. Overall: 31-9.

Welcome back to your source for Shelby County football picks. Over the last two weeks, we’re 20-for-21 and in the middle of a hot streak of historic proportions. Congratulations to Spain Park for getting past Hewitt-Trussville in overtime this past week, we should have made more faith in you, Crosby Gray. If last week was a heat check, then this week is a forest-fire check. If we were any hotter we’d spontaneously combust. Is another undefeated week in the stars for the prediction machine, or will this all turn to ash? There are only six AHSAA games in the county this week, with three being county-vs-county games. Let’s get to it and see what happens.

 

Oak Mountain at Briarwood

The first of three in-county games on the books for this Friday, Oak Mountain and Briarwood bring identical 1-3 records into this contest. Both the Eagles and Lions are coming off their first win of the season, and both need to keep that momentum going this week. A year ago, Oak Mountain handled Briarwood with ease as the Eagles coasted to a 42-12 win. This year, the score will not be so lopsided.

Both of these teams, more than maybe anyone else in the county, have shown flashes of potential, and have put together sequences where both look like playoff contenders. Oak Mountain took Hoover down to the wire, and had the lead in that game in the second half while Briarwood is maybe three plays away from being 3-1 instead of 1-3. But, both have failed to consistently put together full games and have struggled to exhibit the poise necessary to win tight contests.

The Eagles and Lions both seem to be rounding into form on the defensive side of the ball, and will rely heavily on their defenses in this one. But, Oak Mountain has more weapons on offense, and gets the road win. Oak Mountain 17 – Briarwood 7.

 

Chelsea vs. Helena.

This is the most intriguing game of the week. Chelsea, perfect at 4-0 welcomes in Helena, fresh off its first loss of the season at Demopolis. The Hornets have looked unstoppable at times this year behind the play of AJ Jones and Matt Marquet in the backfield while Helena has played well behind a capable and hard-hitting defense. This has the potential to be a trap game for Chelsea, which is no doubt sneaking glances at the schedule, where an upcoming Oct. 2 showdown with 6A No. 4 Opelika is looming. Chris Elmore has to keep his team focused on the task in order to stay perfect. In what has a chance to be the most exciting game of the week, Chelsea stays perfect for another week. Chelsea 31 – Helena 21.

 

Pelham vs. Northridge.

Northridge has scored an average of 36 points in its last three outings, while Pelham has allowed an average of 38.3 in its last three. The Panthers have shown no sign that they are capable of either stopping anyone from putting points on the board or putting any up themselves, and continue their free fall for another week. Northridge 28 – Pelham 10.

 

Calera vs. Shelby County.

Last week, Shelby County and Calera combined for 834 yards of offense. Of that eye-popping total, only 12 came through the air, total. 12! That’s incredible! Behind feature backs Kyle Harrell and Jamarius Mayfield, both the Eagles and Wildcats will run the ball at every turn in this one. While both will turn to the air only in dire circumstances, Calera has more weapons and a deeper talent pool than does Shelby County, and will continue to roll at home. Calera 42 – Shelby County 24.

 

Montevallo at Ashville.

Is it too early to give the 4A state title to Montevallo? Maybe? In head coach Andrew Zow’s first three years at Montevallo he didn’t win five games total, but has won five in a row to start the season in 2015. His Bulldogs have looked good in the process, too, and have won their last four games by an average score of 39-9. This week, the Bulldogs travel to take on Ashville, but we’d take Montevallo over the New England Patriots at this point. We’re riding this dog until it keels over and dies. Montevallo 28 – Ashville 14.

 

Vincent vs. BB Comer.

The Yellow Jackets have had a tough start this season, falling into deep holes in the first half of every single game in 2015 en route to an 0-4 start. It’s tough to have confidence in a team that has only generated 32 points in four games while allowing 162, and against a Comer team that has won two of its last three and seems to be gaining confidence every week, it doesn’t appear that this will be the week Vincent gets in the win column. BB Comer 35 – Vincent 20.