Friday Night Preview: Zero Week

Well, it's finally here. As I said in my column in Thursday's Herald-Press, Friday nights are once again Friday nights.

With the return of football also brings the return of our Friday Night Preview blog post, where I'll break down each local game and give what I think will be the final score. I haven't taken the time to tally last year's totals, so I don't know how I did, but feel free to leave your thoughts down in the comment section.

So, without further adieu, here we go:

PALESTINE (0-0, 2-8 in 2010) at Brownsboro (0-0, 6-5 in 2010)
Brownsboro made the playoffs last season, the third-place team in its five team district. Palestine, obviously, did not.
Both teams could point to last year's opener as a catalyst for things to come. As a refresher, Brownsboro won that game 20-14, with Palestine quarterback Kenny Green having his last second pass to the end zone intercepted. From there, Brownsboro went 5-4 in the regular season, while Palestine went 2-7.
But, 2011 brings a new year and new blood. Brownsboro has a new coach and the task of replacing both their starting quarterback and No. 1 wide receiver from a year ago, while Palestine brings a whole new look to the table.
Both teams run the same offense, which is built on speed and tempo, so things should move pretty fast on the Bear Stadium turf tonight.
My Pick: Palestine 27, Brownsboro 19

Chapel Hill (0-0, 13-2 in 2010) at WESTWOOD (0-0, 0-10 in 2010)
The "on paper" mismatches don't come much bigger than this one, with Associated Press preseason No. 1 and 2010 state runner-up Chapel Hill coming into Palestine to take on Westwood, a team that didn't win a game in 2010.
Chapel Hill returns many of their key players from last year's juggernaut, and all have the intention of returning to the state title game, and winning it this year. The Bulldogs opened 2010 with a 50-10 victory over the Panthers last season.
For Westwood, 2011 is about rebuilding an identity for the Panther program, and an upset signature win would do just that.
Unfortunately, I don't think the Panthers are there just yet.
My Pick: Chapel Hill 47, Westwood 13

Leon (0-0, 6-5 in 2010) at ELKHART (0-0, 4-6 in 2010)
The Elkhart football program began what it hopes was a steady climb back into contention in 2010, winning four games — more than in the last three seasons combined.
The Elks opened 2010 with a loss to Leon, and to continue their momentum from 2010, EHS coach John Adair wants his team to flip that result in 2011. He said he feels a first game W would go along way.
Gone from Elkhart is QB Lane Grant, who accounted for more than 70 percent of the Elks offense last season. In his place the Elks have instituted a new offensive scheme, complete with a stable of weapons that are fast enough to break away at any time.
Adair wants a fast start, odds are I think he'll get it at Elk Field.
My Pick: Elkhart 27, Leon 21

White Oak (0-0, 5-6 in 2010) at FRANKSTON (0-0, 8-4 in 2010)
With the playmakers the Frankston Indians have on offense, they could no doubt light up scoreboards all season long.
Unfortunately, they may not their own this weekend, because the scoreboard at Jeff and Opal Austin Stadium got struck by lightning this week.
All kidding aside, the FHS offense won't be a problem with RB Treston Coleman and QB Michael Warren leading the way.
The question is how a Frankston defense that lost eight starters from 2010 will be able to stop people.
Tonight it might not matter, with White Oak having lost some talent in 2011.
My Pick: Frankston 48, White Oak 27

CAYUGA (0-0, 9-3 in 2010) at Overton (0-0, 2-8 in 2010)
Even having lost more talent to Division I schools than some are Class 3A and 4A squads last season, the Cayuga football team still made it two rounds deep into the playoffs.
To get back, they'll have to deal with more lost talent and a new offensive scheme, both of which shouldn't be too difficult thanks to QB Jake Nash and RB D'onte Jackson returning to the backfield.
As far as openers go, this one should be pretty pedestrian for the Wildcats.
My Pick: Cayuga 31, Overton 9

GRAPELAND (0-0, 3-7 in 2010) at Centerville (0-0, 2-8 in 2010)
Both squads taking the field in Centerville tonight are looking to start bounce-back seasons after finishing a combined 5-15 in 2010.
Grapeland won this game in 2010, but even GHS coach Jerry Richards admits Centerville is a better team than they were last year, and the Sandies lost big pieces to their offense like Reshawd Shepherd (graduation) and Donte Brown (transferred to Palestine).
Even still, the Sandies should've been better than 3-7 in 2010, and should be in 2011 as well.
My Pick: Grapeland 20, Centerville 14

OAKWOOD (0-0, 9-3 in 2010) vs. Watauga Harvest (0-0, 6-5 in 2010)
The Oakwood Panthers don't look much like the team that captured the schools first-ever six-man district title in 2010. Gone are seven big-time players to graduation.
But, Oakwood returns quarterback Travis Eldridge and playmaker Damiyne Durham, along with loads of speed, which in six-man football is king.
Because of that, Oakwood should still win plenty of games.
My Pick: Oakwood 54, Watauga Harvest 27

That'll