How are guru's picks looking?

By MURPHY FAIR/ Prep Guru

Most teams across the state have passed the midpoint of the regular season, so I thought it would be a good time to take a look at my preseason predictions that I listed in early June. I wondered how my teams were holding up in late September.

These predictions have been a regular feature of my preseason for more than 20 years. Compiling a list of favorites is one of the last things I do before taking the magazine to the printer. I generally hit on about 65-70 percent of the teams that ultimately qualify for the BlueCross Bowl weekend.

With all that said, let's look at my 2013 picks and see how they're doing.

6A - My picks in the state's largest classification were Independence, Maryville, Oakland, Sevier County and Whitehaven. Collectively, these five teams are 21-2. Independence lost to Beech a couple of weeks ago and Ravenwood last Friday.

5A - In 5A, I picked Beech, Cleveland, Henry County, Knoxville West and Ridgeway. My batting average may not be as high as it was in 6A but I still like my chances here. These five teams are 18-5. Beech's loss came to Henry County, Cleveland lost to McCallie, Knoxville West lost to Maryville and Ridgeway's two setbacks were to Henry County and Olive Branch, MS. Henry County has obviously played a very demanding schedule.

4A - My 4A picks include Crockett County, Fulton, Giles County, Greeneville and Knoxville Catholic. Add up their records and you get an impressive 20-3 mark. Crockett County lost an early season battle to Milan and to Dyersburg last week. Giles County dropped one to C.P.A. a couple of Fridays ago. 

3A - Alcoa, C.A.K., C.P.A., Camden and Milan were my 3A teams. I probably could have done much better here but as a whole, I think 3A football in Tennessee is down somewhat this year. These five teams are a collective 13-11. Despite the losses, I still think C.P.A. will be playing in December, probably against Alcoa.

2A - In 2A, I went with Adamsville, Boyd Buchanan, Goodpasture, Knoxville Grace and Mitchell. After Week 4, they stand at 14-10. Most of the losses have come to teams in higher classifications. 

1A - Teams I picked in 1A include Coalfield, Dresden, Humboldt, Moore County and South Pittsburg. Their records collectively total 17-7. South Pittsburg will likely play Humboldt for the 1A title.

Division II-AA - Here, I picked Brentwood Academy, Ensworth and M.U.S. They're a combined 9-5. Look for Ensworth to get a fourth straight state title trophy, regardless of what team the Tigers face in Cookeville. It's looking more and more like it might be the Big Red of M.B.A. who beat Brentwood Academy in overtime last week.

Division II-A - I went with E.C.S., Friendship Christian and Webb in this class. The three combine for a 9-4 record. I think E.C.S. will likely face Webb in the championship game.

Murphy Fair has published TENNESSEE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL for more than 25 years. His statewide syndicated radio show (Murphy's Matchups) can be heard locally on