Football fans rejoice. The 2009 season is finally here, and every team’s dream of a state championship is alive and well.

To help get you all ready for the upcoming weeks and months ahead, I hope you’ll check out The Herald’s 2009 Pigskin Preview. It’s conveniently located inside this week’s edition.

Study it well. It may provide all you pigskin prognosticators some insight into picking the games … which brings me to this. I had a pretty good response from you guys in readerland last year in my picks column. It was a lot of fun, so I’ve decided to give it another go-around this season.

Feel free to pick along with me. Keep up with your record from week to week, and let’s see if you can beat this sportswriter at his own game.

Now, on to Week 1.

Coosa Christian at Gaylesville (Thursday): You know, picking Week 1 games is kinda tough. It’s like that Forrest Gump saying ‘Life is like a box of chocolates’ … well, you know the rest.

Last year, I picked Gaylesville to win this contest, but who could have foreseen the injuries the Trojans suffered in that one. It took them past the midway point of the season to get everyone settled into their positions.

Although not quite as hard, the injury bug has bitten the Trojans again, but head coach Brian Clowdis said it’s happened to them early enough that they’ve had a chance to make the necessary adjustments.

While that may be true, I still think it may take a couple of weeks for the Trojans to get into a groove … Coosa Christian 27, Gaylesville 21.

Sand Rock at Cedar Bluff (Thursday): If anyone can relate to Coach Clowdis at Gaylesville, it’s Sand Rock coach Russell Jacoway.

His Wildcats are missing a few of their key contributors, plus they’re breaking in a new quarterback in sophomore Drew Norris. However, Norris does have a veteran line to help give him time to make good decisions. He looked sharp in the Wildcats’ scrimmage against Spring Garden on Friday.

I expect Cedar Bluff’s defense to test Norris. The Tigers return one of this area’s finest defensive backs in junior Tyric Scales. He picked off six passes last season. Cedar Bluff also has a linebacking corps led by senior Jim Nelson.

I see this game being a lot like last year’s, won by the Wildcats in overtime 24-21. And, like that one, I think Sand Rock can manage one more big play to come out with a win … Sand Rock 28, Cedar Bluff 27.

Victory Christian at Collinsville: The Panthers suffered a big blow on Friday after the loss of quarterback Nathan Coker.

Coker was injured in a car accident on Friday (see related story). He is expected to miss the entire season.

Although the Panthers lost Coker, they do have Etowah transfer Justin Irvine to help contribute at fullback and linebacker. I think Irvine makes a big splash in his Collinsville debut, but I think it will take a little time for the Panthers to recover after losing Coker … Victory Christian 21, Collinsville 14.

Spring Garden at Appalachian: Spring Garden had its best season in school history last year, and return a bruiser of a runner in Trey Littlefield.

However, a lot of folks are thinking it may take some time for the Panthers’ new offensive line to come together. Only Casey Steward returns from last season’s group, but I don’t underestimate what head coach Jason Howard can do. He’s coached offensive lines in the past, so he knows what it takes to get his guys prepared.

I think Appalachian will have too much trouble tackling Littlefield, Jake Scott and company … Spring Garden 24, Appalachian 14.

Piedmont at Cherokee County: As Fred Sanford would say, ‘This is the big one, Elizabeth.’

I’ve heard so many people in both communities talk about this one, and why shouldn’t they?

Two top-five ranked teams in their respective classes.

Both teams return a boatload of talent.

Both teams made deep runs in the postseason last year.

Get the picture?

Last year’s game was a classic, as Cherokee County held off a furious fourth-quarter Piedmont rally to claim a 34-32 victory.

Could we be in store for another such game? I think so.

Out of all the games I’ll pick the whole season, I hate picking this one the most. Why? I’m from Piedmont, so there’s a bit of hometown pride there. However, I work in Centre, and the good folks here help pay the bills.

In a game with such standouts as the Warriors’ Coty Blanchard, Caleb Crane and Gabriel Chambers, and the Bulldogs’ Chase Childers, Seth Reedy and Christian Cantrell, I think this one may come down to a special team’s play.

Isaac Jones, I’m looking in your direction. I think a late kick lifts the Warriors over Piedmont … Cherokee County 31, Piedmont 28.