Let’s face it. The last couple of weeks have been easy pickins for the most part.

And while it may have been easy to pick a winner, that doesn’t mean there was any shortage of drama. Three performances from last week come to mind.

One is from the game I covered, Hokes Bluff at Cherokee County. Everyone who follows the Warriors know how much speed they have, but senior D.J. Fife took things to another level last week. He led the Warriors with 152 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns – including a dazzling 76-yarder – on just eight carries. He also caught three passes for 87 yards and had a 43-yard touchdown reception.

But the one stat I’d like to have known was how many times Fife made an Eagle tackler miss. He’s as elusive a player as I’ve seen, and I’ve been covering high school football for 12 years.

Another big-time performer from last week was Sand Rock’s Brannon Burt. Burt hauled in the game-winning 47-yard touchdown catch with one tick left on the clock at West End. When Sand Rock coach Russell Jacoway said he’s never coached in a game as wild as that one, you know it was something special.

And there’s some drama on defense around these parts, too. Gaylesville freshman nose guard Jon Compton tallied 20 total tackles (7 solo, 13 assists) to lead the Trojan defense to a shutout of Woodville. All seven of Compton’s solo efforts were for losses.

While picking games is fun (especially when I went 10-0 for the second straight week and am now 24-1 overall), it’s performances like those that make covering sports special to me.

Now, let’s see what’s in store for Week 4.

Skyline at Gaylesville: After two tough games to open the season, it was good to see the Trojans cash in their first victory of the season last week in a total domination of Woodville.

If the Trojans can play the smash-mouth football they did last week, they’ll earn another win this week. Here’s thinking they can at home against Skyline … Gaylesville 42, Skyline 16.

Woodville at Collinsville: The past month has been one the Panthers would like to forget. Injuries have led to an 0-3 start, but I think things are about to get better. I look for a month’s worth of frustration to be taken out against Woodville … Collinsville 34, Woodville 6.

Cedar Bluff at Valley Head: The Cedar Bluff express has gotten on track, and it doesn’t look as if it’s going to slow down any time soon.

The Tigers have scored 117 points and haven’t yielded a single point in the last two weeks. Valley Head, however, is no Woodville or Skyline.

I look for a tighter game for the Tigers this week, but I still think they come out on top … Cedar Bluff 33, Valley Head 14.

Gaston at Spring Garden: Spring Garden is certainly not short on motivation this week. The past two times the Panthers have played Gaston they’ve been blowouts, including a 49-15 spanking in the playoffs.

I think Spring Garden will manage to keep things closer in this meeting, but as long as the second-ranked Bulldogs have Demont Buice, the end result will be the same … Gaston 28, Spring Garden 17.

Geraldine at Sand Rock: The Wildcats continue to impress, and they continue finding a way to win.

I’m sure Sand Rock is still pumped from its last-second win over West End, but the Wildcats had better get that game out of their minds. Long-time rival Geraldine awaits.

This game has long been known as a hard-nosed, tough-fought rivalry, and I think this one will continue that trend.

Speaking of hard-nosed and tough, you won’t find a grittier bunch than the guys in the trenches for the Wildcats. I think they help keep Sand Rock unbeaten this week … Sand Rock 26, Geraldine 21.

Piedmont at Tarrant: Christian Cantrell continues to churn out the yards. He rushed for 177 yards on 11 carries and scored a touchdown last week in a shutout win over Weaver.

Tarrant is coming off an upset loss to Glencoe, and you know the Wildcats will be looking to take out revenge on the Bulldogs. However, I just don’t see that happening. Cantrell will lead the Bulldogs to another win … Piedmont 21, Tarrant 16.

Cherokee County at Oneonta: Class 4A, Region 6 supremacy is at stake in this one. Both teams come in at 3-0, and both are ranked in the top 10.

Sixth-ranked Oneonta has two things on its side. One is the revenge factor. The Redskins lost both meetings last year, including a 35-14 thrashing in the third round of the state playoffs. The other thing Oneonta has in its favor is entertaining the Warriors at home.

I don’t think either will matter. Second-ranked Cherokee County is simply playing at another level, and I don’t think it’s going to slow down any time soon … Cherokee County38, Oneonta 21.

College Football

Jacksonville State at Alabama A&M: I must admit I was surprised how tough the Gamecocks played at Florida State last week. They had the game in their grasp, only to let it slip away in a 19-9 defeat.

After a two-week tour of the Atlantic Coast Conference, JSU returns to sweet home Alabama (although not at home) when it faces rival Alabama A&M.

I look for the strong outing JSU showed against the Seminoles to carry over to Saturday, and that will translate into the Gamecocks’ first win of the season … JSU 24, Alabama A&M 14.

North Texas at Alabama: It took a while for the Tide to get in synch against Florida International last week, but by the fourth quarter the game was well in hand.

A similar situation could be in store for Alabama this week, but let’s face it, North Texas just doesn’t have a chance … Alabama 42, North Texas 16.

West Virginia at Auburn: What a difference a year makes.

At this time last year, the Tigers were struggling to score points. After two games under new head coach Gene Chizik, Auburn has almost scored at will, including last week’s 49-24 win over Mississippi State.

Meanwhile, West Virginia has struggled somewhat on defense. The Mountaineers are 2-0, but have given up 20 points in back-to-back weeks to Liberty (33-20) and East Carolina (35-20).

I think Auburn will continue to impress by notching another win … Auburn 34, West Virginia 28.