With each passing week in high school football, the picking gets tougher. That’s because games mean more in the playoffs.

It’s a win-or-go-home scenario, and teams want to keep playing at least one more week. Anything can happen, just ask the Spring Garden Panthers and the Sand Rock Wildcats.

Last week, Spring Garden won its first-ever playoff game with a 42-14 win at Ragland. While the folks in the Garden are jubilant, the same can’t be said for those at the Rock. Lineville ended the Wildcats’ hopes of a state championship with a 20-17 win to advance to this week’s second round.

Like I said, anything can happen.

As for yours truly, I went 9-2 last week in my picks and I’m now 103-19 for the year. What’s in store for this week? Keep reading.

Spring Garden (9-2) at Gaston (9-2): While last week’s win by the Panthers was monumental, a win at Gaston would be indescribable.

This one is a rematch from Week 4, where the Bulldogs bullied Spring Garden behind the running of talented tailback Demont Buice in a 28-3 win. The thing the Panthers have going for them is the revenge factor. It’s awful hard to beat a team twice in one season.

While I think this one will be much closer, I still can’t see Spring Garden beating Gaston. I look for Buice to find running a lot tougher this go-around, but in the end Gaston will prevail … Gaston 27, Spring Garden 21.

Cedar Bluff (9-2) at Appalachian (9-2): The Tigers were impressive in their 42-7 opening round win over Victory Christian.

Their defense shut down the Lions’ spread offense, while the offense welcomed Skylar Boswell back to the lineup. Boswell rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown in the win over Victory.

With seemingly everything clicking on all cylinders, I think the Tigers are primed for a deep run in the playoffs. Watch out, Appalachian. The Tiger express is rolling past you … Cedar Bluff 35, Appalachian 14.

Piedmont (9-2) at Susan Moore (9-3): Piedmont quarterback Chase Childers has developed into a leader, much like most of the quarterbacks Steve Smith has coached in his career.

One week after being honored by the Alabama Sportswriters Association for a 6-touchdown performance against Woodland, Childers provided a 228 yard, 2-touchdown outing against Sardis. He also added 143 yards on the ground.

Slowing Childers down is a must for Susan Moore, but the problem there is if it succeeds, then other weapons will step up for Piedmont. I just see that being too tough a task for Susan Moore to handle … Piedmont 33, Susan Moore 16.

Fayette County (9-2) at Cherokee County (11-0): Cherokee County coach Tripp Curry and his staff don’t mess around.

Just minutes after their 30-15 victory over West Point, the coaches were in the film room breaking down the tape.

While the tape showed an impressive defensive performance, one thing Curry was displeased with was the way the Warriors missed several key blocks on offense last Friday. I look for Curry and crew to get that corrected against Fayette County, and the Warrior offense to return to the form we’ve come to expect these days … Cherokee County 38, Fayette County 21.

College Football

Troy at LSU: One of the worst possible things happened to Troy last week. Sure, the Trojans managed to defeat Western Kentucky 17-7. But this week’s opponent (LSU) suffered a heartbreaking loss to top-ranked Alabama in overtime.

I look for the Bayou Bengals to take out their frustration on the Trojans … LSU 35, Troy 16.

Tennessee State at Jacksonville State: Maybe we all wrote the Gamecocks off a little early.

Following a 41-17 thrashing of Tennessee Tech, JSU finds itself just a half game behind Ohio Valley Conference leaders UT-Martin, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State in the race for the conference championship.

Saying this is a must-win for the Gamecocks’ Division I-AA playoff chances is an understatement. Will they be up for the challenge? I think so … JSU 28, Tennessee State 24.

Georgia at Auburn: What once looked like a game of significance before the season began has been reduced to just bragging rights.

The Tigers are struggling these days. They let last week’s opponent, UT-Martin, hang around for the better part of three quarters before putting the Skyhawks away late, 37-20.

Meanwhile, Georgia has fallen off a bit after being ranked No. 1 in the preseason. Teams are finding chinks in the Bulldogs’ armor, but Georgia has still only lost two games and is 4-0 on the road. Make that 5-0 … Georgia 32, Auburn 17.

Mississippi State at Alabama: Last week’s win over LSU clinched the SEC West for the Tide, but there’s still a lot to play for.

Don’t expect the Tide to overlook the Bulldogs. They may just practice extra hard this week to get revenge for last year’s embarrassing loss in Starkville. I look for another big game from freshman receiver Julio Jones and for the Tide offense to crank it up a notch … Alabama 42, Mississippi State 21.

Bonus College Pick

South Carolina at Florida: Like Alabama, Florida still has a lot to play for. The SEC East champions still have an outside shot at another national title, but the Gators have to keep winning and need some help.

Wouldn’t former coach Steve Spurrier like to dash those hopes? Hey, it could very well happen.

The Gamecocks are playing good football right now. They’re 7-3 following a 34-21 win over Arkansas.

I look for Spurrier to pull out all the stops, but I still see the Gators coming out on top … Florida 36, South Carolina 27.