BUCKHANNON — It was a rough week in my sports universe. Buckhannon-Upshur, West Virginia Wesleyan, West Virginia and my Pittsburgh Steelers all took losses. Only one of my teams is above .500. The Bucs haven’t won a playoff game in 25 years, WVU has managed just two bowl victories in the last decade, and the Steelers haven’t won a postseason game since 2016.

Add in the Pirates missing the playoffs yet again and the Penguins burning through the final years of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin without a meaningful run, and you start to wonder whether it’s time to reevaluate some life choices.

At least the reruns never let me down. Happy Days and Three’s Company have delivered more joy than most of my teams lately. Maybe a steady diet of 1970s sitcoms and fewer road trips would cure the sports blues. Probably not.

Still, tradition is tradition. Every year around this time, I make my midseason picks for who will win the high school football championships — and then revisit the column in December to see how wrong I was. So here we go.

CLASS AAAA

My pick: Martinsburg If not them: Morgantown Don’t sleep on: George Washington

Morgantown and Martinsburg meet Friday night in a regular-season showdown that should serve as a playoff preview. The winner gets the inside track. George Washington is quietly rolling at 5–0, and University is lurking as well. That upcoming MoHawk Bowl will carry real weight.

CLASS AAA

My pick: Herbert Hoover If not them: Bridgeport Don’t sleep on: Princeton

Herbert Hoover has separated from the pack and looks like the class of Class AAA. Bridgeport is always in the conversation, and Princeton is waiting to pounce if either slips. Locally, North Marion, Robert C. Byrd and Elkins all have the pieces to make a run.

CLASS AA

My pick: Frankfort If not them: Williamstown Don’t sleep on: Bluefield or Independence

Class AA is a true toss-up. Frankfort, Sissonville and Williamstown remain unbeaten, while Independence and Mingo Central could shake up the bracket. Bluefield and Roane County can’t be counted out either.

CLASS A

My pick: Wahama If not them: East Hardy Don’t sleep on: Wheeling Central

I don’t keep as close an eye on Class A, but Wahama, East Hardy and Meadow Bridge are all unbeaten. Wheeling Central sits at 3–3, yet everyone knows they become a November problem.

Crunch Staff & Friends Leaderboard

Name | Overall | Last Week

Duane | 36–6 | 7–0

Bobbie | 35–7 | 6–1

Corrie | 35–7 | 6–1

Brian | 34–8 | 5–2

Katie | 28–14 | 5–2

Monica | 23–19 | 3–4

Week Six’s winner is Roy Wager, one of seven readers to post a perfect 7–0 record. Roy claimed the tiebreaker on the WVU–ISU total score and will receive a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant. Todd Ware continues to lead the season standings at 38–4 (42 points).

As always, readers will see seven games each week, with Game 7 serving as the tiebreaker. Picks are due by 7 p.m. Friday before kickoff. Click here for this week’s games.

Week Seven Games

Buckhannon-Upshur (1–4) at Lewis County (0–5)

This is a massive game for the Bucs. I won’t say it out loud, but with winless Lewis County this week and one-win East Fairmont next week, the schedule offers a chance to build a little momentum. Still, nothing comes easy in Weston. Expect a one-score game after 48 minutes.

Duane: Buckhannon-Upshur Bobbie: Buckhannon-Upshur Corrie: Buckhannon-Upshur Brian: Buckhannon-Upshur Katie: Lewis County Monica: Lewis County

Fairmont State (2–4) at West Virginia Wesleyan (2–4)

It’s homecoming in Buckhannon. FSU quarterback Nino Marzullo earned MEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing 75% of his passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Glenville State. The Falcons, 2–1 in the MEC, are still chasing a share of the conference crown.

Duane: Fairmont State Bobbie: Fairmont State Corrie: Fairmont State Brian: Fairmont State Katie: Fairmont State Monica: Fairmont State

Arizona (4–1) at West Virginia (3–2)

Arizona may be without its top three wideouts and top tight end — but does it matter? WVU’s defense has been so porous that the Wildcats could roll out backups and still threaten 600 yards. After Florida State throttled Virginia last week, that UVa. win isn’t aging well.

Duane: Arizona Bobbie: Arizona Corrie: Arizona Brian: West Virginia Katie: West Virginia Monica: West Virginia

The Final Four

Martinsburg (5–0) at Morgantown (5–0)

Duane: Martinsburg Bobbie: Martinsburg Corrie: Martinsburg Brian: Morgantown Katie: Morgantown Monica: Martinsburg

North Marion (5–0) at Elkins (5–1)

Duane: Elkins Bobbie: North Marion Corrie: North Marion Brian: Elkins Katie: North Marion Monica: Elkins

Lincoln (3–3) at Robert C. Byrd (5–1)

Duane: Robert C. Byrd Bobbie: Robert C. Byrd Corrie: Robert C. Byrd Brian: Robert C. Byrd Katie: Lincoln Monica: Robert C. Byrd

Coastal Carolina (1–4) at Marshall (3–2)

Duane: Marshall Bobbie: Coastal Carolina Corrie: Marshall Brian: Marshall Katie: Coastal Carolina Monica: Marshall