All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

First edition this year of Carpenter’s Crunch Time Column

BUCKHANNON – It’s always hard to believe that another football season is upon us. August flies by so fast. It seems like I am at the first day of practice with the team and the next thing you know, the first game is here.

We only have high school games this week as college and the NFL will be coming up in the next few weeks. The format didn’t change from last year. Myself, along with MyBuckhannon founder Brian Bergstrom, will pick five local football games each week and at the end of the year, I proclaim my dominance over Brian after thoroughly defeating him.

Let’s get right to the games this week.

Buckhannon-Upshur at Bridgeport.

It seems like for the longest time the Bucs open with a powerhouse. It use to be Morgantown and now it’s Bridgeport. I think the Bucs have the chance to get to five or six wins this year and maybe sneak into the playoffs, but I don’t think tonight is one of those games. I am really hoping for just a solid game by the Bucs regardless of the score and go to work on beating Ripley next week. My pick: Bridgeport, 34-19; Brian’s pick: Bridgeport, 27-24.

Lewis County at Fairmont Senior.

Fairmont Senior will be going for their third straight Class AA title and they appear to have reloaded again this season. Lewis County is more into a rebuild this year but I expect them to win some games. This is an easy pick as the Polar Bears win this game in convincing fashion. My pick: Fairmont Senior, 44-14; Brian’s pick: Fairmont Senior, 35-10.

Elkins at Liberty.

Elkins didn’t win a game last year but should be improved this year. Still, I don’t think they are improved enough to get past Liberty. My pick: Liberty, 21-7; Brian’s pick: Liberty, 14-7.

University at John Marshall.

I am sure University will pile up the regular season wins only to get nowhere in the post season. John Marshall will present a challenge for the Hawks but look for University to take this one. My pick: University 39-21; Brian’s pick: University 28-17.

Grafton at Philip Barbour.

Everyone keeps telling me that the Colts will be better this year and I think Grafton will fall back to Earth a little bit this year…but I think the Bearcats get the job done tonight. My pick: Grafton, 29-13; Brian’s pick: Grafton 21-7.

Until next week, see ya!

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