BUCKHANNON – The Carpenter Crunch Time column is back for another year, picking the best weekly high school and college games in the area.

We have made several improvements to the column this season. The biggest change we here at My Buckhannon made was to make the pick ’em interactive with our readers. That’s right, our loyal fanbase can now pick along with myself and the experts here at My Buckhannon. The winner each week will have their name highlighted in this very column.

To play in our interactive contest and pick next week’s games, please click here or tap the graphic at the bottom of this story. It’s 100% free and super easy to enter.

The next change was instead of My Buckhannon owner/publisher Brian Bergstrom and myself picking games, we opened it up to the My Buckhannon staff, which means editor Katie Kuba, writer Monica Zalaznik and digital content manager Beckie Boyd will now have the opportunity to brag about winning our little contest.

With all that going on, we needed more games, so we have increased our weekly selection from five to seven games. In week one, we will only play high school games since collegiate games are still a week away.

With all that out of the way, let’s get down to business.

Bridgeport (0-0) at Buckhannon-Upshur (0-0)

I am on board with what Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Zach Davis is doing with the program, going from three wins in his first year to five wins last season. One more win could possibly get the Bucs in the playoffs this year. Without a doubt, the program is moving in the right direction, but I simply can’t see them getting past the Indians in week one. Bridgeport is where B-U wants to be, but they aren’t there yet.

Duane: Bridgeport; Brian: Bridgeport; Beckie: Bridgeport; Katie: Bridgeport; Monica: Bridgeport.

Fairmont Senior (0-0) at Lewis County (0-0)

After winning the state title in 2021, the Polar Bears were bounced out of the second-round of the playoffs last season by eventual champion Independence. Fairmont Senior has enough talent this year to make it back to the title game. On the other hand, Lewis County is trying to find some depth with just 36 players on the roster including freshmen.

Duane: Fairmont Senior; Brian: Fairmont Senior; Beckie: Fairmont Senior; Katie: Fairmont Senior; Monica: Lewis County.

Philip Barbour (0-0) at Grafton (0-0)

Grafton will be looking for some revenge after losing this game by a 52-7 score last year. Philip Barbour is trending in the right direction after some lean years. I like the Colts in this one.

Duane: Philp Barbour; Brian: Philp Barbour; Beckie: Philp Barbour; Katie: Grafton; Monica: Philp Barbour.