It is with mixed emotions that I write this column this week &045; my last column as the sports editor of the Shelby County Reporter.

My wife and I will be heading to South Carolina, where I will take over managing editor duties at two community weeklies.

While it is a great opportunity for my wife and myself, I will miss working with the coaches and players in each Shelby County community.

Shelby County has a great tradition of excellence in athletics at each of the 14 schools. While covering 14 schools can be trying and very difficult on a small staff, the coaches, assistant coaches, players, stat keepers, secretaries and everyone at each and every school has made the task that much easier.

And for that, I thank you.

You will be left in excellent hands, however, as Ashley Vansant has been named to fill the sports editor position. Ashley is a very talented writer and journalist.

Now, on to the real story at hand …

Call it rivalry week this week with in-county teams playing other in-county teams and Spain Park matching up with Hoover. Thompson hosts a very good McAdory team in a huge 5A region game for the Warriors as well.

Last week I went 9-2, missing on Cornerstone and Spain Park, bringing my season total to 25-11. Ashley will take over the picking next week.

The game of the week could be at Shelby Academy, where the Coosa Valley Rebels &045; and their new-found offense &045; come to town. Both teams were big winners over region opponents last week with Coosa Valley finally finding the end zone &045; in a big way.

The Rebels poured on 41 points against a good Warrior team.

The Raiders scored 54 points against a not-so-good Calvary team. Both teams will have all of their players back from injury and suspensions. This one last year came down to the last play of the game. It could be the same this time.

This one’s a toss-up, but we’ll give the edge to the Raiders because of their home field. SA 28, CVA 27.

Pelham travels to Oak Mountain following a defeat at the hands of Hoover last week. Oak Mountain played very well with Vestavia Hills in a 14-0 loss. Pelham’s passing attack and Montez Billings may be too much for the Eagles to handle. PHS 35, OMHS 28.

Chelsea and Shelby County face off in a regional battle for the top spot Friday night at Shelby County.

SCHS’ offense showed signs of life in a big region win over Hayden last week while Grant Sullivan carried the Hornets to an 18-13 win over Moody with three touchdowns.

This one should be a classic. SCHS 28, Chelsea 21.

Spain Park gets the Bucs of Hoover at Hoover in a big rivalry this week. The Jaguars fell to John Caroll in a defensive battle last week while Hoover struggled to get past Pelham. The Jaguars are trying to get to the level of Hoover, but aren’t quite there yet. HHS 35, SPHS 21.

Montevallo runs into a Corner team which compiled over 500 yards total offense last week in a loss to Childersburg. Jim King’s Bulldogs are due a big win. MHS 21, CHS 14.

McAdory will be at Thompson this week after the Warriors lost a heartbreaker to Briarwood last Friday night.

There’s no time to dwell on the past for THS as McAdory is one of the best teams in 5A. A mental letdown may give McAdory the edge. MHS 27, THS 17.

Cornerstone fell in a big way to Central last week after being in the game for three quarters.

The Chargers travel to a very weak Evangel team this week for a region game. No excuses for a loss here. CCS 35, Evangel 7.

Calera got a big win over Marbury last week to move to 3-0 and 2-0 in region play. Calera joins Luverne and Keith atop the region standings.

C.J. Pearson rushed just five times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while Jay Haynes threw for a score and ran for another.

Head coach Ken Adams gave praise to Jake Garzarek, who filled in at fullback for the injured Paul Delbridge. Garzarek rushed 10 times for 115 yards.

Delbridge did play on defense.

The Eagles hold their destiny in their own hands this week when a weak R.C. Hatch comes calling for homecoming.

If the Eagle players don’t get caught up in all the festivities, this one could get ugly. But, then again, that’s why you schedule a not-so-good team for homecoming. CHS 28, R.C. Hatch 0.

Briarwood hits the road &045; kind of &045; to Fair Park to play 0-3 West End Friday night. The Lions are coming off a huge win over Thompson in a nail-biter.

West End barely lost to Jackson-Olin 10-7 last week, but should be little competition for the Lions. BCS 31, West End 7.

Vincent fell to 0-3 on the year with a 38-12 loss to Cold Springs last week. Cleveland comes to town this week fresh off a 17-7 win over J.B. Pennington.

The long year could continue this week. CHS 20, VHS 16.

Kingwood plays host to Tuscaloosa Academy Friday night. The Lions fell to Pike Liberal Arts 54-0 last week.

Tuscaloosa may not be as good as Pike. TA 35, Kingwood 0