The Banner Staff
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
A new season, a clean slate. That’s the battle cry for those participating in the 2010 edition of The Duncan Banner Pigskin Prognosticators.
This year’s field is largely unchanged from last year. The new faces on the board are the two new faces in The Banner’s sports department.
Sports editor Ben Whitehead and sports writer Matt Tillson look to bring their picking expertise to the group in hopes of claiming the championship at season’s end.
Managing editor Ron Booth and Banner employee Sherrie McCormack round out the pickers from The Banner staff.
Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney, the reigning champion, looks to defend his title. McKinney edged out McCormack, who was the 2008 champion.
Duncan softball coach Robert Cowan, Eduardo’s general manager Joe Hicks and former sports editor Tommie Ellis fill out this year’s panel.
Each week, the Pigskin Prognosticators will pick the winner of 20 games, selected by The Banner staff. All area high school teams’ games will be a part of those in the selection. The remaining picks will include top high school games from the state, as well as top college and professional games of the week.
With pro football starting in a week, this week’s slate consists of high school and college games only.
Of the area teams, Velma-Alma and Duncan are favorites in their games. Central High was a slight favorite over Mt. View-Gotebo, while Empire and Marlow each received split votes in their games.
Waurika and Bray-Doyle are underdogs this week.
There were a few close picks for the college games. The prognosticators split their votes with the Virginia Tech-Boise State and Kentuck-Louisville games. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were overwhelming favorites out of the state schools. Tulsa received five of eight votes in its Sunday game at East Carolina.
The football season gets kicked-off tonight with one high school and one college game. Velma-Alma hosts Comanche at 7:30 p.m. and Southern Miss travels to South Carolina for a 6:30 p.m. kick.
The remaining high school games will be played Friday, with the majority of the college games taking place Saturday. Boise State and Virginia Tech are slated for a Labor Day kickoff.
Check Thursday's edition of The Banner for all the picks.
