You've read about the match-ups. You know the teams. You know the situations and what's at stake. (and if you don't know those things, read this) But you're still wondering one thing: who will the SWakeSports blog pick as this week? Well here they are at last, but don't blame me if these come true (I am 9-for-9 these playoffs after all).

4-AA playoffs

Fuquay-Varina at Wake Forest-Rolesville

In this battle of the hyphenated schools, not enough people are giving Fuquay a chance. The Bengals (3-seed, 11-2) may lack depth. They may lack a passing game. But they do no lack heart, and they don't lack competitiveness. Two losses by six points combined should show that. And since the team is coming off arguably the most impressive win of the year, you'd have to be pretty dense to think Wake Forest will 'Rol' to victory. That being said, I think WFR has one of the best defenses this county has ever seen. And the Cougars (1-seed, 13-0) might be the best chance Wake County has had of having a team win the state title game since Garner's championship in the late 80's. I think this one is real low-scoring, with WFR eking out a win by the narrowest of margins. 

Final verdict: Wake Forest-Rolesville by 5 

4-A playoffs 

Middle Creek at Harnett Central 

Everyone expects this one to be close and for good reason. Brian Taylor and Garrett Leatham are bar-none the best two quarterbacks in the area. Both are amazing athletes who lead their teams. Both offenses are fun to watch, so this final score should be the exact opposite from the one above. In the end, Harnett Central's playmakers 1-2-3 are just a little better than Middle Creek's but Middle Creek (3-seed, 12-1) has the better 4-5-6 options. The defenses are just about equal. Central's strength is pass defense, and that'll be tested by the Mustangs. Middle Creek's special teams certainly has the edge (Matt Frongello > kicking the ball out of bounds on every kickoff). In the end, I'm going to pick Harnett Central (1-seed, 13-0) due to the fact they've held their own against passing teams all year long, but I'd be shocked if this game was decided by more than one possession.

Final verdict: Harnett Central by 6

The second round of the playoffs are here, and we've got three teams in
it, and all three could win (even though one would certainly be an
upset). Let's take a look at the games involving the season's three
winningest Tri-Nine teams.

I know we've kept you all on pins and needles waiting for this week's edition, and I apologize for the wait. As you may have known, half our of six advancing football teams are now out of the playoffs. (15) Cary lost 7-0 at (2) Hoggard, (14) Panther Creek lost 63-34 at (3) Jack Britt and (12) Holly Springs lost 24-0 at (5) New Hanover. The three home Tri-Nine teams all won their games.
The worst part is while I made predictions for these, I didn't publish a blog on it nor pick by how many points. But just so you know, I had my best week ever, getting all six playoff games correct.

In the print edition of today's The Cary News and Southwest Wake News, I mistakenly said the All-Conference team for the Tri-Nine would be announced Monday.
As I found out later that night (and after deadline), the team was simply decided upon Monday and won't be announced until after the last conference team is ousted from the playoffs (so here's hoping we don't know that list for awhile).
Which brings me to today's column which looked back on the year at-large.

1. Fuquay-Varina (+1)

2. Athens Drive (E)

3. Middle Creek (-2)

4. Panther Creek (+1)

5. Cary (+1)

6. Apex (+1)

7. Holly Springs (-5)

8. Lee County (E)