While this week’s schedule might lack that marquee historical matchup that keeps high school football fans salivating, this list of games has one thing going for it: competitiveness.

Savannah and Maryville do meet to again decide a frontrunner in the MEC, and a Spoofhounds’ victory virtually locks up the title for them. You also have Worth County and North Andrew in a do-or-don’t make the playoffs matchup for North Andrew.

Outside of that, there are many games that could also easily swing either direction.

Which brings me to my next point: don’t count me out yet.

After falling four games behind after last week, Andy and I differ on two picks this week, and I’m hoping — nay praying — this is finally my breakout week. Andy has dominated from the start this year, and I need some luck to find me.

So, this week, my hopes are riding on Matt Tabor’s Benton squad at Smithville and an upstart Lathrop team showing improvement against a banged-up Mid-Buchanan squad.

Thanks as always go out to the folks at NWMO Sports for the weekly selections. On to the picks:

Savannah (5-1) at Maryville (5-1) — Ross: Maryville. Andy: Maryville.

Benton (2-4) at Smithville (3-3) — Ross: Benton. Andy: Smithville.

North Platte (4-2) at Lawson (5-1) — Ross: Lawson. Andy: Lawson.

West Platte (4-2) at Plattsburg (2-4) — Ross: West Platte. Andy: West Platte.

King City (4-2) at Gallatin (3-3) — Ross: King City. Andy: King City.

North Andrew (5-1) at Worth County (6-0) — Ross: Worth County. Andy: Worth County.

Tarkio (2-4) at East Buchanan (4-2) — Ross: East Buchanan. Andy: East Buchanan.

Mid-Buchanan (3-3) at Lathrop (0-6) — Ross: Lathrop. Andy: Mid-Buchanan.

Hamilton (5-0) at Princeton (2-4) (1-1) — Ross: Hamilton. Andy: Hamilton.

Albany (1-5) at Maysville (1-5) — Ross: Maysville. Andy: Maysville.

Year-to-date standings (after Week 5) — Andy 45-15, Ross 41-19