7. Rickards at Madison County
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Boot Hill Stadium, Madison
Radio: Madison County – WMAF 1230 AM, Madison
Why: This game features a Rickards team that has been steadily on the rise the last few years while host Madison County enters the season as heavy favorite to win the Class 1A state championship this season. Rickards, which is coach by Raiders’ alum Quintin Lewis has steadily been molding the program that was once an afterthought in Tallahassee into a potential state championship contender. Madison County which has been traditionally rich in talent features nearly 60 athletes on the roster, which is considered way above the normal roster of roughly 30 athletes a typical Class 1A roster will carry through the season. Both teams which played in kickoff classics last week easily rolled over their opponents with Rickards blowing by Panama City Bay 36-19 while Madison easily handled rival Suwannee for a 35-7 win. With both teams ready and loaded for this game after solid preseason debuts, this should be a tight battle at Boot Hill.
Predictions
Josh’s Prediction: Madison County 35, Rickards 31
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Rickards 28, Madison County 27
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Madison County 3 over Rickards
