[More Cowbell]

East Ridge has came within a touchdown of winning 1 time. They came within 8 points 2 other times. The rest have been humiliating losses. I don't see it changing this year.

2009 - Shelby Valley 52 East Ridge 13
2008 - Shelby Valley 60 East Ridge 14
2007 - Shelby Valley 61 East Ridge 19
2006 - Shelby Valley 20 East Ridge 12
2005 - Shelby Valley 14 East Ridge 6
2004 - Shelby Valley 38 East Ridge 12
2003 - Shelby Valley 35 East Ridge 13
2002 - Shelby Valley 27 East Ridge 22

After a couple of competitive games in '05 and '06, Shelby Valley has really taken East Ridge behind the woodshed the last three years, winning by an average of 42+ points. Based off that, it's hard to see ER breaking the streak and getting their first-ever win against Valley.

However, as has been stated on here before, SV sustained heavy losses to graduation, and face a major rebuilding task this year. The 2010 edition will probably be one the weaker SV teams in the last several years. Meanwhile, East Ridge appears to have returned most of the starters, including several skill players, from last year's group. If there was ever a year for ER to knock off the Wildcats, this is it.

This is a difficult game to predict, as I think no one really expects much out of either team this year. I think it will be a competitive contest, but I just have a hard time believing that ER has fully made up a 39-point deficit from last year.

I'll go with Valley in a close one, 12-8.