[Hoot Gibson]

I asked one of my AIs to put together a list of 20 games that might make interesting pick'em games and here is its response:

(I see a problem in the first game, as the AI claims that Pikeville is the defending 1A champ. As with CalPreps, Massey, etc., the AI will improve as the season progresses. It could include only games where the predicted spread is less than 10 points, for example.)

Here is an updated list of 20 Kentucky high school football games for Week 1 of the 2025 season (primarily scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2025), curated for your Pick'em contest. I've weighted it more heavily toward the eastern half of the state, including games from Northern Kentucky (e.g., Covington area), Lexington/Central Kentucky, and far Eastern Kentucky (e.g., Pikeville, Ashland region), while still incorporating a few major Louisville-area matchups and one or two from Western Kentucky for balance and appeal. Selections prioritize competitive rivalries, ranked teams, and intriguing storylines based on available schedules. For each game, I've included the date, time (where specified in sources; most are standard 7:00 or 7:30 PM ET kickoffs, with some variations), and format as Away @ Home. Brief rationales are provided for contest interest.

1. Pikeville @ Christian Academy-Louisville - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Defending Class 1A champ Pikeville travels from Eastern KY to face a Louisville private school power in a potential upset alert.
   
2. Belfry @ East Carter - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Eastern KY clash featuring Belfry's traditional Wing-T offense against a gritty district foe.
   
3. Raceland @ Ashland Blazer - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Northeastern KY rivals in a game loaded with local pride and playoff implications.
   
4. Pike County Central @ Greenup County - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Appalachian Eastern KY matchup with physical trenches and history of close finishes.
   
5. Highlands @ Frederick Douglass - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Northern KY powerhouse Highlands heads to Lexington to battle a rising Class 5A contender.
   
6. Ryle @ Covington Catholic - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Northern KY heavyweights in a defensive showdown between two perennial playoff teams.
   
7. Conner @ Madison Central - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Northern KY vs. Central KY, with both Class 6A squads looking to set an early tone.
   
8. George Rogers Clark @ Scott County - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Clark County rivalry in Central KY, always intense with high-scoring potential.
   
9. Franklin County @ Great Crossing - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: The Franklin Flyer Bowl between nearby Central KY schools with explosive athletes.
   
10. Lexington Catholic @ Ballard - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Lexington private school travels to Louisville for a Class 4A vs. 6A test of speed.
    
11. Bryan Station @ South Warren - Friday, August 22, 8:00 PM: Lexington's Defenders face a defending champ in Bowling Green, blending Central and South-Central styles.
    
12. Collins @ Lafayette - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Shelby County vs. Lexington, highlighting dual-threat QBs in a Central KY affair.
    
13. Kentucky Country Day @ Sayre - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Small-school Lexington-area battle between Class 1A programs with recent success.
    
14. Fleming County @ Magoffin County - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Eastern KY mountain region game with potential for high drama and turnovers.
    
15. Greenup County @ Lewis County - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Northeastern KY county rivalry, often decided in the fourth quarter.
    
16. Central @ DuPont Manual - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Iconic Louisville Jefferson County rivalry to kick off the urban slate.
    
17. Pleasure Ridge Park @ Trinity - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Louisville public vs. private powerhouse, with Trinity's tradition on display.
    
18. Owensboro @ St. Xavier - Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Western KY's Owensboro challenges Louisville's St. X in a clash of styles.
    
19. Paducah Tilghman @ McCracken County - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Western KY county derby known for offensive fireworks.
    
20. North Hardin @ Lexington Christian - Friday, August 22, 7:00 PM: Hardin County travels to Lexington for a public-private matchup with state title aspirations.
    

These are based on official KHSAA alignments, team announcements, and preseason schedules. Dates and times could shift, so check for updates. Let me know if you want any other changes!