By Jim Moyes
Local Sports Journal

The legendary Jimmy Moyes kicks off yet another gridiron season with his bold picks. Enjoy.

Muskegon over Grand Haven:  Big Reds win victory No. 775 in a rivalry that goes all the way back to 1895.

Mona Shores over Muskegon Catholic: The Sailors enter this season with a serious eye on making the playoffs for the first time in history. The Crusaders will be pumped for an upset for their new coach, however. Give the edge to Mona Shores.

Grand Rapids West Catholic over Oakridge: These two D5 powerhouses square off for the first time ever in regular season history. It’s hard to go against Dan Rohn’s Falcons who have won 4 of the 5 meetings and have the all important home field advantage.

Whitehall over Kellogsville: I’m still mad that Kellogsville spoiled my Norsemen’s perfect season back in 1953 when they tied 12-12. Whitehall makes it two straight over the host Rockets.

North Muskegon over Grandville Calvin Christian: My buddy Joe Coletta says the Norseman could be a surprise team in 2013. Hard to pick against Calvin, winner of 3 straight over my Alma Mater, but this is strictly a homer pick.

Ravenna over Kent City: These two neighboring teams have opened the season against each other for 14 straight years, the last 13 won by the Bulldogs. When does Kent City look for a new opening game opponent?

Montague over Orchard View: The Cats have totally dominated this series of late. They win again and then watch former Montague QB Cody Kater make his CMU debut on Saturday in front of 110,000 fans at the Big House. Fire Up Chips!

Hart over Onekama: I’m old enough to remember when Hart was a dominant team some 60 years ago. The Pirates are not close to matching those Pirate teams of old but should have enough to start their season with a victory over Onekama.

Shelby over Grant: The Tigers are on a roll after posting their first 10 win season in over a century of football last year. Grant is victim number one of many for the resurging Tigers in 2014.

Mason County Central over Benzie Central: The Spartans play in a much tougher league than Benzie. Just ask Maple City who was 8-0 before facing North Muskegon in the 2012 season finale.

Fremont over Sparta:The Packers won only a pair of games last year but one of those wins came against Sparta. History repeats.

Manistee over Ludington: Somebody should do some research and see how far back this rivalry goes in years. These games have been so close of late that I give Manistee a slight edge with the home field.

Coopersville over Spring Lake: The first game I ever covered for the media was the North Muskegon-Coopersville game back in 1956. Coopersville won that game and I expect the Broncos to win again tonight.

Newaygo over Holton: These are two teams headed in opposite directions. Newaygo made a nice run last year and should get 2014 off on the right foot with a win over the Red Devils.

Hesperia over White Cloud: The last time I was in Hesperia my broadcasting partner Gene Young turned 50. That was a long time ago. Hesperia prevails.

Baldwin over Hale: Baldwin had its best team since Oakie Johnson coached the Panthers many years ago. I have no idea where Hale is on the map, but if Baldwin finds its way tto Hale, it will leave the big city a winner.

Muskegon Heights Academy over Wyoming Godwin Heights: Heights has a very difficult schedule against some very tough opponents, but Godwin Heights isn’t one of those toughies. A win for first year head coach Jimmy Purnell will leave him only 205 victories shy of matching Oakie Johnson for victories at Heights.

Reeths Puffer vs. Fruitport:  This game is a pick-em if ever there was one. We haven’t had a tie game since MCC & Grand Rapids West Catholic played to a 0-0 tie back in 1994. Too bad there has to be a loser in this dandy of a match up. I’ll be listening to my former partners on the web call this tussle.