Here in Franklin County, we take pride in our high school teams. As the time has drawn closer for those Friday night lights to flick on and shine down on high school gridirons across the county, the excitement has mounted in our local communities. We’re now a couple games into the season, with plenty of fun on the horizon for our local teams and fans.

We hope you have a FC team you are cheering on this season. Whether you’re a Tiger, Red Devil, Wildcat, Bobcat, Bulldog or Golden Tiger, supporting your team is a great way to encourage and lift up our young people.

But they aren’t the only ones who can score a win in Friday night action. You can, too.

Our football picks contest is back for another year, as it continues to be a favorite pastime for many during this season. If you aren’t playing each week, you’re missing out on a chance to win a delicious barbecue pack from this year’s prize sponsor, Pilgrim’s Place!

Here’s what’s up:

Each week we put out a lineup of games for YOU to choose which teams will be the winners. Our games list typically includes all Franklin County teams – barring a bye week – plus a selection of nearby matchups.

All you have to do is circle your choices from the list on the football contest page, usually in the Sports section – or, if you’re taking advantage of our online version of the contest form, select the bubble next to your choice. You can get to the online form from our homepage at www.franklincountytimes.com or by scanning the QR code on the print copy.

In case we need a tiebreaker, we also choose one game and ask you to predict the score.

Give us your name, phone number and address – and that’s it! Make sure your submission gets to our office by the deadline – Friday by 5 p.m. – and you might be this week’s winner.

It’s easy and fun, and you can play even if you can’t make it out to a football game – although you definitely should. What’s fall without football?

The contest is made possible in part by local sponsors, whose ads appear on the contest page, and we encourage you to support these businesses.

There are plenty of opportunities left to don your team’s colors and spend Friday nights at home or on the road, losing your voice cheering for your team – and, maybe, winning a tasty barbecue prize pack. Don’t miss out!