After seven weeks of picking relatively easy football games (do you really think I'm 33-2 on prep picks because I'm a football genius?) districts start Friday and thyere are some dandy games in southeast Missouri. So, without further ado, here's Buhler's picks for week 8.

Perryville (3-4) at Dexter (4-3): The Pirates have been a thorn in Dexter's side the last three years, upsetting the Bearcats in triple overtime to win districts in 2004, losing just 6-0 in 2005 and trailing just 3-0 at the half last year.
Both teams have been headed in opposite directions of late, with Dexter winning three in a row and Perryville losing four in a row. However, the Bearcats' three wins are against teams that are a combined 3-18, while Perryville's four losses against teams with a 19-9 record.
This game looks like a tossup, so either team could win -- and maybe win big. However, I'm taking...
Buhler's pick: Perryville.

Cape Central (1-6) at Poplar Bluff (3-4): The Tigers have beaten Bluff five years in a row, with the Mules' last win in the series coming in 2001.
On paper this looks like a mismatch, but Bluff is banged up right now and Cape has found ways to win the last years. Still, I'm going with...
Buhler's pick: Poplar Bluff.

Caruthersville (0-7) at Malden (2-5): The Tigers spoiled Malden's dreams of a district title last season with a 36-7 thrashing week 8 last year. But that was last year. The Green Wave has struggled in 2007, but is coming off of a big win. Meanwhile, Caruthersville would just like to get a win this season.
I'm going with the team that has the better record and the momentum...
Buhler's pick: Malden.

Eureka (7-0) at Jackson (7-0): If this isn't the biggest game in the state, it's right up there. Two 7-0 teams that are ranked in the top five in Class 5. The winner is likely going to win districts and contend for a state title. Need I say more?
Both teams are tough and I wouldn't count Jackson out at home. But I'm taking...
Buhler's pick: Eureka.

And last but not least...

NMCC (5-1) at Kennett (6-1): The Indians hit rock bottom at New Madrid last year, falling behind 28-0 in the first half and playing like they never left Kennett. But aside from that, this has been a pretty competitive series, with NMCC winning three and Kennett winning two from 2001-2005.
The Eagles have the respect of being the defending district champion and great skill players in Brian Waters, Lennies McFerren III and Dontre Jenkins, but Kennett has perhaps the best quarterback in southeast Missouri in Blake Parr, an 800-yard rusher in Demetrius Childress and a deep threat in Jarvis Finley, among other personnel. This could be a shootout.
Call this picking the upset, but I'm picking...
Buhler's pick: Kennett.

And for a bonus, here's my picks on other area games:

Charleston over East Prairie
Hayti over Portageville
St. Vincent over Chaffee
West Plains over Sikeston

And for my NFL picks on the Rams, Chiefs and Titans, here goes...

Rams at Seahawks: The Seahawks became the Saints' first win last Sunday night, which again proves that anything can happen in any given game in the NFL. So yes, the Rams could finally win, but I'll believe it when it happens...
Buhler's pick: Seahawks.

Chiefs at Raiders: The first-place Chiefs head to Oakland to play the Raiders, who are just a half-game out. Two huge rivals playing in a meaningful game? This could be a dandy, but it's hard to pick against the home team at the Black Hole (one of my favorite fan section nicknames in all of sports!)
Buhler's pick: Raiders.

Titans at Texans: Injuries are a big factor in this game, as the Titans are without receiver Brandon Jones and could be without Vince Young, while the Texans will be without Pro Bowl wideout Andre Johnson.
This could be a tossup, but Kerry Collins did well in Young's absence last week and that bodes well if VY isn't ready to play Sunday.
Buhler's pick: Titans.