Another year.

This one, though, is unlike any other.

The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the conversation in the sports world for months, so it's finally nice to be able to talk about on the field stuff for a change.

On the field, another gridiron season is beginning and the ol' Scoopster couldn't be more excited.

I need to bounce back from a bad 2019 campaign. I was 81-29 in my prep prognostication, which looks good on the surface, but in reality is pretty poor.

Heck, John Enrietto of all people had a better record than I did last year.

That cannot stand.

So, on to the Week 1 picks:

Cathedral Prep 38, Butler 13 — The Golden Tornado are now in District 10 after leaving the WPIAL and the brutal section they were in.Butler gets a tough first game in its new surroundings with perennial power Cathedral Prep, but the move should pay off for the Tornado in the long run.

Mars 28, Hampton 12 — The Planets return running back Teddy Ruffner, and that should be enough to pick Mars in this game.Don't sleep on the other Planet weapons this season. It won't have to be all Teddy all the time.

Knoch 20, Highlands 17 — The skill players may have new names at Knoch, but the line is experienced and stout.So is the defense, which should allow the Knights to scratch out a few slobberknockers this year.

Freeport 25, Deer Lakes 16 — Emotion will be on the Yellowjackets' side in this one following the sobering news that junior quarterback Garrett King has testicular cancer.You know Freeport wants to win this one for King. It will.

North Catholic 30, Derry 12 — Zack Rocco may be gone, but the Trojans still have a lot of offensive weapons.

Moniteau 22, Karns City 20 — The first of two meetings this season pitting the backyard rivals, both games should be instant classics.This one will be a back-and-forth affair with the Warriors pulling it out late.

Union/A-C Valley 29, Brockway 17 — Tanner Merwin is a dangerous weapon on both sides of the ball.He's one of the rare players who can score from anywhere on the field on defense.The Falcon Knights also have other weapons and they'll be enough to topple Brockway.

Sharon 17, Slippery Rock 15 — Both teams have some big shoes to fill this season on offense.There's enough question marks to fill an SAT test.That makes this one the toughest games on the slate to predict.But I have to go with my gut and pick Sharon.

Scoop is hoping everyone will stay safe and healthy this season.