That term has almost replaced interceptions when DBs talk about their greatest moments.
In the decade spanning 2000-09, West led area teams with 168 picks. The Falcons were followed by Salisbury (141), Davie (134), A.L. Brown (128), North (105), South (104), East (81) and Carson (41). Carsonís total is respectable for four years of competition.
West had two extraordinary pickers in the decade ó Zeb Link (21) and Justin Avery (17). Link and Avery share the school record with a 10-pick season: Link in 2004 and Avery in 2007.
Salisburyís pick parade was paced by Martin Hosch-Cathcart. He had 13 in the decade, including seven in 2007.
Davieís had a ton of talent in the defensive secondary with guys such as Billy Riddle, Cooter Arnold, Raeshon McNeil and Quinton Faulkner.
The surprise leader for the decade, however, was Matt Oswell. He had 10 in 2006 and 14 for the decade.
Xavier Watson led A.L. Brown with nine for the decade. Watson had seven picks in 2008. Deangelo Collins had seven in 2000.
Travis Wilson led North for the decade with eight. Wilson (2002), Chris Oakman (2003) and Alfonso Hyman (2006) had Northís season highs with six.
South had the decadeís highest season for picks with 27 in 2001.
Brad Lanning led South for the decade with 11, with nine coming in 2001. Unofficially, he recorded his 10th in the East-West All-Star Game.
Southís Heath Houston had eight INTs in 2004, including four in one amazing game against North Davidson. That was the only four-pick game in the decade.
Aaron Caubleís nine picks led East. Eight were in 2005.
Derrick Sewell had six picks for Carson last season, including three in one game.
Carsonís Zack Grkman was the lone player in the decade to pick off at least one pass in four straight seasons. When Common Sense retires, Grkman can take over the picks.
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The picks:
Salisbury 28, South 13
The Hornets have been waiting for this one for 364 days.
East 14, North 8
Both teams are changing offensive systems, but it still canít be as ugly as last seasonís 7-0 struggle won by the Mustangs.
Carson 27, Hickory Ridge 21
Just one of three SPC-NPC matchups locally, and this should be the one with some drama.
West 56, C. Cabarrus 7
West has won 30 straight. Central has lost 15 straight.
Both streaks will be extended.
A.L. Brown 38, Statesville 14
Brown has endured ugly openers at Greyhound Hollow in the past, but not this time.
Davie 14, Alex. Central 10
Davie beat Salisbury and Thomasville last season and still went 4-7. It was a classic snakebit season, and the first bite was a 3-0 opening-night loss to an Alexander Central team that went 11-2.
AC and DC both return 12 starters. It figures to be low-scoring. Count on the War Eagles to be a bit hungrier.