Last week was the first week of the Play It Again Sports Beat Pete sweepstakes at AnnArbor.com in which readers competed against me in picking the winners for the week's high school football games.

Participation was high and, as a result of my pedestrian 8-3 performance, 13 of you -- the all-knowing readers -- "Beat Pete" (see list below). Congratulations ... I think?

More importantly, the week's big winner was Raymond Howland of Ann Arbor and the Big Booster Club of Pioneer High School.

Though Raymond's picks didn't beat mine, he was chosen in our random drawing for a $20 gift card to Play It Again Sports and Play It Again will donate $100 in Raymond's name to the booster club of his choice, the Big Booster Club of Pioneer High School.

So not only did Pioneer defeat defending Southeastern Conference Red Division champions Temperance Bedford on the field, but they got a little boost off the field, as well.

Not a bad day at the office.

You have another chance to Beat Pete this week. All you have to do is pick the teams you think will win the week's high school football games by filling out the form below. Those who "Beat Pete" will be recognized in the following Thursday's article.

Everyone who participates, regardless of results, will automatically be entered into a drawing for a $20 Play It Again Sports gift card and Play It Again Sports will donate $100 to the winner's favorite booster club. There’s no purchase necessary. Click here to read the official sweepstakes rules.

Pete's Picks

My Achilles heel for the past two weeks -- and what has led to such a long list of people beating me -- has been my faith in the Saline High School football team. Two weeks in a row I picked the Hornets in what would be considered upsets over defending league champions Bedford, and undefeated Monroe. Two weeks in a row, Saline has lost heartbreakers.

Saline lost in overtime against Bedford two weeks ago and last week fell to Monroe, 35-28. It's hard to imagine what was more gut-wrenching, scoring in the game's final minute to force overtime only to eventually fall against the Kicking Mules or coming all the way back from a 20-point second-half deficit only to surrender the game-winning score with 1:38 left against the Trojans.

Which loss stung worse is debatable. That they both hurt is undeniable.

This week Saline takes on Huron, a team that been decimated by health and discipline issues, just as the Hornets have. Huron coach Cory Gildersleeve said nine starters were out last week while Saline coach Mike Glennie said he was down seven starters on defense alone.

Despite having that many players out, Saline's defense will likely be the difference maker in this game, which will be played tonight at Huron High School due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Pioneer and Skyline's games are also tonight.

Though both teams should be able to put up points, Huron has shown a propensity to turn the ball over, especially in the red zone. The past two weeks alone, the River Rats have given up eight interceptions and you just can't give away possessions and hope to win.

Beat Pete Winners

The following people "Beat Pete" last week:

Josh Bednarski
Tony Bertoia
Will Ellis
Jeff Gillow
Adam Goldsmith
Rob Lillie
Jana Miller
Mike Mioduszewski
Thomas Oestrike
Todd Ortbring
Robert Skye
David Teddy
Paul Weaver

People who have "Beat Pete" so far: 13.

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.