Maybe it’s just me, but Fridays in the fall feel different than any other day in any other season.

The colors seem brighter, the sounds seem sharper, the senses are heightened. Your feet feel a little bit lighter. Everything slows down a beat, no matter how much you wish it would just speed up already.

Maybe it’s just me, but it’s always been that way, as long as I can remember (though I’ll grant you, my experiences are specifically those of a lifelong football fan).

Growing up, I was the kind of small-town kid who never missed the local high school’s games (I had a streak of 116 straight going at one time). Even at 10 years old, I wasn’t much of a morning person, but on Fridays I’d spring out of bed, go right to the local sports page, then spend most of my school day daydreaming, doodling Xs and Os — my dad had shown me how to diagram plays one Sunday when I’d been too fidgety in church — and talking about that night’s game over lunchroom cheeseburgers.

Even later, when I considered myself far too collegiate to care about high school football, the Friday feeling was still there, waiting for me to grow up. I’m happy to say it’s never left.

Maybe it’s just me, but these days my Fridays aren’t all that different than they were when I was a kid. I’m still up earlier than usual, and the day still drags on longer than I wish it would.

I’ve still got the papers, though now they’re read over coffee instead of sugary cereal. And thankfully, barbecue has replaced a soybean burger at lunch.

And all day, that Friday feeling persists, coloring everything I see and hear.

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think you have to eavesdrop on the old men’s conversations over morning coffee or notice the team colors at the barbecue joint to know it’s there. You don’t have to pay attention to the shoe polish on the cars of high school kids or pass the team buses out on 365 or hear the marching bands as the sun goes down to know something’s in the air.

It’s an anticipation that’s been simmering over the summer, brought to a boil at the footstep of fall.

Finally, gameday is here.

Good thing, too, because I don’t think I could wait much longer.

But maybe that’s just me.

This week’s predictions:

Washington-Wilkes over Banks County: The Tigers’ experience at the skill positions makes the difference.

Gainesville over Chestatee: The Red Elephants just have too much talent.

Jefferson over Commerce: The rivalry swings solidly in the Dragons’ favor as they win their third straight.

Flowery Branch over Stephens County: Despite the toll of graduation, this year’s Falcons are more like the team that beat the Indians in the first round of last year’s playoffs, and less like the one that lost in Toccoa to start 2008.

Habersham Central over Cedar Shoals: It’ll be close, but the Raiders pull off the mild upset.

Jackson County over Our Lady of Mercy: The Panthers are improved, and that should be enough tonight.

North Hall over Johnson: The Knights usually play the Trojans tough, but they haven’t won since 1994.

Fellowship Christian over Lakeview: The Paladins had a losing record last season, but are only two years removed from an 11-win season.

Lumpkin County over Dawson County: Could be as close as last year’s OT thriller. Give the edge to the Indians, who have system continuity in their favor.

Riverside over Elbert County: The Eagles have a lot of new starters in place, including their quarterback. But the fact that last year’s signal caller is now a starting linebacker says a lot for the potential of his successor.

Towns County over Rabun County: Depth won’t be a factor, as neither team has a lot, but the Indians seem to be headed in the right direction.

Union County over Hayesville, N.C.: Too much Panther passing.

East Jackson over West Hall: The Spartans need some more time to come together after losing many of last year’s key contributors.

White County over Franklin County: The Warriors will need to limit the Lions’ big-plays, but have the capability to do so.