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By ERIC KEPHAS

PDT Staff Writer

David Horr of Wheelersburg’s Ace Hardware knows a thing or two about college football. For the last five years, in fact, he has won the Portsmouth Daily Times’ college football ‘Pick Em’ contest. Just don’t ask him how he does it.

“(There’s) no method to it at all,” Horr said. “It’s just that I love college football. I watch it all day long Saturdays.”

It’s not always as simple as just picking the team he thinks will win, though. Horr is an Ohio State Buckeyes fan and admits that he picks OSU regardless of what he really thinks will happen.

“I have to pick the Buckeyes every week, no matter what,” Horr said. “If I don’t, I don’t believe I could ever live it down.”

The Buckeyes are coming off a disappointing 6-6 season, but their recent struggles weren’t enough to keep Horr from continuing his winning streak. That fact isn’t one that’s celebrated by everyone in the Horr family, however. Horr’s brother, Scott, also participates in the competition on behalf of the Portsmouth Ace Hardware.

“Oh, it eats him up,” Horr said of his brother’s reaction to his five-year winning streak. “He acts like it doesn’t bother him but I know it eats him up.”

Horr said he considered ending his participation in the competition prior to this year, but said he’s tempted to keep it going just to see if anyone can actually beat him.

“I thought I was going to retire last year and hang it up as four-time defending champ,” Horr said. “Now that I’m five-time defending champ? I just may have to continue to see if they can catch up to me.”

He’ll have to wait until next year to find out.

ERIC KEPHAS can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234, or ekephas@heartlandpublications.com.