Milan’s Lincoln Reel (65) aids a teammate in making a tackle against Camden during a Region 6-2A high school football game at Johnnie Hale Stadium on Sept. 13, 2024.

I walked in the office on Monday and slumped in my chair.

“Why do you look down?” Victor Parkins said. “We both had a good week of picks on Friday night.”

“That is exactly the point,” I replied. “We both had a good week, and I didn’t gain any wins on you. I think you cheated and looked at my answers.”

“We aren’t in high school, Michael, I am just a smart picker,” Parkins said with a laugh.

“Well, at least MawMaw didn’t yell this week, but I don’t think she will like my pick this week,” I said back with a laugh.

Parkins and I had the same picks last week with us both going 13-2. We missed Greenfield’s win over Humboldt and South Fulton’s win over Lake County.

So overall, Parkins is 51-9 (.850 winning percentage), while I am now 46-14 (.767).

Well, Week 5 of the season is upon us. So here is a hope I can start making the comeback on Parkins this week:

JCM (3-0, 1-0 6-2A) at Milan (4-0, 2-0)

The Bulldogs have cruised to wins in the first two Region 6-2A contests, but JCM is much improved over last year and has some athletes. The focus has to be on this one and not on the Dog and Pony Show next week.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 35, JCM 18

Vic’s Pick: Milan 44, JCM 22

USJ (4-0) at South Gibson (3-1)

Stopping Noah Spencer has got to be job No. 1 for the Hornets this week. The defense will have to have an effort like it did against Hardin County for South Gibson to have a chance to win this one.

Odom’s Pick: USJ 21, South Gibson 20

Vic’s Pick: USJ 17, South Gibson 14

Dresden (0-4, 0-2 7-1A) at Humboldt (2-2, 0-1)

The Vikings couldn’t win a third straight game and open the Region 7-1A schedule with a win last week, but they have another shot this week against a Dresden team that has not been good in the second half.

Odom’s Pick: Dresden 24, Humboldt 21

Vic’s Pick: Dresden 20, Humboldt 18

Gibson County (0-4, 0-2 6-2A) at Peabody (1-3, 1-1)

The Golden Tide’s defense was on top of things in Week 4, shutting out Adamsville. Now Peabody has the chance to win a second straight game in region play.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 33, Gibson County 6

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 48, Gibson County 15

Houston County (3-1, 1-0 6-1A) at West Carroll (3-1, 1-0)

Jayden Milton is going to get his yards again in this matchup, but the question is if the defense can stop a quality Houston County side. If the War Eagles get stops, they can win.

Odom’s Pick: Houston County 32, West Carroll 30

Vic’s Pick: Houston County 40, West Carroll 34

Other top games

Dyer County (4-0) at Westview (4-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Dyer County

Gleason (3-1, 0-1 7-1A) at Greenfield (3-1, 1-1)

Odom’s Pick: Gleason

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

Huntingdon (2-1) at Crockett County (4-0)

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

North Side (3-1, 1-0 6-4A) at Hardin County (1-3, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: North Side

Chester County (1-3, 0-0 6-4A) at South Side (1-2, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: Chester County

Vic’s Pick: Chester County

Halls (4-0, 2-0 7-1A) at Lake County (2-2, 1-1)

Odom’s Pick: Lake County

Vic’s Pick: Lake County

Union City (2-2, 1-0 7-1A) at South Fulton (4-0, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Union City

Vic’s Pick: Union City

Riverside (3-1, 2-0 6-2A) at Camden (2-2, 0-2)

Odom’s Pick: Riverside

Vic’s Pick: Riverside

Dyersburg (2-2, 1-1 7-3A) at McNairy Central (1-3, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Dyersburg

Vic’s Pick: Dyersburg

Obion County (1-3, 0-0 7-4A) at Haywood (3-1, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood