Milan’s Carson Kelley (2) runs the ball against Henry County during the Henry County Jamboree on Aug. 15, 2025.

“Why are you blasting ‘Gonna Fly Now’ by Bill Conti,” Gibson County News owner Victor Parkins asked when he walked in the office on Monday morning. “This is not 1977, and you are not Rocky.”

“That is what you think,” sports writer Michael Odom chuckled. “I am about to take you out like Rocky took out Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.

“See what I did there? Our fourth year of facing off, and Drago was who Rocky beat in Rocky IV!”

“Unbelievable,” Parkins asked.

Odom holds a 2-1 lead on Parkins through the first three years of their pick’em contest in Gibson County.

So Odom is ready to deliver that uppercut and take the reins for good, but Parkins doesn’t go down easily and is ready to even the series.

The duo will pick the scores of all games involving Gibson County area teams and then finish out with picks in the top matchups across West Tennessee until they pick 15 games total.

Play along, and see if you are as smart as Odom or Parkins.

So here we go with Week 1: 

South Side at Milan (7 p.m., Friday)

The Bulldogs reached the Class 2A title game last season, and after three wins in scrimmages leading up to the season, they are ready to prove they are the team to beat this year in West Tennessee.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 35, South Side 7

Vic’s Pick: Milan 42, South Side 14

Ripley at Peabody (7 p.m., Friday)

The Tab Vowell era begins for the Golden Tide – although he isn’t new to the program. The Golden Tide have started the year 0-2 the past two seasons, so Peabody is looking for a better start this year.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 38, Ripley 14

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 35, Ripley 6

Humboldt at Halls (7 p.m., Friday)

This was a Region 7-1A matchup last year, but Halls has moved up to Class 2A. The Vikings should be improved this season, but how improved is yet to be told.

Odom’s Pick: Halls 21, Humboldt 20

Vic’s Pick: Halls 28, Humboldt 16

Franklin Road Academy at South Gibson (7 p.m., Friday)

The Hornets have looked strong through the scrimmages leading up to the season, but FRA has state title aspirations in Division II-AA. If South Gibson can play well, it will be a big momentum boost for the 2025 season.

Odom’s Pick: FRA 28, South Gibson 14

Vic’s Pick: FRA 21, South Gibson 17

West Carroll at Gibson County (7 p.m., Friday)

These two meet for the third consecutive season opener. The Pioneers have been dealing with low numbers, and the War Eagles have a new head coach in Jay Taylor. A win here will be huge of either of these young teams.

Odom’s Pick: West Carroll 33, Gibson County 16

Vic’s Pick: West Carroll 40, Gibson County 6

Best of the West

Haywood at Henry County (Thurs.)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

MASE at Westview

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

Fayette-Ware at Christian Brothers

Odom’s Pick: Christian Brothers

Vic’s Pick: Christian Brothers

Fayette Academy at McNairy Central

Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Vic’s Pick: Fayette Academy

TCA at Dresden

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: TCA

Perry County at Greenfield

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

Gleason at Fulton County (Ky.)

Odom’s Pick: Gleason

Vic’s Pick: Gleason

Lexington at Bolivar

Odom’s Pick: Bolivar

Vic’s Pick: Lexington

Huntingdon at McKenzie

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

North Side at JCM

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: JCM

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.