Peabody scrimmaged South Gibson during the 2025 preseason.

“Michael, why are you decked out in a Hawaiian shirt and wearing a lei around your neck?” Victor Parkins said as I ran in the office Monday morning. “ Summer is over. It is fall now.”

“Yea, but I am ready to enjoy Fall break and head to the beach,” I replied.

“Just because high school is on Fall break doesn’t mean we all get to take a Fall break,” Parkins scoffed.

“But these warm temperatures, and neither Milan nor South Gibson play this week,” I shrugged.

“Michael, there are volleyball district tournaments and Weakley County has football this week, so I think you have other plans for the week,” Parkins laughed.

“Well, at least I tied you up in our pick’em contest,” I said as I threw my orange lei on my desk.

I beat Parkins by one game last week, so we are now tied up for the season. I went 14-1, while Parkins went 13-2.

We both went a perfect 6-0 with our Gibson County area picks, so I am 31-4 (.886 winning percentage), while Parkins is 29-6 (.829).

Last week, we both missed Trinity Christian Academy’s win over Jackson Christian, and Parkins missed Bruceton’s win over Liberty.

After seven weeks, we are both 81-24 (.771) on the season.

Here is hoping I can pull ahead in Week 8 with a light load of games:

Raleigh Egypt (2-4) at Peabody (7-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

The Golden Tide have been dominant on the field, and that should continue this week. But Huntingdon and Milan loom in the final two weeks of the season.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 38, Raleigh Egypt 6

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 48, Raleigh Egypt 12

West Carroll (1-6, 0-4 7-1A) at Gleason (2-5, 1-2)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

The War Eagles want to end a six-game losing streak, and they have a shot to do it here and earn a region win.

Odom’s Pick: Gleason 32, West Carroll 18

Vic’s Pick: Gleason 28, West Carroll 20

Best of the West

Bolivar (3-4, 1-3 7-3A) at Westview (6-0, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

Greenfield (4-3, 2-1 7-1A) at Dresden (5-2, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: Dresden

TCA (5-2, 3-1 D2-A) at Fayette Academy (1-6, 0-3)

Odom’s Pick: TCA

Vic’s Pick: TCA

Ridgeway (0-6, 0-3 8-4A) at Fayette-Ware (3-4, 0-3)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Vic’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

South Side (3-3, 1-2 7-4A) at Chester County (2-5, 1-3)

Odom’s Pick: South Side

Vic’s Pick: South Side

Liberty (4-2) at North Side (4-2)

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: North Side

Kossuth (Miss.) (3-2) at Adamsville (4-2)

Odom’s Pick: Adamsville

Vic’s Pick: Adamsville

McKenzie (6-1, 2-0 6-1A) at Bruceton (5-2, 0-2)

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: McKenzie

Lake County (4-2, 1-1 7-1A) at South Fulton (6-0, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton

Harpeth (2-5) at Huntingdon (6-1)

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

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.