“Ugh, the gut ache from the Milan Fall Festival on Saturday,” I bellowed as I walked in the office Monday morning.

“I think I had too many snow cones, hot dogs, candy apples and cookies while walking the streets of downtown.”

“Well, Michael, guess your eyes were bigger than your stomach,” Victor Parkins said with a laugh.

“Maybe, I need a week off to get my sugar level back to normal,” I replied.

“Michael, there are too many big games this week for you to be wanting pity,” Parkins laughed. “Now let’s get to picking so I can take the lead on you.”

Parkins and myself picked the exact same winners last week, so we both went 10-2. The two games we missed were Kossuth (Miss.)’s win over Adamsville and Lake County’s win over South Fulton.

We both correctly picked the two Gibson County area games last week, so I am 33-4 (.892 winning percentage), while Parkins is 31-6 (.838).

For the 2025 season, Parkins and myself are tied with a 91-26 record (.778).

Can one of us take the lead in Week 9?:

Milan (7-0, 4-0 7-2A) at Halls (2-5, 0-3)

The Tigers have struggled with the move up to Class 2A this year after finishing second in Region 7-1A last season. The Bulldogs shouldn’t have a problem and enter Week 11’s meeting with Peabody undefeated.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 38, Halls 6

Vic’s Pick: Milan 45, Halls 14

Crockett County (6-1, 3-1 7-4A) at South Gibson (4-3, 3-1)

These are the only two teams in Region 7-4A with only one loss in region play. So the winner has the inside track on winning the region championship. Both teams are coming off an off week, so both should be fresh.

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County 24, South Gibson 21

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 21, Crockett County 20

Humboldt (2-5, 1-3 7-1A) at Lake County (5-2, 2-1)

The Falcons upset undefeated South Fulton last week, and the Falcons seem to be playing well right now. Humboldt has the athletes to compete and would love to pull an upset.

Odom’s Pick: Lake County 37, Humboldt 35

Vic’s Pick: Lake County 40, Humboldt 12

Gibson County (0-7, 0-4 7-2A) at Union City (2-5, 1-2)

The Pioneers have struggled so far this season, and Union City has a solid defense that could keep Gibson County off the scoreboard and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Odom’s Pick: Union City 35, Gibson County 6

Vic’s Pick: Union City 42, Gibson County 12

Best of the West

Memphis Business (4-3) at Haywood (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

USJ (7-0) at Dyer County (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

Dyersburg (5-2, 3-0 7-3A) at Covington (7-0, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Vic’s Pick: Covington

Liberty (4-3) at JCM (2-5)

Odom’s Pick: JCM

Vic’s Pick: JCM

Hardin County (2-5, 0-4 7-4A) at South Side (4-3, 2-2)

Odom’s Pick: South Side

Vic’s Pick: South Side

Lewis County (7-0) at Lexington (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: Lexington

Vic’s Pick: Lexington

Obion County (4-3) at South Fulton (6-1)

Odom’s Pick: Obion County

Vic’s Pick: Obion County

McNairy Central (2-5, 1-3 7-3A) at Ripley (0-7, 0-3)

Odom’s Pick: McNairy Central

Vic’s Pick: McNairy Central

Giles County (4-3) at North Side (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: North Side

Loretto (2-5, 1-3 5-2A) at Adamsville (4-3, 1-2)

Odom’s Pick: Adamsville

Vic’s Pick: Adamsville

Scotts Hill (0-7, 0-4 5-2A) at Riverside (1-5, 1-2)

Odom’s Pick: Riverside

Vic’s Pick: Riverside

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.