Milan’s Zak Summers (8) runs the ball against East Nashville during the Class 2A state quarterfinals at Johnnie Hale Stadium on Nov. 25, 2025.

“Victor, we have talked this season about magical pom-poms and Mawmaw (Norma Austin) coming after me for picking against her Hornet boys,” I said sitting at my desk Monday morning. “And I think you are starting to believe it after you picked South Gibson last week.”

“No, I have faith in the football teams in Gibson County,” Victor Parkins replied 

“Well, there must be something in the water as two Gibson County teams are getting to practice on Thanksgiving before playing in the state semifinals,” I laughed.

“There is just something about football in late November,” Parkins said. “Milan knows all about it, and South Gibson is going to experience it for the first time this week.”

“So, do you think you can let you pup Wynonna make your picks this week because you were almost perfect last week,” I laughed.

Parkins got the best of me last week as he went 8-1, and I went 6-3. We both missed Centennial’s win over Henry County, but I also missed South Gibson’s win over Springfield and Huntingdon’s win over East Robertson.

In picking Gibson County teams, I am 49-11 (.817 winning percentage), while Parkins is 48-12 (.800).

For the entire 2025 season, I hold a five-game lead as I am 156-45 (.776), while Parkins is 151-50 (.751).

Here is hoping I can keep that lead in the semifinals:

Huntingdon (12-1) at Milan (12-0)

Odom’s Pick: Milan 21, Huntingdon 14

Vic’s Pick: Milan 24, Huntingdon 21

South Gibson (10-3) at Pearl Cohn (9-4)

Odom’s Pick: Pearl Cohn 35, South Gibson 21

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 28, Pearl Cohn 27

Best of the West

Class 1A

Fayetteville (7-5) at McKenzie (12-1)

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: McKenzie

Class 3A

Covington (12-1) at Westview (12-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

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.