Michael Odom vs. Gabriel Jackson: High School Football Pick’em Week 1
Westview’s Asa Barnes (5) runs the ball against Chester County during the Camden Quarterback Club Jamboree at Camden on Aug. 14, 2026. Photo by Michael Odom.
While the past couple of seasons have been fun picking games for Weakley County, the pick’em column needed an upgrade.
So when the Union City Messenger hired Gabriel Jackson as the new sports editor, the competition began.
Each week of the high school football season, I (Michael Odom) will represent Weakley County and go head-to-head with Jackson, who will represent Obion County.
And when we get the end of the season with me ahead by double digits, I can make Jackson take me out to dinner at Blake’s at Southern Milling or The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar or Blue Oak Oyster Bar & Grill here in Martin.
And if somehow Jackson finds a way to beat the sports editor with the most institutional knowledge of West Tennessee high school athletics, then Moustos Pasta House & Grill, Hops & Barley or Don Sol Mexican Grill will be where I buy him dinner.
So play along all season. See if you can beat Jackson and myself. We will keep up with our records each week in the column, and even our record in picking the teams from our two counties.
Westview vs. MASE at St. Benedict
The Phoenix have three linemen with SEC offers led by Ole Miss commitment Jamarkus Pittman, but Westview has some SEC commits also in Asa Barnes (Tennessee) and Miles Brown (Kentucky). The Chargers defense and forcing turnovers could be the difference maker.
Odom’s Pick: Westview 35, MASE 18
Jackson’s Pick: Westview 27, MASE 6
Greenfield at Perry County
The Yellowjackets were in the red zone last year when the official ended the game after a clock malfunction. Greenfield wants nothing more than to go on the road and get a win to kick off the season.
Odom’s Pick: Greenfield 22, Perry County 12
Jackson’s Pick: Perry County 20, Greenfield 14
Fulton County (Ky.) at Gleason
This is one of the special matchups each year as the smallest football school in Tennessee plays the smallest football school in Kentucky. Gleason sits at 16 players right now, so the heat can cause a factor on Friday with fatigue. The Pilots have a small roster too, but they have around 23 players.
Odom’s Pick: Fulton County (Ky.) 32, Gleason 24
Jackson’s Pick: Gleason 38, Fulton County (Ky.) 22
Dresden at TCA
In the battle of the Lions, TCA got the win last year, but the quarterback and top receiver are gone. But Dresden got hit hard by graduation and transfers. This could be a defensive battle as both teams get into an offensive rhythm.
Odom’s Pick: TCA 14, Dresden 12
Jackson’s Pick: Dresden 28, TCA 21
Union City at Jackson Christian
The Golden Tornadoes are under a new head coach, and they want to do nothing more than impress their coach with a win to open the season after a hard summer of practicing. Jackson Christian though has a tough defense led by South Florida commit Kelsey Rose Jr.
Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian 24, Union City 21
Jackson’s Pick: Union City 28, Jackson Christian 21
Lake County at Obion County
Year 2 of Clayton Morris begins for the Rebels, and while they lost their leading rusher from last season to graduation, they have been working all summer to be a more complete team.
Odom’s Pick: Obion County 28, Lake County 16
Jackson’s Pick: Obion County 30, Lake County 12
Read the other region breakdowns
Region 6-1A Football: Can McKenzie make another run at the Class 1A state championship game?
Region 7-2A Football: Will Huntingdon make a run at a second straight state championship?
Region 7-3A Football: Can Westview repeat as region champion, state champion?
Region 8-4A Football: Will Haywood win the region championship again?
Best of the West
Milan at South Side
Odom’s Pick: Milan
Jackson’s Pick: Milan
Halls at Humboldt
Odom’s Pick: Humboldt
Jackson’s Pick: Humboldt
Ripley at Peabody
Odom’s Pick: Peabody
Jackson’s Pick: Peabody
Gibson County at West Carroll
Odom’s Pick: Gibson County
Jackson’s Pick: West Carroll
South Gibson at Franklin Road Academy
Odom’s Pick: FRA
Jackson’s Pick: FRA
Henry County at Haywood (Thurs.)
Odom’s Pick: Henry County
Jackson’s Pick: Haywood
McNairy Central at Fayette Academy
Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy
Jackson’s Pick: Fayette Academy
McKenzie at Huntingdon
Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon
Jackson’s Pick: Huntingdon
JCM at North Side
Odom’s Pick: North Side
Jackson’s Pick: North Side
Dyersburg at Dyer County
Odom’s Pick: Dyersburg
Jackson’s Pick: Dyer County
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.
