The Humboldt Vikings open Region 7-1A play against South Fulton on Friday night.

“College football is back!”

“Other than Memphis beating UNLV, what was there really to watch?” Victor Parkins replied.

“It doesn’t matter, there was football in Dublin, Ireland yesterday, there was an ACC matchup,” I replied. “But the key is college football is back, so all is right with the world.”

“Well, Saturday is over and there is no more football until Thursday, so how about finishing up those sports stories before deadline,” Parkins chuckled.

“Well, I am just as excited about my results last week in our football contest,” I responded.

“Oh, brother, here we go…” Parksins said with an eye roll.

I beat Parkins by three games last week, and I now lead him by five games. I went 12-3 with my picks, including a 4-0 mark with Gibson County area games, while Parkins went 9-6 with a 3-1 mark in the county games.

Parkins missed the Humboldt win over Peabody in the county games.

We both missed Stewart County over Greenfield, Haywood over Covington and Evangelical Christian over USJ. Parkins’ other two misses were Dyer County over Union City and Westview over Compass Prep (Ariz.).

Week 3 is sure to have some crazy results with region play beginning.

Milan (2-0) at Huntingdon (2-0)

The Dog and Pony Show returns! Milan hasn’t given up a point this season, while the Mustangs have scored 91 points in two games. Huntingdon returns some key players from last year’s state title run.

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon 27, Milan 14

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon 35, Milan 21

South Fulton (1-0) at Humboldt (2-0)

The Vikings have looked good offensively in wins over Halls and Peabody, but now Region 7-1A play begins and this is all about seeding and trying to win a region title.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 34, South Fulton 18

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt 40, South Fulton 12

South Gibson (0-2) at Chester County (2-0)

The Hornets were in this spot without a win last year, but they still reached the Class 4A state semifinals. A win here by South Gibson puts the first two weeks behind them with a region title still ahead.

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson 21, Chester County 20

Vic’s Pick: Chester County 28, South Gibson 24

Peabody (1-1) at Gibson County (1-1)

Both teams won in Week 1 and lost in Week 2. Gibson County is much improved, but are the Pioneers improved enough to compete against Peabody. The Golden Tide is young, but they will be hungry to try and get back to winning.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 21, Gibson County 8

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 42, Gibson County 12

West Carroll (0-2) at Dresden (0-2)

Neither of these teams are off to good starts after the first two weeks. The War Eagles are yet to score a point, so that is something that has to be figured out this week.

Odom’s Pick: Dresden 20, West Carroll 12

Vic’s Pick: Dresden 28, West Carroll 13

Best of the West

Marshall County (1-1) at Westview (2-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

Obion County (2-0) at Gleason (0-2)

Odom’s Pick: Obion County

Vic’s Pick: Obion County

Bruceton (2-0) at Greenfield (1-1)

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

Riverside (1-1) at Union City (0-2)

Odom’s Pick: Riverside

Vic’s Pick: Union City

Craigmont (1-1) at Haywood (1-1)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

Fayette Academy (1-1) at St. Benedict (2-0)

Odom’s Pick: St. Benedict

Vic’s Pick: St. Benedict

Fayette-Ware (1-1) at Bolton (0-2)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Vic’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Lexington (2-0) at Crockett County (2-0)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County

TCA (2-0) at USJ (1-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

ECS (1-1) at Jackson Christian (2-0)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Vic’s Pick: Jackson Christian

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.