Gleason’s Joey Vargas (5) runs the ball against Dresden during a Region 7-1A high school football game at Dresden on Sept. 11, 2026. Photo by Pam Dietz.

“Wake up!” I heard Monday morning when Union City sports editor Gabriel Jackson walked in the office.

“What?!?” I replied groggily.

“Didn’t get much sleep this weekend?” Jackson laughed.

“You should have been at that Haywood-Lakeland Prep game Friday night,” I grumbled. “It didn’t end at 11:35 p.m. There was 1,100 yards of offense, 114 points and too many penalties to count.”

“It rained up here in Martin also,” Jackson chuckled.

“I dreamt of more touchdowns all night Friday night,” I responded.

“Well, I had my best week of the season with only two misses last week, so go ahead and give me that steak dinner,” Jackson replied.

Jackson and myself both went 12-2 last week, and I was the only one that missed a game in our two counties as I missed South Fulton’s win over Greenfield.

I am now 21-2 (.913 winning percentage) in picking Obion County and Weakley County games, while Jackson is 14-9 (.609).

We both missed Chattanooga Prep’s win over Milan, and Jackson also missed Lexington’s over North Side.

After five weeks, I hold a nine-game lead as I am 51-9 (.850), while Jackson is 42-18 (.700).

Can Jackson make a move and cut into my lead in Week 5:

McNairy Central (3-1, 0-1 7-3A) at Westview (4-0, 1-0)

The Chargers seem to be rolling, but the Bobcats did give Dyersburg a game in Week 4. But Westview’s full-circled game seems to bee too much for most teams.

Odom’s Pick: Westview 42, McNairy Central 13

Jackson’s Pick: Westview 56, McNairy Central 14

Covington (3-1, 0-0) at Obion County (3-1, 0-1)

The Rebels need to bounce back quickly to be ready for a very athletic Covington team, whose only loss was to Haywood in Week 2.

Odom’s Pick: Covington 28, Obion County 14

Jackson’s Pick: Obion County 20, Covington 13

Ripley (1-3) at Dresden (2-2)

The Lions have now won back-to-back games in region play. They now get to host Ripley for the second straight season as their stadium is under construction.

Odom’s Pick: Dresden 32, Ripley 8

Jackson’s Pick: Dresden 40, Ripley 9

Greenfield (2-2) at Fulton County (Ky.) (2-2)

The Yellowjackets dropped their first region game of the season last week. This is their final non-region game of the season before playing all region opponents in the final five games, so they want to be playing well before that hits.

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield 38, Fulton County (Ky.) 28

Jackson’s Pick: Greenfield 35, Fulton County (Ky.) 20

Lake County (0-3, 0-0 7-1A) at Gleason (0-4, 0-1)

One of these teams will pick up their first win of the season, and it will be a Region 7-1A win. Playoffs are not out of the question for the winning team.

Odom’s Pick: Lake County 24, Gleason 12

Jackson’s Pick: Lake County 23, Gleason 10

Perry County (1-3) at South Fulton (2-1)

While the Red Devils are back to .500 in Region 7-1A play after beating Greenfield, they will want to continue that upswing with this non-region contest.

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton 28, Perry County 14

Jackson’s Pick: South Fulton 13, Perry County 10

Union City (1-3, 0-0 7-2A) at Halls (2-2, 0-1)

The Golden Tornadoes finally get to get into Region 7-2A play, and a win here is necessary, if they want to be in the running for a spot in the Class 2A playoffs.

Odom’s Pick: Union City 33, Halls 21

Jackson’s Pick: Halls 30, Union City 24

Best of the West

Gibson County (1-3, 0-1 7-2A) at Milan (2-2, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Milan

Jackson’s Pick: Milan

Douglass (0-4) at Peabody (2-2)

Odom’s Pick: Peabody

Jackson’s Pick: Peabody

Trezevant (2-2) at South Gibson (1-3)

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson

Jackson’s Pick: South Gibson

Humboldt (4-0, 1-0 7-1A) at West Carroll (0-4, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt

Jackson’s Pick: Humboldt

Huntingdon (4-0, 2-0 7-2A) at JCM (3-1, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Jackson’s Pick: Huntingdon

Haywood (3-1) at Munford (3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Munford

Jackson’s Pick: Munford

Jackson Christian (4-0, 0-0 D-2A) at Fayette Academy (1-3, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Jackson’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Fayette-Ware (1-2, 0-0 8-4A) at Lakeland Prep (2-2, 1-1)

Odom’s Pick: Lakeland Prep

Jackson’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

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.