South Gibson’s Max McGowan (22) kicks an extra point against South Side during a Region 7-4A high school football game at South Gibson on Sept. 11, 2026. Photo by Jacob Bateman.

“Wake up!” I heard Monday morning when Victor Parkins walked in the office

“What?!?” I replied groggily.

“Didn’t get much sleep this weekend?” Parkins 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.”
Parkins chuckled.

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

“Well, South Gibson only ended a little bit before that as the game didn’t start until close to 9 p.m., but the Hornets picked up their first win of the season,” Parkins said.

Both of those games were games that we got correctly last week, and I gained a one-game lead on Parkins for a six-game lead for the year.

Parkins and myself went 5-1 with our picks of Gibson County area teams. Our loss was Chattanooga Prep beating Milan on Saturday. We are both 18-2 (.900 winning percentage) in picking games with county teams.

I went 12-2 on the week, while Parkins went 11-3. We both also missed South Fulton’s win over Greenfield, while Parkins also missed Union City’s win over Crittenden County (Ky.).

For the season, I am 50-10 (.833), while Parkins is 44-16 (.733) after four weeks.

Will Parkins cut into my lead this week?

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

The Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back losses, and they are going to be hungry to get back to winning. Gibson County has improved, but not sure if the Pioneers are ready for the top teams in Region 7-2A.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 35, Gibson County 6

Vic’s Pick: Milan 48, Gibson County 12

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

The Golden Tide were held to seven points last week in a loss to Jackson Central-Merry. Peabody needs a game to get the offense back in rhythm, and this might be the one.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 32, Douglass 6

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 31, Douglass 12

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

The Hornets picked up their first win of the season. Now they need to get a second and try to gain momentum before Region 7-4A play begins next week. Trezevant has lost back-to-back games.

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson 38, Trezevant 6

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 44, Trezevant 0

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

The Vikings only got to score once last week in the thunderstorm-shortened game. Humboldt is looking to be on top of Region 7-1A, and they are favored to start region play 2-0.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt

Best of the West

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

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

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

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Vic’s Pick: Covington

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

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: Dresdn

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

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

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

Odom’s Pick: Lake County

Vic’s Pick: Lake County

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

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton

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

Odom’s Pick: Union City

Vic’s Pick: Union City

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

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

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

Odom’s Pick: Munford

Vic’s Pick: Munford

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

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Vic’s Pick: Jackson Christian

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

Odom’s Pick: Lakeland Prep

Vic’s Pick: Lakeland Prep

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.