South Fulton’s Ian Lawrence (12) runs the ball against Lake County during a Region 7-1A high school football game at Lake County on Oct. 9, 2026. Photo by David Fuzzell.

“The work is all on you this week,” I told Union City Messenger sports editor Gabe Jackson before walking out of the office on Saturday. “Weakley County Schools are all off this week, and I think I will be too.”

“Come again,” Jackson replied.

“I am heading to the beach for some sun and great food,” I laughed.

“Have you heard of Hurricane Is.., Isai…, Isaias?” Jackson asked.

“Oh, yea, maybe I can get some sun at Beech Lake then,” I scoffed.

“I am closing in on my first win in our pick’em,” Jackson said. “I tied my best week of the season with only two misses.”

“Yea, but I still won,” I laughed.

I went 10-1 last week with our Week 8 picks, beating Jackson by one as he went 9-2.

I went 4-1 in my picks involving Obion County and Weakley County teams with my lone miss being Dresden’s win over Greenfield by one point, while Jackson also went 4-1 with his one miss being West Carroll’s win over Gleason.

I am now 44-4 (.917 winning percentage) in picking games in the two counties, while Jackson is 27-17 (.614).

Jackson also missed North Side’s win over Liberty for his second miss last week.

Through eight weeks of the season, I am 104-12 (.897), while Jackson is 85-31 (.733).

Is this the week that Jackson gets that win over me?

South Fulton (6-1) at Obion County (3-4)

The Red Devils have been rolling since the loss to Humboldt. South Fulton is trying to clinch a home playoff spot in the Class 1A playoffs, while Obion County is hoping to find a way into the Class 3A playoffs. But this is a non-region game, so beginning to peak here at the end of the season is key.

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton 24, Obion County 12

Jackson’s Pick: South Fulton 22, Obion County 20

Union City (3-4, 2-1 7-2A) at Gibson County (1-6, 0-4)

The Golden Tornadoes have had all of Fall Break to think about the 55-0 loss to Milan before the break. Union City wanted to earn a playoff spot, and that begins with a win here.

Odom’s Pick: Union City 28, Gibson County 12

Jackson’s Pick: Union City 32, Gibson County 0

Best of the West

Halls (2-5, 0-3 7-2A) at Milan (5-2, 3-1)

Odom’s Pick: Milan

Jackson’s Pick: Milan

Lake County (4-3, 2-1 7-1A) at Humboldt (7-0, 4-0)

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt

Jackson’s Pick: Humboldt

South Gibson (3-4, 2-2 7-4A) at Crockett County (6-1, 3-1)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Jackson’s Pick: Crockett County

Covington (6-1, 3-0 7-3A) at Dyersburg (4-3, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Jackson’s Pick: Dyersburg

Dyer County (3-4) at USJ (6-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Jackson’s Pick: USJ

Jackson Christian (6-1, 2-1 D2A) at Harding Academy (3-4, 2-2)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Jackson’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Liberty (6-1) at JCM (4-3)

Odom’s Pick: JCM

Jackson’s Pick: JCM

Ripley (1-6, 0-3 7-3A) at McNairy Central (4-3, 1-3)

Odom’s Pick: McNairy Central

Jackson’s Pick: McNairy Central

Millington (1-6, 1-3 8-4A) at Fayette-Ware (3-4, 1-2)

Odom’s Pick: Millington

Jackson’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Memphis Business (3-4) at Haywood (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Jackson’s Pick: Haywood

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.