Milan’s Manny Pittman (12) makes a tackle against Mitchell during a Class 2A first round playoff game at Johnnie Hale Stadium on Nov. 6, 2026. Photo by Carrie Hurt.

“Oh the heart palpitations from Friday night,” Victor Parkins said Monday morning at the office. “I think half the fans in the stands were checking their heart rate in the final three minutes of that game.”

“We said Mitchell’s defense was tough,” I replied.

“But 4th-and-26 to a first down at the four-yard line on the run by Gray Lockhart,” Parkins replied. “And then the defensive stop on the other end..”

“Milan took the survive-and-advance motto to the extreme,” I laughed.

“Boy, they do that this week, it is going to be tough on some of us,” Parkins replied.

“You know who didn’t survive?” I said. “Your picks.”

“You had to bring that up…” Parkins scoffed.

I added one game to my lead as I went 12-3 last week, beating Parkins’ 11-4.

We both got all three Gibson County games correct, so Parkins is now 53-3 (.946 winning percentage) in the county, while I am 52-4 (.929).

Parkins and myself both missed Greenfield’s win over Middle College and Lakeland Prep’s win over North Side. I also missed Concord Christian’s win over Fayette Academy, while Parkins missed MASE’s win over JCM and Bolivar’s win over Bolton.

Through 12 weeks of picks, I have home 151-22 (.873), while Parkins has gone 142-31 (,821) to give me a nine-game lead.

Here is hoping for two Gibson County wins in the second round:

Milan (9-2) at Adamsville (10-1)

Injuries have been piling up for Milan. THe Bulldogs got the benefit of playing the first round at home, but now they must make the trip south and face a tough Adamsville team. Milan’s defense must find a way to limit Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalist JC Gray.

Odom’s Pick: Adamsville 21, Milan 14

Vic’s Pick: Milan 17, Adamsville 14

Wayne County (5-6) at Humboldt (10-1)

The Vikings bounced back from the first loss of the season with an easy win in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. Humboldt has some of the top skill players in all of Class 1A, and they will need to show out on Saturday to try to get the Vikings into the state quarterfinals.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 32, Wayne County 24

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt 28, Wayne County 10

Best of the West

Class 1A

South Fulton (10-1) at Cornersville (11-0)

Odom’s Pick: Cornersville

Vic’s Pick: Cornersville

Dresden (6-5) at McKenzie (8-2)

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: McKenzie

Greenfield (7-4) at Eagleville (7-4)

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Eagleville

Class 2A

Riverside (8-3) at Huntingdon (11-0)

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

Class 3A

Dyersburg (7-4) at Whites Creek (9-1)

Odom’s Pick: Dyersburg

Vic’s Pick: Whites Creek

Covington (8-3) at Fairview (11-0)

Odom’s Pick: Fairview

Vic’s Pick: Fairview

Cheatham County (8-3) at Westview (11-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

Class 4A

Crockett County (10-1) at Marshall County (6-5)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County

Spring Hill (9-2) at Lexington (11-0)

Odom’s Pick: Lexington

Vic’s Pick: Lexington

Springfield (10-1) at Haywood (9-2)

Odom’s Pick: Springfield

Vic’s Pick: Springfield

Division II-A

TCA (9-1) at Nashville Christian (8-2)

Odom’s Pick: Nashville Christian

Vic’s Pick: Nashville Christian

Jackson Christian (9-2) at MTCS (9-1)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Vic’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Providence Christian (7-4) at USJ (9-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

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.