Milan’s Jaydon Peete (5) runs the ball against University School of Jackson during a high school football jamboree at Johnnie Hale Stadium on Aug. 16, 2024.

Walking in the office Monday morning, the sweat was dripping off my hair.

“Looks like you are a little hot,” Victor Parkins said.

I shifted my crown a little – the one I won beating him in last year’s pick’em contest by six – and replied, “Yea, I think I have sweat as much as the players over the past couple of weeks.”

Parkins rolled his eyes as I fanned my face while sitting at my desk.

“Well, this is a new season, and this time I will reign supreme,” Parkins said.

“Maybe, you have been in the heat too much,” I replied with a laugh.

But it is that time for the annual Vic vs. Odom pick’em contest because Week 1 games begin in two days (Thursday).

So Parkins and I will pick the score of every game involving a Gibson County area team and then however many other games from across West Tennessee to get to 15 games total.

So here we go with Week 1:

Milan at South Gibson (Thursday)

The Bulldogs have picked up two straight wins in this series, and they seem to have the athletes to be favored once again. But the Hornets are at home with three former Milan coaches on staff

Odom’s Pick: Milan 35, South Gibson 14

Vic’s Pick: Milan 30, South Gibson 13

Gibson County at West Carroll

Two new head coaches as Kyle Pack moved to take over his alma mater, while Adam Dowland moved from defensive coordinator to head coach. West Carroll’s Jayden Milton will look to set the tone.

Odom’s Pick: West Carroll 24, Gibson County 12

Vic’s Pick: West Carroll 16, Gibson County 14

USJ at Peabody

Both of these teams should be improved over last year, and the two battled before USJ won 14-7. Expect Peabody coach Shane Jacobs to have something up his sleeve to win at home.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 21, USJ 14

Vic’s Pick: USJ 28, Peabody 21

Humboldt at McNairy Central

Former South Gibson assistant Justin Truett takes over the Bobcats’ program, and Hayden Williams is now in charge of the Vikings. The Vikings should get better as the year goes on.

Odom’s Pick: McNairy Central 35, Humboldt 21

Vic’s Pick: McNairy Central 28, Humboldt 20

Other top games

Dresden at Westview

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

Fulton County (Ky.) at Gleason

Odom’s Pick: Gleason

Vic’s Pick: Gleason

Greenfield at Perry County

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

McKenzie at Huntingdon

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

Crockett County at North Side

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County

TCA at Chester County

Odom’s Pick: TCA

Vic’s Pick: Chester County

Dyersburg at Dyer County

Odom’s Pick: Dyersburg

Vic’s Pick: Dyer County

Lake County at Obion County

Odom’s Pick: Obion County

Vic’s Pick: Obion County

Fayette Academy at Adamsville

Odom’s Pick: Adamsville

Vic’s Pick: Adamsville

Liberty at JCM

Odom’s Pick: JCM

Vic’s Pick: JCM

Fayette-Ware at Bolivar

Odom’s Pick: Bolivar

Vic’s Pick: Bolivar