Peabody’s Jonah Smith (12) throws a pass during a 7-on-7 scrimmage in July 2025.

“Michael, why do you smell like bleach and look about shades higher than a sickly white,” Victor Parkins asked as I walked into the office Monday morning.

“Well, I was cleaning my house on Sunday, so that is the bleach smell,” I replied. “And did you see my picks last week? Nauseating.”

“You picked against the ‘Dogs in the Dog and Pony Show, and it all went downhill from there,” Parkins scoffed.

“Yea, I have been trying to avoid Lincoln Reel all weekend because I think he has a water balloon filled with whipped cream that he is looking to nail me with for picking against the Bulldogs,” I said as I slumped into my chair and out of the window.

Parkins’ lead grew last week as he went 13-2 and I went 11-4.

Parkins was a perfect 5-0 in picking the Gibson County area games, while I went 3-2. I missed Huntingdon’s win over Milan and South Fulton’s win over Humboldt.

We are both now 12-2 in our Gibson County picks.

Outside of Gibson County, Parkins and I both missed St. Benedict’s win over Fayette Academy. I also missed Bruceton’s win over Greenfield, while he missed North Side’s win over South Side.

So after three weeks, Parkins is 36-9 (.800 winner percentage) and I am 32-13 (.711).

Here is hoping for better luck in Week 4:

South Gibson (1-2, 1-0 7-4A) at South Side (1-2, 0-1)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

The Hornets reached a level they have been looking for in the early part of the season. They want to play that way again this week and avenge last year’s Week 11 loss to the Hawks and go 2-0 in region play.

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson 24, South Side 21

Parkins’ Pick: South Gibson 21, South Side 13

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

When: 7 p.m., Friday

This will be the first real test of the Golden Tide with Tab Vowell in charge. Peabody picked up the win last year and sent the Cougars to a No. 3 seed in the region.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 32, JCM 21

Parkins’ Pick: JCM 20, Peabody 14

Chattanooga Prep (0-3) at Milan (3-0) 

When: 3 p.m., Saturday

The Bulldogs are coming off the biggest win of the season, and one where the defense kept Huntingdon out of the end zone. This should be the first of two easy games for Milan, if the team doesn’t make mistakes.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 38, Chattanooga Prep 6

Parkins’ Pick: Milan 45, Chattanooga Prep 12

Humboldt (0-3) at Middleton (1-2)

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

The Vikings are hungry to earn the first win of the season after getting shut out last week. A Thursday trip to Hardeman County could be just the trick that they are looking for to get that win.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 24, Middleton 12

Parkins’ Pick: Humboldt 30, Middleton 6

Gibson County (0-3) at Liberty (3-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

While these two teams have had the opposite starts to the season, don’t think that Liberty is back to its old self. The Crusaders’ opponents thus far are 1-8 on the season.

Odom’s Pick: Liberty 36, Gibson County 16

Parkins’ Pick: Liberty 27, Gibson County 14

TCA (1-2) at West Carroll (1-2)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

The Lions have taken two losses since opening the season with a win over Dresden, the same Dresden team that shut out the War Eagles last week to open region play.

Odom’s Pick: TCA 35, West Carroll 8

Parkins’ Pick: TCA 42, West Carroll 22

Best of the West

Haywood (2-1, 1-0 8-4A) at Lakeland Prep (1-2, 0-1) (Thurs.)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Parkins’ Pick: Haywood

Dresden (2-1, 1-0 7-1A) at Gleason (1-2, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Parkins’ Pick: Dresden

South Fulton (2-0, 1-0 7-1A) at Greenfield (1-2, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton

Parkins’ Pick: South Fulton

Westview (2-0) at Obion County (3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Parkins’ Pick: Westview

Lexington (2-1, 0-1 7-4A) at North Side (2-0, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Parkins’ Pick: North Side

Dyer County (3-0, 1-0 7-4A) at Crockett County (3-0, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Parkins’ Pick: Crockett County

Adamsville (2-0, 0-0 5-2A) at Riverside (0-3, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: Adamsville

Parkins’ Pick: Adamsville

Fayette-Ware (2-1, 0-0 8-4A) at Millington (0-3, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Parkins’ Pick: Fayette-Ware

USJ (3-0, 1-0 D2-A) at Fayette Academy (1-2, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Parkins’ 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.