Sorry, no talking this week folks. As a first-year season ticket holder for Nashville SC, my voice was shot Saturday night when Nashville scored two stoppage time goals to beat Columbus 3-2 and stay in first place in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference standings.

“Good thing, you don’t have to talk to get these stories done this morning,” owner Victor Parkins said as I walked in the office Monday morning.

“Yes, but I need another strong week of picks,” I said in a whisper, trying to save my voice. “Now that I am in the lead, I have to stay in the lead.”

Parkins rolled his eyes.

I took a two-game lead over Parkins after Week 1 of our pick’em contest. I went 14-2 (.875 winning percentage), while Parkins went 12-4 (.750).

We both went 5-0 in our picks involving Gibson County area teams.

We both missed McNairy Central’s win over Fayette Academy and Dyer County’s win over Dyersburg, while Parkins also missed Fulton County (Ky.)’s win over Gleason and Jackson Christian’s win over Union City.

“I think you are deadline with a few stories to turn in,” Parkins said with a laugh as I popped another throat lozenge into my mouth.

Here is hoping for another good week in Week 2:

Milan (1-0) at South Gibson (0-1)

Throw the Week 1 results out. This is a rivalry game, and both will be hungry to earn a win before region play begins next week. Both teams have had struggles in scrimmages, but many coaches will say that the biggest improvement during a season comes between Week 1 and Week 2. Which team makes the biggest improvement going into Friday night?

Odom’s Pick: Milan 20, South Gibson 17

Vic’s Pick: Milan 28, South Gibson 24

Humboldt (1-0) at Peabody (1-0)

This used to be one of the top rivalries in West Tennessee. Humboldt leads the series 50-36-9, but Peabody has won 11 straight meetings. Peabody is young and learning each week, while Humboldt has a more veteran team.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 28, Peabody 18

Vic’s Pick: Peabody 28, Humboldt 14

Gibson County (1-0) at Obion County (1-0)

The Pioneers picked up their first win in the Kyle Pack era, and it was a huge moment for the program last Friday. But now they must go on the road for the second straight week and play an Obion County team that is also coming off a win.

Odom’s Pick: Obion County 24, Gibson County 12

Vic’s Pick: Obion County 38, Gibson County 7

Fayette-Ware (0-1) at West Carroll (0-1)

The War Eagles have an even tougher task this week as an athletic Fayette-Ware team comes to town. West Carroll has to figure out a way to get the offense going this week.

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware 38, West Carroll 6

Vic’s Pick: Fayette-Ware 31, West Carroll 13

Best of the West

Rossville Christian (1-1) at Fayette Academy (0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Vic’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Haywood (0-1) at Covington (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Vic’s Pick: Covington

McKenzie (0-1) at Dresden (0-1)

Odom’s Pick: McKenzie

Vic’s Pick: McKenzie

Gleason (0-1) at Bruceton (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Bruceton

Vic’s Pick: Bructon

Stewart County (0-1) at Greenfield (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

Compass Prep (Ariz.) (0-0) at Westview (1-0) (Sat)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Compass Prep

South Fulton (0-0) at Fulton County (Ky.) (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton

Union City (0-1) at Dyer County (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Dyer County

Vic’s Pick: Union City

Jackson Christian (1-0) at DCA (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Vic’s Pick: Jackson Christian

USJ (1-0) at ECS (0-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

Lexington (1-0) at Riverside (1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Lexington

Vic’s Pick: Lexington

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.