Milan’s Ty Hollingsworth (3) and Trinden Kirby (5) combine for a tackle against Huntingdon during a Region 7-2A high school football game at Paul Ward Stadium on Sept. 4, 2026. Photo by Carrie Hurt.

“Please pass me the Tums,” I groaned Monday morning as I sat at my desk.

“Something not agree with you from Sunday lunch?,” VIctor Parkins replied.

“No, I went to the Gibson County Fair on Saturday,” I groaned. “Cotton candy, fried oreos, funnel cake, candy apples and sno cones. I think I ate a little too much.”

“Well, it’s Labor Day, so let’s get these stories done and get out of here so we can enjoy the holiday,” Parkins replied. “Planning on grilling some steaks and corn if you are hungry later,”

“I think I will abstain today,” I said as I popped another Tums.

The positive is that Parkins and myself had strong weeks in Week 3 with our pick’em contest. We both went 12-3 with our picks.

Parkins picked all five Gibson County games correctly to improve to 13-1 (.929 winning percentage) in the county. I missed my first county game as I missed Chester County’s win over South Gibson to drop to 13-1 (.929).

We also both missed Lexington’s win over Crockett County and Bolton’s win over Fayette-Ware, while Parkins also missed Riverside’s win over Union City.

So I held onto my five-game lead, as I am now 38-8 (.826) on the season, while Parkins is 33-13 (.717).

Here is hoping for a few more wins in Week 4 over Parkins:

Milan (2-1) at Chattanooga Prep (1-2) (Sat.)

The Bulldogs need to put the loss to Huntingdon behind them as a home playoff game is still within their grasp. It is going to be hot Saturday, and Milan will have to take the over-three-hour bus ride. But this is a game that the Bulldogs can win.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 24, Chattanooga Prep 12

Vic’s Pick: Milan 31, Chattanooga Prep 21

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

This game could have big playoff implications. The Golden Tide are coming off the biggest win of the season, while JCM has cruised to wins over South Side and Brighton.

Odom’s Pick: JCM 27, Peabody 17

Vic’s Pick: JCM 35, Peabody 21

South Side (0-3, 0-1 7-4A) at South Gibson (0-3, 0-1)

The loser of this game is at the bottom of the Region 7-4A standings and looking at missing the Class 4A playoffs. Even with the injuries, South Gibson should have the better players on the field.

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson 21, South Side 6

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 35, South Side 12

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

The Tigers are yet to score more than one touchdown in a game – scoring 12 points over three games – while Humboldt is one of the most explosive offenses in West Tennessee.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 42, Middleton 6

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt 48, Middleton 0

Liberty (3-0) at Gibson County (1-2)

The Crusaders haven’t scored less than 42 points in a game this season with 128 points over three games. GIbson County will be the best team that Liberty has faced this season, but can the Pioneers turn that into a win?

Odom’s Pick: Liberty

Vic’s Pick: Liberty

West Carroll (0-3) at Bruceton (2-1)

The War Eagles scored their first touchdown of the season Friday night at Dresden. West Carroll will like to turn that into multiple scores per game. Bruceton is young and coming off its first loss of the season.

Odom’s Pick: Bruceton 34, West Carroll 8

Vic’s Pick: Bruceton 28, West Carroll 14

Best of the West

North Side (2-0, 1-0 7-4A) at Lexington (3-0, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Lexington

Vic’s Pick: Lexington

Crockett County (2-1, 0-1 7-4A) at Dyer County (2-1, 0-1)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County

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

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

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

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Vic’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

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

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

Obion County (3-0, 0-0 7-3A) at Westview (3-0, 0-0)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

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

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

Gleason (0-3, 0-0 7-1A) at Dresden (1-2, 1-0)

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: Dresden

Crittenden County (Ky.) (1-2) at Union City (0-3)

Odom’s Pick: Union City

Vic’s Pick: Crittenden County

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.