Milan’s JT Conley (6) catches a kick against South Side during a Week 1 high school football game at South Side.

“Aren’t you glad Hurricane Is.., Isai…, Isaias didn’t reach Tennessee on Friday night?” Victor Parkins laughed Monday morning as we arrived at the office.

“Can you even say that name correctly?” I replied. “Why such a confusing name?”

“We sure did get some rain on Saturday,” Parkins said.

“Yea, I have already dealt with one rainy Friday this year that caused me to still be on the field at Haywood at 11:30 p.m. with a game that had 114 points scored,” I replied.

“Just think of all those families that had to miss out on the end of their vacation for Fall Break as beaches were evacuated,” Parkins said. “But how about a week when you weren’t able to beat me again…”

“I knew this was coming,” I scoffed.

Somehow Parkins and myself tied last week as we both went 10-1. I missed Dresden’s one-point win over Greenfield, while Parkins missed South Fulton’s win over Lake County.

We both got the two Gibson County area games correct and are 36-2 (.947 winning percentage) when picking games involving county games.

For the season, I hold an eight-game lead on Parkins after eight weeks. I am now 103-13 (.888), while Parkins is 95-21 (.819).

Can Parkins win a week on me after tying me twice in the past four weeks?

Halls (2-5, 0-3 7-2A) at Milan (5-2, 3-1)

Coming off Fall Break, the Bulldogs get to celebrate Homecoming this week. Milan can come close to clinching a home playoff game with a win in this one.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 42, Halls 7

Vic’s Pick: Milan 56, Halls 13

Lake County (4-3, 2-1 7-1A) at Humboldt (7-0, 4-0)

The Vikings are coming off a bye week, and they can all but wrap up the region championship with a win here as Humboldt only has winless Gleason remaining on the region schedule.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 38, Lake County 13

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt 30, Lake County 7

South Gibson (3-4, 2-2 7-4A) at Crockett County (6-1, 3-1)

The Hornets need to win two of their final three games to try and clinch a spot in the Class 4A playoffs. But Crockett County only has one loss to Lexington, and the Cavaliers’ defense has been tough to beat in the other six games.

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County 24, South Gibson 21

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County 28, South Gibson 27

Union City (3-4, 2-1 7-2A) at Gibson County (1-6, 0-4)

The Golden Tornadoes had all of Fall Break to think about the 55-0 loss to Milan the previous week, so Union City will be ready to let out some pent-up anger.

Odom’s Pick: Union City 31, Gibson County 16

Vic’s Pick: Union City 24, Gibson County 20

Best of the West

South Fulton (6-1) at Obion County (3-4)

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton

Covington (6-1, 3-0 7-3A) at Dyersburg (4-3, 3-0)

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Vic’s Pick: Covington

Dyer County (3-4) at USJ (6-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

Jackson Christian (6-1, 2-1 D2A) at Harding Academy (3-4, 2-2)

Odom’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Vic’s Pick: Jackson Christian

Liberty (6-1) at JCM (4-3)

Odom’s Pick: JCM

Vic’s Pick: JCM

Ripley (1-6, 0-3 7-3A) at McNairy Central (4-3, 1-3)

Odom’s Pick: McNairy Central

Vic’s Pick: McNairy Central

Millington (1-6, 1-3 8-4A) at Fayette-Ware (3-4, 1-2)

Odom’s Pick: MIllington

Vic’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Memphis Business (3-4) at Haywood (5-2)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

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.