Westview’s Asa Barnes (5) runs the ball against Dyersburg during a Region 7-3A high school football game at Hardy Graham Stadium on Oct. 23, 2026. Photo by Christel Laney.

“Don’t talk to me, don’t look at me, don’t breathe my air!” I said walking into the office Monday morning.

“Can’t take when you don’t win, can you?” Union City Messenger sports editor Gabriel Jackson laughed.

“We can talk about that later, but if I get stopped by the train in Milan one more time on a Saturday night coming home from Weakley County, I am going to scream,” I snorted.

“Well, yes that train likes to sit on the tracks for long periods,” Jackson said.

“I think I sat there for 25 minutes on Saturday, and the traffic was well past Johnnie Hale Stadium when it finally passed,” I said.

“So how about you not beating me this week?” Jackson laughed.

“Yea, yea, I put my faith in a couple of teams that let me down, but I am ready for a big Week 11,” I said.

Jackson and myself tied with a 12-3 mark in picks last week.

I missed two picks in our Obion County and Weakley County picks as I missed Union City’s win over JCM and South Fulton’s win over Dresden, while Jackson also missed Union City’s win over Dresden.

In our two counties, I am 50-6 (.893 winning percentage), while Jackson is 38-18 (.679).

We both also missed North Side’s win over South Gibson, and Jackson missed Fayette Academy’s win over Harding Academy.

Through 10 weeks of the season, I hold a 19-game lead on Jackson, as I am 127-16 (.888) and Jackson is 108-35 (.755).

Here is to a strong finish to the regular season:

Dresden (4-5, 3-2 7-1A) at Lake County (4-5, 2-3)

The Lions need to win to secure the No. 3 seed in the Class 1A playoffs. While Lake County would need major help to get in the playoffs even with a win.

Odom’s Pick: Dresden 21, Lake County 12

Jackson’s Pick: Dresden 37, Lake County 22

Gleason (0-9, 0-5 7-1A) at Greenfield (5-4, 2-3)

A Weakley County rivalry, but the Bulldogs have struggled to score recently, while Greenfield is trying to be ready for a road playoff game the following week.

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield 28, Gleason 6

Jackson’s Pick: Greenfield 23, Gleason 20

Westview (9-0, 5-0 7-3A) at Covington (7-2, 4-1)

Westview wants to finish off the undefeated regular season and play better than it did last week against Dyersburg. The Class 3A playoffs loom for both teams, so both want to peak now.

Odom’s Pick: Westview 42, Covington 28

Jackson’s Pick: Westview 38, Covington 33

Huntingdon (9-0, 5-0 7-2A) at Union City (5-4, 4-1)

The Mustangs are trying to finish off an undefeated season. Union City has assured itself a spot in the Class 2A playoffs. There is a chance the Golden Tornadoes can win the region with a win here, but they need help from Peabody.

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon 35, Union City 7

Jackson’s Pick: Union City 28, Huntingdon 26

Obion County (4-5, 1-4 7-3A) at Bolivar (3-6, 2-3)

The Tigers are trying to clinch the No. 4 seed in the Class 3A playoffs. Obion County is mathematically eliminated. But coach Clayton Morris and his Rebels would love to go into the offseason with some momentum.

Odom’s Pick: Bolivar 24, Obion County 12

Jackson’s Pick: Obion County 12, Bolivar 10

West Carroll (1-8, 1-4 7-1A) at South Fulton (8-1, 4-1)

The Red Devils have clinched a home playoff game in the Class 1A playoffs. They want to ride into the postseason with momentum.

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton 28, West Carroll 6

Jackson’s Pick: South Fulton 35, West Carroll 0

Best of the West

USJ (8-1, 5-0 D2-A) at Jackson Christian (8-1, 4-1)

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Jackson’s Pick: USJ

Milan (7-2, 4-1 7-2A) at Peabody (5-4, 2-3)

Odom’s Pick: Milan

Jackson’s Pick: Milan

Hardin County (4-5, 3-3 7-4A) at South Gibson (3-6, 2-4)

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson

Jackson’s Pick: South Gibson

Humboldt (9-0) at Lakeland Prep (6-3)

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt

Jackson’s Pick: Humboldt

Stewart County (7-2) at Gibson County (1-8)

Odom’s Pick: Stewart County

Jackson’s Pick: Stewart County

Chester County (4-5, 2-4 7-4A) at North Side (6-3, 4-2)

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Jackson’s Pick: North Side

Haywood (7-2, 5-0 8-4A) at Kirby (5-4, 4-1)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Jackson’s Pick: Haywood

Fayette Academy (5-4, 2-3 D2-A) at FACS (0-8, 0-5)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Jackson’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Craigmont (1-8, 0-5 8-4A) at Fayette-Ware (3-6, 1-4)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Jackson’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

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.