Milan’s Jay Donaldson (1) gets up the field after catching a pass against Nashville Collegiate Prep at Johnnie Hale Stadium on Oct. 23, 2026. Photo by Carrie Hurt.

“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 a loss can you?” Victor Parkins 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,” Parkins 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 me beating you this week?” Parkins 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.

Parkins went 13-2 last week to beat me by one game as I went 12-3.

I went 5-1 with my Gibson County area picks – missing North Side’s win over South Gibson – while Parkins went 6-0. For the season, Parkins is 46-2 (.958 winning percentage), while I am 45-3 (.938).

In games outside of the county, Parkins and myself missed Union City’s win over JCM, while I also missed South Fulton’s win over Dresden and Parkins missed Greenfield’s over Lake County.

Through 10 weeks, I hold an eight game lead as I am 126-17 (.881) and Parkins is 118-25 (.825).

Here is hoping I can get back my lead in Week 11:

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

The Bulldogs are trying to close out the regular season on a six-game winning streak. The Golden Tide kept the first quarter close against Huntingdon before the Mustangs pulled away.

Odom’s Pick: Milan 32, Peabody 14

Vic’s Pick: Milan 42, Peabody 14

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

The Hornets must win this game to reach the Class 4A playoffs. They would also need a little help with North Side knocking off Chester County. But South Gibson must pick up a fourth win on the season to keep its season alive.

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

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 35, Hardin County 17

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

Both of these offenses have put up big numbers all season. The Vikings are trying to finish off their first undefeated season since 1980. A win here shows that Humboldt can play with a quality 4A team.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 35, Lakeland Prep 32

Vic’s Pick: Humboldt 38, Lakeland Prep 35

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

The Rebels have turned the program around this season, and this will be a tough matchup for a Gibson County team trying to end an eight-game skid.

Odom’s Pick: Stewart County 38, Gibson County 6

Vic’s Pick: Stewart County 42, Gibson County 12

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

The War Eagles are mathematically out of the playoffs, while South Fulton will host a first round game next week. West Carroll would love to pull off the upset to head into the offseason with momentum.

Odom’s Pick: South Fulton 24, West Carroll 6

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton 35,West Carroll 13

Best of the West

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

Odom’s Pick: USJ

Vic’s Pick: USJ

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

Odom’s Pick: North Side

Vic’s Pick: North Side

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

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: Dresden

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

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Greenfield

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

Odom’s Pick: Covington

Vic’s Pick: Westview

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

Odom’s Pick: Huntingdon

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon

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

Odom’s Pick: Bolivar

Vic’s Pick: Obion County

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

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

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

Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Vic’s Pick: Fayette Academy

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

Odom’s Pick: Fayette-Ware

Vic’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.