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Area teams are gearing up to face off this weekend. Here are my game picks for upcoming games.

McKenzie Tigers vs. Keith Bears

This could very well be the best McKenzie Tiger team in the last three decades as they went 9-1 overall and 6-1 in 1A Region 2 play. Coach Brian Bradford‘s black-and-gold Tigers rolled up 473 points on the 2024 season from their shotgun offense led by junior quarterback, Quay Johnson. But the Tiger defense has been shaky at times giving up a total of 228 points in 10 games.

The Tigers will host 5-5 blue-and-gold. Keith bears from 1A Region 4. The Bears are 4-3 in season play and have come close to playing the teams the Tigers have. So, with that factor in place, and the game being played in McKenzie, look for the Tigers to roll and advance to round two for the AHSAA 1A playoffs.

Gooch’s winner pick: McKenzie 42, Keith 8

Fort Dale Eagles vs. Valiant Cross Warriors

Coach Eric Folmar has had a terrific 2024 football season. Going 5-and-2 overall and 4-an-0. The critical game of this season was a 24-14 win on the road against the Monroe Academy volunteers, their first game since 2009. Also, the Eagles have rolled up 264 points on the season.

But the defense has given up 156 points in 10 games. The Eagles are coming off a 40-13 win over Edgewood on the road. Their first round AISA playoff will be the Valiant Cross Warriors who are only 4-and-4 overall in region play. Their offense has scored 192 points, but the “D” has given up 271 points in only eight games. They are coming into the 3A playoffs riding high after a 29 to 27 overtime win to spoil Crenshaw Christian Academy‘s homecoming last week. 

This game will be played at the Eagle’s nest at Fort Dale Academy. This should be enough to push them into the second round.

Gooch’s winner pick: Eagles 28, Warriors 20

Georgiana Panthers vs. Autauga Academy Generals

Coach Barry Bess and his Georgiana Panthers will hit US Interstate Highway 65 and travel 81 miles to Autaugaville to take on the Autauga Academy Generals. The Panthers end the regular season 6-4 overall and 5-2 in region play to give the No. 3 seed in 1A Region 2. The Generals finished the region season at 9-and-1 and 6-1 in region action. 

These two teams have never met in football action, but that means that there’s not plenty of history in this match. The Generals have won seven AISA state championships and the Panthers have been a longtime fixture in one AHSAA playoffs. Both teams played tough region opponents this season. This should be a great first-round game. Flip a coin.

Gooch’s winner pick: Generals 31, Panthers 28

Greenville Tigers vs. Central Clay County Volunteers

With the Tigers backing their way into the 5A AHSAA playoffs, the 6-4 Tigers received some great news after their 31-0 spanking of the Park Crossing Thunderbirds. That news being that the Charles Henderson Trojans had forfeited some region wins that knocked them out of the playoffs. as Greenville would slip into the No. 4 slot and put them into the playoffs. With a 3-and-3 region record they will face the difficult task of traveling to Lineville to the 10-0 5A Region 4 champion, the Central Clay County Volunteers.

The volunteers have rolled up 400 points in the season. What was good news for the black and gold Tigers last Friday night won’t be this Friday night. In the first ever meeting of these two ball clubs, 1,000-yard rusher Ty Phillips will keep it close for a half.

Gooch’s winner pick: Vols 35, Tigers 12

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers

Coach Kalen DeBoer will take  his 6-and-2 Alabama Crimson Tide to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers. Alabama holds a 55-27-5 record over the Tigers over the last decade. The Tide has won 23 games in Baton Rouge from 1971 to 2023. They don’t lose in Baton Rouge.

Gooch’s winner pick: Bama 38, LSU 28

Troy Trojans vs. Georgia Southern Eagles

Well the Trojans finally snapped a four-game losing streak with a 38-24 homecoming victory over Coastal Carolina. They now stand at 2-and-7 overall and 1-and-4 in Sun Belt Conference play.

This week they will march into Statesboro, Georgia to take on the 6-3 and 4-1 Georgia Southern Eagles. The Trojans and Eagles have met 13 times on the gridiron with Southern holding a one-game lead over the Trojans 7-6. Their last matchup they won 27-24. Don’t look for that this week.

Gooch’s Winner Pick: Eagles 31, Trojans 27

Gary “Gooch” Thomas is a long-time Crenshaw County resident, football fan and freelance writer.