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

Greenville Tigers vs. Eufaula Tigers

The 2024 football season has been a roller coaster ride for both the 3-3 Greenville Tigers and the Eufaula Tigers. Both teams are striving to reach the 2024 Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoffs. Coach Garrick Pimienta’s Greenville team came out of the gate quickly to go 2-and0 on the young season, but since then the black-and-gold Tigers have dropped three out of their last four games, the latest being a 29-20 thriller to the Hillcrest Evergreen Jags. They now stand in fifth place in Region 2 5A action.

On the other hand, the Eufaula Tigers have won two of their last three games and stand in Region 2 5A play at third place. They too are coming off a disappointing loss to the Wetumpka Indians. This game will be3 played at Greenville Stadium and if running back Canderious Williams can get on track early, the black-and-gold Tigers should get the win.

Gooch’s winner pick: Greenville 24, Eufaula 21

Fort Dale Eagles vs. Banks Academy Jets

For the third win in a row, the Fort Dale Eagles will fly into Birmingham to take on the Banks Academy Jets in a 3A Alabama Independent School Association matchup. The Eagles took a lump on the head as they lost 31-21 to the Patrician Academy Saints. The Banks squad took last Friday night off and should be well rested to do battle with the Eagles. As a matter of fact, they have not played since Sept. 13 when they won 52-28, their second victory of the season. Fort Dale stands firmly atop of the Region 3 3A AISA standings with a 3-0 mark. These two teams have never met on the gridiron, but going on the road for three weeks may ground the Eagles, giving the edge to Banks.

Gooch’s winner pick:  Jets 20, Eagles 14

McKenzie Tigers vs. Pleasant Home Eagles

Coach Brian Bradford has the McKenzie Tigers roaring like the Tigers of years gone by. Quarterback Ziquayvion Jackson and his black-and-gold teams have the Tigers atop the 1A Region standings 2-and-1 and 5-0 overall. The Tigers shutout 50-0 win over J.R. Shields has them roaming the field to capture more victims. They will be on the road again this week for a region contest against the low-flying Eagles of Pleasant Home. 

The Eagles are 1-4 overall with their only win being a week two 14-8 nailbiter with Fruitdale. On the road or at home, this will be win number six for the Tigers.

Gooch’s winner pick: McKenzie 34, Pleasant Home 0

Georgiana Panthers vs. Brantley Bulldogs

This dog-and-cat fight between the 3-2 Brantley Bulldogs and the 4-1 Georgiana Panthers will be a key matchup in Region 2 class 1A standings. Both teams are off disappointing losses.

The Panthers fell to 1A power Sweet Water 57-34 and the Bulldogs to county rival Highland Home 56-6. This week’s game will be a battle of the quarters with Brantley’s Jaydon Parks and Georgiana’s Jacobie Morgan. But the game will be on the defensive side of the ball.

Whichever unit steps up and gets a couple of stops will help score a win.

This game will be played at the Panther’s Harmond field. Give the win to the cats.

Gooch’s winner pick: Panthers 48, Bulldogs 42

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

The No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to “music city,” Nashville, Tennessee to face the 2-and-2 Vanderbilt Commodores, who took last Saturday off as they were coming off a 30-27 double overtime loss to the seventh ranked Missouri Tigers.

Vandy is very much improved this season on offense, with the addition of New Mexico quarterback Diego Pavia.

Alabama gained its No. 1 ranking by holding on and beating the No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs 41-34. The tide holds a 61-18-4 all time record against Vandy. The last time these two met, Bama won 55-3. Look for the same result.

Gooch’s winner pick: Alabama 56, Vandy 14

Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The Auburn Tigers renew the SEC continuing rival when they travel to Athens to take on a pack of angry Georgia Bulldogs. The Dogs are coming off a hard-fought loss at the hands of No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 41-34. Meanwhile, the Tigers lost to the Oklahoma Sooners late in their game 27-21.

A late interception by the Sooner linebacker Kip Lewis returned the ball 61 yards for a touchdown that sealed the Tigers’ doom. Auburn’s offense doubled up the Sooners in total yards, rushing yards, first downs and time of possession. This should have been a combination for victory.

Some of the Tigers’ demise has to be laid at the offensive play calling. This could be a typical Georgia-Auburn game down to the wire.

Gooch’s winner pick: Georgia 28, Auburn 27

Troy Trojans vs. Texas State Bobcats

The Troy Trojans took another loss at home last week to the ULM Warhawks 13-9. The Trojans are nowhere close to their back-to-back Sunbelt Championship teams of 2022 and 2023.

The Trojans gave away a 6-3 halftime and only managed a lone field goal in the second half. This week, the Trojans are home again to host Sunbelt foe, the Texas State Bobcats.

This past Saturday, they lost one point thriller to Sam Houston 40-39. The Bobcats are 2-and-2 on the year. The Trojans are 1-and-4. Look for the same result as games gone by this year.

Gooch’s winner pick: Texas State 17, Troy 3

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