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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. Brantley Bulldogs

The McKenzie Tigers are having the best year in a while. They are coming off a thumping they gave to a set of Dogs in Kinston, 58-0. A Brantley loss could keep the Bulldogs out of the AHSAA state playoffs and the Tigers are in fine order for a region championship.

For the third straight week, the Brantley Bulldogs will hit the road again. They stand at 1-and-1 for the last two weeks coming off a 36-22 loss to the Florala Wildcats. They will travel to McKenzie to face the 7-and-1 Tigers in a key 1A Region 2 battle. With last week’s loss, the Dogs are tied with Florala at 3-2 in the region and the Wildcats hold the edge over Brantley.

This will be a battle of two great quarterbacks, McKenzie’s Quay Jackson and Brantley’s Jayden Parks. But it being played in McKenzie gives the edge to the Tigers in this dog-and-cat warfare.

Gooch’s winner pick: McKenzie 38, Brantley 36

Fort Dale Eagles

Fort Dale is off this week and will Wilcox Academy Oct. 25.

Georgiana Panthers vs. Elba Tigers

Coach Berry Bess’s Georgiana Panthers will hit the road to take on the Elba Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Georgiana is coming off a 43-0 win over the Red Level Tigers and at the same time, Elba white washed Pleasant Home 56-8. The Panthers are 5-3 and 4-4 in 1A Region 2 play and the Elba Tigers are 6-2 and 4-1. If the Panthers can hold back Elba’s Alvin Henderson they have a shot, but I’m not sure they can. In a high-scoring affair, I am going with the Tigers.

Gooch’s winner pick: Elba 68, Georgiana 54

Greenville Tigers vs. Catholic Knights

The Greenville Tigers will have their hands full this Friday night when they host the powerful Catholic Knights of Montgomery. The No. 1-ranked 5A Knights are 7-0 and 4-0, while the Tigers are 4-4 and 2-3 this season. This is a 5A Region 2 contest, but may not be much of a challenge.

The Knights are averaging 75 points a game, while the Tigers are 22 points a game. The defending 2023 state camps have too much speed and depth to be upset by the black-and-gold Tigers.

Gooch’s winner pick: Catholic 56, Greenville 24

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Vols

The third Saturday in October means only one thing — Auburn faces Tennessee on the Gridiron. They will renew this long-standing contest that dates back to 1901. The series has been a series of streaks as Bama holds the all time edge over the Vols of 60 wins and 39 losses. Bama has won 16 of 17 games as Tennessee upset the Tide 52-49 in 2022.

The Vols are coming off a 23-17 overtime win against the Florida Gators and in the meantime, Bama was slugging it out with the South Carolina Gamecocks as they pulled out a 27-25 win.

Bama’s on the third and fourth down defense will be their downfall in Knoxville.

Gooch’s winner pick: Vols 35, Tide 28

Auburn Tigers vs. Missouri Tigers

The Auburn Tigers will hit the road for the first time this season as they will face the 5-and-1 Missouri Tigers this Saturday. The Tigers of Auburn have really struggled this season in conference play at 0-and-3 and 2-4 overall. Auburn’s defense has played well enough to win more than two games, and the kicking game has been up and down.

Missouri is 1-and-1 in conference play with their only loss being to the Texas A&M Aggies 41-10. But there again, if they could get some solid play at the quarterback, they would have a chance to pull off a major upset that might turn their season around.

It is an 11 a.m. kickoff and going into a home-crowd environment for the first time. Don’t look for an upset even though last week off was much needed.

Gooch’s winner pick: Missouri 44, Auburn 28

Troy Trojans vs. South Alabama Jags

This year’s Battle of the Belt features Troy University Trojans against the South Alabama Jags with a total of only four wins total between the two schools. This is not the best season for either team and whoever has the least yellow flags and a turnover will win. It’s being played in front of the Jags’ home crowd.

Gooch’s winner pick: South Alabama 31, Troy 21

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