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

Georgiana Panthers vs. Elba Tigers

The third round of 1A Region 2 AHSAA playoffs should be a good one at Tiger Stadium in Elba. The contest is a rematch between the Georgiana Panthers and the Elba Tigers. 

Georgiana is coming off their biggest win of the year and knocking off the two-time state champs, the Leroy Bears, 16 to 14. But the 10-2 No. 9 ranked Tigers have just kept rolling along behind “Mr. Everything,” running back Alvin Henderson as they defeated Linden 49-14 in round number two. The Tigers dominated the Panthers in their late October game, 49 to 22. Elba holds an all-time record of nine wins and six losses to Georgiana. 

This one will be a lot closer, but not that close. 

Gooch’s winner pick: Elba 48, Panthers 32

Best of the Best 

As football season draws to a close, here is my pick for which teams dominated in each AHSAA class.

1A – Sweet Water over Millry

2A – Cottonwood over Reeltown

3A – TA Miller over Houston Academy

4A – Jackson over Tallassee

5A – Central of Clay County over Vigor

6A – Saraland over Spanish Fort

7A – Carver Montgomery over Enterprise

And, in NCAA action, my picks for Best of the Best are:

* Alabama over Oklahoma

* Auburn over Texas A&M

* Louisiana over Troy

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