By Gary Thomas

Football Picks by Coach Gooch

Luverne Tigers vs. Brantley Bulldogs

The annual dog and cat fight between the luverne Tigers and the Brantley Bulldogs will resume this Friday night at Glenn Daniel Stadium.

The Tigers took it on the chin this past Friday, Aug. 23, at the hands of the Elba Tigers, 50-22. The dogs traveled to Opp last Friday and came away with a 31-29 Jamboree loss. Brantley’s season will get started this Friday night at the Tigers’ home field.

But the Tigers may not be as bad as some might think. Not too many teams will beat the 1A power Elba. On the other hand, the dogs are salty and seasoned with 11 on defense and nine offense and always led by an athletic senior at quarterback spot, Jayden Parks. The Tigers boast a 56-31 all-time record, versus the dogs. 

It matters this year.

Gooch winner pick: Bulldogs 28, Tigers 20.

Highland Home Flying Squadron vs. Charles Henderson Trojans

Highland Home Flying Squadron DOMINATED 24-0! .

Gooch’s prediction: Highland Home was a well-oiled machine in dismantling the Straughn Tigers 38-9 at Clay Jordan Stadium last week. But the Trojans are a different story as they struggle on the offensive side of the ball in scoring only six points in a 6-0 victory over Pike County.

But Charlson Henderson, a 5A power, is no Straughn. The Trojans and Fly Boys have only met 20 years ago as the Trojans pounded the Squadron 42-0.

If the Trojans play sloppy and the Squadron stand strong, it could be a VP set in the making. Both teams have solid turnovers and the yellow flag will also be key. Winner prediction in a VP set : Highland Home 24, Trojans 21

This is a matchup with both teams having a lot of work ahead of them. CCA took a 25-minute drive to Greenville where they fell to the Fort Dale Eagles, 27-0. The Clarke Prep Gators were handed a 35-6 loss to Wilcox.

As both teams enter the matchup looking to gain a victory, both teams should be improved in week number two.

With blue-clad cats playing at home, CCA will earn their next win and go one-and-one on the gridiron field.

Gooches winner: CCA 18, Goshen 14.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

There is a new face walking the sideline in Tuscaloosa, former Washington Huskies’ coach Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer has been a proven winner at every coaching spot he has been at. Time will tell how things will go in T-Town in the future, but he has awfully big shoes to fill coming in behind legendary Coach Nick Saban.

But the 5th-ranked Crimson Tide has a locker room full of four- and five-star athletes in the 2024 gridiron season. They will overpower coach Tyson Hilton and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in a runaway.

Gooch’s winner; Alabama 49, Western Kentucky 10.

Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs

The second edition of Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze kicks off this Saturday night at Cliff Jordan Stadium as the Tigers host SWAC opponent, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. Freeze’ Tigers should be vastly improved on both sides of the ball with a solid kicking game.

The transfer of power has deepened the pool at Auburn and running back Jarquez Hunter and the offense should be greatly improved. The AM Bulldog Squad will not have enough to stay with Auburn and this will be a blowout early.

Gooch’s winner: Auburn 66, A&M 17.

Troy Trojans vs. Nevada Wolf Pack

Satruday afternoon the Troy Trojans will kick off their 2024 football season by hosting the Nevada Wolf Pack. After 2023, head football coach Jon Sumrall bolted off  to lead the Greenwave. The Troy brain trust went into search mode and hire Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker.

Troy went 11-3 in the 2023 season and with an experienced team may improve on that mark. Nevada is coming off a 2-10 2023 campaign and should not give the Trojans much of a contest.

Gooch winner pick: Trojans 35, Wolf Pack 12.

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