By Gary Thomas

Flying Squadron vs. Barbour County Jaguars

Highland Home will take its No. 2, 2A ranking team on the road to start region play as they travel 70 miles to Clanton to battle with the Barbour County Jaguars. The Flyboys are 2-0 and are coming off an impressive 24-0 victory over 5A Charles Henderson. With the Jags loss to Loachapoka 43-6, the two teams have met six times on the gridiron with Highland Home holding a 6-0 edge. There is too much speed in the Flyboys backfield for any upset.

Gooch winner pick: Flyboys 45, Jags 6

Brantley Bulldogs vs. Pleasant Home Eagles

The number fifth ranked 1 Brantley Bulldogs will host region foe, the Pleasant Home Eagles in front of alumni in the 2024 matchup. Brantley is coming off a beat down of County rival Luverne Tigers with the score of 40-24.

Brantley‘s high-powered offense was led by senior quarterback. Jayden Parks and defense was led by linebacker Cooper Layton.

Pleasant Home evened out its overall record to 1 and 1 with a 14-6 win over Fruitdale. But the Eagles don’t have the manpower to slow down the mean green machine.

Alumni should exit David Lowery Field Friday night on a happy note after the win.

Gooches winner pick: Bulldogs 49, Eagles 8

CCA Cougars vs. Abbeville Christian

For the second week in a row, the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars will play in the friendly confines of Cougar Field as they host the 1-1 Abbeville Christian Generals. CCA got its first win of the season with a thrilling 35 to 30 victory over the Clarke Prep Gators. Meanwhile, the Generals won a one-point nail-biter, 27-26 over Valiant Cross. A strong Cougar running game will boost them over the top for the win.

Gooch’s winner pick: cougars 32, Generals 18

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. South Florida Bulls

Alabama’s high-powered offense and cat-quick defense gave Alabama coach Kaylen DeBoar his first win in a new year of football in T-Town 63 to 0 over the Hilltop of Western Kentucky. This week, the Tide will play the South Florida Bulls. Last year this game was a turning point, with a 17 to 3 win that boosted them for a great 2023 season where Bama was the SEC championship winner and a Final-Four appearance. The Tide will roll to go 2 to 0 this year.

Gooch’s winner pic: Bama 52, Bowls 14

Auburn Tigers vs. California Golden Bears

Coach Hugh Freeze and his Auburn Tigers kicked off the 2024 season this past Saturday night by beating the under-manned Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 73 to 3 at Jordan Harris Stadium. But the Tigers’ opponent this Saturday afternoon should be more of a test for the steady Tiger offense as they will do battle against the California Golden Bears. Last year the Tiger defense picked off a Bear pass late in the fourth quarter in the Tiger end zone to sail away with a 14 -10 victory on the road.

The southern heat and a much improved tiger defense for this game should be as close as last year’s contest.

Gooch’s winner pick: Auburn 52, Bears 17

Troy Trojans vs. Memphis Tigers

New Trojan coach Gerad Parker and his 2024 edition of the Trojans lost a heartbreaker 28 to 26 to the Wolf Pack of Nevada this past Saturday night. A strong Wolf Pack running game ended a 14-point lead by the Trojans in the first half. Zero to 1 Trojans travel to Memphis Tennessee to take on the one to zero Memphis Tigers, who earned a 40 to 0 win this past Saturday over North Alabama. Look for the Trojans to go 0 to 2 on the season.

Gooch’s winter pic: Memphis 31, Troy 27

Gary “Gooch” Thomas is a freelance writer, avid sports fan and long-time youth coach from Crenshaw County.