By Gary Thomas

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

Highland Home Flying Squadron vs. Goshen Eagles

This game will be the first of two big matchups in Crenshaw County when the 2A No. 2 ranked Highland Home (HHS)  Flying Squadron takes on  the No. 8 ranked 2A Goshen Eagles. This will be a very interesting battle between the Fly Boys and Eagles in Region 3 play as Goshen travels to Clay Jordan Stadium. Both teams are at the top of the region standings — HHS is 4-0, 2-0 and Goshen is at 3-0, 2-0.

Former Highland Home head football coach Will Pouncey is now on the Eagles’ staff, and this game is a home game for the Fly Boys. Plus, HHS has a lot of speed on both sides of the ball and that will be a determining factor. The winner of this game will set atop the region with a strong hold on first place.

Gooch’s winner pick: Highland Home 35, Goshen 31

Brantley Bulldogs vs. Elba Tigers

When the Elba Tigers step onto David Lowery Field, it will be a battle for the top spot in 1A Region 2 as the No. 4 ranked, 3-0 Dogs take on the seventh-ranked two-and-two Tigers. Brantley’s potent offense is averaging over 42 points a game over their three wins.

But the Tigers’ “Mr. Everything,” Auburn-commit Alvin Henderson, will play to impose his will on the salted Bulldog offense. It will be a big-time matchup between Henderson and the ladder of the Dogs’ offense, senior quarterback Jayden Parks.

It could be a close, high-scoring game, but if the Dogs can keep Henderson under 300 yards, this could be their game for the taking.

Gooch’s winner pick: Brantley 49, Elba 44

Luverne Tigers vs. Zion Chapel Rebels

The Luverne Tigers got that important first win as they traveled over to Troy and beat the undefeated Pike Lib Patriots, 22-14. Coach Bobby Hudson’s offense used a ground attack that consumed most of the clock to pull off the win. That unit was well-balanced between quarterback Kane Smith and running backs Elliot Harris and Alijah Hurst.

Zion Chapel lost their second game in as many weeks at the hands of Highland Home, 63-0. But the Tiger run-oriented offense should be enough to overpower the Rebels from Coffee County.

Gooch’s winner pick Luvern 24, Zion Chapel 12

Crenshaw Christian Cougars vs. Hooper Academy Colts

Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) took a much-needed week off this past Friday as they prepared to take on the 0-4 Hooper Academy Colts. After the Cougars opening-season loss to Fort Dale, they reeled off two wins over the Clarke Prep Gators and the Abbbeville Christian Generals. 

The Colts from Hope Hull have struggled this season with very little offense. This will be the Cougars’ third home game. Being home and a steady diet of their running game should be enough for their third win in a row. The game is an Alabama Independent School Association Area 1 2A match.

Gooch’s winner pick: CCA 28, Hooper 22

Auburn Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Auburn Tigers bounced back in fine fashion after last week’s loss to the California Bears by outplaying the New Mexico Lobos 45-19. A change at the quarterback seems to be the early answer for the young Tigers as backup Hank Brown steps in to replace two-year starter Payton Thorne as Brown was 22-44 for 291 yards with two interceptions.

But this week’s visitors will pose a stiffer opponent as the host, the Razorbacks, in opening SEC play. The Hogs are coming off a 37-27 victory over the UAB Blazers as head coach Samm Pittman stands at 2-1. I believe this will be a four-quarter ball game and will be won late in the game, but the home-team Hogs get home field advantage.

Gooch’s winner pick: Auburn 31. Arkansas 28

Troy Trojans vs. Florida A&M Rattlers

For the third straight week the Troy Trojans lost their football game, this time to Big Ten power, the Iowa Hawkeyes 38-21. In the past three games, the Trojan defense has given up 104 points while their offense has only amassed 64 points. But there was a bright spot for the Trojans coming out of Iowa City — that being former Brantley Bulldog, sophomore quarterback Tucker Kilcrease, who only had his first pass of college play hit receiver DeVonte Ross on a 62-yard scoring strike with 58 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Trojans will be back in the friendly confines of Veterans Memorial Stadium as they face the 2-1 Florida A&M Rattlers who are coming off a 56-9 beatdown at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes. If Tucker gets more playing and the Trojans show their muscle on both sides of the ball, they should coast to victory.

Gooch’s winner pick: Troy 38, Florida A&M 10

Alabama has a bye week.

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