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. Luverne Tigers

This year’s matchup between Highland Home and Luverne will be a battle for sole possession of the top spot in 2A Region 3 football. Highland Home’s wing-T offense has been on a fast track this season in scoring 349 points, but the best part for the Squadron could be a defensive group giving up a season total of 36 points.

The Tigers have been on a rollercoaster ride this season, with a 3-and-3 overall record. But their three losses have been to ranked teams — 1A No. 7 Elba, 1A No. 8 Brantley and 3A No. 8 Montgomery Academy. Look for the Tigers to go down to 2A, No. 2 Highland Home at Clay Jordan Stadium.

Gooch’s winner pick: HHS 49, Luverne 12

Brantley Bulldogs vs. Florala Wildcats

This year’s annual dog and cat fight between Brantley and Florala will be a typical 1A Region 2 contest. A win this week over the dogs and the Wildcats will put the region in a log jam. 

The dogs got off a two-game losing streak with a nip-and-tuck game with Brantley coming out on top, 16-12. Meanwhile, Florala was thrashing another set of dogs in a 41-0 victory over Kinston. 

These two teams have met 31 times, with Brantley winning 27 of the matches. Look for them to punch out the cats for win number 28.

Gooch’s winner pick:  Brantley 34, Florala 13

CCA Cougars vs. Sparta Warriors

After a heart-stopping loss in overtime to the Edgewood Wildcats, 27-21, the Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) Cougars will hit the road again this week to face the Sparta Academy Warriors at Stuart-McGhee Field. CCA used a steady diet of pounding the ball on the ground to send the Sparta game into overtime with running backs Jake Lawrence and Dalton Jordan getting most of the work.

The cats are averaging over 250 yards on the ground, scoring 34 points a game or more. But the Warriors will pose a strong challenge to the cats in this 2A Region 1 battle.

The time-controlled ground game should give CCA the region win and keep them at the top of the standings.

Gooch’s winner pick: CCA 30, Sparta 16

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. South Carolina

Alabama, 4-1, will host the South Carolina Gamecocks, 3-2,m in a homecoming matchup and an 11 p.m. kickoff. Last week’s road trip to Natshville was very unking to the No. 1 ranked Tide as they lost 40-35 to the Vandy Commodores. They were sluggish and played at one step behind on both sides of the ball.

The Gamecocks, too, are coming off a 27-3 loss as they were beaten by Ole Miss. Bama should bounce back against South Carolina, but with the state of college football, you never know.

The old grads of the Capstone should leave Tuscaloosa on a happy note.

Gooch’s winner pick: Alabama 38, South Carolina 17

Auburn Tigers Bye Week

Auburn is off this week. They play Missouri on Oct. 19.

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