Football Picks by Coach Gooch

By Gary Thomas

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

Luverne Tigers vs. Daleville Warhawks

There is no shame in a losing season for the Luverne Tigers. Not many teams would beat a number-one ranked 1A team like the Elba Tigers, the number-five ranked 1A Brantley Bulldogs, or the 2A powerhouse Highland Home Flying Squadron. They travel this week to close out region football play as they take on the 1-and-8 Daleville Warhawks. It has been a long time since the Tigers have had a losing season and I don’t see freshman running back Elliott Harris and his Tiger team letting that happen.

Gooch’s winner pick: Luverne 28, Daleville 14

CCA Cougars vs. Valiant Cross Warriors

Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) is coming off a stretch where they have lost four games in a run. Two of those losses were to number-one ranked 3A Chambers Academy and 2A number-one ranked Lowndes Academy in AISA action. 

The Cougars are not a bad ball club. They have done good things on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively at times this season. This week is week for the 4-5 Cougars as they host the 3-and-4 Valiant Cross Warriors. It being homecoming, the Cougars will put in the extra effort to send the old grads home happy.

Gooch’s winner pick: CCA 28, Warriors 20

Brantley Bulldogs vs. Ariton Purple Cats

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the Brantley Bulldog and Ariton Purple Cat dog-and-cat fight will be very emotional in the town of Brantley. This will be the last football contest that head coach Roland Jones, Jr., will walk the sideline to direct. His green-clad dogs bounced back nicely last week in beating the Kinston Bulldogs. 

But the Purple Cats from Ariton are no Kinston. Coach Steven Kilcrease has done a masterful job in turning the Cats around after three straight losses in the middle of the season to put them back in the 2A state playoffs. But this being coach Jones’ swan song, look for the Dogs to cage the Cats.

Gooch’s winner pick: Bulldogs 42, Cats 28

Auburn Tigers vs. Vanderbilt

After losing five out of seven games to start the 2024 football season, the Auburn Tigers finally hit their stride in beating a good Kentucky Wildcats team 24 to 10. The off week before the Cat game seems to have helped Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff solve problems on both sides of the ball. This week, they host a very good team, Vanderbilt. Which has beaten No. 1 ranked Alabama. Look for more of the same.

Gooch’s winner pick: Vandy 27, Auburn 0

Troy Trojans vs. Coastal Carolina

This year has not been good at all for Troy. This week is homecoming, but it won’t matter.

Gooch’s Winner Pick: Coastal 31, Troy 10

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