By Gary Thomas

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

Luverne Tigers vs. Blacksher Bulldogs

For the 42nd straight year, the Luverne Tigers will enter the first round of AHSAA football playoffs, and this week they will journey to Uriah to take on the Blacksher Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed out of region one with a 7 to 3 overall record and 5-1 in region play. The Tigers are 5-and-d overall and 4 to 2 in Region 3 play. 

The Tigers are well seasoned by now and are eager to start their championship drive. The Tiger schedule has been a tough one. The Dogs have never beaten the Tigers in three meetings. 

Luverne won their last meet in 2014 34-7 and could win this matchup in a mild upset.

Gooch’s winner pick: Luverne 26, Blacksher 21

Highland Home Flying Squadron vs. St. Luke’s Wildcats

The Highland Home Flying Squadron are riding high in the 2024 season. This was a history-making year for the Flyboys as they went 10-0 in the region season and 6-and-0 in a 2A region play. After Pisgah lost 24-22 to Sylvania, the Squadron could enter the state playoffs ranked as number one. The Flyboys have rolled up 479 points on the season and held their opponents to just 52 points in 10 games. St. Luke’s will travel 148 miles to Clay Jordan Stadium with a 4-5 overall record and 3-and-3 in 2A Region 1 play. They have scored only 112 points on the season and after Friday, they will still have 112 points.

Gooch’s winner pick: Flyboys 44, Wildcats 0

Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars vs. Patrician Academy Saints

The Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars have hit the “amen corner” in recent weeks as they enter the 2A AISA state playoffs going 4-and-1 in the first games. The Cats have hit the skids, losing five games in a row. In that span of games, they lost to No. 1 Chambers, No. 2 Lowndes Academy and had two overtime losses. They are 4-and-6 overall and 2 to 2 in Class 2A Region 1 standing. They must now travel over three hours to play the Patricia Academy Saints, who are 8 to 2 overall and 4 to 2 in Region 2. 

I just think with a five game losing streak and a three hour bus ride, it may be too much for the Cats.

Gooch’s winner pick: Patrician 30, CCA 22

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers

Coach Kalen DeBoer will take  his 6-and-2 Alabama Crimson Tide to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers. Alabama holds a 55-27-5 record over the Tigers over the last decade. The Tide has won 23 games in Baton Rouge from 1971 to 2023. They don’t lose in Baton Rouge.

Gooch’s winner pick: Bama 38, LSU 28

Troy Trojans vs. Georgia Southern Eagles

Well the Trojans finally snapped a four-game losing streak with a 38-24 homecoming victory over Coastal Carolina. They now stand at 2-and-7 overall and 1-and-4 in Sun Belt Conference play.

This week they will march into Statesboro, Georgia to take on the 6-3 and 4-1 Georgia Southern Eagles. The Trojans and Eagles have met 13 times on the gridiron with Southern holding a one-game lead over the Trojans 7-6. Their last matchup they won 27-24. Don’t look for that this week.

Gooch’s Winner Pick: Eagles 31, Trojans 27

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