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.

Highland Home Flying Squadron vs. Calhoun Tigers

When a baseball pitcher is so very close to pitching a no-hitter, the dugout better not say one word. Silence is a golden rule that will be used as the second-ranked 2A Highland Home (HHS) Flying Squadron look to make school history in going 10-and-0 in a perfect gridiron season. They will face the 2-and-6 Calhoun Tigers this Friday.

The Flyboys have rolled up 425 points, while the defensive side of the ball has five shutouts and have only given up 44 points on the season. The Squadron will fly into Samuel Bruce Stadium to notch their tenth win of the season as they look forward to the AHSAA 2A playoffs.

Gooch’s winner pick: HHS 35, Calhoun 8

Luverne Tigers vs. Goshen Eagles

This battle between Goshen and Luverne (LHS) is a key 2A Region 3 game as both teams stand at 4-1 in the region. It’s plain and simple, the winner nails down the No. 2 slot and will host a first-round playoff game. The loser will come in third and will hit the road.

The Eagles will enter Glen Daniel Stadium fresh off a bye week. LHS came out last week with a new look offense. The Eagles are quick and fast. The Tigers will feed off the home crowd, but the Eagles’ speed will be a deciding factor.

Gooch’s winner pick: Eagles 30, Tigers 24

Brantley Bulldogs vs. Kinston Bulldogs 

In the battle of the Dogs, Kinston will come into David Lowery Stadium riding high after a 48-20 win over the Eagles of Pleasant Home. On the other hand, Brantley will be trying to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to the McKenzie Tigers, 54-42.

Kinston is trying for a two-game winning streak with an upset of Brantley. Brantley has a small glimmer of hope for making the playoffs with a win over Kinston and an upset win by Pleasant Home over Georgiana. But don’t bet on it.

Gooch’s winner pick: Brantley 26, Kinston 14

Crenshaw Christian vs. Chambers Academy

The last three weeks have been very  unkind to the Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) Cougars as they are on a three-game losing streak with their last defeat coming at the hands of defending three-time Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) champions, the Lowndes Academy Rebels, 31-13. Things won’t get any easier this week for Coach Brandon Burleson and his 4-and-4 Cougars, hosting the 7-and-1 Chambers Academy Rebels. These two teams are no stranger to each other, as they have met 26 times on the gridiron and are tied at 13-and-13.

The 3A Rebels have scored 337 points while giving up only 89 points on the season. The Cougars have scored a total of 230 points but have given up 202 on defense. There’s trouble in Cougar land. Look for the Cougars to go down big again this week.

Gooch’s winner pick: Chambers 54, CCA 24

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Missouri Tigers

There is big trouble in T-Town. Alabama stands at 5-2 in the 2024 season. Georgia and Tennessee have exposed some weaknesses on both sides of the ball – bad quarterback play, bad line play and bad linebacker play. The Missouri Tigers are 6-1 with that loss being a 41 to 10 setback. A break here and there and the Tigers could be in the SEC championship game. This is homecoming week at the Capstone and the old grads will be happy with Saturday’s outcome.

Gooch’s winner pick: Missouri 29, Tide 28

Auburn Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats

These two teams, the 3-4 Kentucky Wildcats and the 2-and-5 Auburn Tigers are headed in the same direction – downhill. Auburn is playing the same old game, playing it close and losing the game late. That has been their M.O. in a four-game losing streak. To start the season there were high expectations in big-blue cat land of Kentucky. But back-to-back losses have killed those. Look for the big-blue cats to get back on the winning track. 

Gooch’s winner pick: Kentucky 28, Auburn 17

Troy Trojans vs. Arkansas Red Wolves

The men of Troy are bad, very bad. They may not win a ball game for the rest of the year. 

Gooch’s winner pick: Arkansas State 38, Troy 17

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