MR PICKEM GRISSOM'S FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

MR PICKEM GRISSOM'S FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

WEEK 8

GAME OF THE WEEK

WOSSMAN WILDCATS (4-3) @ CARROLL BULLDOGS (5-2)

Just two weeks ago the Wossman Wildcats were riding an impressive 4 game win streak that included big road wins over Baker and Northwood, SH, fast forward to now and there's been a totally different story. The 'Cats have found themselves traveling in the wrong direction after back-to-back losses in weeks 6 and 7. Even though both of those losses (Karr and Sterlington) are of very high quality, coach Dean Smith shouldn't feel overly excited about sitting at 4-3 heading down the stretch run of the season. In last week's loss the 'Cats could never get anything going and some costly mistakes early sent Wossman spiraling downwards in a hurry. RB Jessie Booker continued his torrid pace as he rushed for over 100 yards for the 7th time this season. QB Antrel Green showcased his throwing ability throughout the game hitting numerous receivers in stride, but several drops resulted in the lack of touchdowns on the scoreboard. Heading into Friday's contest vs their most heated rival, Carroll the 'Cats will need to iron out some mid-season kinks if they want to leave Renwick St with a win.

While the 'Cats were getting destroyed by Sterlington, Carroll found themselves in a "dog fight". The Bulldogs banged and bruised the home-standing Caldwell Spartans but couldn't manage to steal the road win. In the loss, Carroll's senior RB Mon Jones scampered for 121 yards and a score but that was about all the offense that the Bulldogs could muster up. Offensive penalties along with several shortened drives kept the Bulldogs defense on the field for much of the game. However, the defense was able to come away with a 60-yard "scoop & score" by senior defensive lineman, Jackie Wallace for Carroll's only other score. Going into Friday's game vs their bitter rival the Bulldogs will need to find ways to control the football, reach the endzone and minimalize the penalties or this game could get ugly in a hurry.

When these teams meet, nothing prior to it matters. Both teams have weaved through very tough schedules that will pay-off for them in the long run. Wossman has won 7 of the past 8 encounters between these two, including a 42-8 drubbing a season ago and this senior-laden Carroll squad remembers that game and has looked forward to this rematch since walking off their field that night. In an ironic twist due to the re-classifying year Carroll gets a chance to host this game for the 2nd straight year and that should give Coach Alex Washington's team somewhat of an advantage. The 5-2 start for the Bulldogs has surprised a lot of people considering this same group of guys only managed 2 wins in 2018. There's a saying that goes, "If you build it they will come" and it fits the Bulldogs under Washington. They're rebuilding a program that was dormant over the past decade and has resurrected the interest among the Bulldog faithful. The next step is to win the BIG games. Wossman will come in as the favorite in this game and if there was a betting line they'd probably be giving a touchdown. Smith will ride Booker as much as he can but the Dogs know that and they'll be ready. Green will have to keep faith in his receivers because there will be tons of man coverage, but when the smoke clears the Bulldogs save their best performance for late. A timely strip-sack by Wallace gets the Bulldogs the ball and Jones punches it in with less than minute to play. The all- important extra point leads to the 1 point Bulldog win.

CARROLL 21 WOSSMAN 20

*** GRISSOM'S STAR OF THE GAME ***

MONTRELLE JONES – 21 CARRIES, 202 YARDS, 3 TDS

OTHER GAMES:

5A

#2 WEST MONROE 34 OUACHITA 14

#8 RUSTON 27 ALEXANDRIA 23

4A

#4 BASTROP 21 MINDEN 14

#5 NEVILLE - BYE WEEK

3A

#1 STERLINGTON 45 RICHWOOD 20

#9 UNION PARISH 35 GREEN OAKS 6

#6 CALDWELL 37 GRANT 7

2A

#3 FERRIDAY 48 #10 MANGHAM 20

GENERAL TRASS 20 DELHI CHARTER 14

JONESBORO-HODGE 31 D'ARBONNE WOODS 16

VIDALIA 22 MADISON 12

BEEKMAN CHARTER 23 STRONG, AR 14

RAYVILLE - BYE WEEK

1A

#7 O.C.S. 55 TENSAS 14

OAK GROVE 48 DELHI 6

CEDAR CREEK 35 SICILY ISLAND 16

ST FRED'S 28 DELTA CHARTER 6

GRISSOM'S TOP 10

WEEK 8

1. STERLINGTON PANTHERS (5-0) def WOSSMAN 49-12

NEXT GAME: VS RICHWOOD

2. WEST MONROE REBS (6-1) def WEST OUACHITA 34-0

NEXT GAME: VS OUACHITA

3. FERRIDAY TROJANS (6-1) def VIDALIA 50-6

NEXT GAME: @ MANGHAM

4. BASTROP RAMS (6-1) def FRANKLIN PARISH 34-0

NEXT GAME: VS MINDEN

5. NEVILLE TIGERS (5-2) def MINDEN 34-7

NEXT GAME: BYE WEEK

6. CALDWELL SPARTANS (6-1) def CARROLL 20-1

NEXT GAME: @ GRANT

7. O.C.S. EAGLES (6-1) def OAK GROVE 40-21

NEXT GAME: VS TENSAS

8. RUSTON BEARCATS (4-3) def OUACHITA 31-13

NEXT GAME: @ ALEXANDRIA

9. UNION FARMERS (4-3) def RICHWOOD 37-12

NEXT GAME: @ GREEN OAKS

10. MANGHAM DRAGONS (7-1) def GEN. TRASS 37-14

NEXT GAME: VS #3 FERRIDAY

JUST MISSED IT: OUACHITA, WEST OUACHITA, WOSSMAN, CARROLL, OAK GROVE, CEDAR CREEK

GRISSOM'S G.O.AT. OF THE WEEK

WEEK 7

ANDREW BRISTER - QB

-NEVILLE TIGERS-

13/15 PASSING, 250 YARDS, 3 TDS

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