Mr. Pickem' Grissom's Football Predictions

Week 4 Oct. 23, 2020

Weekly Record: 11-4 Overall 34-14 Featured Games 1-4

#2 Union Parish Farmers (3-0) @ #10 Sterlington Panthers (2-1)

At the beginning of the season Union Parish came in as the 10th best team on my rankings. Not because they weren't talented but because they had lost a key contributor from last season's semifinals team when three-year QB Trent Ginn transferred. Since then, the Farmers have far exceeded my expectations. Wins over 4A Franklin Parish and 5A Ouachita proved that some programs don't rebuild, they replace. It doesn't hurt having perhaps the best RB in the area. Sophomore Trey Holley has been more than advertised, amassing nearly 700 rushing yards and 11 TDs in 3 games while also scoring twice on returns. In last week's rout over the Patriots Holley rushed for 180 yards and 3 scores with a KO return for a score as well in only 3 quarters of action. Cole Dison has replaced Ginn as signal caller and has adequately run the Farmers offense without missing a beat.

Sterlington came into the season as the 9th best team in the area and after a week 2 loss to Oak Grove, they dropped completely out, but last week's road win over Richwood proved to me that the Panthers definitely belong in the class of the elite. A dominating defense combined with the notorious Panther rushing attack led to a 39-14 victory improving coach Lee Doty's team to 2-1 on the year. J'Keldrick Miller had the best game of his young career rushing for 130 yards and 3 TDs while the Panther defense created 4 takeaways which included 3 interceptions of which one was returned for a score.

I'll go on a limb and say that this game will determine the district championship. Even though Carroll, Wossman and Richwood will disagree most people know that district 2-3A goes through northern Ouachita Parish. Last season, in an epic game the Panthers squeezed out a 18-17 win over the Famers en route to another district title. As a matter of fact the Panthers own a 4-game win streak over their rivals including a 13-12 playoff win in 2018. None of that matters to this bunch of Farmers who have their eyes set on winning not only the district title but the state championship as well. Doty as done well by taking away the opposing team's best threat and if the Farmers want to win, they'll have to show that they can by two-dimensional on offense. Dison proved he was a capable passer vs Ouachita as they had to rally from a 15 point halftime deficit. This game won't be long as both teams will eat up clock but in a twist from the norm a late 4th quarter pass play from Holley to 6'6 WR Dylan Harris gives the Farmers the win.

Union Parish 19 Sterlington 14

*** Grissom's Star of The Game ***

Trey Holly – 25 Carries, 204 Yards 2 TDs – 1/1 33 Yds, 1 Td

Carroll Bulldogs (1-1) @ Richwood Rams (0-3)

It may be needless to say, but the 2020 Richwood Rams have been somewhat of a disappointment. With a loaded senior class that included Grissom's Super 16 athletes, CJ Henderson and Wesley Williams the Rams have stumbled out of the gates at 0-3. Last week, Head Coach Marcus Yanez's crew opened district play with a case of the yips as they turned the ball over 4 times while also giving up a safety against Sterlington. On the bright side of their winless record the Rams can say that they've been battle tested as their opponents boast a combined record of 7-2 on the season. If the Rams want to fulfill their preseason ambitions of making a return to the playoffs, then this would be the week to get it started. Junior WR Devin Hampton has been one of the shining stars for the Rams early on. The sturdy wide-out has scored in every game for the Rams and lead them in all-purpose yardage and touchdowns. Another ray of hope may be the return of do-it-all athlete, Williams, who has not played a down this year. If he can return, then that gives the Rams not only a lift on defense but the short yardage ball carrier that they've needed.

Most people thought that this would be a rebuild year on Renwick St, but the staff at Carroll weren't buying into that. Losing over 20 seniors from a 3A program would stall most schools but the Bulldogs haven't seemed phased by it. Last week's road win over 5A, Woodlawn (BR) proved some doubters wrong about Carroll. A balanced offensive attack gave the 'Dawgs a big enough cushion for the defense to preserve the win. Sophomore RB Amarie' Greely rushed for 164 yards and 3 TDs paced Coach Alex Washington's young bunch to the win. Senior LB Derrick Conner also made his presence felt with 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

Just 4 weeks ago, these teams met in a jamboree-style scrimmage and the Rams came out on top by a touchdown. This game means a lot more. The Rams need a win in the worst way and what better way to get in the win column than to beat their district rivals. The Rams have to talent to beat every team on their schedule but after an early season scheduling change coupled with the injury to Williams anyone could understand how the Rams have struggled early. However, Carroll won't be throwing any pity parties for them. A win this week would give the 'Dawgs a share of first place in district heading into next week's game vs Caldwell. Even Grissom doesn't have intel as to knowing if Williams will play but if he doesn't this prediction changes. I've been extremely impressed with the work the Carroll coaching staff has done since Washington's arrival but how can you prepare for something that you don't know. In this case it'll be the return of Williams. Something tells me that he won't allow himself to miss this one and his impact will be heard. Hampton scores twice but Williams' 40-yard run is the nail in the coffin. Rams get the homecoming win.

Richwood 32 Carroll 26

*** Grissom's Star of The Game ***

Devin Hampton – 8 Rec., 185 Yards, 2 TDs – 1 Punt Return TD

Other Games:

5A

Acadiana 22 #1 Ruston 21

#5 West Monroe 27 Alexandria 20

#8 Ouachita 49 West Ouachita 21

4A

#9 Bastrop 36 Huntington 30

Neville 38 Franklin Parish 8

3A

Caldwell 27 Grant 23

Edna Karr 49 Wossman 20

2A

#2 Ferriday 66 Madison Parish 12

#7 Mangham 48 Rayville 28

General Trass 38 Vidalia 21

Beekman Charter 26 Delhi Charter 20

1A

#4 OCS 35 Cedar Creek 28

#6 Oak Grove 36 Tensas 12

St Fred's 27 Delta Charter 8

Grissom's Top 10

Week 4

1 Ruston Bearcats (3-0)

2(Tie) Ferriday Trojans (3-0)

2(Tie) Union Parish Farmers (3-0)

4 O.C.S. Eagles (3-0)

5 West Monroe Rebs (2-1)

6 Oak Grove Tigers (3-0)

7 Mangham Dragons (3-0)

8 Ouachita Lions (1-1)

9 Bastrop Rams (2-1)

10 Sterlington Panthers (2-1)

Just Missed It: Neville, West Ouachita, Carroll, Cedar Creek, St Fred's, General Trass, Rayville, Wossman

Grissom's G.O.At. Of The Week

Week 3

(Offensive)

Da'minya Milligan

-Ferriday Trojans-

9 Carries, 160 Yds,3 Td's

76 Yd Kickoff Return, 1 Td

Grissom's G.O.At. Of The Week

Week 3

(Defensive)

Derrick "Duke" Conner

-Carroll Bulldogs-

11 Tackles, 3tfl,

1 Forced Fumble

Photo Wossman Football- Wossman's #1 attempts a catch on Friday October 16, at the Wossman Northwood Football Game. Northwood rolls Wossman 40-12