Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 8 October 21, 2022

#3 West Monroe Rebs (5-1) @ #9 Ouachita Lions (4-3)

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Ouachita Lions will go into their annual match-up with West Monroe as the reigning king of the gridiron. After a remarkable 35-34 win over the Rebs in 2021, head coach Todd Garvin was not just able to administer some sweet revenge on the school he once served as an assistant coach at but he also snapped a 28 game losing streak to the rivals west of the Ouachita River. Junior stud RB Carldell Sirmons' 2-pt conversion run won the game for the Lions, but QB Zac Jackson did the heavy lifting for the home-standing Lions a year ago. Last week, the Lions were able to get above .500 for the first time this season with a thrilling 49-48 win over ASH. Ironically, that game was also decided on a 2-pt conversion. Leading for the entire game, the Lions defense managed to make a timely stop on a Trojans attempt to take the lead in the final minute of the game.

West Monroe's reign at the top of District 2-5A came to a halt last season as they would have to share their ownership of the crown with Ouachita and Ruston. The Rebs would still make a deep playoff run, but the loss to Ouachita still burns to the boys in blue. Coach Jerry Arledge's squad has bounced back in 2022 and currently sits at 5-1 on the year as the head into the highly anticipated rematch with the Lions. The Rebs handed out their third shutout of the year last week over district foe West Ouachita 43-0 but will now face one of the better offenses on their schedule. QB Hayden Federico ATH Grant Edmondson and WR David Moore provided the Rebs more than enough punch vs the Chiefs in the win, with all accounting for a score in a game that was practically decided by halftime.

In years past, this game would be an easy one to pick; Rebs easy! However, under the guidance of Garvin and staff, this new brand of Lions football give them a shot vs anyone on the schedule. The Lions not only ended the Rebs streak but earlier this year snapped Neville's 12 game streak over them as well. It's no secret that speedy RB Sirmons had his hands in both victories and he'll need to have an encore performance if the Lions want to start a streak of their own. However, the Rebs are well aware of how dangerous Sirmons can be and Arledge will have his troops poised to stop and minimize his impact on this game. WM's senior stud, Chauncey Lee has been exceptional in his debut in the Rebs backfield and although his numbers aren't as eye-popping as Sirmons' he's still managed to make the West Monroe offense potent and hard to stop. This year's game should be very similar to last year's. Neither team will be able to get away from the other and there will probably be 4 to 5 lead changes in the process, but the winner of this game will be determined by the big play. Sirmons is by far the best home-run threat on the field and he'll get loose for a couple of scores, but a defensive play will provide the dramatics. In a tie ball-game late in the 4th, a Lions drive is seized when a 70-yard scoop and score by Lee gives the Rebs the win as West Monroe starts a new streak.

West Monroe 35 Ouachita 28

PLAYER OF THE GAME: HAYDEN FEDERICO – 10/15 165 PASSING, 1 TD – 155 RUSHING, 3 TDS

Area Scores:

Top Ten

#1 Ruston 60 West Ouachita 8

#2 Carroll 30 Franklin Parish 24

#4 Union Parish 36 Richwood 21

#5 Mangham 45 Ferriday 20

#6 OCS 49 Cedar Creek 7

#7 Neville 49 Tioga 7

#8 General Trass 36 Vidalia 23

3A

Wossman 31 Bastrop 14

Caldwell 26 Buckeye 6

Sterlington 35 North Webster 14

2A

Many 65 Jonesboro-Hodge 6

Calvary Baptist 54 D'arbonne Woods 7

Rayville 26 Northwood-Lena 16

1A

Delhi Charter 35 Tensas 6

Lincoln Prep 26 River Oaks 20

Delta Charter 20 Block 6

Delta Charter 20 Delhi 18

Grissom's Top 10

Week 8

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Carroll Bulldogs

3. West Monroe Rebs

4. Union Parish Farmers

5. Mangham Dragons

6. OCS Eagles

7. Neville Tigers

8. General Trass Panthers

9. Ouachita Lions

10. Richwood Rams

Just Missed It: Delhi Charter, Franklin Parish, Oak Grove, Cedar Creek, Sterlington

Grissom's G.O.A.T of the week

Week 7

Jaleen Butler – Ath, Richwood

(236 All-Purpose Yards, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Receiving TD – 9 Tackles)

Photo Richwood Football 2022-Richwood Rams manhandled Wossman on Thursday October 13, 2022 at Mackie Freeze Football Stadium where #0 was unstoppable all night.

Photo Carroll Football 2022- Carroll's #13 takes a hit from North Webster football player at Thomas Blade Stadium on Friday October 14, 2022. Carroll doused North Webster 49-7.