Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 9-Friday October 27, 2023

Wossman Wildcats (7-1) Vs Union Parish Farmers (5-3)

Not a lot of folks could forecast what the Wossman Wildcats have done in 2023 unless you were inside the fieldhouse of the boys in purple and gold. Sitting at 7-1 on the season, the 'Cats head into week 9 ranked #6 in the LHSAA Division II power ratings as they face one of their strongest opponent and district rival, Union Parish on Friday night. Coach Terrence Cahee has managed to sustain such success mainly through the strength of his stifling defense that's pitched 5 shutouts through 8 games which includes 3 straight shutouts over Carroll, Richwood and Bastrop. On the season, the Wossman defense has only allowed 6.1ppg which ranks in the top 10 in the entire state.

Although Union Parish doesn't have the same success in the win/loss column as their Friday night's opponent, they too find themselves sitting pretty heading into the post-season. Even at 5-3, Union Parish sits at #5 in the Division III with time to improve. The Farmers are no strangers to difficult schedules and only have losses to 5A's Airline (7-1), Captain Shreve (7-1) and district rival, Sterlington (7-1). In a contrast from Wossman, the Farmers have won games on the offensive side of the ball averaging nearly 35ppg mainly off the legs of senior RB Jy'Marion Island who has filled in nicely for graduated, all-world RB Trey Holly.

This game will fit the mold of the odd adage of what would happen if an unstoppable force (Union's rushing attack) faced an immoveable object (Wossman's defense). Island has over 1,500 yards & 16 TDs through 8 games while junior Derrick Dew adds another 500 yards to a rushing attack that's eclipsed nearly 2,400 yards so far this season. Add in another 650 yards through the air from second year signal caller, Jordan Hill and now can you see why you can refer to this an unstoppable force. On the other hand, Wossman can look in the mirror and ask themselves "What's new?" Behind a defense that gives up less than a touchdown a game, defensive coordinator, Coach Greg Boxley has to be telling his guys that it wouldn't matter if Derrick Henry was running the ball, they'd stop him. Nonetheless, something has to give or should I say someone has to give.....as in give their team a jolt from the other side of the ball. I don't foresee a Wossman shutout, nor do I see a Farmers ground and pound, but they should meet somewhere in the middle. QB Tristan Wooten puts on a masterful show and a 4th quarter TD pass to Travis Lynch gives the 'Cats a late lead, Farmers coach Joey Spatafora digs deep into the playbook and call the HB Pass. Farmers catch the 'Cats slipping as Island finds big junior WR Chase Meeking streaking down field for the game-winning score and the Farmers sneak away with the win.

Union Parish 20 Wossman 16

Player Of The Game: Jy'marion Island – 18 Carries, 115 Yards, 1 Td – 1/1 Passing, 65 Yard, 1

Area Scores:

Top Ten

#1 Ruston 34 Ouachita 14

#2 Neville 35 #10 Franklin Parish 12

#3 West Monroe 24 Alexandria 21

#4 Sterlington 21 Amite 13

#9 Union Parish 20 #5 Wossman 16

#6 OCS 35 Grant 20

#7 Oak Grove 49 General Trass 23

Jena 38 #8 Caldwell 13

West Ouachita 20 Pineville 17

Richwood 16 Carroll 8

Bastrop 23 North Webster 22

D'Arbonne Woods 26 Green Oaks 13

Plaquemine 48 Ferriday 14

Vidalia 23 Madison 12

Beekman Charter 34 Plain Dealing 6

Mangham 45 Rayville 25

Cedar Creek 32 Lincoln Prep 14

Delhi 29 Sicily Island 0

Tensas 12 Block 8

Mr. Pickems Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Neville Tigers

3. West Monroe Rebs

4. Sterlington Panthers

5. Wossman Wildcats

6. OCS Eagles

7. Oak Grove Tigers

8. Caldwell Parish Spartans

9. Union Parish Farmers

10. Franklin Parish Patriots

Just Missed It: Mangham, General Trass, D'Arbonne Woods, West Ouachita, Caldwell