Mr. Pickem's Weekly Predictions

(Week 1 - Friday, September 6, 2024)

#10 Bastrop Rams vs. #9 Wossman Wildcats

All the smoke is clear, the preseason hype is over! The 7-on-7s, scrimmages, and jamborees have been played, and now it’s time for the real action. After a 2-8 first year as head coach of the Bastrop Rams, Alex "Tank" Washington enters his second season with a team poised to far surpass last year’s win total. When Washington took the job a year ago, he knew rebuilding the once-prominent Rams program wouldn’t be quick or easy, but having previously done it at his alma mater, Carroll, he understood it wasn’t impossible either. With over 12 returning starters, including key players like Marcus McClinton, Christian Winzer, and Ky Witherspoon, a run at the district title is within reach. Adding to that, a fortuitous set of transfers has positioned the Rams to compete for a state title. Former Sterlington Panthers Dylan and Devyn Downs have returned to Bastrop, now donning a different shade of blue for the Rams. Another set of siblings, AJ and Antron Mason, 2023 playmakers for Wossman, have also joined the Rams after moving to Bastrop with their father, Antron Mason Sr., who now serves as the Rams’ offensive coordinator. All seven players mentioned have the ability to play on both sides of the ball, ensuring that every snap will be worth watching.

Wossman concluded their preseason with a road jamboree win over Carroll in dominant fashion. However, an obvious gap was seen on the offensive side of the ball, with the loss of the Mason brothers impacting their ability to move the ball downfield. Fortunately, Wossman’s strong defense came through, allowing only one Carroll score and forcing four turnovers, which led to three Wildcat touchdowns. Though the Mason brothers are no longer with the team, senior wide receiver Zion Weeks, the team’s leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, returns to help develop junior quarterback Reggie Taylor, who will take the reins for the first time in 2024. Wossman’s success will largely depend on their defense. The senior-led unit, which helped the Wildcats reach the second round of the LHSAA playoffs last year, is now aiming for even more. Seniors Fred Clark, Keshawn Hines, and Neville transfer Jonah Greely anchor the Wildcats’ front line, while Devin Brown and RJ Wilson patrol the secondary. Junior defensive tackle Robert Clark III also made an impact in the jamboree, returning a fumble 60 yards into Carroll territory.

Both teams return a wealth of talent from last year, but the new era of high school "player movement" has brought many fresh faces to both sides. Wossman added Greely last spring and plans to use him on both sides of the ball. Junior tailback Jahkeim Reitzel (pending LHSAA clearance) also transferred to Wossman after two years at Neville. However, Bastrop holds the advantage in terms of key transfers. The Masons are out to prove themselves, while Wossman will look to show that they remain on course, with or without them. If Reitzel is cleared to play, he could help fill the gap in Wossman’s run game, but I’ll predict this game as if he won’t play. One more transfer of note is former Wossman defensive coordinator Greg Boxley, who now holds the same position at Franklin Parish. Boxley was the unheralded force behind Wossman’s success, and his absence may be felt on Friday night. But no matter how good the coaches are, this game ultimately comes down to the players—the playmakers. Wossman is strong and will compete for a district title, but there’s something special brewing in Bastrop. In my view, the Rams have the most playmakers in this matchup. The Downs and Masons will prove too much for the Wildcats, and Bastrop will start the season 1-0.

Prediction: Bastrop 20, Wossman 16

Player of the Game: Dylan Downs – 15/25, 215 yards, 2 TDs; 8 carries, 85 yards, TD

Area Scores:

Top Ten

(#1) Ruston, 28 vs. Acadiana, 27

Calvary Baptist, 38 vs. (#2) Oak Grove, 28

(#3) West Monroe, 50 vs. Huntington, 12

(#4) Neville, 34 vs. Evangel, 28

Captain Shreve, 21 vs. (#5) Ouachita, 17

(#6) Sterlington, 20 vs. Tioga, 16

(#7) Union Parish, 39 vs. North Desoto, 35

(#8) Franklin Parish, 41 vs. West Jefferson, 13

Other Games:

West Ouachita, 21 vs. Richwood, 14

Parkway, 36 vs. Carroll, 14

OCS, 28 vs. Caldwell, 8

General Trass, 41 vs. Rayville, 21

Madison Parish, 21 vs. Ringgold, 20

Jena, 45 vs. Mangham, 27

Ferriday, 29 vs. Vidalia, 16

Delhi, 12 vs. Beekman Charter, 6

Cedar Creek, 23 vs. Delhi Charter, 13

Loyola, 20 vs. St Fred, 13

Plain Dealing, 34 vs. Tensas, 14

Lasalle, 28 vs. Delta Charter, 26

Mr. Pickems Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Oak Grove Tigers

3. West Monroe Rebs

4. Neville Tigers

5. Ouachita Lions

6. Sterlington Panthers

7. Union Parish Farmers

8. Franklin Parish Patriots

9. Wossman Wildcats

10. Bastrop Rams

Just Missed It: OCS, Ferriday, St. Fred, Richwood, Mangham, Carroll

Mr Pickem’s Super 16

1. Jackson Bradley, QB, Oak Grove

2. Jordan Hayes, RB, Ruston

3. Jaylon Nichols, RB, Neville

4. Brody Whatley, DE, Neville

5. Joshua Brantley, ATH, Ruston

6. Aiden Anding, CB, Ruston

7. Ty-Ty Wilson, LB, Union Parish

8. Cam Riley, CB, Neville

9. Dylan Berymon, DT, Ouachita

10. Julian Burns, DB, Neville

11. Ahmad Hudson, WR, Ruston

12. Dezyrian Ellis, QB, Franklin Parish

13. Isaiah Mcfarland, ATH, Mangham

14. Des Jefferson, ATH, Ferriday

15. Fred Clark, DE, Wossman

16. Dylan Downs, QB, Bastrop

2024 Pre-Season All-Grissom First Team Offense

QB – Jackson Bradley, Sr., Oak Grove

RB – Jordan Hayes, Sr., Ruston

RB – Jaylon Nichols, Sr., Neville

RB – Jay Freeman, Sr., Oak Grove

RB – Andre Williams, Sr., Richwood

WR – Ahmad Hudson, Soph., Ruston

WR– Des Jefferson, Jr., Ferriday

WR– Trae Mason, Sr., Bastrop

WR – Trez Davis, Jr., West Monroe

TE – Thomas Campbell, Sr., Neville

OL – Braeden Blade, Sr., Neville

OL – Eli Carr, Sr., St Fred

OL – Kenneth Boston, Sr., River Oaks

OL– Ty George, Jr.,West Monroe

OL – Tanner Duff, Sr., Oak Grove

ATH – Josh Brantley, Sr., Ruston

KR – Kaleb Vaughn, Sr., Neville

K – Aiden Parker, Sr., Sterlington

2024 All-Grissom First Team Defense

DL – Tyler Roark, Sr., West Monroe

DL – Brody Whatley, Sr., Neville

DL– Chris Addison, Jr., Franklin Parish

DL – Dylan Berymon, Jr., Ouachita

EDGE – Fred Clark, Sr., Wossman

LB – Ty Ty Wilson, Sr., Union Parish

LB – Isaiah McFarland, Sr., Mangham

LB – Dennis Blunt, Sr., Carroll

LB – Zeric Hill, Sr., Ruston

HYB – Julian Burns, Jr., Neville

DB – Richard Wilson, Sr., Wossman

DB – Cam Riley, Sr., Neville

DB – Aiden Anding, Sr., Ruston

DB – Robert Graves, Sr., Neville

ATH – CJ Spurs, Sr., Ouachita

P – Gavin Polk, Jr., OCS

PR – Wydell Clark, Jr., Ouachita