Mr. Pickems' Weekly Football Predictions

(Week 2 September 13, 2024)

Overall Record: 19-6 Featured games: 1-0

Richwood Rams (0-1) Vs Mangham Dragons (0-1)

With a lot of local teams on the road in week 2, for the first time ever, this week’s Game of the Week is between two teams without a win. Even though it’s only week 2, both Richwood and Mangham are 0-1 after losing to West Ouachita and Jena respectfully in week 1. Mangham had the daunting task of traveling to Jena to face last year’s D3 semi-finalists and came away just short after a brutal start. Early turnovers and big plays on the ground by Jena ended any chance Mangham may have had in pulling the road upset. Combined with a pre-season injury to All-Grissom and Super 16 athlete, Isaiah McFarland and it’s a wonder that the Dragons were as close as they were. Richwood on the other hand was getting dealt a huge blow to a very good West Ouachita team by a score of 49-6. Stud RB Andre Williams was contained for most of the night, while the Rams pass-game was also stuck in quicksand vs a stiff Chiefs defense. Head Coach Bakari Guice will head back to the drawing board this week vs a familiar foe with his team’s mindset completely reset. As mentioned earlier, Mangham is dealing with a huge injury bug that goes by the name of Isaiah McFarland and if he’s out for any significant amount of time then you can cancel any plans for a Dome run at Mangham. A talent like that is just about impossible to replace in a small town like Mangham. Meanwhile Richwood hasn’t really dealt with injuries although their best player transferred before the fall camp. This will be an evenly matched game. Both teams have the ability to beat you on the ground but Richwood may have the better receiving game with junior QB Trey Lane targeting his favorite wideout, Tra’Vone Varner. If McFarland were playing I’d take a strong Dragons lean but he’s not and with that being said I’m taking the Rams in this one.

RICHWOOD 22 MANGHAM 21

PLAYER OF THE GAME: ANDRE WILLIAMS: 15 CARRIES, 155 YARDS, 2 TDS

AREA SCORES:

TOP TEN

#1 Ruston 35 Cabot, Ark 24

#2 Neville 34 Calvary Baptist 24

Pulaski Academy, Ark 45 #3 West Monroe 27

#4 Franklin Parish 48 St. Fred 13

#5 Sterlington 55 Rayville 18

#6 Bastrop 23 B.T.W. (Shreve) 12

#7 OCS 41 General Trass 21

#8. West Ouachita 44 J-Hodge 6 (Thurs)

#9. Oak Grove 55 Crossett, Ark. 20

#10 Ferriday 33 Block 6

OTHER GAMES:

Ouachita 30 Wossman 14

Alexandria 56 Union Prish 34

Winnfield 23 Caldwell 16

Carroll Bye

Delhi Charter 29 Lakeview 20

Madison Parish 23 Fountainbleu 21

Beekman Charter 34 Tensas 14

Delhi 14 Cedar Creek 13

Vidalia 28 Delta Charter 27

Mr. Pickems’ Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Neville Tigers

3. West Monroe Rebs

4. Franklin Parish Patriots

5. Sterlington Panthers

6. Bastrop Rams

7. OCS Eagles

8. West Ouachita Chiefs

9. Oak Grove Tigers

10. Ferriday Trojans

Just Missed It: Ouachita, Union Parish, St. Fred, Wossman, General TRASS

MR. PICKEM’S GOAT OF THE WEEK

Jaylon Nichols, RB Neville

22 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs