MR. PICKEM'S WEEKLY FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

Week 3 Friday September 20, 2024

Overall Record: 35-9 Last Week: 16-3 Featured games: 1-1

Ouachita Lions (1-1) Vs #4 Sterlington Panthers (2-0)

Mr. Pickems’ Weekly Football Predictions

With many local teams on the road in Week 2, for the first time ever, this week's Game of the Week features two teams still searching for their first win. Both Richwood and Mangham are 0-1 after losing to West Ouachita and Jena, respectively, in Week 1. Mangham faced the tough task of traveling to Jena, last year's D3 semi-finalists, and came up just short after a brutal start. Early turnovers and big plays on the ground by Jena dashed any hopes Mangham had of pulling off the road upset. Combined with a pre-season injury to All-Grissom and Super 16 athlete Isaiah McFarland, it's a wonder that the Dragons kept the game as close as they did.

Richwood, on the other hand, was dealt a heavy blow by a strong West Ouachita team, losing 49-6. Star running back Andre Williams was held in check for most of the night, and the Rams’ passing game struggled against a stiff Chiefs defense. Head Coach Bakari Guice will be looking to reset his team’s mindset heading into this week’s game against a familiar opponent.

As mentioned earlier, Mangham is dealing with a major injury in Isaiah McFarland, and if he’s out for an extended period, any plans for a deep playoff run may be in jeopardy. Replacing a talent like McFarland is nearly impossible in a small town like Mangham. Meanwhile, Richwood has not faced significant injuries, though their best player transferred before fall camp.

This game is expected to be evenly matched, with both teams excelling on the ground. However, Richwood might have an advantage in the passing game, with junior quarterback Trey Lane targeting his favorite wide receiver, Tra'Vone Varner. If McFarland were playing, I’d lean toward the Dragons, but given his absence, I’m picking the Rams in this one.

Ouachita 20 Sterlington 14

PLAYER OF THE GAME: M.J. DADE – 16 CARRIES, 135 YARDS, 2 TDS (GW TD RUN)

Area Scores:

Top Ten

#1 Ruston 31 Longview, Tx 17

#2 Neville 44 Holmes County, Ms 23

Calvary Baptist 49 #3 Franklin Parish 29

#5 Bastrop 34 Rayville 12

#6 OCS 44 Delhi 14

#7 West Ouachita 24 Winnfield 13

#8 West Monroe 38 North Desoto 34

#9. Oak Grove 34 Red River 21

#10 Ferriday 23 Delta Charter 22

Other Games:

Wossman 14 Richwood 8

Carroll 23 Arcadia 12

Airline 44 Union Parish 28

Mangham 29 Caldwell 13

Jena 36 St Fred 12

Vidalia 34 Block 13

D'Arbonne Woods 26 Grant 12

General Trass 23 Madison Parish 21

Delhi Charter 21 Jonesboro-Hodge 20

Beekman Charter 31 Lincoln Prep 16

Loyola 20 Cedar Creek 14

Ringgold 16 Tensas 15

Mr. Pickems' Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Neville Tigers

3. Franklin Parish Patriots

4. Sterlington Panthers

5. Bastrop Rams

6. OCS Eagles

7. West Monroe Rebs

8. West Ouachita Chiefs

9. Oak Grove Tigers

10. Ferriday Trojans

Just Missed It: Ouachita, Union Parish, Mangham, St. Fred, D'Arbonne Woods

MR. PICKEM'S G.O.A.T OF THE WEEK

Austin Davenport, QB Bastrop Rams

17/29 180 YARDS, 4TDS

8 RUSHES, 50 YARDS