Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 4 Friday September 27, 2024

Overall Record: 54-11 Last Week: 19-2 Featured games: 2-1

#2 NEVILLE TIGERS (3-0) VS ST THOMAS MORE COUGARS (1-2)

There hasn’t been a long history of STM vs. Neville matchups, but the few that have occurred have been games for the ages. The Tigers will face the Cougars for the third time in the past five years, with STM holding a 2-0 edge. In 2019, the Tigers suffered a 35-6 drubbing by the home-standing Cougars. Due to COVID-19 in 2020, the rematch was delayed until 2021 when the Cougars, led by 5-star quarterback Walker Howard, pulled off a miraculous rally to clip the Tigers at Ruple Stadium with a score of 35-28. Since that battle in 2019, the Cougars have gone on to win four state titles and are on the verge of a back-to-back-to-back title run if they manage to win it again in 2024.

However, the start of the season has been rough for the Lafayette-based Cougars, who come into the matchup with a somewhat surprising 1-2 record. Despite losing a ton of seniors from last year’s championship team, expectations remain high for St. Thomas More. If I’m being honest, had Neville been sitting at 1-2 like STM, I probably wouldn’t have been surprised. Like the Cougars, the Tigers have constructed a schedule that will surely have them battle-tested for the second part of their season. Last week, the Tigers narrowly defeated previously unbeaten Holmes County, MS, 34-33, extending their record to 3-0. As usual, Jaylon Nichols was phenomenal, carrying the load with 27 carries for 167 yards and two scores. Caleb Vaughn and Ze’land Young also contributed, catching two Parker Robinson touchdown passes.

With wins over Evangel, Calvary, and Holmes, Neville will now face perhaps the best team they’ve seen so far this season, regardless of STM’s record. Both teams employ a balanced offensive scheme that keeps defenses guessing. For STM, junior QB Cole Bergeron will be supported by RB Gabe Mocek (375 yards), WR Cade Wilkerson (205 yards, 3 TDs), and TE Aiden Falgout (3 TDs) in their attempts to outscore a Tigers team that is averaging 39.9 points per game in 2024. Defensively, the Cougars are led by senior DB Brian Broussard, who has an impressive five interceptions in just three games. The Cougars (1-2) have losses to Acadiana and Catholic, with a win over Carencro.

I’ll admit that I expected four regular-season losses for the Tigers heading into 2024, so their 3-0 start has been a surprise. That said, with a schedule that still includes STM, West Monroe, Alexandria, and Ruston, those four losses remain a possibility. However, something tells me that the more the Tigers play, the better they’ll get. The last and only time Neville beat STM was in the 2002 LHSAA Playoffs when the Tigers stormed back to win 21-17 on the road. But in 2024, I believe the Tigers will continue to put up points and outscore the Cougars in another barnburner for the record books. On a last-second field goal by Brooks Yerger, Neville gets by STM, 40-37.

NEVILLE 40 ST THOMAS MORE 37

PLAYER OF THE GAME: JAYLON NICHOLS – 21 CARRIES, 202 YARDS, 2 TDS : 5 CATCHES, 78 YARDS, 1 TD

AREA SCORES:

TOP TEN

#1 RUSTON, 41 vs. MIDLAND LEGACY, TX, 21

#3 FRANKLIN PARISH, 49 vs. CALDWELL, 12

#4 BASTROP, 23 vs. ST FRED, 15

CATHOLIC (BR), 24 vs. #5 WEST MONROE, 21

#6 OCS, 53 vs. MADISON PARISH, 14

#7 WEST OUACHITA, 23 vs. STERLINGTON, 23

#8 OAK GROVE, 51 vs. RAYVILLE, 15

#9 FERRIDAY, 30 vs. DELHI CHARTER, 22

#10 OUACHITA, BYE WEEK

OTHER GAMES:

IOWA, 28 vs. WOSSMAN, 12

CARROLL, 27 vs. GENERAL TRASS, 26

TIOGA, 34 vs. RICHWOOD, 14

GRANT, 20 vs. VIDALIA, 19

CALVARY BAPTIST, 61 vs. D’ARBONNE WOODS, 21

MANGHAM, 42 vs. BEEKMAN CHARTER, 8

UNION PARISH, 50 vs. GREEN OAKS, 20

GLENBROOK, 36 vs. CEDAR CREEK, 13

SOUTHERN LAB, 46 vs. DELHI, 6

JONESBORO-HODGE, 22 vs. LINCOLN PREP, 20

Mr Pickems’ Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Neville Tigers

3. Franklin Parish Patriots

4. Bastrop Rams

5. West Monroe Rebs

6. OCS Eagles

7. West Ouachita Chiefs

8. Oak Grove Tigers

9. Ferriday Trojans

10. Ouachita Lions

Just Missed It: Sterlington, St Fred., D’arbonne Woods, Mangham, Carroll, Wossman

MR PICKEM’S GOAT OF THE WEEK

Dezyrian Ellis, QB F.P. Patriots

11/23 162 yards, 2 TD’s

13 carries, 185 yards, 2 TDs