Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 8 - October 25, 2024

Overall Record: 124-21 Last Week: 20-1 Featured Games: 4-3

#6 West Ouachita Chiefs (6-1) @ Wossman Wildcats (4-3)

It's been 10 years since a West Ouachita team could say they've won 7 games in a season. In 2014, the Chiefs started the season 5-0 before losing their first game, a district matchup against Wossman, 27-0 in early October. That year, the Chiefs were part of a strong District 2-4A, which included Bastrop, Franklin Parish, and Neville. They eventually finished the season with a 7-4 record, losing their final three games in a row. Now, in 2024, the Chiefs have once again started the season 5-0 and are just one win away from their 7th victory, with an outside chance of winning District 2-4A. Their next challenge is Wossman, the same opponent that stopped their run a decade ago, as they travel to Grady Jones Stadium on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, at 1600 Arizona St., the Wossman Wildcats are preparing for one of their biggest tests of the year after a dominant 41-0 road win over Grant last week. Although Wossman's season didn't start as strong as West Ouachita's, they've kept their players motivated and now sit at 4-3. Freshman QB Jaterrance Long has stepped in for the injured Reggie Taylor without missing a beat, while Neville transfer Jakeem Reitzell, recently cleared by the LHSAA, has taken over at running back and leads the team with 434 rushing yards in 5 games.

These teams were district rivals for six years, from 2009 to 2014, before Wossman dropped to Class 3A and the Chiefs moved up to 5A. Wossman holds a 5-2 series lead dating back to 2004, including five consecutive wins. However, given that no players from that era are still on the field, past records may not matter. West Ouachita will lean on QB Sam Ozark, FB Mack Owens, and RB CJ Barr, all capable of big plays in Coach Matt Rainwater's veer attack. On Wossman's side, Reitzell will power the ground game, while senior Zion Weeks will look to stretch the field. Last week, Weeks caught two touchdown passes against Grant, and he'll need a similar performance to help Wossman pull off the upset.

The Wildcats' defense, highly praised coming into 2024, has improved as the season has progressed, allowing just 18 points per game, including last week's shutout. As the game approaches, predictions are mixed. While logic suggests Wossman might find a way to win at home, there's a gut feeling that West Ouachita will pull off the victory. The Chiefs will likely give Wossman a heavy dose of Owens and Barr, but the X-factor could be TE Dillon Robb, who might get free behind the defense on a halfback pass from Barr in a late-game scenario, stunning Wossman on the road.