Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 13 Football Playoffs November 29, 2023

Overall Record: 218-35 Last Week: 15-0 Featured Games: 8-4

#3 Oak Grove Tigers (10-1) Vs #6 Sterlington Panthers (8-4)

Was there any doubt what this week's game of the week would be? After 20+ consecutive years of regular season play, Sterlington and Oak Grove weren't able to continue their annual rivalry game aka The Mayor's Cup for several reasons, the main one being a jump up in class for Oak Grove which would give them less room on the schedule for non-district games and it would also potentially place them in a playoff bracket with their rivals from Ouachita Parish. However, we will somehow get to see the rivalry game in a much more important circumstance. It is the now the quarterfinals and that means win or go home. Oak Grove made it to this point with an impressive regular season that ended with 9 consecutive wins including a district title in their first year in 2-2A. All-Grissom athletes, Jackson Bradley and Jay Freeman continue to make their case for Player of the Year, but also want to add a little more to their resumes with a few extra games. Last week the Tigers destroyed Mansfield 62-14 with both Jackson and Freeman playing huge roles in the rout.

Sterlington also hit the cruise control in their second-round game vs Lakeside and came away with a 49-18 victory. The Panthers may not have had a regular season as good as they've had in years past, but the they were still able to capture the district crown and has now picked up some late season steam as they try to bring back another title to northern Ouachita Parish. Gavin Evans and Hagen Herring did the heavy lifting for Sterlington with 4 total TDs, while Travis Adams guided the defense with an interception of his own. The Panthers led 21-0 at the half and was able to utilize both their run and pass game in the second half to prepare for this week's opponent.

The Mayor's Cup will be renewed in 2024 after nearly missing out for the first time in over 20 years. The stakes are a bit higher this season though. The winner of this games gets rewarded with another game next week, while the loser gets to put the uniforms in the equipment cabinet next to the moth balls. There's no question that both teams would prefer the former over the latter which tells me that this game will go down to the wire. A few weeks ago, I chose Oak Grove vs OCS as game of the week and although I chose the right side, my 1-point spread was obliterated. The Tigers won 44-14 as they continued their onslaught of opponents. The Panthers have definitely played a much more competitive schedule, with games vs Ouachita, Neville and Union Parish coach Lee Doty has his team prepared for a title run. When it comes to rivalries, this is one of the best you'll find. Over the past 6 matches, the teams have alternated wins with the Panters taking last year's meeting 42-35. Although there have been some lop-sided scores in the rivalry the majority of the games will have you on the edge of your seat for the full 48 minutes. None of those previous matchups will have the kind of implications that this one will, so I'm expecting some fireworks. Sterlington won the title in 2021 but has fallen short since, meanwhile the Tigers are on the cusp of a 3-peat. Even with the jump up in classification, I projected Oak Grove would win their 3rd consecutive title, but after seeing the Division III bracket, I must admit, it won't be easy, but in my opinion, this may be the last team that can stand in the way. The Panthers will lead throughout this game but in the 4th quarter, Bradley and Freeman leave it all on the line. A screen pass starts in Tiger territory but ends in the Panthers end zone giving the Tigers the lead and the win.

Oak Grove 38 Sterlington 31

Player Of The Game: Jay Freeman – 17 Carries, 170 Yards, 2 Td – 5 Rec. 88 Yds, 1td

Area Scores:

Division I Non-Select

#1 Neville 42 #24 Chalmette 12

#3 Ruston 27 #6 Southside 21

#4 Central 27 #21 West Monroe 26

Division Ii Non-Select

#4 Franklin Parish 26 #5 Iowa 20

Division Iii Non-Select

#3 Oak Grove 38 #6 Sterlington 31

#5 Union Parish 39 #4 Kinder 23

#7 Jena 24 #15 Loreauville 12

Division Iv Non-Select

#2 South Plaquemine 33 #7 Mangham 27

#4 Jeanerette 38 #12 General Trass 26

Division Iv Select

#11 OCS 24 #3 Covenant Christian 18

MR PICKEM'S GOAT OF THE WEEK

CAM RILEY, CB - NEVILLE

4 TACKLES, 2 INTERCEPTIONS,

45 YD KICKOFF RETURN

Vs COVINGTON