It was one of our worst weeks thus far, but we're still within striking distance of the two "Young Guns" up at the top of the Grid Picks standings.

Northern Lehigh seems to be that team I can't get right this season and a tough loss by Marian was another game that cost us some ground.This is the week where there are a few rivalry games and there are also a couple of others that are big when you look at the post-season.So here goes:ES SOUTH AT PLEASANT VALLEY - This one was always a war when they tangled in the Mountain Valley Conference. Now the Bears have a little edge ... Pleasant Valley, 28-20.MARIAN AT LEHIGHTON - A big game for both teams where playoffs and the AFL race is concerned. Both also look to bounce back from losses last week ... Lehighton, 13-6.MINERSVILLE AT TAMAQUA - Raiders had a big game last week against Panther Valley, while the Miners won their first game of the season ... Tamaqua, 36-0.NORTHERN LEHIGH AT CATASAUQUA - Bulldogs withstood the challenge last week against Palisades. Now they have to take another step in the right direction against the Roughies ... Northern Lehigh, 21-20.NORTHWESTERN AT SALISBURY - The Tigers have been taking care of business every week thus far. They don't stop here ... Northwestern, 38-7.PANTHER VALLEY AT JIM THORPE - Panthers were shut down by Tamaqua last week and now have to face the "Red Swarm" ... Jim Thorpe, 28-7.SOUTHERN LEHIGH AT PALMERTON - Homecoming for the Blue Bombers and a real test with the Spartans in town. This one is big as far as the post-season goes for both teams ... Palmerton, 21-14.MAHANOY AREA AT BLUE MOUNTAIN - Eagles can't afford a letdown here after a big win at Marian last week ... Blue Mountain, 28-7.NOTRE DAME AT BANGOR - Both teams in need of a win badly. For some reason, the coin flip tells us to pick ... Notre Dame, 21-14.NORTHAMPTON AT EMMAUS - It's been a rough season for the Konkrete Kids having to play home games on the road. They're really on the road here and visit the Hornets Nest ... Emmaus, 28-16.WHITEHALL AT EASTON - Zephyrs showed last week they are for real in win over Parkland. Another tough test in Red Rovers here ... Whitehall, 28-24.NATIVITY AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - They'll be starting to run the clock early in the second half here ... Schuylkill Haven, 48-0.POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST AT ALLEN - Panthers haven't been able to practice outside for a couple of weeks, but this one shouldn't matter ... Pocono Mountain West, 28-7.SHENANDOAH VALLEY AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL - Another one that will be put in the books early ... North Schuylkill, 54-7.SAUCON VALLEY AT PEN ARGYL - It's usually never easy to play in the Slate Belt especially on Saturday afternoon. This year has been a different story ... Saucon Valley, 28-7.