It was quite a start to the football season a week ago.

Six area teams opened the year with wins, while school records were also set.Lehighton's Cody Scherer threw for 315 yards to establish a new Indian single-game mark, and Northwestern's Trevor Cunningham had 183 yards receiving to write his name into the Tiger record book.Which teams and what players will step up in Week Two?In the Times News office, Bob Ford and Patrick Matsinko stepped up last week with their predictions. The two opened with identical 13-2 record to take the early lead in the Grid Picks race.Five writers, including myself, are just one game back and are hoping to make up that difference this week.MARIAN AT JIM THORPE... An early-season matchup of rival schools. The players and staff know each other well, and this could come down to the end. For me, the edge is an experienced QB in Ethan Kuczynski ...Marian 24-21.SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT LEHIGHTON... The Indians boast some talented skill players, while the Hurricanes take pride in their line and physical play. Lehighton will move the ball, but will they be able to stop Haven ...Schuylkill Haven 35-28.PANTHER VALLEY AT HAMBURG... Panthers had impressive showing in opener, but face a tougher team than the CMVT squad they destroyed. The Hawks look to fly at home ...Hamburg 21-20.TAMAQUA AT MAHANOY AREA... Both teams posted big wins last week, but with a balanced Blue Raiders attack, Tamaqua will make it two in a row ...Tamaqua 28-7.NORTHERN LEHIGH AT CATASAUQUA... The Rough Riders have improved since last season, but if the Bulldogs eliminate the turnovers they had a week ago, Joe Tout's club could even their mark ...Northern Lehigh 27-14.NORTHWESTERN AT SALISBURY... Look for the Tigers to get the ball into the hands of Trevor Cunningham again. If they can, look for Northwestern to post another victory ...Northwestern 31-21.SOUTHERN LEHIGH AT PALMERTON... Spartan offense opened the season where they left off a year ago. Word is Bombers are a little banged up at some key spots ...Southern Lehigh 35-14.PLEASANT VALLEY AT ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC... Bears gave new head coach Mark Versuk a win in his first game, rallying past Nazareth. Vikings struggled against a power Freedom squad. Expect another shootout ...Central Catholic 48-34.MINERSVILLE AT SHENANDOAH... The Schuylkill League Division 2 opener for both clubs. Both teams were soundly defeated by Division 1 foes a week ago. Miners new coach gets first win ...Minersville 20-14.NORTH SCHUYLKILL AT STEELTON-HIGHSPIRE... Don't know much about the Steamrollers, but do know the Spartans are primed for another solid season ...North Schuylkill 31-28.WILSON AT PALISADES... An emotional contest awaits both teams after the recent passing of Pirate assistant and Warrior graduate Tom Poynton Jr. Palisades is more talented, though, and will pull away ...Palisades 27-7.SAUCON VALLEY AT PEN ARGYL... The Panthers lost a number of key players from its district championship team, but SV still has enough to handle the Green Knights ...Saucon Valley 34-20.WHITEHALL AT EMMAUS... The Hornets won't score 77 points this week as the Zephyrs are a more formidable foe than Dieruff. In a battle of solid QBs, Whitehall's Zach Gilbert gets the job done ...Whitehall 28-26.ES SOUTH VS. PM EAST... The Cavaliers posted over 300 yards of offense against a good Liberty team, but were especially hurt by poor play on special teams. The Cards have improved, but not enough ...ES South, 31-12.EASTON AT LIBERTY... Rovers like to run the ball, and the Hurricanes had trouble stopping ES South's ground game a week ago. Big game in the EPC South goes to ...Easton 28-20.