I have been giving this whole Times News Grid Picks thing a shot for well over a decade.

One thing I'm not very proud of is the fact that I have only finished in the top-five once since I became a part of the TN team. And, that was a fourth-place finish back in 2002.The best I have done since then was a sixth-place in 2009. Since then, it's been a seat near the back of the Grid Picks bus for me.Despite my lack of past success and another slow start this season, I am still dreaming of that day I will be crowned the Times News Grid Pick champion.Just three weeks into the season, it's not time to give up on that dream yet.With assistance from my 11-year old son Wyatt and my dad Terry, here's to turning things around - starting this week.Because, believe me, when Saturday mornings roll around, they're the first two to remind me how we did the prior evening.JIM THORPE AT MINERSVILLE - The Olympians are coming off a huge win over rival Panther Valley while the Battlin' Miners were routed by Williams Valley. I don't think this will be close ... Jim Thorpe, 38-7.LEHIGHTON AT MARIAN - When you have a sweetheart of a niece who cheers for Lehighton, you just better root for those Indians too. Expect it to be a close one and to live up to its "Game of the Week" billing ... Lehighton, 31-28.PANTHER VALLEY AT TAMAQUA - Another double local showdown. The Blue Raiders want to get back to their winning ways after a tough first loss of the season to Haven last week. The Panthers stand in their way ... Tamaqua, 34-10.NOTRE DAME AT NORTHERN LEHIGH - The Bulldogs are flying high after a huge performance against Bangor last week, but they run into one of the two unbeaten squads in the Colonial League this week in Notre Dame. The Crusaders have a bit more experience and that will help them hold off a Bulldog upset bid ... Notre Dame, 28-14.WILSON AT NORTHWESTERN - After suffering their first loss to Palisades a week ago, Northwestern looks to get that sour taste out of their mouths with a win over winless Wilson. Consider it done! ... Northwestern, 48-14.PLEASANT VALLEY AT WILLIAM ALLEN - Expect "Da Bears" to keep on putting up the points. They are averaging almost 42 points a game over the first three weeks. Don't expect that average to come down ... Pleasant Valley, 52-8.PALMERTON AT PEN ARGYL - Yes, I'm a Bomber for life! And, I am proud to admit that So, call me a homer all you want, but the Bombers are going to get the win on "The Hill." My son's Little Bomber squad beat Pen Argyl two weeks ago, the big Bombers will follow suit ... Palmerton, 28-21.MAHANOY AREA AT NATIVITY - The Golden Bears stay "golden" and roll to another victory on the hill in Pottsville ... Mahanoy Area, 21-7.SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL - Schuylkill Haven finally plays a squad outside the Times News area as they run into perennial powerhouse North Schuylkill. The Spartans are hurting after a loss to Marian last week and Haven will take advantage of that and stay unbeaten ...Haven, 14-7.PALISADES AT SOUTHERN LEHIGH - After suffering its first setback last week. Expect the Spartans to enter this one with fire in their eyes. Add in a perfect game plan from offensive coordinator Mike Feifel and Palisades is in trouble ... Southern Lehigh, 42-21.CATASAUQUA AT SAUCON VALLEY - Saucon Valley enters unbeaten. They'll leave the field that same way ...Saucon Valley, 42-14.DIERUFF AT STROUDSBURG - Dieruff has knocked off two straight Pocono region programs in ES North and PM East. Stroudsburg will be a different story. The Huskies' Pocono success ends here ... Stroudsburg, 28-21.PARKLAND AT EASTON -A tough one to pick and a great game to see in person. When in doubt, go with the home team ... Easton, 21-14.BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC AT NAZARETH - Becahi will bounce back from its first loss of the season ... Bethlehem Catholic, 35-6.POTTSVILLE AT HARRISBURG - Pottsville is a perfect 3-0 while Harrisburg is 1-1. Sometimes records can be deceiving ... Harrisburg, 31-25.