Following five weeks of grid picks, just two games separate the top five staff members in the standings.

Despite “Bad “ Brad Hurley’s four-loss week, he holds a game lead over rising, Justin “The voice” Carlucci who topped the week at 13-2 along with Pat “The Mat” sinko. Bob “Photo” Ford, “Handy” Andy Steinmetz, and Matsinko all sit two back of the leader.

Yours truly bombed with six defeats and I am now free falling precariously closer to Pundit Pit resident, Chuck “No Luck” Hixson. Kudos to Sam “The man” Matta whose 12-3 mark pulled him three games from the Pit where he used to live.

Dynamic duo to be tested

Local powerhouses Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua easily won their fifth games in a row last Friday night. Undefeated and unscored upon Tamaqua carries its sledgehammer into Pottsville to face the 4-1 Crimson Tide who are scoring nearly four touchdowns a game. The Raiders will have a tall order in keeping their shutout streak intact against Pottsville quarterback, Damon Yost who last week threw for 272 yards and five touchdowns. Tamaqua QB. Brayden Knoblauch had a game of his own against a good Blue Mountain team when he threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns

The entire staff picks the Raiders to notch win number six on their belts as they march toward a Week 9 showdown with Jim Thorpe.

Speaking of the Olympians, Jarrin Geisinger, who runs, receives, and returns kicks for JT, had 202 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns last week against Midd-West. Geisinger and JT’s arsenal of offensive weapons will face the undefeated North Schuylkill Spartans tonight. The Red Storm face their toughest challenge this season in trying to stop Spartan quarterback Jaden Leiby who spearheads an attack that is averaging 40 points a game. Our pickers like Thorpe except for “Hot” Rod Heckman and Steinmetz who are trying to pick up a game in the standings with a Spartan win. I like Thorpe by three in a nail biter.

Turning point looms

Marian looks for their first win against Minersville, a two win team that has played well at times, but was trounced last week by Schuylkill Valley. Pat Morgans will have his Colts chomping at the bit for this one. “Bossman” McCall, Matta, and Yours Truly think The Colts will get it done for win number one.

Lehighton will have its hands full with Blue Mountain and although none of us picked the Tribe to win, it’s never a certain thing to bet against any team coached by Tom McCarroll. We figure his maroon and white will keep the game tight until the end of the night.

Northern Lehigh boasts a winning record half way through the season and will travel to an up and down Southern Lehigh team, which spanked Palisades last week.

“No luck” Hixson looks to be lucky in this one with a Bulldog triumph.

Panther Valley and Pleasant Valley’s have winnable games this week. For the Bears, a victory would be their first this season.

Palmerton put up 61 points last week, but will be hard pressed to win their second in a row against Northwestern.

The midnight hour

Undercover spies have determined some underhanded and unethical activity in dark late night corners of the TN sports department office. Staffers are pacing the floors pondering their picks. Matsinko, Steinmetz, and Hurley wait until after the “send your picks in” deadline because they’re studying depth charts and offensive and defensive tendencies. Some, whose names will not be mentioned, are trying to grab a glimpse of another colleague’s winners for the week. Reigning champ, Bob Ford displays his trophy for all to see and rumor has it that Rod Heckman has not been keeping up with his job duties because he’s been staring too long at the trophy.

Only seven games separate the top from the pit. TN bragging rights last for an entire year. The Pit’s bony hand is waving at me. If I drop inside, I’m throwing away my crystal ball. Next week my 11-year-old daughter will choose the winners determined by the colors she likes on their uniforms!