The Friday night lights are on, and the ball is on the tree. Once again, it’s time for another high school football season, and that means our sports staff is ready to begin a brand-new race for the Bob Ford Memorial Grid Picks Cup. So, here we go!

The favorites

Defending champion Justin Carlucci has left the Times News and retires with last year’s Cup in hand. Based upon recent year’s records, here are my two favorites to take home the gold in 2022.

The front-runner at 3-1 odds is Hot Rod Heckman. His track record puts him in the top three for the past several years. A Cup winner in 2020, the title eluded him with a slight slip during the postseason last year; nevertheless, you can bet that Heckman will be in the stretch again running full speed to the wire in mid-November.

Finishing a game behind Heckman and in third place was Pat “The Mat” Matsinko, who continues to prove he knows more about many sports than what happens on the wrestling mat. His “Las Vegas” odds are 5-1. He always hangs around the front of the pack, but hasn’t shown that late kick at the end to win it all.

The outside chances

Any middle of the pack finishers a year ago might surprise and beat the favorites. Yours Truly finished fourth, my highest place ever. I’m leaving it all on the field this season to make it to the winner’s circle, but my odds right now are no better than 10-1.

Bad Brad Hurley, a customary favorite to win it all and a former champ from 2018, has slipped in recent years, but he breaks from the gate at 12-1 and is always a threat. TJ “Carolina” Engle surprised last fall with a solid finish in fifth, but the early odds at 15-1 are not hopeful that he can capture the 2022 Cup.

The long shots

Bringing up the rear nearly every year is a smear upon our renowned sports staff, but somebody has to be fighting to stay out of the Pundit Pit. Give credit, however, to Sam “the Man” Matta, a frequent cellar dweller, who got a burst of speed at the end last year to pull himself up to sixth place. He goes off at 22-1, and with these odds, someone betting this also ran will be sipping champagne with Sam should he shock the local sports world and pull out the upset victory.

Speaking of also rans, Emmett “Bossman” McCall continued to disappoint with a seventh place finish. It’s a good thing he runs a very efficient office, because his prowess to pick high school football winners has never risen above sea level. Sorry, boss, but your odds of getting a hold on the gold are 40-1.

Mike “Hurricane” Haines will need to throw his crystal ball into the storm sewer and go find another. He finished 19 games behind first a season ago, and this year, he’s at a dismal 50-1 to win. Let’s not forget Chuck “No Luck” Hixson, our sole resident of the Pundit Pit. Despite a moment or two of good luck along the way, he spiraled into last place, 24 games out, and is now at 70-1 to best the rest. Kyle Magda joins our pundits this year, and to be kind to the rook, I’ll even him off with Hixson at 70-1.

Week 1 fun

With high school graduation of top players from this past June, nobody really knows where to go with their Week 1 picks. Only four games of the 15 on the board are unanimous picks. Even the coaches are uncertain as to what they will see their teams do this weekend. Seven local games are on the docket, so with a cloudy crystal ball, let’s get right to it!

No blue clue

The one thing Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, and Marian have in common is the color blue on their uniforms, which has zero impact on who will win their opening games. Let me run with it anyway. The Olympians return an experienced offensive line with running and catching weapons for two-year starting quarterback Brett Balliet. The Red Swarm may not be as dominant, but the pick here is JT will outscore the Blue Mountain Eagles and pull out a late game win.

Lehighton is on the road and should be improved with Brady O’Donnell over center, but Palmerton returns Matt Machalik, one of the area’s best athletes to spearhead the Blue Bombers’ attack. The nod here goes to the home team, which finished 9-3 last season.

There’s a renewed excitement about Marian football. Last season, the Colts won their last four games after an 0-7 start. Coach Stan Dakosky will have his players prepared to have a better start, so the pick here is the Blue and Gold to storm the Hurricanes at Schuylkill Haven in a mild upset.

Northern Lights and Valley Views

The consensus pick is for Joe Tout’s Northern Lehigh Bulldogs to light up the scoreboard and take down Catasauqua, while the Tigers of Northwestern will do the same against Tamaqua. Pleasant Valley has been an improving program under Coach Blaec Saeger, so the view here is for the Bears to win No. 1 tonight against ES North.

The view for Panther Valley football is not as bright. First year coach Mark Lavine will try to upstart his Panthers to an early success, but not tonight, say we prognosticators. Salisbury gets the nod.

Pick ‘em games

Good opening matchups from out of the area include Mount Carmel Area against North Schuylkill, split by our pickers as to who will win, while Bethlehem Catholic visits Whitehall, with the six of our staff checking off the home Zephyrs to beat the Hawks.

It’s long season to be sure, but coming out of the gate in front of the pack is everyone’s goal for Week 1. The crystal balls are polished and our pundits are primed for another exciting Times News race for the Bob Ford Memorial Grid Picks Cup!