The race for the Bob Ford Grid Picks Memorial Cup is looking like a three-man battle with only a few weeks left.

Brad Hurley’s once comfortable lead has dwindled to just two games over the surging and defending Cup holder, Rod Heckman. Pat Matsinko remains three games back of the lead.

With just one regular season week and two weeks of playoff picks remaining, Hurley was asked if he might be guessing his closest opponents’ picks in factoring who he selects to win games.

“Nope, I’m going to continue with the same approach I have all season long,” he said. “Picking games based on what you think other guys will do is overthinking.”

Hurley added, “I lost a few tough picks last week in games that could have gone either way. I’m looking forward to Week 10. It always presents some good matchups and rivalries.”

Heckman also said he won’t deviate from his strategy. “There are enough toss up games the rest of the way that Hurley and I are bound to have a few different. Going with a bunch of upsets now is a sign of panic. If I’m lucky enough to stay close to Brad with a week to go, maybe I’ll pick an upset or two then.”

Matsinko has nothing to lose, he said. “I’m going for broke. I’ve thrown a few Hail Marys this season and gotten crushed each time, but there will be a time when I start swinging for the fences. I’m in it to win it!”

Heads or tails on local schedule

Two local games are a flip of the coin. Undefeated Southern Lehigh plays undefeated Northwestern. Here’s how dominant both teams have been while running up nine-game winning streaks. The Spartans have scored 437 points - an average of 49 points a game - while the Tigers have lit up the scoreboard for 402 points - an average of 42 points a game. Southern Lehigh has allowed its opponents just 93 points - an average of 10 a game, while Northwestern has given up a paltry 69 points this season- just 7.7 points a game. Got to root for the Tigers here in what is the Game of the Year in the regular season.

Another toss-up game is Lehighton at Jim Thorpe for the Route 209 trophy. The Tribe currently holds the gold after last year’s victory, which broke a four-year win streak for the Olympians. In the last 22 years of this rivalry, the overall series record is 11-11. Yours Truly is going with the Olympians in a close one to be decided just before the fourth quarter horn is sounded.

Our staff has tabbed Palmerton to stay unbeaten, Tamaqua to win for the fifth time in its last six games, and Marian and Pleasant Valley to finish their regular seasons with better than .500 records.

Out-of-Area Game of the Week

Let’s take Blue Mountain at Schuylkill Haven, another end of the season rivalry. The schools are located less two miles apart. Friends and families will split and take sides on this one, with a good number of them having students in both buildings. Add to that the fact that both teams are having great seasons, and it makes for an exciting contest.

Blue Mountain (7-2) is powered by quarterback Tyler Miller, who has run and passed for 1,447 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, and Peyton Fasnacht, who has rushed for 999 yards and 11 TDs. Meanwhile, Haven has won eight straight after losing its opener to Marian. ‘Canes’ running back Nico Carestia has been nearly unstoppable, averaging over eight yards a carry and rushing for 967 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The staff favors Blue Mountain, but only by a 6-4 margin, so the outcome of this game might shuffle the standings behind the three front runners.

Status quo, except Matsinko

Hurley and Heckman have the same picks for this week, so they will remain in first and second place moving ahead into two weeks of the playoffs. Matsinko can tie Heckman if Northwestern defeats Southern Lehigh.

It gets really interesting in the middle of the pack and at the end of the standings. Just two games separate Emmett “Boss Man” McCall, TJ Engle, and Yours Truly. I have Blue Mountain over Schuylkill Haven, while they picked Haven to prevail. McCall picked two upsets with Bethlehem Catholic at 5-5 over 7-2 Allentown Central Catholic, and Liberty at 2-7 to beat 5-4 Freedom. Looks like the boss is in sink or swim mode as we count down to the end of the Cup race.

After a great 13-2 week, Kyle Magda is throwing all his chips in the middle of the table to try and catch Jeff Moeller and get out of the Pundit Pit. He’s picked five upsets against the majority of the staff.

We’re in the far turn, and heading for the finish line with just a few weeks of picks to go. Will Hurley hang on? Can Heckman win again, or will Matsinko beat both and grab hold of the gold?