It’s a bit weird putting my name in the headline of a column I write, but I don’t see another choice.

My 12-3 Week 3 record picked up two games on Rod Heckman (10-5), moving me into a tie with him for first place.

Matching the overall best win total of 12 was TJ Engle, which lifted him out of the Pundit Pit and into eighth place. Cup favorites Brad Hurley and Pat Matsinko sit three games off the pace. Justin Carlucci, who had rocketed into third place a week ago, went 9-6 and dropped four games behind.

The six pack and a new resident of the Pit

We’re only in Week 4, but six pickers are already in danger of falling out of contention. Mike Haines stands six games behind the leaders. Jeff Moeller and Engle each sit seven games back, with Sam Matta now eight behind. For any of them to gain ground, they’ll need a freefall from the top four.

Emmett McCall now resides in the Pundit Pit all by his lonesome. Off the lead by a whopping nine games, Emmett can sympathize with the Colorado Rockies or the New York Giants. Year after year, both have finished near or at the bottom of the standings. Despite his 9-6 Week 3 record, it’s looking more and more like McCall should toss his cracked crystal ball into the dumpster and buy a new one.

Then again, if there’s a long shot — and fan favorite — from the Times News crew to rally out of the Darkness of Despair, it would be McCall.

Ramble scramble

There should be a big shakeup in the standings from Week 4. Thirteen of the 30 teams on the schedule are undefeated, with six of them facing each other. Only two of the 15 games are unanimous picks.

At the top, Yours Truly and Heckman disagree on four games. Hurley and Matsinko differ on six. The staff is split on Panther Valley at Pine Grove and Jersey Shore vs. Shamokin. In three other games, it’s barely a consensus, with six leaning one way and four the other.

Out of Area Game of the Week

It’s a battle of football titans as undefeated Jersey Shore takes on undefeated Shamokin.

The Bulldogs have won six District 4A titles in the past 12 years, and scored 125 points in three games this season. They prefer to pound the ball on the ground, with senior Bo Sechrist leading the attack. Sechrist has more than 1,300 career rushing yards, averaging six yards a carry, and has scored 26 touchdowns.

Last year, Shamokin edged Jersey 28-27 in an overtime district title thriller, when the quarterback picked up a bad snap and threw a TD pass caught in double coverage.

This year, Shamokin has piled up 135 points in three games. Running back Zayce Gink has more than 2,200 career yards, and averages seven per carry. His backfield mate, Zakem Clinton, has 1,800 career yards and averages eight, with 20 touchdowns.

When the dust settles, my crystal ball says the Indians down the ’Dawgs on a late fourth-quarter score.

Topsy turvy

Week 4 looks like the toughest yet for our picks.

On the local scene, Lehighton is a heavy favorite to defeat Palmerton. Unbeaten Northwestern will be tested by Blue Mountain, which is better than its 1-2 record. Panther Valley has a chance at its first win with a road trip to Pine Grove. Marian is expected to reach 4-0, and perhaps the best game of the week will be unbeaten Palisades against Northern Lehigh.

The Pirates’ defense has been stingy, allowing just six points per game. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have averaged 32 points in their 2-1 start. This could be a statement game for Northern Lehigh to knock off an unbeaten opponent and build momentum for a big season.

So who will lead the race going into Week 5? Will it be Heckman, Yours Truly, or the always dangerous Hurley and Carlucci? Will Moeller, Matta or Matsinko climb up? Can Haines and Engle make a push? Can McCall escape the Pit, or will he keep sinking?

After Week 5, we’ll know who’s still chasing the Bob Ford Memorial Cup — and who’s slipping from contention.