The Call's marketing and advertising people have done a good job hyping this Groller-Zambelli Challenge you may have heard about.
While the picture was intended to grab your attention, it's not about me and Mike. It's about tapping into the enthusiasm so many fans have for high school football and getting you involved in the time-honored tradition of picking the high school games.
The one problem -- again -- is that lack of space limits us from picking all of the games in the contest and in the paper. So, for the third year, that's what I am going to do every Friday morning here on Groller's Corner. I enjoy it. It makes me pay attention to everybody, not just one league or area.
You're welcome to join in if you want and take this all-games challenge with me each week and if you beat me on any given week, I'll give you a spiffy Groller-Zambelli T-shirt the advertising department designed and produced.
Best news about the T-shirts, my name is on it, but not my face.
So, you don't have to worry about scaring the neighbors and your pets.
Here we go with the picks:
Colonial League:
Bangor 21, Saucon 14: Glad the Saucon teachers aren't going on strike. Those students in Hellertown and their parents are probably really tired of the whole situation. Slaters won't be the surprise team in the Colonial this year. Success is expected now.
Southern Lehigh 28, Catty 13: Our new Colonial League beat man, Steve Miller, oops, it's actually Stephen, will cover this one. He'll have more analysis on our radio show on Saturday morning. Roughies should do well under new coach Tom Falzone, at least eventually. SL assistant Mike Feifel loves the IronPigs and his Spartans will immediately get where the Pigs haven't been yet -- above .500.
Northern Lehigh 20, Notre Dame-GP 7: Still trying to figure out how that little school in Green Pond has Class 3A enrollment. Bulldogs will have their bite back.
Northwestern 34, Salisbury 14: Nice to have Chuck Sonon, Gene Legath, Adam Legath and Fritz Halfacre all on the same coaching staff with the Falcons. Of course, Tigers have their own ancient wonders in Bob Mitchell and Lenny Smith.
Palisades 28, Pen Argyl 7: Hopefully John Smith, my favorite high school principal, will be able to listen to our new radio show. He was a big fan of the old one.
Wilson 42, Palmerton 13: This is the start of a weekly offensive spectacle for the Warriors, unless there's some kind of cover jinx in effect that will curse QB Tyler Smith.
LVC:
Boyertown 35, Allen 7: Bears can play more than just legion baseball. Here's hoping some progress is made on Allentown's west end.
PM East 21, Dieruff 13: No, new Husky coach John McDowell is not going to be singing, "Wish they all could be California boys," but I have a feeling he may soon long for the land of Arnold after the rude welcome he's likely to get from Pennsylvania football.
Easton 21, ES South 14: Pretty good game. A Rover rebound is likely this season, especially if they can generate some big plays on offense.
Emmaus 35, Germantown 7: Still can't get over the fireworks display the borough had for its 250th anniversary a few weeks back. All it means for me is that my taxes are likely to rise -- again.
Freedom 28, CB West 7: Can't wait for Freedom's big battle with Liberty at the end of the regular season. And I'm just talking about the contempt the parents have for one another.
Liberty 21, North Penn 14: Stop me if you've heard this final score before, like maybe nine months ago on a cold Saturday afternoon in Coatesville.
Nazareth 42, Pleasant Valley 7: Some are talking about the Blue Eagles being a sleeper. Only a complete snooze by the birds would make this one close.
Northampton 20, Stroudsburg 14: The K-Kids won in a rout last year. This year, it could go either way. Being a Catty native, Fred Ross probably still gets fired up when Northampton is on the opposite sideline.
Parkland 34, George Washington 20: Trojans are never really rebuilding, but need a QB to emerge.
Whitehall 28, Conrad Weiser 21: Zephyrs have the weapons to be one of the most explosive offenses in the area and having Tim Massaquoi back as an assistant can't hurt the passing game.
Pottsville 28, CCHS 21: West Allentown will already be hopping with the Fair and a big country show at the grandstand on Saturday night. Winner of this shootout just a few blocks away will also be making some major noise.
Becahi 20, St. Francis 13: Here's hoping people give Mike Palos a chance to get something going on Dewberry Ave., or at least stop the exodus of talent that has gone on in recent years.
Others:
Delaware Valley 14, ES North 7: Del Val always seems to have long rides and short stays at playoff time.
Marian 28, Lehighton 14: Stan's still the man with the Colts.
Wallenpaupack 20, PM West 13: The leaves will soon be turning on Lake Wallenpaupack where I used to spend a few days each summer as a kid.
Panther Valley 30, Mahanoy Area 6: Panthers were 7-3 last year.
York Catholic 42, Pius X 21: This was an entertaining game last year, why not again?
Jim Thorpe 24, Tamaqua 13: Talk about your pretty towns. Thorpe, I mean. Really want to visit there again soon. It's been awhile.
Pennridge 20, Pottsgrove 7: These Rams are good. My Rams should be better this year,
Quakertown 14, Methacton 12: A shoutout to Quakertown basketball assistant Toomey Anderson, a hoop star who could also play football if I remember correctly.
Muhlenberg 28, Upper Perk 7: Much tougher opener for UP, which rolled over Allen in Week 1 last year.
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