WEEK 9 PICKS FROM KEITH GROLLER

KEITH GROLLER'S WEEK 9 FOOTBALL PICKS:

Maybe the Sports Illustrated jinx is affecting two entire teams in the World Series. I watched the two games in the Bronx the last couple of nights, games truly dominated by pitching, and get home to see my Sports Illustrated proclaiming: "WELCOME TO THE BIG BASH: Ryan Howard + A-Rod = World Series Home Run Derby."

Hasn't exactly worked out that way so far.

Howard had two doubles in Game 1 before striking out four times in Game 2.

A-Rod is back to being A-Fraud. He's 0-for-8 with six strikeouts.

And so far, this ballyhooed battle of blasters has had just four home runs with just three guys doing the damage.

Let's see if we can do some damage with our picks. Went 19-3 last week to go to 141-47 on the season, a .750 percentage.

For what's it worth, even after the Yankees won last night, I haven't changed my thought from yesterday -- the Phillies are still going to win the Series.

Actually, this is following the exact same pattern as last year's World Series and their previous two postseason series this year -- win one, lose one, finish it off.

There's a chance we won't be going back to the Bronx. Can't say I'd miss it.

Here's the high school picks:

LVC

Whitehall 41, Allen 0 -- Zephs impressed me with their win over Emmaus.

Becahi 28, Northampton 21 -- Unless Golden Hawks are still celebrating that big win over Freedom.

Liberty 33, Easton 14 -- Beginning to think they might actually spend the holiday season in Hershey again.

Parkland 21, Emmaus 14 -- I'm heading here. Another Andre Williams Show in Orefield? Probably not. But enough big plays to sting a Hornets team still smarting from that loss to Whitehall.

Freedom 42, Nazareth 28 -- Defense may only be a rumor in this one.

CCHS 49, Dieruff 7 -- At least this is the last pounding these dogs will take before getting Allen.

Colonial

Northwestern 34, Bangor 7 -- Bet they serve some sweet hot chocolate in New Tripoli.

Northern Lehigh 27, Catasauqua 20 -- The game of the night in the northern part of this league. Bet the french fries still taste good in Slatington.

Salisbury 27, Notre Dame 12 -- They won't win a title, but the Falcons' turnaround with that legendary coaching staff has been quite a story.

Palisades 28, Southern Lehigh 27 -- The game of the night in the southern part of this league. My guess is you better watch out for deer as you make your way to Kintnersville.

Wilson 48, Saucon Valley 13 -- From the looks of it, Wilson took the week off last Saturday. Won't happen again.

Pen Argyl 28, Palmerton 12 -- Should be a gorgeous day at Pen Argyl on Saturday and a Happy Halloween for the Green Knights.

Others

ES North 20, Lehighton 6 -- Had a good time at the Country Junction Pocono Pumpkin Festival last Sunday (I think that's what it's called). Saw lots of wonderful Carbon and Monroe County people there.

Pleasant Valley 14, PM East 13 -- Bears still can get to .500 under first-year coach Terwilliger.

Pocono Mt. West 20, Stroudsburg 19 -- This is a much better boys basketball matchup in the winter than it is on the gridiorn.

Hazleton 28, ES South 21 -- If I get back up to Hazleton during this football postseason (and there's a good chance I will), it just won't be the same without Ray Saul there to greet me and talk old times.

North Schuylkill 28, Panther Valley 21 -- Saw Ed Hedes while shivering my way to the upper deck at Yankee Stadium the other night and I think Ed said North Schuylkill was the best team up that way. I hope I heard him right through the freeze.

Tamaqua 34, Minersville 7 -- Raiders regroup from 20-2 shellacking received from Panther Valley.

Marian Catholic 19, Jim Thorpe 14 -- Down year for both, but at least the Colts are showing some life with two-game win streak.

Quakertown 27, CB West 6 -- For all of his fans, all four or five of them, here's your Toomey Anderson moment: "I talked to star Qtown tailback at open gym to let him know how he must get revenge for me against CB West. (Toomey's Parkland team lost in the PIAA playoffs to West back in the Pettine Era). He promised to handle the situation for me, and since he's a good player, I'm going to ride with him." And I'm going to ride the Toomey Express to a good pick here.

Pennridge 20, CB South 7 -- Pennridge should petition the PIAA to get its nickname changed from Rams. No one should be saddled with even the most remote of associations to that pathetic team in St. Louis.

Pottsgrove 34, Upper Perk 8 -- Pottsgrove is 8-0 and giving up just eight points per game.

There you go. Happy Halloween and I hope you'll enjoy your extra hour of sleep on Saturday night as much as I will.

Keith Groller