KEITH GROLLER'S WEEK 8 FOOTBALL PICKS

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I have had a lot of honors in my 30-plus years in the newspaper business ... some awards, some Hall of Fame inductions, some special speaking engagements and so on.

But I have never had my likeness put on a shirt -- until now.

That's right. Zephyr Nation, the official student fan section at Whitehall High School, has put a picture of me on the back of their shirts.

I know what you're thinking -- just in time for Trick-or-Treat night we have a scary sight -- a picture of Groller.



Who needs a mask when you have a picture of me on a shirt?

And as a topper, it's on a pink shirt.

This is all about the Kegger Award I gave to Zephyr Nation last winter for being the best student fan section. These guys and gals do a wonderful military-style chant that impressed me.

They were so touched by the honor that they decided to reciprocate by putting a likeness of me on their shirts for this season. I am quite flattered.


I agreed to it before I was told it was going to be a pink shirt, but what the heck? I can look just as bad in pink as I can in any other color.

And October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and the color of choice is pink.

Alex Fortna, the founder and president of Zephyr Nation, told me that a portion of the proceeds from the shirts is going to a charitable cause, so why not?

So, as I approach my Week 8 high school football picks, I am thinking pink.

I was 23-1 last week (just missing on Mahanoy Area over Jim Thorpe) to make me 140-37 (79 percent) on the season.

Here we go:

LVC

Liberty 35, Becahi 19 -- Hurricanes still have hopes of making it into districts.

Easton 34, Freedom 14 -- The Patriots haven't lived up to expectations this season. They remain the LVC's "Yeah, but" program with so much potential that has yet to be fulfilled.

Emmaus 28, Allen 14 -- Green Hornets had their chances against Easton, but couldn't stop the Red Rovers when it mattered most. Need to win out, and get help, to get into district playoffs.

Nazareth 40, Parkland 20 -- Don't think for a minute Coach Melosky won't enjoy this one. My man "The Weave" is going with something similar, 33-14 Blue Eagles.

Whitehall 28, Northampton 21 -- Probably the LVC's game of the night. There could be some concern for Zephyr Nation because the Konkrete Kids are much improved, but ultimately, Zephyr Nation will be pretty in pink and quite happy at the end of the night.

CCHS over Dieruff -- Out of respect to Mrs. Warmkessel, no score here. She's right. We all know what's going to happen.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

Northern Lehigh 28, Bangor 14 -- The Slaters have been so impressive this season, but I can't go against the Bulldogs. Should be another festive night in Slatington. Kudos, by the way, to Bangor's field hockey team on winning its first league title in 34 years.

Catasauqua 20, Palmerton 12 -- A tossup for me. Just like the Roughies defense a little better.

Palisades 34, Notre Dame 13 --Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my favorite Disney World rides. And the Pittsburgh Pirates play at one of MLB's best ballparks. And a Pirate is still one of my favorite Halloween costumes. It's old school, but still top-notch. Oh yeah, and these Pirates get their second straight win.

Wilson 33, Salisbury 0 -- Warriors were due for an off year after all the success they have had.

Southern Lehigh 27, Saucon Valley 7 -- Spartans may have the Colonial's best defense.

Pen Argyl 28, Northwestern 21 -- A matchup of these two always has me thinking about former Pen Argyl and Lehigh star Jim Gum, who died a few years ago after a courageous fight against ALS and of Brett Snyder, the former Northwestern and Lehigh standout who is still battling the awful disease. My hearts go out to the Gum family and to Brett's. Keep battlin' my man!

MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

ES North 21, Stroudsburg 14 -- Fred Ross farewell tour continues.

Pocono Mt. West 33, Lehighton 13 -- As weather gets colder, I start thinking about hoops and how good the Pocono Mt. West team will be this year.

ES South 28, Pleasant Valley 21 -- A thriller in Brodheadsville. Don't be surprised if this one goes overtime. I just believe the Cavs have more weapons.

OTHERS

Dallas 56, Pocono Mountain East 20 -- Wade Phillips doesn't coach this Dallas team.

Jim Thorpe 21, Schuylkill Haven 14 -- Picking against Jim Thorpe burned me last week. Not gonna let that happen again.

Shenandoah Valley 28, Marian 14 -- Blue Devils' have three losses, but they were to teams with a combined record of 19-2.

Panther Valley 20, Tamaqua 13 -- Battle of 1-6s. Sounds like a game only family members could love, but my guess is that there's a good rivalry here and it's always a neat atmosphere on game night in Tamaqua.

Schuylkill Valley 27, Kutztown 20 -- Despite a 1-6 record, the Cougars do score points. They have scored at least 14 in every one.

Central Bucks West 33, Pennridge 21 -- CB West isn't what it used to be, but they're not bad this year. These Rams are 4-3, which is what I hope my St. Louis Rams will be after Sunday's game in Tampa.

Phoenixville 20, Upper Perk 19 -- Just found out something I never knew. Phoenixville's nickname is the Phantoms. My wife loves "Phantom of the Opera" and has dragged me to it several times in recent years. Wonder if the Phoenixville band plays the "Phantom" theme?




Phillipsburg 35, Hunterdon Central 21 -- My man Stemmy won't be able to rack up 70-some points like he did two weeks ago, but he should be able to beat a team he hasn't beaten in the last three years.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/