Week 9 high school football picks: Getting out the shovel way too soon

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I hope all these gloom-and-doom predictions of a major snowstorm tomorrow are just hype to sell milk, bread and yes, even newspapers and digital subscriptions.

It can't be true, can it?

A measureable snowstorm before Halloween? And I thought getting a couple of inches on Thanksgiving last year was a bad omen for a bad winter to come.

It felt like we were just in the Tropical Rain Forest and now we're headed to the North Pole? Gimme a break.

One school has already reacted to the forecast. The game between Allen and Central Catholic has been moved up to 11:30 a.m.

At least tonight's big games around here -- particularly Liberty at Easton and Whitehall at Nazareth should get finished before anything starts falling.

And that's good news because these schools need these big games and big draws to support their athletic programs -- at least some do.

As you know, if you read Groller's Corner, there's another game in another sport that's of primary interest to me tonight.

And when you talk about people you'd like to hit, I'd like to punch out the Cubs fan who somehow got in this photo with David Freese after his buddy (the guy in the middle) gave back the ball from the game-winning home run in World Series Game 6. Freese is too nice a guy. I never would have let him in this picture. At least not wearing that shirt. I just hope Freese didn't shake his hand. Bad luck.

You know what they were saying about Texas' win in Game 5 on Monday Night -- biggest Cubs World Series win since 1908.

I am looking for some big wins in my high school predictions tonight.

I was 16-4 last week, raising the season mark to 136-38, a 78.1 percent success rate.

Here we go:

FRIDAY NIGHT

Northern Lehigh 28, Catasauqua 14 -- Bulldogs probably already eyeing a rematch with Pen Argyl.

Bangor 22, Northwestern 7 -- It's a shame the 4-4 Tigers are still not a 3A team because if they were they'd still be right in the heart of playoff contention.

Notre Dame 20, Salisbury 12 -- If the Crusaders keep this up, the recruiting accusations are going to start to fly. As you know, people only throw out the "R" word when certain schools win.

Southern Lehigh 28, Palisades 7 --- Spartans move a step closer to a district playoff berth.

Saucon Valley 27, Wilson 14 -- Warriors have won last four games in the series by a combined total of 171-44. Get that fact and more in Mike Feifel's Colonial League history book.

Freedom 35, Becahi 13 --One thing I know for sure is that Jake Llewellyn will be selling those Dick's French Fries and giving lots of Liberty-Easton score updates over the BASD P.A. system.

Emmaus 42, Dieruff 7 -- Little Huskies beat Allen 47-0 to finish 6-2. Congratulations to Shawn Moser, his staff, and especially the kids.

Easton 28, Liberty 21 -- I only believe in one ghost on Halloween and that's the ghost of Cottingham Stadium that seems to rise up from the shadows and swallow up an opponent about this time every year. The ghost and Doug Powell's defense are a potent combo.

Parkland 56, Northampton 13 -- Trojans won't go easy on one of their alums, Bob Steckel. With how the offense is playing, bet Parkland would like to have those Emmaus and Liberty games back.

Whitehall 42, Nazareth 27 -- I covered this matchup in districts last year and that one was a classic. This one might be even better. While everyone seems to have skill talent this season, the Zephs have something more important -- experienced, rugged lines. The Weave hasn't lost faith in the Blue Eagles, however. He's going 33-21 Nazareth in this one.

Lehighton 27, ES North 21 -- Pretty big game. Winner likely to get into the District 11 3A tournament. Last week I called the Indians the best 2-5 team in the state. This week I am labeling them the best 3-5 team in the state.

Pocono Mt. East 40, Pleasant Valley 21 -- You know the deal here. Can't pick against anyone with the Cardinals nickname tonight. Plus these Cards are more explosive than David Freese's bat.

Stroudsburg 33, Pocono Mountain West 13 -- Just seven points have separated the Mounties from a perfect season.

Hazleton 28, ES South 21 -- This is not Nate Eachus' Cougars, but they're still good enough to beat the Cavs. By the way, ES South beat Pleasant Valley last week. The AP had the wrong score and the wrong winner. It's been that kind of year for Ed Christian and Co. Even when they win, someone has them losing.

Marian Catholic 34, Jim Thorpe 7 -- These Colts are more competitive than Indy's version. They still have an outside shot of a District 11 Class A berth.

North Schuylkill 54, Panther Valley 7 -- The Spartans have won their last three games by a combined total of 14 points. They get a breather here.

Minersville 33, Tamaqua 20 -- Lehigh's Shane Ryan is a proud former Battlin' Miner.

CB South 34, Pennridge 20 -- Somehow it only seems natural to pick against a team called the Rams.

Quakertown 20, CB West 19 -- CB West 3-5? Never would have thought that was possible about 15 years ago.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Pen ArgyL 42, Palmerton 7-- I'd have to go through Feifel's book, but I bet there have been few Colonial League teams more dominant than the Green Knights have been this season. Outscoring foes 287-35 is pretty, pretty good. Once this is over, let the hype for the Slate Belt Super Bowl begin.

CCHS 60, Allen 12 -- At least with the mercy rule in effect, the folks will be out of the stadium long before the worst of the blizzard hits.

Pius X 59, Carson Long 0-- As I said last week in my Oakland Raiders prediction, the only Carson I want to see is Johnny, and sadly, he's not making a comeback.

And in the game that matters most to me tonight ...

Cardinals 7, Rangers 6 -- If this one comes true, I won't even mind shoveling a foot of snow come Sunday.

Enjoy your weekend, white stuff and all.

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