Week 10 high school football predictions: Planning to be loud and proud

FROM KEITH GROLLER

For years I have heard from parents and grandparents about how wonderful, how special, how hard-working their kids are.

And yes, in most cases, I have been more than happy to write about them, even put some of them on TV and radio shows. And those kids, really, have been the best part of this job for much of the last 30 years.

Well, I never, ever touted my own three kids -- two of whom played sports in high school, and used some of what they learned from athletics to get into very noble professions. My son is a fireman, and my oldest daughter is a nurse.

Thankfully, my youngest daughter, who is approaching her 10th birthday, looks like she's headed more in her mother's footsteps and will get into music and drama in some form and I won't have to worry about missing her field hockey, softball or soccer games.

But look out, once my granddaughter and newly-born grandson are old enough to play sports, I plan to be loud and proud, and may bombard sports writers with my own anonymous e-mails.

"What do you have against (fill in blank of whatever school they're attending)? You always favor (fill in the blank of some school they're not attending). My grandkids are the hardest workers in the Valley and you never give them any credit. You are a travesty. You should be fired."

Seriously, I do hope that I will be able to get through the next 14-15 years healthwise and have a chance to be every bit as proud and supportive -- and yes, even a little overbearing -- as so many other parents and grandparents have been over the years.

Hey, what'dya think? Even though this photo (below) was taken on Wednesday, about 24 hours after he was born, I aleady see big-time college potential in Ryan Keith Groller.

Right now, though, I just want to make Ryan proud of his Grandpop's high school football picks this weekend.

I was a disappointing 17-5 last week for an overall record of 153-43 on the season (78 percent).

Can't believe this is the last week of the regular season.

For some, however, the end couldn't come soon enough. Here we go with the top 20 games.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Northern Lehigh 28, Palmerton 14 -- Still, a very nice season for the Blue Bombers, who lost their last five games in a year ago and were thrashed 52-6 by the Bulldogs in the season-ender.

Catasauqua 20, Northwestern 14 -- I agonized back and forth on this one. Roughies' three losses have been to teams with a combined record of 24-3.

Pen Argyl 42, Bangor 20 -- Think maybe Bangor got caught looking ahead last week? The Slaters are still in the District 11 3A tournament no matter what.

Southern Lehigh 20, Salisbury 7 -- If Spartans miss out on districts, they will probably always kick themselves for that Saucon Valley game.

Saucon Valley 21, Palisades 7 -- Easy to identify what ails the Pirates. In seven of their eight losses, they have scored nine points or less.

Notre Dame 22, Wilson 14 -- Back in August, who would have ever thought we'd all be picking the Crusaders to win this game?

Central Catholic 49, Emmaus 21 -- I've been saying this all along, despite their defensive woes: The Vikings will still play into December and will be one of the last area teams standing because it all gets easier for them once they get out of the Lehigh Valley Conference -- at least until they meet Archbishop Wood in the state semis.

Nazareth 56, Northampton 14 -- Just because he's from Northampton doesn't mean Rob Melosky will go easy on the Konkrete Kids. Congratulations to the Blue Eagles on their first LVC title. They have been the story of the year. Weave is going with Nazareth 45-14.

Whitehall 34, Parkland 28 -- I am sure the Parkland staff will give me nice treatment tonight despite the fact that they don't want to see me. I have been to Parkland twice this season and the Trojans have lost both times. And those are their only two losses of the season. It's hard to pick against Parkland considering how well they have played offensively the last 3-4 weeks. This one figures to be a special game between rivals and both should definitely be in the subregional playoffs in my opinion. Could go overtime.

ES North 21, ES South 14 -- I have been assigned to do a weekly MVC report for the Friday sports section every week, so I follow this league as close as any. And yet, I have more trouble getting the games right in the MVC than in any other league. North is excited about a district playoff berth, but a win over South would excite the Timberwolves even more,

Stroudsburg 34, Pleasant Valley 21-- Congrats to the Mounties and first-year coach Joe Bernard on the MVC title. But things will get much harder starting next week.

Lehighton 35, Jim Thorpe 7 -- Well, at least the Indians didn't lose another close one to East Stroudsburg North. Lehighton has to feel it's better than a 3-6 team.

Pocono Mountain East 28, Pocono Mountain West 7 -- A 5-5 finish for Cardinals would demonstrate the program is headed in the right direction. East has not had five wins in a season since 2003.

Minersville 41, Panther Valley 6 -- Battlin' Miners could be headed to Roseto for the District 11 championship in a couple of weeks.

Pius X 56, East Juniata 13 -- Four words: In Phil I trust.

Souderton 20, Quakertown 14 -- Panthers slide continues.

North Penn 28, Pennridge 14 -- Spent some unexpected time in Lansdale this week. Power problems at home had me searching for a hotel and best choice between here and Philly on Sunday night after the Eagles game was the Holiday Inn just off the Lansdale exit of the turnpike. I recommend it if you're in a pinch.

SATURDAY

Freedom 28, Liberty 21 -- These Patriots have worked too hard to come up short of the subregional playoffs. But Liberty will win the battle of the bands, even though Freedom is very, very good.. That Grenadier Band is a champion every year.

Dieruff 14, Allen 13 -- What can I say about these two programs that I haven't said already? I just hope the LVC cooperates and lets them leave. If not, these two will meet again -- same time next year -- for what will be their only win of the season, yet again.

Easton 42, Becahi 14 -- Red Rovers amaze me with how they keep delivering in the clutch year after year after year. I know Parkland, Central, Liberty, Wilson, Whitehall etc., etc. have all had their moments of glory over the years. But when the book of Lehigh Valley football history is written, it will start and end with Easton. The Red Rovers are the gold standard.

That's it. Let's all hope we don't have a repeat of last weekend's events -- except for the Cardinals winning the World Series, of course -- anytime soon.

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