Week 12 high school predictions: Did I get a Pirate pick-me-up?

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Little late with the picks on this huge football Friday.

That's because I was down at Palisades High School this morning, speaking in a Sports in America class that is run by former Allen coach and current Pen Arygl assistant Kevin Ronalds.

You can tell Coach Ronalds is pumped up about his team's game against Northern Lehigh tomorrow.

Nice country down that way in Bucks County. Wouldn't want that drive every day, especially in bad weather, but it's a nice school, nice kids.

I don't know if I kept any of them awake with my presentation, but talking that early in the day got me pumped up. That's for sure. I was blabbering on and on. And as I was talking I realized what a big weekend this is with the district playoffs continuing, Lehigh-Lafayette, Eagles-Giants, you name it. Yes, even Penn State-Ohio State, still, despite the negatives surrounding both programs, should be a good one.

This is the best time of the football season.

I am still looking for my best effort with the picks. Last week I was 11-3, bringing me to 181-49 on the season, which is 78.7 percent.

Still would love to crack 80 percent.

As for my personal top 10, here it is: 1. Nazareth; 2. Parkland; 3. Easton; 4. Whitehall; 5. Freedom; 6. Liberty; 7. CCHS; 8. Pen Argyl; 9. P'burg; 10. Northern Lehigh.

And now the picks:

Parkland 34, Nazareth 28 -- This one should be closer than the first meeting. Nazareth will make some great adjustments and being on the fake turf should also help the Blue Eagles. But I just think Parkland is playing the best football out of anyone right now and has figured things out offensively. It could come down to the last possession. Personal thanks to colleague and LVC beat man Steve Miller for deciding to go the CCHS-Pottsville game and allowing me to do this one. I owe him one. It should be a treat. Plus, I get to see my man Andy "The Weave" Weaver in person. Weave is picking Nazareth 48-42.

Easton 28, Scranton 20 -- Until someone from District 2 knocks off someone from District 11 in a big spot, it's hard to predict the District 2 team to win. Red Rovers are playing tough at home and have withstood the loss of James Middleton to this point. They're going to do this three-games-in-eight-days thing again, something only this program can pull off.

CCHS 56, Pottsville 28 -- I've said it a long time ago and I will say it again -- get ready for Central Catholic vs. Archbishop Wood Dec. 9 in a PIAA 3A semifinal rematch. Until then, no one will be able to slow down this amazing Vikings offense.

LIberty 27, Whitehall 21 -- Wrestled with this one for a long time. Whitehall clobbered Liberty back at the end of September. Totally dominated. The fact that it was played in heavy rain didn't matter. Heard from Mike Yadush, the Zephs defensive coordinator, about how banged up this team is. I have trusting on Yadush's honesty here, which may be a big mistake since others have told me that he frets over every opponent.

Pen Argyl 21, Northern Lehigh 14 -- Another one that had me squirming. I've just believed in the Green Knights from Day 1 and will go with them one more time, although Northern Lehigh has really been impressive as well.

Berwick 21, Southern Lehigh 20 -- I am so glad that I got to see one George Curry-coached Berwick team play at Crispin Field during my career. It was quite a treat when they played Whitehall a few years ago. Local football fan, Bob Waters, father of Parkland coach Craig Waters, took me up there and showed me the ropes. Truly one of the special programs in Pennsylvania sports history. The Bulldogs may not be so special now, but I sense that football still means a lot in that community and always will.

Pius X 41, Shenandoah Valley 28 -- I've said it before and I will say it again with four simple words -- In Phil I trust.

College bonus

Lehigh 26, Lafayette 24 -- A much closer game than a lot of people anticipate. The intangibles are always so important in this game and the Leopards have them on their side. They have nothing to lose. Their seniors have never beaten Lehigh and will let everything out on the Goodman Stadium field, that's for sure. Lafayette's defense did a good job against Lehigh last year and will slow down the Mountain Hawks enough again to keep this competitive. But Lehigh has found a way to win nine times this season and somehow, some way, they will do it again.

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