Week 6 high school picks: No Phillies around to distract this October

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER The baseball playoffs begin today, and as a Cardinals fan, I have some interest in what happens in Atlanta. (I don't have much hope, by the way. The Braves have a much more Chipper outlook.) But it struck me that for the first time since 2006, the full sports focus around here this October will be all about football. Oh, there are still lots of Yankees fans, and probably even some Orioles fans and those supporting other teams going into the postseason. I know Tony Cocca is a Giants fan for instance. However, unlike recent Octobers, you won't have people checking the scores on football Friday nights are rushing home to see the end of games. You won't have that buzz that was generated by the Phillies through October whether it was in the press box, the concession stand or in the bleachers. Everybody was talking baseball the last few Octobers. Not this year. and you probably won't see all of that Phillies red that you saw the past few years either. That might mean more interest and more attendance at the high school games, I don't know. By the way, from RJ Bell of pregame.com, here are the World Series odds of the 10 teams left: World Series Odds: Yankees: $100 wins $500 (15% chance) Tigers: $100 wins $550 (13% chance) Nationals: $100 wins $550 (13% chance) Reds: $100 wins $600 (12% chance) A's: $100 wins $750 (10% chance) Giants: $100 wins $750 (10% chance) Rangers: $100 wins $800 (9% chance) Braves: $100 wins $1200 (7% chance) Cardinals: $100 wins $1500 (6% chance) Orioles: $100 wins $1600 (5% chance) What are my chances of getting 100 percent of my high school picks correct this week? Probably lower than the Cardinals and Orioles chances of winning it all. But we'll give it a try. I was 16-7 last week, dropping me to 87-26 for the season, 76.9 percent. Here are the Week 6 selections: LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE Easton 35, Freedom 28 -- Contrary to what you might have seen in today's paper, this is the game I will be covering tonight and you can follow me on Twitter @KeithGroller. In addition to a high scoring game, this will feature two of the area's best bands, although Liberty's Grenadier Band is still No. 1. Parkland 49, Nazareth 28 -- The Blue Eagles really piled it on Parkland in the playoffs last year. I don't think they have the firepower to be able to do it again and the Trojans are on a roll. The Weave is staying with his Blue Eagles 48-41. If either his prediction or mine come true, it will at least be a very entertaining night of football in Orefield. Emmaus 21, Northampton 14 -- The Green Hornets are perhaps the hardest team to figure in the Lehigh Valley Conference. They're good, but probably still don't belong in the same conversation as Easton, Nazareth, Parkland and Whitehall. A know a lot of folks who remember the old Lehigh Valley League get excited anytime they see these two hook up. Central Catholic 28, Liberty 21 -- Vikings fans should enjoy this one because Whitehall, Nazareth and Parkland are all coming up next for CCHS, which still has a great playoff shot. Whitehall 56, Becahi 13 --I am sure the Golden Hawks really enjoyed that win over Liberty. They won't enjoy seeing Nick Shafnisky and Co. quite as much. MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE Pleasant Valley 49, PM East 28-- Even in a loss to Wyomissing, the Bears really impressed last week. Offensively, they're the best team in the Mountain Valley, and may be the best overall. PM West 40, Allen 21 --I'd like to think the Canaries really have a chance here, but then I am reminded that I also thought Dieruff would beat Lehighton. East Stroudsburg South 63, Dieruff 12-- Once upon time Dieruff upset a heavily favored East Stroudsburg team that included James Mungro. But Tosh Riddick isn't walking through that locker room door for the Huskies tonight. East Stroudsburg North 34, Lehighton 14-- The Indians and Jacen Nalesnik were impressive last week, but North routed the Tribe 42-21 last year and the T-wolves are even better this year. Wyoming Valley West 28, Stroudsburg 21 -- The Mounties have won four straight, but aren't totally healthy and have been inconsistent. COLONIAL LEAGUE Catasauqua 27, Bangor 21 --In Scags I still trust, but I also trust in Tom Falzone and that Catty offense. Saucon Valley 34, Salisbury 6 --The Panthers are 1-4, but their four losses are against teams that are a combined 18-2. The schedule softens considerably in the second half for SV. Southern Lehigh 28, Notre Dame 20-- Even after being outscored 123-29 in the first three games of the season, the Spartans are probably still going to make the District 11 3A playoffs and may even win district gold if CCHS doesn't qualify. Northwestern 28, Palmerton 13-- A shoutout to Woody Saylor, Tony Choy and the rest of the guys at Blue Ridge Country Club. Always enjoy my visits up there. It's always nice to drive through Palmerton, which kind of reminds me of Mayberry (Andy Griffith's TV hometown for you born after 1966). Pen Argyl 21, Northern Lehigh 14 --Neither team seems to be as good as it used to be, but this should still be a quality, hard-hitting matchup. Palisades 33, Wilson 20 --The 3-2 Pirates have a chance to win all of the remaining games on their schedule, and Kevin Ronalds could then become a coach of the year candidate. OTHERS North Schuylkill 28, Tamaqua 21 -- North Schuylkill burned me last week when I picked Marian to beat the Spartans. Won't be fooled again. Not quite sure how much the Blue Raiders have really been tested in their 5-0 start. Minersville 35, Jim Thorpe 21 -- The Olympians have scored at least 20 points every week. The problem is they haven't held anyone below 34 and that's why they're 0-5. Marian Catholic 42, Panther Valley 21 -- Colts bounce back big. Souderton 28, Pennridge 21 -- These Rams may lose, but how about those St. Louis Rams?!!!!! Ok, that game was hard to watch on Thursday night, but at least they can say they beat a team that beat the Eagles, and they're over .500 for the first time since the days of the Fearsome Foursome. Ok, not quite, but it has been awhile. Quakertown 27, Hatboro-Horsham 21 -- Whenever I think of these two places I think of lots of restaurants and stores, and lots of traffic, too. Pius 40, Wyalusing 20 -- Don't count out the Royals just yet. They have just one more game remaining against a team that has won a game so far this season -- that's Garden Spot next week. Enjoy the games everybody.