Halloween is officially on Thursday night, and once it comes and goes, you'll see the Christmas decorations go up at various stores -- if they're not up already. I started seeing the Halloween stuff on Labor Day weekend. The sales pitch waits for no one.
But while Halloween is technically on Oct. 31, tonight is Trick-Or-Treat in many area communities.
I don't know how much impact it will have on attendance on area football games, but it will take away some kids and parents. The cold weather -- after mostly mild Friday nights over the past eight weeks -- will likely keep even more people away than Trick-Or-Treat Night.
Iin addition to Trick-Or-Treat Night it is also my wife's birthday and I am giving her the gift that I've given her so many nights over the past 31 years to help keep our marriage going strong -- I will be out of the house covering a game. Nazareth at Emmaus in this case.
We'll catch up later, and she already got her birthday dinner from me at her favorite restaurant in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I couldn't add to that dinner with some success at some of the non-dining tables in AC, but we gave it a shot.
Atlantic City is a place of winners and losers, and so is the football field. For a few struggling teams, the end of the season can't get here soon enough. For others, the best is yet to come.
Here's my latest personal "Dandy Dozen," which still gives respect to Easton for what it did against Parkland in Week 2:
- Easton
- Parkland
- Whitehall
- ES South
- Catasauqua
- Southern Lehigh
- Emmaus
- Nazareth
- Stroudsburg
- Pennridge
- Palisades
- Bethlehem Catholic
With my picks, I went 19-3 last week to improve the seasonal record to 135-44.
Here we got with the Week 9 picks:
LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE
Becahi 34, Freedom 20 -- I spent part of my morning at Bethlehem Catholic today and had a positive discussion with Golden Hawks Joe Henrich about a number of things. More on that later. Becahi is in a fight for a district berth and a win here would certainly secure it and take the pressure off the CCHS game next week. Patriots finally showed some life against Northampton last week.
Liberty 40, Northampton 14 -- It has been a disappointing season for both of these teams. Hurricanes at least have a shot at a non-losing season.
Whitehall 20, Easton 14 -- The game of the night. Defenses will dominate. Turnovers will decide. Just believe a little more in the mental toughness of the Zephyrs who welcome the challenge of going into one of the most storied facilities in Lehigh Valley athletics and coming away with a victory.
Emmaus 21, Nazareth 14 -- The Green Hornets remain offensively-challenged and too dependent on their defense to score. However, they usually thrive at home and the grass surface should slow down the speedy Blue Eagles, who have done what they needed to do with a change at quarterback and better play the past two weeks against Becahi and CCHS to stay in the playoff hunt. Follow me on Twitter @KeithGroller for updates. Weave going with the Blue Eagles, 35-21.
Parkland 49, Central Catholic 13 -- It's a short drive down Cedar Crest Boulevard from Parkland High School to J. Birney Crum Stadium and it could be a short night unless the Vikings tighten up a defense that has given up an average of 36 points per game over the past three weeks to offenses not nearly as potent as Parkland's.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE
Lehighton 28, Pocono Mt. West 13 -- It's the McCarroll Bowl but with a lot at stake for the Indians, who need to win for districts. The Panthers have been one of the most difficult teams to figure on a week-to-week basis in the area. No idea of what to expect from them, but I expect an inspired effort from the Indians.
Pleasant Valley 41, ES North 13 -- The Timberwolves have really struggled. The Bears have had a couple of disappointing losses, but still have a lot to play for. They also have an experienced quarterback in Brandon Leap, who knows what it takes to win games in late October and November.
Stroudsburg 28, Dieruff 14 -- The Huskies were reminded last week that they're not talented enough to overcome a multitude of mistakes. I expect a better effort from Dieruff, but Stroudsburg's defense to be a little too tough.
Pocono Mt. East 54, Allen 12 -- It's been a brutally tough month for the Cardinals, who have lost four straight games -- three close ones -- and are still dealing with the aftermath of a tragic car accident. Finally, Pocono East can take a breath.
ES South 33, Hazleton 20 -- The Cavaliers are unbeaten and likely the No. 1 seed in the upcoming subregional playoffs, and yet they still have so much to prove.
COLONIAL LEAGUE
Catasauqua 40, Northern Lehigh 13 -- Having suffered my own appendix issues years ago, my best wishes go out to Ra'Von Burton. He'll be back at full speed for the playoffs when the Roughies will need him the most. Shoutout again to my Cardinals buddy, Todd "That's A Winner!" Krevanchi. Not much to say to AD and devout Red Sox fan Tom Moll, however.
Notre Dame 27, Salisbury 7 -- Crusaders will still finish with a .500 season, which represents progress for the program.
Saucon Valley 42, Wilson 0 -- Basketball season and better times are coming for the Warriors.
Northwestern 21, Bangor 14 -- People who complain about trips from the Lehigh Valley to the Poconos, should take this journey from the Slate Belt to New Tripoli. Talk about the long and winding road. Gotta be at least an hour.
Southern Lehigh 28, Palisades 20 -- One of the best games of the night. Is this the year the Spartans win district gold?
Pen Argyl 33, Palmerton 13 -- October Saturdays on "The Hill" remains one of Lehigh Valley's most enduring traditions. And so is quality, hard-nosed football by the Green Knights.
OTHERS
Tamaqua 40, Minersville 13 -- A little tuneup for the big game against Marian Catholic next week.
Jim Thorpe 26, Marian Catholic 19 -- Olympians loss to Schuylkill Haven last week surprised me. A loss to Marian won't surprise nearly as much because Colts have played well after 0-3 start.
North Schuylkill 35, Panther Valley 7 -- Spartans headed for 7-3 season, but that may not be enough for district berth.
Pennridge 27, CB East 20 -- Rams need to snap out of a funk that has caused three losses in last four games, but at least offense has been fairly consistent.
CB South 30, Quakertown 14 -- South has lost three in a row, but has been competitive in all three games. Panthers snapped a four-game skid last week.
Pius X 76, Carson Long Institute 12 -- Hope no files a lawsuit against the Royals for bullying because this one is likely to get very ugly very early.
Stay warm everybody.
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