Looking to move after taking a step back

Having suffered a little hiccup last week, I guess I'll have to try to get back on a track towards the top as we enter Week 8 of the high school football season.

A 9-6 week just wasn't good enough when Joe Plasko pulled a 14-1 week out of his hat and frontrunners Shawn McFarland and Andy Steinmetz have yet to stumble. McFarland actually leads all of us by at least three games.

By this time of year, you can usually separate the men from the boys, know who's heading for the playoffs and who isn't.

So I asked for a little help from a Lehigh Valley guru this week so let's see if his help guides me to the top:

TAMAQUA AT PANTHER VALLEY - This will be like a havyweight fight, but in the end, can't go against Frank Damian's Panthers ... Panther Valley, 24-21.

JIM THORPE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Poor field conditions and I mean poor, having to walk the sidelines two weeks ago, have forced the Olympians to move their game to Schuylkill Haven this week. If any school needs a turf field, it's definitely Jim Thorpe ... Schuylkill Haven, 28-7.

MARIAN AT SHENANDOAH VALLEY - Big win for the Colts last week against Minersville, but this week the Devils get their due ... Shenandoah Valley, 21-14.

PEN ARGYL AT NORTHWESTERN - This is a big game for playoff jockeying and the Tigers won't let it slip away ... Northwestern, 21-0.

NORTHERN LEHIGH AT BANGOR - Bulldogs have a good shot at being the No. 1 seed when the District 11 2A playoff bracket is filled out. The stop Scott LaValva, the Slaters QB and the win ... Northern Lehigh, 35-7.

PALMERTON AT CATASAUQUA - Rough Riders have won a lot of games even though their opponents have outrushed and outgained them. I've been hearing the last couple of weeks that if I want to win this thing, I've got to go with my head and not my heart. The Bombers might win this thing, but I'll pick ... Catasauqua, 14-13.

LEHIGHTON AT POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST - The Indians have been playing banged up most of the season. The Panthers are definitely vulnerable ... Pocono Mountain West, 21-20.

PLEASANT VALLEY AT EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH - The Cavaliers are the "cream of the crop" and Jim Terwilliger knows the "Purple Pit" rather well. The Bears are moving inthe right direction, but the winner is ... East Stroudsburg South, 35-14.

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH AT STROUDSBURG - This is a "Flip of the Coin" game as far as I'm concerned ... East Stroudsburg North, 7-6.

SAUCON VALLEY AT SOUTHERN LEHIGH - The Spartans apparently have improved a lot this season ... Southern Lehigh, 31-14.

TRI-VALLEY AT MINERSVILLE - Looks like the Bulldogs get to add the Miners to their list of wins this week ... Tri-Valley, 28-7.

NAZARETH AT LIBERTY - The Eagles are definitely a very much improved team in the LVC, but I'll stick with the Hurricanes ... Liberty, 21-7.

NORTHAMPTON AT EASTON - Red Rovers won't have much trouble here ... Easton, 28-0.

WHITEHALL AT EMMAUS - Green Hornets are definitely the better team here ... Emmaus, 21-14.

FREEDOM AT BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC - Got burned by picking Becahi last week. Not again ... Freedom. 28-7.