Tied for best record of week isn't bad

Seven games out of first entering Week 9 of the high school football season isn't usually something to brag about.

After the start I had, however, I'll take it.

Leader Shawn McFarland continues to find a way to ride a hot streak as he tied Jason Boris, Bob Ford and myself with 12-3 record last week.

Andy Steinmetz looks like he's ready to watch his bubble bust and Joe Plasko is still hanging around five games off the lead.

Give credit to the Marian Colts for picking up a win over Minersville and costing us a game and Emmaus and Freedom both suffering losses in the LVC were our other two setbacks.

I've made a call to our Lehigh Valley guru who failed his test last week with the LVC games, but I'll give it another shot. He also gave me some advice on the Anthracite League games this week, but I have some different vibes on a couple of them, which proves interesting.

So let's get things going:

JIM THORPE AT MARIAN - Olympians played Schuylkill Haven tough for a while before falling last week, but Colts come in to this game with momentum off a two-game win streak. By virtue of the home field ... Marian, 21-14.

PANTHER VALLEY AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL - Spartans are lone unbeaten, but Panthers lone loss came back in Week 2. With the Anthracite League title on the line, some people I've talked to see this game going in to a possible overtime. Here's your special of the week ... Panther Valley, 14-13.

Tamaqua at Minersville - Here's looking to see the Raiders win out and get a possible home game for district playoffs ... Tamaqua, 35-14.

CATASAUQUA AT NORTHERN LEHIGH - I don't know if there is anyone who can beat the Bulldogs with two games left in the regular season ... Northern Lehigh, 28-7.

BANGOR AT NORTHWESTERN - Tigers need to beat the Slaters to pick up some valuable playoff points ... Northwestern, 32-7.

PALMERTON AT PEN ARGYL - Here's a challenge for the Blue Bombers. Prove me wrong and get that second win of the season ... Pen Argyl, 13-12.

POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST AT PLEASANT VALLEY - The good Ol' Oaken' Bucket game faces us right here and the team that wants it the most gets it ... Pleaant Valley, 28-21.

LEHIGHTON AT EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH - Timberwolves keep momentum after last week's late win over Stroudsburg ... ES North, 21-14.

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST AT STROUDSBURG - Mounts have to pick themselves up after last week's devastating loss to Pocono Mountain West ... Stroudsburg, 21-20.

EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH AT HAZLETON - My heart is thinkin' the Cougars here, but I'm picking ... ES South, 21-18.

SOUTHERN LEHIGH AT PALISADES - Since the Spartans offensive coordinator is too wrapped up in the World Series, I like ... Palisades, 14-7.

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC AT NORTHAMPTON - The Golden Hawks really threw me a curve ball last week and I really swung and missed. Better not happen again this week ... Becahi, 32-14.

Emmaus at Parkland - Hornets were also a team that I still feel the sting from last week ... Parkland, 21-14.

LIBERTY AT EASTON - The Red Rovers will do their darnest to stop the Hurricanes. The come close, but ... Liberty, 28-14.

NAZARETH AT FREEDOM - Patriots were upset by Becahi last week. Eagles could fly this week ... Freedom 21-14.