Steinmetz gets help to remain in first place

It's hard to believe we're at the halfway point of the high school football regular season already. It's even harder to believe that Andy Steinmetz is still in first place.

Rumor out there has it that he has a committee that is helping him with his picks this year, led by his mother Polly, who can be found selling tickets at most Palmerton home athletic events. It's about time he realized who the most knowledgeable person in his family is.

In my case, it's just plain and simple. Get the list of games, pick the winners and away I go.

I think the goal of most of us is to not finish last at least that's how I feel.

So after a 12-3 week last week that still keeps me out of the cellar, here goes:

MARIAN AT PANTHER VALLEY - When was the last time these two teams met with one win between them? Colts have played a number of games without key players and word is they're back this week. If there is one game that could make the Panthers' season this is it. One more shout out for the Alma Mater ... Panther Valley, 12-7.

JIM THORPE AT MINERSVILLE - Olympians have bounced back nicely from the loss to North Schuylkill a couple of weeks ago. They get my vote again ... Jim Thorpe, 21-13.

TAMAQUA AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL - God bless anyone who has to face the Spartans right now ... No. Schuylkill, 42-7.

NORTHWESTERN AT PALMERTON - Big game for both the Tigers and Blue Bombers are concerned and could say a lot in what way the direction goes for either team the rest of the way. Bombers have three-game win streak and it's Homecoming ... Palmerton, 18-14.

PEN ARGYL AT NORTHERN LEHIGH - All eyes in the Colonial League will be on Bulldog Stadium. No one has seemed to slow down the Bulldogs yet. Can the Green Knights? ... Northern Lehigh, 21-7.

EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH AT LEHIGHTON - Indians face Cavaliers after losing a tough one last week to Pocono Mountain East ... ES South, 27-14.

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST AT PLEASANT VALLEY - Bears have themselves in playoff contention for the first time in a long while ... Pleasant Valley, 27-21.

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH AT POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST - Going to "Flip the Coin" here since both teams look pretty even ... Pocono Mountain East, 28-27.

BANGOR AT CATASAUQUA - Should have taken the Slaters last week when they beat Wilson. Rough Riders are a quiet 4-1, but I think Bangor has played tougher competition ... Bangor, 14-13.

SALISBURY AT SAUCON VALLEY - Something has to give in this meeting between two winless teams ... Saucon Valley, 27-6.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT SHENANDOAH VALLEY - Hurricanes have just a bit more drive right now than the Devils ... Schuylkill Haven, 21-7.

EMMAUS AT LIBERTY - Another tossup here and it's tough to pick against Liberty at home. The Green Hornets have played some great defense this season, however ... Emmaus, 7-6.

FREEDOM AT NORTHAMPTON - Don't be surprised if the Konkrete Kids pull out a win here, but I have to lean towards the Patriots by results of what they've done the first half of the season ... Freedom, 14-0.

WHITEHALL AT ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC - Until someone beats them, I'm going to ride the Vikings' train all the way ... Allentown Central Catholic, 28-14.

GOVERNOR MIFFLIN AT POTTSVILLE - Coal Region football is usually a lot better than Berks County football, but I'm going to gamble here on a hunch in this meeting between two 4-1 teams ... Governor Mifflin, 21-20.