Searching for a road to the middle of the pack

Seven weeks down, three to go to the 2010 regular season so it would be nice to make a push towards the middle half of the standings in our Grid Picks before the playoffs start.

It was tough to make a move last week since it turned out to be a rather easy one with Jason Boris, Shawn McFarland and Mike Haines all posting 15-0 weeks. I'm not sure who was responsible for picking the games last week, but the out of area matchups didn't need much research.

Hopefully this week brings some tougher matchups so I could gamble on one or two to break further away from the basement.

So here goes:

PANTHER VALLEY AT TAMAQUA - If someone would have told me before the season that Tamaqua and Panther Valley would have one win apiece this late in the season I would have called them 'crazy'. Both teams should shake things up this week to try and salvage another win this season. I'll go with the home team ... Tamaqua, 14-0.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY AT MARIAN - Colts had another tough setback last week at Minersville. The Devils like to throw the football so this should give them the edge ... Shenandoah Valley, 21-14.

JIM THORPE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - This is a big game for the Olympians and the Hurricanes. It would be no surprise to me if the Olympians win this one, but I have to go out on the limb once in a while ... Schuylkill Haven, 24-21.

BANGOR AT NORTHERN LEHIGH - Bulldogs continue to roll along, but Slaters have Scott LaValva back after a three-game hiatus. Palmerton kept him in check for a half last week before he looked like the LaValva of old. Bulldogs have to play good defense for four quarters ... Northern Lehigh, 21-7.

CATASAUQUA AT PALMERTON - Bombers have one more chance to put four full quarters together ... Palmerton, 12-7.

NORTHWESTERN AT PEN ARGYL - The Green Knights look to get in to playoff form and Saturday afternoons in the Slate Belt are perfect for that ... Pen Argyl, 27-0.

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST AT LEHIGHTON - This is one that the Indians could win, but we'll have to side with the Panthers on this one .. Pocono Mountain West, 35-28.

EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH AT PLEASANT VALLEY - The biggest game in Brodheadsville in quite some time takes place and Jim Terwilliger will have his Bears ready. Tough to go against his mentor Ed Christian, however ... East Stroudsburg South, 21-20.

STROUDSBURG AT EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH - Mountaineers almost lost to Lehighton last week. This week they lose to the Timberwolves ... East Stroudsburg North, 14-7.

NOTRE DAME AT PALISADES - Pirates got their first win last week against Salisbury. This week they get their second ... Palisades, 21-7.

MINERSVILLE AT TRI-VALLEY - Miners picked up a big win over Marian last week. This week, they get back on the losing track ... Tri-Valley, 28-14.

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC AT LIBERTY - A "Christmas City" showdown if you want to call it that. The Hurricanes have the edge ... Liberty, 28-14.

FREEDOM AT EASTON - Don't expect the Red Rovers to lose at home again ... Easton, 28-7.

PARKLAND AT NAZARETH - The Eagles would like nothing better than to hand the Trojans a setback ... Nazareth, 28-14.

WHITEHALL AT NORTHAMPTON - Zephyrs are quite the team with Brian Gilbert running the offense ... Whitehall, 21-0.