Continuing to look for more improvement

By ED HEDES

While the guys up at the top of the Grid Picks standings continue to battle it out, there's been some movement down at the other end as well.

Andy Steinmetz and Jason Boris continue to vie for first place with Shawn McFarland quietly lingering two games behind them.

Down under, Bob Ford sits in last place, four games behind Emmett McCall, T.J. Engle and yours truly. The three of us are three games behind Rod Heckman.

Entering Week Eight, there are a couple of games that could go either way and some have playoff implications. So here's hoping for a little more movement towards the left side of the grid above.

Here goes:

MARIAN AT JIM THORPE - The Olympians find themselves in contention for either a District 11 or Eastern Conference playoff berth. The Colts haven't won since the first week of the season ... Jim Thorpe, 28-7.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL AT PANTHER VALLEY - The Spartans are one team that no one in the Anthracite League wants to face this season ... North Schuylkill, 42-0.

MINERSVILLE AT TAMAQUA - Raiders have a chance to finish the season on a winning note after beating Panther Valley last week ... Tamaqua, 28-14.

PEN ARGYL AT PALMERTON - Rough ending of the season for the Blue Bombers who haven't had a full, healthy squad for a game all season. Green Knights are strong and with all of the underclassmen, will be even stronger next year ... Pen Argyl, 35-12.

NORTHERN LEHIGH AT CATASAUQUA - The Bulldogs have everything going for them as long as they don't look past anyone ... Northern Lehigh, 32-7.

NORTHWESTERN AT BANGOR - Big battle for both teams who eye post-season play. With Scott LaValva back at full strength, Slaters are tough ... Bangor, 14-13.

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH AT LEHIGHTON - Big win for the Indians last week and with a couple more, they could sneak in to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Timberwolves are pretty solid, though ... East Stroudsburg North, 21-20.

PLEASANT VALLEY AT POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST - As long as the Bears don't have a letdown after the big win over East Stroudsburg South last week, they'll hold that Old Oaken' Bucket ... Pleasant Valley, 35-14.

SALISBURY AT NOTRE DAME - Something has to give here in a battle of winless teams ... Notre Dame, 21-0.

MAHANOY AREA AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A cold front and maybe some high winds move in tonight so that's good for the Hurricanes ... Schuylkill Haven, 28-7.

PINE GROVE AT WILLIAMS VALLEY - Have to flip the coin on this one for sure ... Pine Grove, 14-13.

EASTON AT LIBERTY - As it gets closer to playoff time, Steve Shiffert always has the Red Rovers in a winning mood ... Easton, 14-0.

NAZARETH AT WHITEHALL - Here's another coin toss game with two teams that have risen to the elite side of the LVC ... Nazareth, 21-20.

NORTHAMPTON AT PARKLAND - The Trojans have a little bit of an edge here ... Parkland, 21-7.

FREEDOM AT BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC - In year's past, this would be a no brainer. This year, we'll go with the Patriots ... Freedom, 28-21.