After four weeks, the guest pickers moved just a little closer to the pack as Sports Editor Bob Miller and first-year picker Daily Herald General Manager Chris Lash led the way by going 9-1 last week. Everybody was close behind with John Harlow, Kerry Naylor and guest picker Troy Beaver all going 8-2 as everybody had a pretty good week.
For the season, the Guests still hold the lead with a 33-7 mark, followed by Bob Miller with 30-10, Chris Lash and Kerry Naylor with 28-12 and John Harlow 26-14.
Our guest picker for this week is Rich DeLeo, well-known PA announcer for the Altoona Curve and Sports Editor of Forever Broadcasting and morning radio personality.
Bald Eagle Area at Tyrone: We have two programs here going in different directions. After a couple tough losses at the start, the Golden Eagles have put it together. A rejuvenated rushing attack has contributed nicely. With all the pressure no longer on him, Tyler Mertiff can now go about being the glue that holds the team without having a target on his back on every play on either side of the line of scrimmage. BEA has been on a downhill slide since coach Gawen Stoker left and can’t seem to get off. The Bald Eagles have been able to put the ball in the endzone, so this could be a high-scoring affair.
The Picks: Miller Tyrone 35-14, John Harlow Tyrone 27-20, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 35-6, Chris Lash Tyrone 28-10, Rich DeLeo Tyrone 42-7.
West Branch at Bellwood-Antis: Blue Devils have gotten back in stride after being knocked off the track in game two by Bishop Guilfoyle. The offense is back and the defense has allowed six points in the last two games. West Branch is 2-2 and their two losses are to undefeated Bishop Guilfoyle and Northern Bedford. Both are 4-0, BG is listed No. seven in the Patriot-News poll and as a Team to Watch in the PFN poll, while Northern is Honorable Mention in the Patriot-News and a Team to Watch in the PFN.
The Picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 34-14, John Harlow Bellwood-Antis 47-0, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 45-0, Chris Lash Bellwood-Antis 40-7, Rich DeLeo Bellwood-Antis 35-12.
Clearfield at Bellefonte: Clearfield bashed future Tyrone opponent Punxsutawney 42-0 to knock the Chucks from the ranks of the undefeated. Bellefonte started out with two wins and looked good at times in close losses to Huntingdon and Tyrone.
The Picks: Miller Bellefonte, John Harlow Bellefonte, Kerry Naylor Bellefonte, Chris Lash Bellefonte, Rich DeLeo Bellefonte.
Philipsburg-Osceola at Indian Valley: Indian Valley has played just one Big 8 foe so far, but is 4-0, listed Honorable Mention and a Team to Watch in the polls and tied for the top spot in Class-AAA with Huntingdon in District standings with 420 points. Philipsburg-Osceola has a new coach and new system that has not yet translated to points or wins. P-O is 1-3 with only 14 points scored.
The Picks: Miller Indian Valley, John Harlow Indian Valley, Kerry Naylor Indian Valley, Chris Lash Indian Valley, Rich DeLeo Indian Valley.
Southern Huntingdon at Penns Valley: Two ICC teams play an intersectional game. Penns Valley is currently tied with BG for the Section I lead, while Southern Huntingdon hasn’t played any Section II games so far. Both are 3-1 overall, winning three in a row after losing their first game. Juniata Valley has been a common opponent for both. Southern Huntingdon defeated Valley 33-9 in week three, while Penns Valley knocked off the Hornets 14-3 last week.
The Picks: Miller Southern Huntingdon, John Harlow Southern Huntingdon, Kerry Naylor Penns Valley, Chris Lash Penns Valley, Rich DeLeo Penns Valley.
Chestnut Ridge at Everett: Two of Everett’s (0-3) three losses are to BG and Northern Bedford, while Ridge (2-2, counting a forfeit win over Johnstown Votech) lost to Northern Bedford and Penns Valley before edging Tussey Mountain last week 23-22.
The Picks: Miller Everett, John Harlow Everett, Kerry Naylor Everett, Chris Lash Chestnut Ridge, Rich DeLeo Everett.
Georgia Tech at North Carolina: A tough pick, at best, give the possible advantage to the home team
The Picks: Miller North Carolina, John Harlow North Carolina, Kerry Naylor North Carolina, Chris Lash North Carolina, Rich DeLeo Georgia Tech.
Toledo at Pitt: Pitt coach Walt Harris has a serious case of the nerves this week. The Panthers have been winning (3-1) on a lot of defense and just enough offense. Toledo, the defending Mid-American Conference champ, is averaging 435 yards a game and has had no trouble scoring averaging 41 plus points this season. Toledo has won 26 of their last 30 games, including wins over Penn State, Minnesota and Marshall (twice). Pitt has played only one quality team (Texas A & M) this year and that is that represents their one loss.
The Picks: Miller Pitt 27-24, John Harlow Pitt 17-14, Kerry Naylor 24-17, Chris Lash Pitt 24-21, Rich DeLeo Toledo 20-14.
Iowa at Penn State: Everybody knows the 3-0 start for the Nittany Lions is nice, but the REAL season starts Saturday when Penn State opens Big 10 competition. PSU hasn’t finished higher than third since 1997 in the conference. This year the Big 10 seems to be a little watered down, which should help Penn State, who appear to be ready to step up and fill the void. Zack Mills, Michael Robinson and all the Johnsons give the Lions an offense they haven’t had in years and the defense seems to be the “old Nittany Lion ‘D’” that struck fear into the hearts of their opponents. Iowa should be a good test to begin the Big 10 schedule with. Iowa (3-1) leads the conference in scoring offense, rushing offense and rushing defense, but the wins have come against non-conference foes, Akron, Miami of Ohio and Utah State.
The Picks: Miller Penn State 35-17, John Harlow Penn State 24-10, Kerry Naylor Penn State 33-12, Chris Lash Penn State 31-24, Rich DeLeo Penn State 33-16.
Cleveland at Steelers: In a reversal of usual roles, Cleveland is at the top of the AFC North Division, while everyone is beginning to wonder when the Steelers will win a game. The once-proud defense, tops in the NFL last year has been riddled by everybody the Steelers have played. Now is the time to get things going. Of 26 teams to start the season 0-2 since 1999, only one, New England last year qualified for the playoffs.
The Picks: Miller Steelers 27-24, John Harlow 3-2, Kerry Naylor Steelers 35-34, Chris Lash 24-21, Rich DeLeo Cleveland 20-17.
We would like to thank Rich DeLeo for taking the time to help us this week. Turn your radio to WFBG-1290 in the morning to hear more of Rich, then next year get out to Blair County Ballpark and take in a Curve game anmd listen to Rich on the PA microphone.
Enjoy the games.
