Alright, fellas, it’s put your money where your mouth is in this Week 6. We’re going to play leap frog in the standings.

In in Week 5, when there was agreement on many of the games and just and minimal movement. Bob Ford, with his 13-2 mark, has jumped into a tie at the top with Justin Carlucci.

Two games back of the leaders are Andy Steinmetz and Pat Matsinko. Pat “The Mat” continues to position himself to make his move and this could very well be his week to do just that. There is thought here that he and “The Voice” Carlucci could very well be partners in collusion as their picks match game for game this week so they can hang together.

Then there’s Heckman and Hurley who remain in striking range of sitting in the king’s chair.

I am sticking my neck out this week, right below the raised guillotine. I’m still alone in the Pundit Pit, looking up at TJ Engle and Son who have moved comfortably two games ahead of me. I will either burst out of the basement or drop so far in the Pit, the light above I see will be the size of a pinhole. With a roll of the dice, a four-leaf clover in hand and a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal on the table, I plan to rattle my chains to get everyone to take notice.

Panthers visit Marian in local game of the week

After winning their first two games and despite losing the last three against all undefeated teams, Coach Scott Price has Panther Valley playing competitively down for down. Last week, quarterback Hunter Kennedy and his offense put a little scare in Lehighton when they capped a long drive and took an 8-0 early lead over the Indians.

After winning its opening contest, Marian has dropped four in a row. The Colts are struggling to score. The only touchdowns mustered last week were two kickoff returns by Seth Paluck. Coach Pat Morgans said, “We’ve got to get our act together.... We have talent here, but we’re just not using it.”

Overall, the staff feels Marian will get their act together and defeat the Panthers. If PV prevails, Hurley, Carlucci, Matsinko, and Matta will notch one for them in the W column.

Heavy hitters and no quitters

The schedule this week is loaded with what appears on paper to be extremely competitive games that could go either way down to the last ticks off the clock. Only five of the 15 match ups are unanimous staff picks, so 10 games will shuffle the standings and even though we all think Jim Thorpe will go to 6-0, their Red Swarm defense, working on four consecutive shut outs, will have its hands full stopping Blue Mountain who put up 28 points last week against powerful Tamaqua.

Lehighton travels to North Schuylkill in a Schuylkill League Division 1 battle of the unbeatens. The consensus is that the Indians with Bradley-Chambers toting the rock will score enough to upend the defensive minded Spartans.

Notre Dame Green Pond comes to Palmerton in another tough one to call. Bomber QB Tekoah Guedes, who ran for five touchdowns last week, will hope to outscore the Crusaders who have put up 89 points in their last two games.

Tamaqua will be tested when it visits Pottsville. The Raider machine keeps mowing opponents own, but don’t be mislead by The Tide’s 3-2 record as the have played against some very strong opponents.

Freedom hosts Emmaus in a toss up game and Minersville visits Shenandoah In a battle of 1-4 teams. Kudos to the Blue Devils who have stood along the sideline with numbers of players in the teens. In the first of the two squad’s home and home meetings back in week two, the Miners won handily. Matta and I are pulling for an upset for the outnumbered Devils.

Perhaps the most difficult game to pick the winner of is Northern Lehigh against Pen Argyl. Both teams are looking for their first win and our staff is split right down the middle with their selections. The Bulldogs and the Green knights have allowed a ton of points, but my thinking is Northern Lehigh has the better offense.

On thing is for sure, next week’s column will boast of staff studs and staff duds from Week 6. Stay tuned!