In what might have the most difficult week thus far for picks, a shuffle in the standings was expected and it certainly happened.

“Hot Rod” Heckman remains a game up on “Mustang” Bob Ford as both finished with 11 wins. Justin “The Voice” Carlucci stayed in striking range with 12 wins and is two back of Heckman.

“It’s still a tight race, especially between the three of us,” said Heckman. “Usually when you’re near the top, you tend to just pick the favorites. But this season, it’s hard to know who the favorites are.

“If I could copy Chuck’s (Hixson’s) picks right now, I’d probably be in good shape the way he’s going. Bob is pretty consistent and will be in it to the end. Justin is more up and down, but if he finishes on the up side, he’ll be holding the trophy at the end.”

Ford likes where he sits right now, and is paying the ultimate respect to the man who now sits alone on the king’s throne. “I’ve got a couple of weeks to catch up to Rod. I think there’s a good chance I’ll catch him. I’m more concerned with the people behind me because there’s no shame losing to the football stat guru.”

Now for some tears in my beer. Yours Truly was Yours Truly Bad. A week worst six-loss record dropped me five back, and now I’m looking at having to pick a number of ‘dogs in a desperate hope to climb back into the race.

Hixson on a roll

Out of the depths of darkness has come Chuck “Incredible Luck” Hixson. His staff best 26-3 mark the past two weeks has jumped him into a fifth-place tie, seven games off the pace.

Matsinko and Hurley are mired in mediocrity. Defending champ Andy Steinmetz had a stellar 12-win week, and pulled ahead of lost-again “Bossman” Emmett McCall, who had shown some signs of life before tying Yours Truly as the biggest losers last week. Sam “The Sham” Matta remains buried in the Pundit Pit, and if he was the owner of a pro football team, he’d get the No. 1 draft choice next year. In this case, he can pick first when the new crystal balls go on sale.

Playoff push

For most teams, the regular season ends this weekend. Many local teams will move into District 11 playoff tournaments next week. The football playoffs are the Cup race playoffs too, as the next few weeks will determine our 2020 champion. Let’s see what the leaders think will win some big games in Week 8.

Heckman and Ford disagree on four games this week, and that could be pivotal in who hoists the Grid Cup this year. Carlucci can take advantage from their conflicts and move closer to the lead. Heckman checks off Bethlehem Catholic to win, but Ford and Carlucci think Allentown Catholic prevails in a good matchup of 3-2 teams.

In a battle of unbeatens, Parkland is Heckman’s choice, but Ford and Carlucci like Emmaus. Both teams have defeated similar opponents so the game is an absolute toss-up. “Hot Rod” picked Palisades over Saucon Valley, but Ford and Carlucci tabbed the Panthers to knock off the Pirates.

In a game between two 0-4 teams, Dieruff takes on Allen. Allen has been outscored 178-0, while the Huskies have fallen by combined scores of 208-20. Ford picked against Heckman and Carlucci and thinks Allen will not only score their first points, but will win the contest outright.

Two games, one between two teams with no losses and the other between two teams with no wins, could change the face of the map on the leaderboard heading into the first week of the playoffs.

From the back of the pack, will Hixson’s recent rally continue and move him into the top four? Can Yours Truly stop my free fall from last week and stay relevant in the race?

The games dwindle down to a precious few and the playoffs loom.

Just like last year, the race should come down to the final week when we will see who stands alone with the trophy, and who holds the losers’ banner that says, “Wait until next year!”