I’m not a big fan of sports wagering - for many reasons.

Perhaps the biggest is that I’m cheap and don’t like to lose money.

But there are other aspects to wagering on sporting events that concern me, but I’m not about to go on some crusade to stop it. If people want to gamble, so be it. It’s just not for me.

But there is at least one football wager that I am all for and I hope it spills into other contests.

Friday night in Jim Thorpe, the Olympians host the Palmerton Blue Bombers.

Again this year, the borough’s two mayors - Thorpe’s Michael Sofranko and Palmerton Don Herrmann - have placed a bet on the game: The loser will wear the opposing team’s jersey at his next borough council meeting.

But the part of the bet I like the best is that it is drawing attention to the main goal of the two mayors, the schools and their communities - gather much-needed food supplies for area food pantries.

Fans are asked to bring a food donation to the game to help out our area’s needy. And believe me, it is much needed.

It seems once a week I edit a story about pantries needing supplies. The need seems even greater than a year ago when the two mayors did this for the first time.

Friday night is going to be perfect weather for football - clear skies with a fall chill in the air by halftime.

It will also be a perfect night to help out those in need in our community.

9 - Tamaqua

It doesn’t get any easier for the Blue Raiders. After losing to Notre Dame of Green Pond 60-13 last week, North Schuylkill is up tonight. But as sure as the crowds will flock to Jim Thorpe when the leaves start to turn, the Blue Raiders won’t go winless this month. Salisbury is up next weekend.

8 - Jim Thorpe

Well, that celebration might not last long. After beating Salisbury last week, look who rolls into town Friday - Mr. Bomber, Matt Machalik. ... Remember, bring a food donation.

7 - Marian

The Colts host Sayre of Bradford County Friday night. The Redskins left today for the game. Side note: The student newspaper is called the Sayrenade - now that’s clever.

6 - Panther Valley

Rough one against Mahanoy last week, 40-0. My scouting report on Shenandoah Valley got lost in the mail so I have no clue on this one.

5 - Lehighton

A .500 record is within reach for the Indians, who host Wilson Friday night.

4 - Northern Lehigh

The Bulldogs showed against Pen Argyl that they are back to feasting on Colonial/Schuylkill League teams. They go to Pine Grove on Saturday and should be 2-2 when the bell rings Monday morning for class.

3 - Pleasant Valley

It’s a good thing the Bears have Allen on Friday. After a hard-fought win over East Stroudsburg South, 14-12, that finished Monday night, the Bears need a breather this week.

2 - Northwestern

Outstanding win for the Tigers last week, 28-21, over Blue Mountain. I’m not saying traveling to Pen Argyl on a Saturday afternoon is a trap game, but ...

1 - Palmerton

We don’t want to jinx it, but boy oh boy this could be a magical season for the Blue Bombers. They thumped Palisades last week and should have no problems with the Jim Thorpe Olympians tonight. At least for one more season, the Palmerton mayor won’t have to wear a Red, White and Blue jersey to a borough council meeting.

‘Stop the Presses’

: A member of the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame passed away last week and it hit close to home here at the Times News. Award-winning journalist Bruce Frassinelli was a standout athlete at Summit Hill High School in the 1950s. That same Coal Region toughness that propelled him to scholastic stardom stuck with him the rest of his life as he held elected officials accountable and voiced his opinion on a wide variety of subjects. With great admiration, I will always think of Bruce as an old-school journalist, one who was looking out for the readers. We will miss him, but the readers will miss him more.