Sometimes a horse gets out of the gate with a blazing lead, but runs out of gas before it gets to the finish line.

That didn’t happen in this year’s Cup race.

Brad Hurley led from wire to wire and is the 2023 Bob Ford Memorial Grid Picks Cup champion.

Right from the get-go in Week 1 in August through last week’s final picks, Hurley was never jostled from his king’s throne.

He raced out to an incredible 38-7 lead after three weeks and was 61-14 following Week 5. After that, he was as good as gold.

“I was able to get out to a good start this year,” he said, “and then I didn’t have any blow-up weeks where I got six or seven games wrong.”

Hurley has won the Grid Picks’ title before, but this one was extra special to him.

“Ever since we named the trophy after Bob Ford, I really wanted to win it,” he said. “Bob and I always had a good time with the grid picks’ competition.”

Since Week 1, defending champion, Rod Heckman and perennial front runner Pat Matsinko were in chase mode to try to catch Hurley, but could only get as close as two games behind until last week when their go for broke picks failed to get them to the top.

Heckman was 8-7 for the final week and Matsinko 7-8, both low records for their season.

Hurley won the Cup by six games over Heckman, and seven over Matsinko, who was tied by none other than Yours Truly for third place.

Only one person wins the Cup, but everyone gets an award for their crystal ball efforts this year.

So here we go!

Failed 2-Point Conversion Award …

Goes to Rod Heckman. He was solid all season long and with his track record, was a serious threat to unseat Hurley from the throne. Down two games in the final week, Heckman lined up for the two-point conversion attempt. He dropped back to pass, looked left, looked right and …oh no! Sacked for a four-yard loss and Heckman’s game was over.

Missed Field Goal Award…

Goes to Pat Matsinko. He too was two games back, but wasn’t going for a tie with Hurley. His several underdog picks last week were an attempt for a long field goal to win the Cup by one. The ball was placed at the 30-yard line with one second left in the game. Matsinko lined up to try a 47-yard field goal to win the Cup. The snap was good. The crowd held their breath as they watched the ball sail wide right and plunk a kid eating a hot dog by the concession stand. Matsinko’s game was over.

Comeback Falls Short Award…

Goes to Yours Truly. Dead last at the beginning of the season, I sat in the Pundit Pit looking for the light. Week-by-week, my records got better and I climbed the standings to finally tie Matsinko for the Bronze Medal. (There is no such thing. I just wanted to make myself feel important and the truth is, as Emmett McCall always says, “Nobody remembers the losers.”) He’s right and my game was over.

Red Zone Fumble Award…

Goes to McCall. He vowed this year his offense would score more points and contend for the Cup. He had some big wins, and had climbed into fourth place before he dropped down to seventh. His team lined up in the red zone trying to keep himself close to the leaders. McCall took the handoff. He’s at the 10, the five… he fumbles! McCall’s game was over.

Intercepted Pass Award…

Goes to TJ Engle. He contended for several weeks, throwing the ball for good picks, but in the past few weeks, Engle threw one incompletion after another, but then, dropped back again to throw, needing a first down to move the chains. He rocked and fired. It’s intercepted by an official who runs it back for a touchdown! Engle’s game was over.

Illegal Shift Award…

Goes to Sam Matta. He got off to a slow start, but then made Grid Picks News with a perfect 15-0 record In Week 10, and was 13-2 in Week 11. Here comes Matta, and there goes Matta. Called for an illegal shift, the penalty ended his forward progress and Matta’s game was over.

Neutral Zone Infraction Award …

Goes to Mike Haines. Hard to put any critique on his picks this year. Any movement forward in the standings was often followed by a movement backward. Haines lined up as a defensive tackle. A whistle stopped play. Neutral zone infraction - five-yard penalty on Haines and his game was over.

Third Down Punt Award…

Goes to Jeff Moeller. His first year in the race was difficult. Give him credit for climbing out of the Pundit Pit, but then he often got himself into a third down and 45. Moeller shifted into punt formation and kicked. It’s a shanker, out of bounds, a 12-yard boot that is caught on the sideline by a cheerleader who signaled for a fair catch and Moeller’s game was over.

Mercy Rule Award …

Goes to Kyle Magda. For the second year in a row, he finishes in last place. His chances to win the race ended after the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner in Week Three and Magda’s game was over.

And finally…

Another outstanding high school football picks’ season has been completed, but for two area teams, the games play on. I am glad I don’t have to pick the winner of tonight’s Palmerton-Northwestern game. Two great undefeated teams led by the best you’ll find in head coaches, Chris Walkowiak for the Bombers and Josh Snyder for the Tigers, both of whom I have enjoyed talking football with this season.

This a game that will have two winners, no matter what the scoreboard will say when the final horn sounds.

Congratulations to Brad Hurley - winner of the 2023 Bob Ford Memorial Grid Picks Cup. Pour that champagne into the Cup and enjoy your victory lap around the office floor!

See you all next year for another exciting season of grid picks!