They’re back!

Mind you, not as funny as Clarkie’s college picks column on
Thursday, but back.

I’ll shoot for more humor next week. Right now I’ve got some
important business to take care of.

I could begin by saying that the Big 30 picks have returned
after a two-year hiatus while I honed my prognosticating skills.
However, as many of you know, that’s not entirely true.

I was pretty darn sick going into the 2004 season and spent the
2005 campaign getting back on my feet.

During the ’04 season it was touch-and-go for a while, but a lot
of people passed along their positive thoughts and prayers and it
all played a role in my return.

To those of you who were aware of my situation and offered your
good wishes, I “thank you” from the bottom of my heart.

I probably would not be here writing this if it weren’t for all
of your prayers!

But, now it’s on to football and the upcoming season. The
crystal ball is pretty dusty (cough, cough), but I hope it’s still
working.

TONIGHT’S GAMES

Bradford at Clearfield

This is the one opening game I think both teams wish came a
little later in the season. It’s a league contest and the loser
automatically is down one game. It’s been a long time since the
Owls have beaten the Bisons on their turf. That streak extends back
into the mid-’70s. Bradford has a good nucleus back this season and
if you add in a little hunger, it might just be just the right mix
for a win. The Owls’ defense will have to stop the Bisons’
returning QB, Andy Janocko, who is a solid field general. Bradford
by 4

Karns City at St. Marys

The Dutch got their program on track last year with a 5-4
regular season record. Now they’ve experienced winning and I think
it’ll carry over to this season. Besides that, home field always
helps. St. Marys by 6.

Port Allegany at Johnsonburg

It’s a road game for the Gators, but I just have a feeling
they’ll be able to handle the Rams. Port Allegany by 10

Smethport at Ridgway

For me this is a toss-up. The Elkers have struggled the past two
seasons and the Hubbers have had their problems, too. The key here
may be home field. Ridgway by 2

Sheffield at Kane

I like the Wolves because they’re at home and the Wolverines
just can’t seem to get it all together. Kane by 12

Cameron County at Brockway

This is another tough game to pick, especially after being away
for a while. Brockway always plays hard at home, but the Red
Raiders have a good group of returning players so I’m going with
them. Come through for me guys! Cameron County by 4

Coudersport at Curwensville

These are two playoff contenders, but the word is that the
Falcons are loaded. They return a lot of players who gained
experience last season, so I’m going with them even though the
Golden Tide are at home and favored in the AML South. Coudersport
by 2

Reynolds at Eisenhower

I don’t know anything about Reynolds, but coach Jim Penley and
his staff did a great job with the Pennsylvania all-stars in this
year’s Raabe Charities Classic, so I’m going with the Knights.
Eisenhower by 10

Seneca at Youngsville

Again, Seneca is a mystery to me, so I’m gonna stick my neck out
and give the Eagles a shot because they’re at home. Youngsville by
2

SATURDAY’S GAME

Otto-Eldred at Elk County Catholic

The Crusaders are at home, so I was gonna go with them, but
there’s a little voice saying take the Terrors. O-E by 6

THE OTHER GAMES

(Tonight)

Philipsburg-Osceola at Brookville, Brookville by 2

Central Mountain at DuBois, DuBois by 14

Punxsutawney at Bellefonte, Bellefonte by 16

Warren at General McLane, General McLane by 10

Cattaraugus-Little Valley at Ellicottville, Ellicottville by
6

Franklinville at Brocton, Franklinville by 2

Pioneer at Springville, Springville by 6

Bolivar-Richburg at Livonia, B-R by 2

Salamanca at Fredonia, Salamanca by 4

Allegany-Limestone at Royalton-Hartland, A-L by 4

Wellsville at Canisteo-Greenwood, Wellsville by 8

Frewsburg at Portville, Portville by 2

Bath at Cuba-Rushford, C-R by 3

Hinsdale at Olean Walsh, Walsh by 8

Sherman at Randolph, Randolph by 21

Gowanda vs Eden at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Eden by 6

(Saturday)

Forestville at West Valley, Forestville by 14

East Aurora at Olean High, East Aurora by 10