Scoop is beginning the long climb back to respectability.

Baby bird steps. Baby bird steps.

I went 7-3 last week to raise my pedestrian record to 26-14.

I need another good week to continue my ascension.

On to the picks:

North Allegheny 41, Butler 10 — The Golden Tornado need to bounce back this week after a disappointing loss to Seneca Valley.

North Allegheny, though, is a tough team to play when you’re trying to bounce back.

Central Catholic 43, Seneca Valley 17 — The Raiders got things together last week in a rousing win over Butler, but it’s going to be difficult to keep that momentum going against Central Catholic.

South Fayette 38, Knoch 17 — The Knights confuse me.

Every time I think I got ‘em pegged, something happens to throw my thought process out of whack.

I’m picking South Fayette, but Knoch is capable of pulling off an upset here.

Mars 28, Highlands 24 — The Planets just seem to find running backs every year.

Garrett Reinke goes down, insert freshman Teddy Ruffner.

Mars will need all the rushing yards they can get this week. But they’ll get ‘em and topple Highlands.

Freeport 24, Shady Side Academy 21 — The Yellowjackets also need a bounce-back week after taking one on the chin from Aliquippa last week.

They’ll get it.

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 36, New Brighton 15 — The Trojans are another team I just can’t get a talon on.

North Catholic has a potent passing game and they’ll get the job done this week.

Karns City 40, Punxsutawney 9 — Don’t look now, but the Gremlins are starting to look like the Gremlins again.

They put a Gremlin-like beating on St. Marys, 61-6, last week with 545 rushing yards.

Karns City will keep the train going this week.

Moniteau 29, Keystone 22 — The Warriors are a gritty team with gritty players at every position and a coach that knows how to motivate and get everything out of the roster.

This could be a higher-scoring game, but Moniteau will put together, well, another gritty performance to get a win.

Union/A-C Valley 32, St. Marys 17 — The Falcon Knights may be the best 0-4 team around.

They were a couple of narrow misfires in the passing game last week away from upsetting Moniteau and their offense is loaded with talent.

They’ll get it together this week.

Sharon 31, Slippery Rock 7 — After scoring just 13 points in three games, the Rockets exploded for 43 points last week against Mercer.

This week is a real test, though.

Grove City 44, Oil City 16 — There’s no stopping the Eagles.

OLSH 40, Summit Academy 31 — The Knights can score, but OLSH can, too.

Scoop is looking for a perfect week.