Boys and girls, I need some help.

Seriously. I am in a slump of epic proportions. Morgan Stanley is in better shape thanI am. Even the stock market has better stats.

I need a $700 billion bailout to save my sorry picks.

For the second straight week, I struggled, going 7-4. It's getting harder and harder to predict what will happen on the high school football field these days. Just when you think you have things all figured out, something goes awry.

I'm looking at you, Knoch Knights.

Maybe this week will be better:

•

Karns City 32,Redbank Valley 19 — Finally, the Gremlins get a challenging Friday night instead of an exercise in "How many points do we want to score this week?"These two teams are unbeaten, but Karns City has been far more convincing. The Bulldogs needed four overtimes to win the last two weeks.This one won't go into overtime, although KC may find itself in a game in the fourth quarter for a welcome change.•

Butler 24, Pine-Richland 15 — At least I can rely on my new BFF in Tornado Nation. They haven't let me down.Butler will get its first crack at section newcomer Pine-Richland at home and should topple the Rams.•

Seneca Valley 33, NorthHills 17 — The most dangerous Raider is an angry Raider. Need proof? Look what Al Davis did to Lane Kiffin earlier this week.These Seneca ValleyRaiders are spitting mad after watching NorthAllegheny put up a fifty-burger against them last week.North Hills, look out.•

Knoch 18, Hampton 10 — A struggling passing game continues to plague the Knights as defenses smother the run and Tim McNerney.Still, Knoch is a good enough team to overcome all of those tribulations to snuff out Hampton.•

Mars 20,FranklinRegional 19 — The Planets can ill afford to get off to an 0-2 start in the section. Lucky for them they won't.•

Moniteau 36, Keystone 8 — Lopsided on paper. Even more lopsided on the field.•

Slippery Rock 33, Titusville 9 — It's always tricky figuring out those wacky District 10 teams.Both teams are the Rockets, but that's where the similarities end. The Rockets from Slippery Rock are simply better than the Rockets from Titusville.•

Freeport 18, Valley 17 — The Yellowjackets get nine safeties and win by a point.•

Brookville 35, A-C Valley 10 — Not a fair fight.•

Grove City 28, Hickory 7 — The Eagles may never pass again.•

Summit Academy 16, WestShamokin 15 — Since there are no longer ties in high school football, someone has to win the battle of section cellar dwellers.It may take 10 — or 700 billion — overtimes, but the Knights will win.

Scoop is 40-16 this season and will keep his life savings in his crop from now on.