It's playoff time.

Well, sort of.

In the wonderful world of the wacky WPIAL, this week marks the first round of the playoffs and a march to Heinz Field.

In the other districts, it's just plain ol' Week 10.

Then again, every high school football game is important.

That's why I pick 'em all — and pick 'em well.

I went 7-1 last week to run my season record to 81-18.

Take that, Tom Brady.

On to the picks:

•

Mars 29, Hollidaysburg 15 — It will be no holiday for Hollidaysburg.The Planets haven't lost since the summer, when the air was warm and fans wore only one layer of clothing instead of 15.Mars is money in the first round of the playoffs. Mark it down.•

Knoch 35, Greensburg Salem — One team that is not looking forward to the frigid and damp forecast for Friday night is Greensburg Salem.Knoch, on the other hand, is welcoming it.That's because the Knights are one of the few teams in the WPIAL that plays on good, old-fashioned grass.And, as we know, grass this time of year has a way of turing into piles and piles of mud.I'm not sure Knoch needs a sloppy field to take it to Greensburg Salem. I'm sure the Knights are a bit perturbed after losing the chance to win the section when they fell to Mars last week.Greensburg Salem, mud or no mud, is in trouble.•

Jeannette 35, Freeport 11 — The Yellowjackets were sloppy last week in a win over Summit Academy.If Freeport plays as poorly as it did at times against the Knights, this could be a long night.Jeannette is good and Jeannette is at home. That's two strikes against the Yellowjackets already.•

Karns City 22, Clarion 20 — Gasp! The Gremlins aren't going to the playoffs. Gasp! Gasp! The Gremlins are going to have a losing season no matter what happens in this 10th game.Neither one of those things have happened since the mid-'90s.But a wounded Gremlin is a dangerous Gremlin. Karns City coach Ed Conto said his team is playing for pride.That seems just as important as the playoffs to me.•

Grove City 38, Moniteau 13 — This score is lopsided, not because of the disparity in talent, but because of what talent is going to be on the field.Grove City has a bye week before it enters the District 10 Class AAA playoffs. Moniteau has a game next week in the District 9 Class AA playoffs.The Eagles are going to play all of their starters. Moniteau probably will rest some.•

Greenville 42, Slippery Rock 17 — The Rockets are trying to avoid the first winless season in school history.•

Union 27, Sheffield 14 — The Golden Knights look to close the season with a win. Sheffield might enter the playoffs with just one win.Scoop always is in playoff form.