Halloween is right around the corner and the sports world can be just as frightening as the ghosts, goblins and vampires that will roam the streets of Butler on Monday evening.

I’m sure plenty of Steeler fans are terrified by the thought of the New England Patriots invading Heinz Field on Sunday.

Yes, Pittsburgh is 5-2 and that record shouldn’t send black-and-gold fans into a panic. But the Steelers are 0-2 against teams over .500 and their five wins have come against squads with a combined 8-24 ledger. Yikes.

However, I’ll bet the idea of trying to cover Mike Wallace stride for stride has the New England secondary shaking in its boots.

The NFL is littered with scary scenes. The 7-0 Green Bay Packers have been leaving a gory trail of destruction behind each game, while the winless St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts are downright horrifying.

Football isn’t the only sport with Halloween flavor, though.

The NHL is attempting to slow down the numerous head hunters that fly around with sticks and blades. Too late for Sidney Crosby, though, who was victimized last season and has yet to return.

Once Crosby recovers, nothing will be more petrifying for Penguin fans than the moment he endures his first big hit. However, if he comes back 100 percent and can stay on the ice, it will be the rest of the NHL that’s shivering in fear.

At least hockey teams have something to worry about between the lines. It doesn’t look like the NBA will resolve its lockout anytime soon. When — if? — basketball gets back in business, the thought of the Miami Heat chasing a championship is a complete nightmare for me. But if they fall short —again — I’ll be shedding tears of laughter.

There would be nothing funny to Pirate fans about a 20th consecutive losing season. Maybe it’s some sort of twisted karma for the success of the Steelers and Penguins, but it seems like Bucco fans have been banished to baseball hell.

On the other end of the spectrum, the World Series has been heaven for MLB fans. It’s provided enough suspense to push most viewers to the edge of their seats. The Texas Rangers — in search of their first title — are one win away from exorcising demons of the past.

Locally, there are plenty of teams that possess enough talent to spook opponents.

Anyone hoping to draw Seneca Valley, Mars or Knoch in the WPIAL girls soccer playoffs is in for more trouble than the token beautiful, but short-lived girl in the opening scene of a horror movie.

Freeport and Seneca Valley volleyball will strike fear during the playoffs, and Slippery Rock has proven to be a legitimate threat.

On the grid iron, whoever matches up with Seneca Valley in the playoffs will surely enter the game with trepidation.

Unbeaten Grove City, Knoch and Moniteau have been slashing through defenses with more efficiency than Freddy Krueger.

These teams can all intimidate like villains, but Halloween is a holiday of trick or treat. And watching them in action is certainly a treat.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.