I'm baaaaccccckkkkk.

Only Freeport's gutsy win over Burrell kept me from a perfect week. But that's OK. Seeing the Yellowjackets win a game not many people thought they would put a smile on my beak.

Besides, as Meatloaf once sang — and I'm paraphrasing — "Ten out of 11 ain't bad."

This week, I will be put to the prognosticating test as several tilts could go either way.

There are many interesting story lines, too. It almost reminds me of the soap opera I used to star in: "The Bald (Eagle) and the Beautiful."

On to the picks.

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North Hills 20, Seneca Valley 18 — Oh, I so want to pick the Raiders in this one.Seneca Valley's section losing streak is up to 26 games. The Raiders' last conference win came in 2002. I wasn't even goo in an egg back then.Seneca Valley is poised to end that streak against struggling North Hills, but I just can't bring myself to pick the Raiders.Sorry. I hope I'm wrong like I was last week with Freeport.•

Shaler 38, Butler 10 — Shaler is good. It's a homecoming Saturday afternoon game. Get there early to find a parking spot.But the Golden Tornado lose.•

Knoch 17, Franklin Regional 16 — Believe in the Knights! I will until I have reason to do otherwise.•

Karns City 35, Clarion 12 — Win No. 101 for KC coach Ed Conto.•

Mars 46, Union-New Castle 7 — Win No. 100 for Mars coach Scott Heinauer. Yard No. 8 zillion for Bill Bair.•

Slippery Rock 29, Oil City 11 — Rockets senior receiver Zack Ejzak never played football before this season. Could have fooled me. He's the Randy Moss of Butler County this season.•

Union 15, A-CValley 12 — Both teams are missing key players, but both teams know this is their best chance to bring home a victory.That will make this tilt arguably the most entertaining game of the weekend.Go with the Knights by a slim margin because, well, I feel like it.•

Fairview 19, Grove City 17 — The Eagles have been able to move the ball this season. Putting it over that pesky goal line has been the problem.That hasn't been a problem for Fairview, which is rolling on offense. Grove City's defense is performing well, but the Tigers will nip Grove City.•

Freeport 27, West Shamokin 13 — I'm not picking the Yellowjackets wrong two weeks in a row. This young team is coming together after a slow start.•

Riverside 24, Summit Academy 20 — The Knights will be kicking themselves for weeks for letting one get away againstLaurel. A loss like that has a tendency to become contagious.•

Moniteau 29, Western Beaver 19 — Sure, Western Beaver is 5-0, but it hasn't faced a spread offense like Moniteau's this season.Quarterback Tyler Armagost has thrown for 12 TDs. Add more to his ledger this week.Scoop is 44-12 this season.