I can't show my beak around here anymore.

Sure, 9-3 isn't bad, but when those wins come at the expense of local teams, well, I can't get too excited about that.

Area teams were 1-11 last week, with Moniteau getting the only victory. In two weeks, Butler County teams are 3-21.

Things should turn around this week, and maybe I can squawk without hiding my feathers again. Here's how I see it.

Butler at North Hills - The Golden Tornado are a banged up team. That's not good when facing a perennial power like North Hills on the road.NORTH HILLS, 38-19.

Seneca Valley at Mt. Lebanon - The Blue Devils are 2-0 at home and the Raiders haven't won a road game since October of 2003 - I hadn't even been hatched yet.But Seneca Valley has shown it can run the ball with Pat Prazer and Mt. Lebo has been sieve-like against the run. But …MT. LEBANON, 28-21.

Knoch at Highlands - This one will be televised tonight, and it is a very important game for both teams.Knoch needs it more than Highlands.KNOCH, 19-16

Slippery Rock at Grove City - The Eagles went to the state title game last year; the Rockets got to the Western Final the year before.But Grove City has more weapons, including the very dangerous Jesse Alfreno at quarterback. Slippery Rock is still looking for any kind of weapon to spark a fizzling offense.GROVE CITY, 26-8

Summit Academy at Mars - Could the Knights pull of a monumental upset? Nah.MARS 36-18.

Keystone at Karns City - It's hard to figure out the Gremlins. Keystone won't either.KARNS CITY, 20-17.

Union at Moniteau - The Warriors finally cracked the win column last week. They'll take out more aggression on a rebuilding Union program.MONITEAU, 51-8.Here are my other selections: Burrell over Freeport, 30-13; Conneaut Lake over A-C Valley, 20-11; Slippery Rock University over Lock Haven 40-9; Grove City College over Muhlenberg, 17-14.Last week:9-3Season:33-13