Weekly Pigskin Picks

The Tiffin Tornado blew through the Pigskin Picks last week. With his chances downgraded from a Level 5 to maybe a Level 2 after falling four games behind Dave Hanneman three weeks into the Pigskin Picks, sports editor Zach Baker came roaring back. Even with the schedule reduced from 13 games to 10 due to coronavirus issues, Baker turned in the best week of the season, a near-perfect 9-1 record. Baker also correctly predicted the winner in two toss-up games he and Hanneman disagreed on: Riverdale's 14-10 win over Van Buren and Woodmore's last-minute 43-36 win over Fostoria. Baker's 9-1 record for the week upped his season mark to 40-13. Hanneman went 7-3 for the week. He's 42-11 overall, but saw his once hefty four-game lead over Baker sliced cleanly in half. Hanneman may be teetering a bit, but the grizzled veteran gets a reprieve this week. When their picks for the week were turned in, in soon became obvious that our pigskin prognosticators had agreed on all 12 games. Let's just call it a lull in the storm. WEEK 5 PICKS Hanneman's Picks Last week: 7-3. Overall: 42-11. Riverdale over ARCADIA – Riverdale beat a Van Buren team that beat Arcadia, but that was weeks ago and lot may have changed since then. Liberty-Benton over ARLINGTON – L-B's depth allows the Eagles to keep fresher legs on the field. That can be huge late in a key game like this. VANLUE over Cory-Rawson – Toss-up. Both teams looking for their first win. Went with the Wildcats at home. LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Leipsic – A lot of speed in that LCC backfield, and a lot of offensive weapons all around. PANDORA-GILBOA over McComb – Don't know if an off week will help or hurt the Rockets. VAN BUREN over North Baltimore – Bragging rights on the line in this one. CAREY over Seneca East – Blue Devils have won the last three games, and haven't allowed a touchdown in the last two. Wynford over UPPER SANDUSKY – Wynford's lone loss was by a point to an unbeaten Colonel Crawford. ELMWOOD over Woodmore– Going with the Royals, who will be facing a jacked up Woodmore team coming off a big win over Fostoria. Genoa over FOSTORIA – Comets looking to get back on track after two straight losses. LIMA PERRY over Hardin Northern – Perry is unbeaten; HN has won three straight. Tough call. OTTAWA-GLANDORF over Van Wert – Huge challenge for O-G's defense against an unbeaten Van Wert team averaging 44.8 points a game. Baker's Picks Last week: 9-1. Overall: 40-13. Riverdale over ARCADIA – New coach Stefan Adams has the Falcons on a Riverdale roll. Liberty-Benton over ARLINGTON – I really like both teams. But I'm gonna keep picking the Eagles until someone shows they can stop Ben Spiess VANLUE over Cory-Rawson – This game could go either way. But I think the Kloepfer connection (Jaren to Jared) will prove fruitful for the Wildcats. LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Leipsic – If Leipsic wins, I wouldn't be shocked. But LCC at home is too much to pick against here. PANDORA-GILBOA over McComb – I think it's gonna be a long, long time before I pick against the Rockets again. VAN BUREN over North Baltimore – I like both of these teams, but I think Van Buren will be able to take control offensively. CAREY over Seneca East – Carey has been running over opponents in recent weeks. Seneca East won't wilt against the Blue Devils. But I just don't think this year's version has enough to beat them. Wynford over UPPER SANDUSKY – Wynford just too strong. ELMWOOD over Woodmore – Greg Bishop and his charges get back on track. Genoa over FOSTORIA – Genoa only scored six points against Woodmore. Thirty less than Fostoria did. That gives me pause, but not enough to take the Redmen. LIMA PERRY over Hardin Northern – Shoulda been gone. Knowing how this game makes me feel ... shoulda been gone! OTTAWA-GLANDORF over Van Wert – Titans take down an unbeaten. HOME TEAM IN CAPS