Pigskin Picks

Looks like we spoke too soon.A week after basking in the smug confidence of an un-altered schedule, the frustrating tentacles of COVID-19 reached out once again. The victim this time was Liberty-Benton's game at North Baltimore, rekindling memories of the on-again, off-again cancellation and rescheduling of games and events that traumatized the 2020 season.The only score from this matchup will read: COVID-19, Liberty-Benton and North Baltimore 0.Truth be told, we should be thankful it is not, was not, nor has been worse. For the most part, players are still playing high school sports pretty much across the board. Fans are filling the stands in support of their local teams and that's a definite plus for prep athletes.Following up on that theme, it's hard to imagine we are almost halfway through the 2021 football season. Following Friday's games, there will be just six weeks left, then of course the playoffs.The upside of that is we only have to deal with six more editions of the Pigskin Picks. Sports staffers Dave Hanneman and Zach Baker seem to get a kick out of their head-to-head competition of predicting games and adding their bit of commentary to it.It's been pretty competitive, too. Hanneman, who we swear endorsed his first paycheck with a hammer and chisel, got off to a quick start and added to his slight lead with a 13-2 record last week. He's 41-7 through three weeks, but Baker, 12-3 last week, is close behind at 38-10.That gap could all but disappear if Baker's crystal ball is crystal clear this week. He's picking Colonel Crawford over Carey and Bluffton over Spencerville in a couple of key league matchups. Hanneman is going with the Blue Devils and Bearcats, respectively.Hanneman's PicksLast week: 13-2; overall 41-7TOLEDO CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Findlay — Irish just keep reloading year after year, and Greg Dempsey does an excellent job of creating the mindset in his players to compete not just for a TRAC title, but for a state title as well.Pandora-Gilboa over ARCADIA — Rockets take their league-leading air attack on the road for the third straight week.ARLINGTON over Cory-Rawson — World-renowned "Spirit Coach" Dave Featheringill will have plenty to cheer about in this one.McComb over VAN BUREN — Van Buren scored 64 points last week, but the defense they'll face this week is a whole different animal.Riverdale over VANLUE — After two tough losses, the Falcons chalk up a second straight win.CAREY over Colonel Crawford — If Carey cannot ground the high-flying Eagles, I don't know if nobody can (or will) this season.Mohawk over UPPER SANDUSKY — Identical records, but Mohawk has had Upper's number — the upper hand so to speak — in this Wyandot County rivalry.OTTAWA-GLANDORF over St. Marys — Titans dug holes too deep to get out of in Weeks 1 and 2. Last week's win over unbeaten Elida showed what they can accomplish when they get after it from the get-go.Columbus Grove over DELPHOS JEFFERSON — Bulldogs are 3-0 against schools starting with the letter 'P' (P-G, Paulding, Patrick Henry). There's a 'P' in the middle of Delphos ... coincidence?SPENCERVILLE over Bluffton — Tough, tough call. Bluffton's explosive offense (44.7 ppg) against a Spencerville team that wants to chew up yards and clock behind a grind-it-out style of 205-pound running back Gunner Grigsby.Leipsic over ADA — As the new guy in the Northwest Conference, I can see the Vikings wanting to make a good first impression.ELMWOOD over Fostoria — Royals improve to 4-0 heading into next week's clash with Otsego.Hardin Northern over RIDGEDALE — Polar Bears looking to rebound in a matchup of 2-1 teams. Baker's PicksLast week: 12-3; overall 38-10TOLEDO CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Findlay — You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger and you don't pick against Toledo Central Catholic at home. Pandora-Gilboa over ARCADIA — Arcadia hasn't scored a point since Week 1. Pandora-Gilboa scored 42 last week. ARLINGTON over Cory-Rawson — Red Devils will be eager to put last week's loss to L-B behind them. And they will. McComb over VAN BUREN — We should probably be paying more attention to McComb's defense, which held Marion Local to 10 points, held North Baltimore to eight, and shut Lake out. Riverdale over VANLUE — The Falcons are only 1-2, but the new air-raid offense has found itself in the last two weeks. Colonel Crawford over CAREY — This is a marquee matchup. I give a slight edge to the Eagles, who haven't lost an N10 game since 2019. RB Lincoln Mollenkopf has already run for 510 yards in 2021. Mohawk over UPPER SANDUSKY — Both teams are coming off lopsided losses. Recent history favors the Warriors. OTTAWA-GLANDORF over St. Marys — O-G gets back to .500. Columbus Grove over DELPHOS JEFFERSON — Grove was tested against Patrick Henry last week. I don't expect Friday's game to be quite as difficult. Bluffton over SPENCERVILLE — Getting to the point where I can't wait to get back to the office on Friday night to see what ridiculous statistics Nate Schaadt put up this time. Leipsic over ADA — I was surprised – and impressed – with what Ada did to Hardin Northern last week. But Leipsic is too tough. ELMWOOD over Fostoria — It hasn't been easy for Fostoria so far. It won't be easier Friday. Hardin Northern over RIDGEDALE —It's tempting to pick the Rockets, who are a pleasant surprise at 2-1 after not winning a game last season. But I have to think Nevin Robson and company will get back on track after last week's loss to Ada. Home team in caps