FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 10 picks

The Poopster is hoping to finish up strong in Week 10.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com
Twitter: @MercSmokinD

Heading into Week 10, a lot of area high school football players are banged up, and the Poopster feels their pain. He's got some hitch in his giddy-up as well. Nonetheless, he is hoping to close out the regular season strong. Here's his take on this week's action:

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Boyertown (6-3) at Pottsgrove (9-0)
In a battle of perhaps the PAC-10's two top offensive lines, the Poopster is going to side with coach Rick Pennypacker's crew as they try to run the league slate in back-to-back seasons ... Pottsgrove 35-14.

Perkiomen Valley (7-2) at Upper Perkiomen (1-8)
The Vikings took it on the chin in last week's 23-12 loss to Pottsgrove and will likely come out as fired up as the Poopster's owner on those occasions when the litter box is not properly utilized ... Perkiomen Valley 50-6.

Pottstown (1-8) at Spring-Ford (7-2)
It's Senior Night in RoFo, and the Poopster expects Jarred Jones to run wild in leading an attack that has outscored the opposition 171-10 over the past four games ... Spring-Ford 55-13.

Daniel Boone (4-5) at Exeter (7-2)
The Poopster is still smarting for not being able pulling the trigger on the Blazers against Muhlenberg last week. He foresees Boone giving the Eagles all they can handle, but the Pig Iron Trophy staying in Reiffton ... Exeter 17-16.

St. Andrew's (2-5) at Perkiomen School (3-4)
Though the Poopster doesn't know the difference between St. Andrew's and Erin Andrews, he's going to side with the squad from Middletown, Del ... St. Andrew's 20-12.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Phoenixville (4-5) at Methacton (5-4)
The Warriors have won 4-of-5 since a 1-3 start, while the Phantoms snapped a three-game slide with last week's 21-0 win over Upper Perkiomen. The Poopster senses it will be a physical affair ... Methacton 21-13.

Owen J. Roberts (1-8) at Pope John Paul II (1-8)
The Poopster is genuinely perplexed by this one: should he go with Wyatt Scott and the Wildcats, or the Golden Panthers attack fueled by Nick Howarth, Johnnie Bildstein and Kirk Cherneskie? ... Owen J. Roberts 22-21.

Mercersburg Academy (2-4) at Hill School (0-6)
In a battle of squads are seeking their first Mid-Atlantic Prep League victory, the Poopster says its time for the Rams' seven-game losing streak dating back to last year to end ... Hill School 41-37.

Last week's record: 5-2 (71.4 pct.)
Overall season record: 58-15 (79.5 pct.)

FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 9 picks

The Poopster is champing at the bit for the 'Grove-PV showdown.

By Darryl Grumling

dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

Twitter: @MercSmokinD

Though the Poopster saw his bid for a third straight perfect week thwarted by his inability to foresee Pottstown's 28-14 victory at Upper Perkiomen, he's still racked up an impressive 35-4 mark over the past five weeks. Here's his take on Week 9 of the area scholastic football scene:

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Pottsgrove (8-0) at Perkiomen Valley (7-1)

The defending league champ Falcons can clinch a share of the PAC-10 crown with a win, while a Vikings victory would set the stage for a three-way title tie between PV, the 'Grove and Spring-Ford. After much contemplation over many cans of Fancy Feast, the Poopster is going to say ... Perkiomen Valley 15-14.

Spring-Ford (6-2) at Owen J. Roberts (1-7)

While the Rams will be rooting for a PV win, the Poopster expects them to take care of business down in Bucktown and likely get big efforts from RB Jarred Jones and WR Gary Hopkins ... Spring-Ford 42-7.

Methacton (4-4) at Pottstown (1-7)

The Warriors appear to be in good position to produce their third straight winning campaign, with FB Mike Cassidy dragging defenders along for the ride ... Methacton 42-13.

Pope John Paul II (1-7) at Boyertown (5-3)

The Bears had a three-game winning streak stopped by Perkiomen Valley last week, but the Poopster thinks they'll start a new one as area leading rusher Cody Richmond and QB Griffin Pasik seem primed for big nights ... Boyertown 50-20.

Upper Perkiomen (1-7) at Phoenixville (3-5)

The Poopster senses that this one could go either way, but he's going to land on the side of the home squad, which is trying to snap a three-game losing streak ... Phoenixville 32-27.

Daniel Boone (3-5) at Muhlenberg (6-2)

The Poopster considered making this his upset special, but after thinking long and hard he feels the Muhls have a few too many weapons for the Blazers, whose defense should nonetheless keep them in this one ... Muhlenberg 21-14.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Blair Academy (3-2) at Hill School (0-5)

While Rams WR Grant Smith is on the verge of breaking Hill's single-season receptions mark, Hill has struggled to put a complete game together and will need a flawless effort to top the Bucs ... Blair Academy 33-21.

Last week's record: 7-1 (87.5 pct.)

Season to date: 53-13 (80.3 pct.)

FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 8 picks

The Poopster hopes to continue his hot streak in Week 8.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com
Twitter: @MercSmokinD

The Poopster has been tearing through the area football picks like they're Tidy Cats litter, putting together a perfect slate for two straight weeks. Can he keep up the torrid pace in Week 8? Here's his take on this weekend's action:

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Perkiomen Valley (6-1) at Boyertown (5-2)
It's a battle of the Vikings' vaunted defense (allowing 4.0 ppg) and the Bears' high-octane offense (ranked first in the area in rushing, passing and total yards), but the Poopster can't fathom how Boyertown's 'D' can slow down the PV attack ... Perkiomen Valley 47-21.

Phoenixville (3-4) at Pottsgrove (7-0)
The Phantoms have surrendered 62 points in each of their past two games, while the Falcons are gearing up for a Week 9 showdown with Perkiomen Valley ... Pottsgrove 49-7.

Pottstown (0-7) at Upper Perkiomen (1-6)
The Poopster would really like to see rookie Trojans coach Don Grinstead pick up his first victory, and there's a good chance that could happen, but he's going to lean towards the Tribe in what appears to be a shootout ... Upper Perkiomen 40-36.

Reading High (2-5) at Daniel Boone (2-5)
Daniel Boone has been playing deceptively well over the past three weeks, so the Poopster thinks his owner is going to see a Blazers victory when he heads to Birdsboro tonight to see all his old friends ... Daniel Boone 20-14.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Owen J. Roberts (1-6) at Methacton (3-4)
The Wildcats beat Upper Perkiomen last week for their first victory, but the Poopster has a hard time believing they will make it two in a row against Mike Cassidy, Kyle Lowery and the Warriors ... Methacton 40-13.

Spring-Ford (5-2) at Pope John Paul II (1-6)
The Rams forced eight turnovers in last week's win over Methacton, while the Golden Panthers have had trouble in that department throughout the year. In the battle of RoFo, the Poopster is going to side with the South Siders ... Spring-Ford 48-7.

Hill School (0-4) at Hun School (0-4)
Someone is going to pick up their first win in this MAPL encounter. Though the Poopster hopes it will be coach Grey Simpson's Rams, he's going to have to go with the home squad ... Hun School 22-20.

Perkiomen School (2-4) at MATHS Charter (1-3)
The Poopster knows absolutely nothing about MATHS Charter, other than it is located in Baltimore. He's going to take a flyer that the Panthers come away with a win when they travel to the old neighborhood of Stringer Bell, Prop Joe, Slim Charles, Omar and Bunk ... Perkiomen School 14-12.

Last week's record: 8-0 (100 pct.)
Season to date: 46-12 (79.3 pct.)

FOOTBALL: Blast from the past

Perkiomen Valley takes on Boyertown in a Week 8 PAC-10 football matchup Friday. Here's a look back at a wild ending from 2011, when Clay Domine hit Ezra Ranco for the game-winning two-point conversion pass with 1:06 left in regulation to give the Vikings a 22-21 victory over the Bears.

Click here for game story and video

FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 7 picks

The Poopster wants everyone to try and stay dry this weekend.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com
Twitter: @MercSmokinD

It's Homecoming weekend for a lot of the area schools, and the Poopster is in a festive mood after running the table last week. Here's his take on the Week 7 Mercury-area gridiron action:

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Pottsgrove (6-0) at Pottstown (0-6)
The last time the Trojans beat the Falcons (who have won 10 straight in the series), the Poopster was a lot younger cat. He sees the soggy conditions as a big advantage for coach Rick Pennypacker's crew ... Pottsgrove 41-13.

Upper Perkiomen (1-5) at Owen J. Roberts (0-6)
This is a battle of two of the area's top workhorse backs, the Indians' Aidan Schaffer and the Wildcats' Wyatt Scott. The Poopster is expecting a lot of ground-and-pound, and when the smoke clears he has a feeling his brethren in the Cat Pack will finally have something to cheer about ... Owen J. Roberts 34-33.

Pope John Paul II (1-5) at Perkiomen Valley (5-1)
The Vikings pass defense hasn't allowed a reception over the past two weeks, while their offense is averaging 50.7 points over the last three games ... Perkiomen Valley 48-7.

Daniel Boone (2-4) at Pottsville (3-3)
The Poopster thinks the Blazers have a real shot to make it two straight wins after dispatching Twin Valley 40-14 last week, but he also knows strange things happen to local squads once they travel north of the Berks County border ... Pottsville 27-21.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Methacton (3-3) at Spring-Ford (4-2)
The Poopster likes what he's seen out of the Warriors the past two weeks and gives them a puncher's chance. That said, he envisions a big effort from the Rams defense ... Spring-Ford 22-7.

Boyertown (4-2) at Phoenixville (3-3)
This one presents a real head-scratcher for the Poopster: the Bears' high-octane offense against the Phantoms' gritty 'D.' He's going to give the nod to Griffin Pasik, Cody Richmond and Co. ... Boyertown 34-29.

Peddie School (2-2) at Hill School (0-3)
In the MAPL opener for both squads, the Poopster is going to lean towards the ground-oriented attack of the Falcons (coached by former Hill coach Frank deLaurentis) against the air assault of the Rams ... Peddie School 26-16.

Academy of the New Church (2-3) at Perkiomen School (2-3)
The Poopster senses a battle in the trenches and heavy dose of the running game for each squad. The Lions have won two straight, while the Panthers have dropped two in a row ... ANC 25-20.

Last week's record: 7-0 (100 pct.)
Season to date: 38-12 (76.0 pct.)

FOOTBALL: Mercury staff Week 6 picks

FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 6 picks

The Poopster is currently on probation for a litter box violation.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com
Twitter: @MercSmokinD

With the area football season at the midway point, the Poopster knows he has to improve on last week's rather pedestrian 6-2 mark and get some serious momentum going for the stretch run. Here's his take on this week's action.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Owen J. Roberts (0-3, 0-5) at Pottsgrove (4-0, 5-0)
Jeff Adams, Tyrone Parker and the Falcons defense have been as tough on the opposition as the Poopster's feline friends - Whitey and the outside cats - have been on the local rodent population around his owner's house ... Pottsgrove 42-7.

Phoenixville (3-0, 3-2) at Perkiomen Valley (3-1, 4-1)
The Phantoms have won three straight since an 0-2 start, but the Poopster feels the Rasaan Stewart-led Vikings simply have too many weapons ... Perkiomen Valley 38-19.

Spring-Ford (2-1, 3-2) at Upper Perkiomen (1-3, 1-4)
The Poopster envisions the Rams getting their passing game on track in this one, though the Tribe has been pretty entertaining the past couple of weeks with Aidan Schaffer running out of the Wildcat ... Spring-Ford 49-21.

Twin Valley (0-2, 0-5) at Daniel Boone (0-2, 1-4)
Though the Blazers have been battling a rash of injuries, they still get the nod against the alma mater of the Poopster's owner, which has lost 16 straight ... Daniel Boone 34-13.

Pottstown (0-3, 0-5) at Boyertown (2-2, 3-2)
There were 98 points scored in this game last year, and the Poopster wouldn't be surprised if the Trojans and Bears light up the scoreboard again ... Boyertown 50-30.

Perkiomen School (2-2) at Pennington School (1-3)
The Poopster doesn't have much insight into this one, so he's going to go with the Red Raiders at home ... Pennington School 28-22.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Methacton (2-2, 2-3) at Pope John Paul II (1-3, 1-4)
The Warriors appear to be rounding into form on both sides of the ball, which doesn't appear to be good news for the Golden Panthers ... Methacton 28-14.

Last week's record 6-2 (75.0 percent)
Season to date: 31-12 (72.1 percent)