FOOTBALL: The Poopster's Week 1 picks

The Poopster is ready for some area football.

Like his owner -- who had a bout with Lyme Disease back in January -- the Poopster has lost a step or two in 2014. But with the Mercury-area high school football scene ready to rock, the orange guy is champing at the bit to dive into his gridiron picks the way he dives into a can of Fancy Feast. Here's his take on all the Week 1 action:

FRIDAY'S GAMES
Ben Franklin at Pottsgrove
The Falcons will christen Rick Pennypacker Field with a pregame ceremony, but the Poopster is worried they will have their hands full with QB Kevin Caldwell and the speedy Electrons. Still, he's going to give the nod to Patrick Finn, Mike Fowler and Co. .... Pottsgrove 27-20.

Spring-Ford at State College
The Poopster was a lot younger cat back in December of 2008, when Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker (then an assistant coach at Wilson) and his owner were both on the Memorial Field sideline for a cold and epic PIAA-AAAA semifinal. He feels Brubaker will have the troops ready and envisions a strong effort from the Rams' deep defensive line in a tight one. ... Spring-Ford 23-21.

Exeter at Boyertown
The Route 562 rivals haven't hooked up since 2001, when the Poopster wasn't far removed from being a kitten. He's afraid that monster lineman Michel Menet and the Eagles will make it a rough debut for first-year coach George Parkinson and the inexperienced Bears. ... Exeter 34-13.

Council Rock North at Perkiomen Valley
The Indians feature junior quarterback Brandon McIlwain, who is getting looks from some big-time schools. The Vikings, meanwhile, graduated a lot of the Poopster's favorite players and face a stern test. ... Council Rock North 35-20.

Conestoga at Owen J. Roberts
The Poopster is eager to see how the Wildcats' new 3-4 defensive scheme is going to fare. He really wanted to pick OJR until he heard they have had some injury problems on offense. ... Conestoga 21-14.

Upper Perkiomen vs. Quakertown (at Souderton)
Though the Indians have struggled mightily over the past two years (winning just one game), the Poopster feels they have a chance to slowly but surely turn the corner under first-year coach Tom Hontz. He's taking the Tribe in an upset special ... Upper Perkiomen 21-20.

Methacton at Bayard Rustin
The Warriors, who won seven of their final nine games last year and hung tough in a 14-6 opening-week loss to Rustin, are seeking their fourth straight winning season. But the Poopster is concerned star running back Terry Loper and the Golden Knights will be too much to handle on both sides of the ball. ... Rustin 41-21.

Daniel Boone at Cocalico
The Poopster liked what he saw over the second half of last season from Jon Passifione, Nick Hughes and the Blazers. He thinks they'll play the Eagles a lot tougher than last year's 49-14 loss, but will still be up against it. ... Cocalico 30-17.

SATURDAY'S GAMES
Sun Valley at Pottstown
No more lights at Pottstown's Grigg Memorial Field means a plethora of Saturday afternoon games for the Trojans, and subsequently not a lot of Saturday afternoon meals for the Poopster (while he holds down the fort with his owner out at area games). He senses Gary Wise, Brandon Tinson and the Trojans will be hungry as well -- for a win. ... Pottstown 27-26.

Great Valley at Phoenixville
The Phantoms, led by Zach Gallow and Matt Palubinsky, could be a pleasant surprise under first-year coach Evan Breisblatt in the opinion of the Poopster. But with line stalwart Dave Rosati out with a knee injury, they could find the sledding pretty tough against Penn State-bound Ryan Buchholz and the Patriots. ... Great Valley 28-15.

Pope John Paul II vs. Bishop McDevitt (at Cheltenham)
The Golden Panthers have won just twice in the past two seasons and have a new coach in Rory Graver. That said, the Poopster feels they have a good shot to come away with the W against a Lancers team that returns just five starters from a 2-7 team. ... Pope John Paul II 33-25.

Last year: 88-24 (78.6 percent).