The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

High school football has two more weekends and college football for the RCN TV crew has come to a close.  College basketball has begun and high school basketball is right around the corner.

That can only mean that it is once again time for one of my favorite nights of the year and it has nothing to do with athletics.  It is the night that I co-host the Dream Come True Telethon. Believe it or not (and I am a “not”), we will be doing the Telethon for the 33^rd   year.  I did not host in the very early years (just a guest), but I have been around for most.

The Dream Come True Organization, in case you did not know, was founded in 1984 by Kostas Kalogeropoulous, a local businessman.  The goal of the organization is simple – fulfill the dreams of children who are seriously, chronically, and terminally ill and reside in the greater Lehigh Valley area.  Children are referred by family, friends, clergy, doctors, social workers, etc. and the dreams usually fall into three categories – trips, contact with celebrities, and special gifts (computers, shopping sprees, for example).  The organization has, also, helped with scholarships and, when necessary, funerals.

Scott Barr will be co-hosting again this year. We have spent this night together for many, many years and I would not want to work with anyone else. He handles the auction area and, boy, is he terrific!  If you watch Home Shopping Network or any of the other television all-day shopping channels, just watch Scott do his thing during the three hour night.  He is as good as, if not better, than the professionals.  Here are the specifics:

2018 Dream Come True Telethon & Online Auction

The 33rd Annual Dream Come True Telethon to Benefit Seriously, Chronically and Terminally Ill Children will take place on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. RCN customers in the Lehigh Valley (Channel 4 |1004 in HD), and Delaware County (Channel 8 |608 in HD), can watch live on RCN TV. The goal of the telethon is to increase awareness of Dream Come True, an organization that raises funds to grant the dreams of children who are terminally, chronically, and severely ill.

The online auction is now open and will close Monday, December 3 at 8:30 p.m.  Please check the auction site frequently as new auction items will continue to be added!

100% of the proceeds raised from the auctions go directly to Dream Come True.  We encourage you to visit www.dreamcometrue.org, to learn more about this heart-warming organization.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support! Your donation will help make a child’s dream come true!

You will find a variety of unique items. If you want something really unique that cannot be found in any store, tune in and bid on the items.  You will make Scott’s night and, more importantly, help to make some child’s dream come true.  Go to https://www.biddingowl.com/dreamcometrue to make a bid.  Please!

Devin Almonte’s interviews with the children who have had their dreams fulfilled will demonstrate to you just how valuable your donations are.

The important facts again are:

The Date:   Monday, December 3

The Time:  6:00 – 9:00 PM

The Purpose:   To fulfill as many hopes, dreams and fantasies for seriously, chronically, and terminally ill children as possible

The Phone Number to Make a Donation:  1-800-749-8099 

All proceeds from the online and on-air auctions go directly to Dream Come True.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!  Your donation will help make a child’s dream come true!

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSING) 

1. Alright, let’s look at the NFL playoff picture in the AFC: Although no team has technically clinched, the Chiefs and the Patriots are definitely going to make it. The Steelers, Chargers, and the Texans can start printing tickets.  That leaves one open spot.  Either the Ravens, Colts, or Titans should fill the spot.

2. How about the NFC? The Saints and the Rams are both 10-1so they will be in, with the Saints probably getting the home field advantage.  The Bears should win the NFC North.  That leaves three spots.  One will go to the NFC East winner, whoever that will be (Dallas, Washington, or the Eagles).  The Vikings have a tough schedule, but could get in, along with the NFC East second place team.  The Seahawks and the Panthers are hopeful.

3. I mentioned earlier in the year how Saquon Barkley has now forced me to watch the Giants as well as the Eagles. That is why it is great when they play each other.  It is even better when Saquon has a great game.  Well, on Sunday he had a great half – two touchdowns and 94 yards rushing.  It was the 10^th time he has scored at least 20 fantasy points in a game.  Inexplicably, he touched the ball only four times in the second half eventually going over 100 yards rushing.  And the Giants lost.  He is great and the Eagles are still alive.

4. The other NFL player I am most interested in had an even better game than Barkley – Christian McCaffrey, the son of Central Catholic’s Eddie McCaffrey. He ran for over 100 yards and caught passes for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.  His father was an elite athlete and “like father, like son”.

5. The PIAA State Football playoffs continue this week. On Friday night, we will have the Bethlehem Catholic – Imhotep game from Northeast Philadelphia at 7:00pm LIVE.  Freedom ended their season like our AAAAAA teams seem to do every year this past Saturday when St. Joe’s Prep beat them.  The PIAA playoffs do not offer our local teams a level playing field!  Congratulations to Freedom for an historic year – their best record and their first District title!

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 11-4)  (Overall: 113-61-2  65% ) 

Week THIRTEEN

NEW ORLEANS

INDIANAPOLIS

PITTSBURGH

CAROLINA

BALTIMORE

HOUSTON

MIAMI

CHICAGO

DENVER

RAMS

GREN BAY

KANSAS CITY

TENNESSEE

NEW ENGLAND

SEATTLE

PHILADELPHIA

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. 

I heard two sentences this week that really hit home.  The words were even more poignant since this is Thanksgiving week.

The first sentence came from a gentleman in his 80’s.   He said, “Growing old is good”.  I thought about that since I am getting up there or, as my younger friends constantly remind me, I have already gotten there.  But, so far, it is good.  Every day is a new challenge but every day is welcomed.

Sunday night on 60 Minutes , a former NFL player who now suffers from ALS said that after listening to his optimistic outlook on life, despite being diagnosed with a shortened life, said that people very often end their encounter with him by saying, “God bless you”.  His response is always the same, “He already has”.

For some reason, these two sentences meant a great deal to me.  I know I often try to fill these pages with sports stories, but not this week.  I have plenty to be thankful for.  I, along with many others, I’m sure, rarely verbalize it.  Since I have this venue, this is as good a time as any to say “Thank you”.

• Thanks to my wife of 55 years. She has always been my rock.  I’m not as sure about me.  People who know me and then see her often say to her, “You must be a Saint”.  I can tell you she is.

• Thanks to my children and grandchildren. For my wife, Luba, and I, they are our pride and joy.  They are all successful, caring, and nice people.  And they are happy.  What more could any parent or grandparent want?

• Thanks to RCN. My occupational ventures have taken me from the classroom to the broadcasting booth.  The ride has been spectacular.  I started with Twin-County, stayed on with C-Tec, and continue the journey with RCN.  Vocationally, it is the best time of my life and they continue to allow this guy to represent them in public.  I really appreciate that.

• Thanks to the viewers. They are appreciative.  And sometimes they complain when we do not cover games, but even that is a compliment in a way.  And when they offer criticism, we take it to heart and try to get better.

• Thanks to the athletic directors, the coaches, and the statisticians. This job would be a nightmare without their help.  Luckily they ALL help.

• Thanks to the student-athletes. If you want to feel and stay young, hang around young people.  I know every time I interview a Lafayette student, I come away thinking these are the citizens who will fix the world.

• Thanks to the RCN television team. There are so many workers (and, boy, do they work) who run the wires, set up the cameras, the audio, the graphics, and the booths for every game only to tear it all down and do it all over again many times each week.

• Thanks to Kristin Vitovitch. She will be embarrassed that her name is here, but she does all the rosters, helps keep me organized, and never frowns!

• Thanks to Joanne G. She has to read and edit this blog every week.  I feel sorry for her, but at least I know one person has read it and corrected it.  She keeps me out of trouble and I thank her for that.

By the way, making this list really felt good.  You might want to make your own this week.  In summary, “Growing old is good” and may God bless you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSING) 

1. Oh, the poor NFC East. With Washington losing on Sunday to the Texans and losing their quarterback for the year; the Eagles getting killed by the Saints; the Giants and Dallas winning, the NFC East is a mess.  No team can seem to play their way out of a possible playoff berth as much as they try.  All the teams are in it, but probably all should be out of it.

2. How about Whitehall’s Saquon Barkley? I hope you chose him for your fantasy football team.  He now has the fourth highest number of fantasy points after 10 games of any player in NFL history – 252.8.  Only Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, and Patrick Mahones have ever scored more points.  The Eagles are next.

3. The Philadelphia 76ers are going to have a great season. Jimmy Butler will fill both offensive and defensive pieces on a team that is starting to look like they could win the East.  They are certainly taking some of the attention away from the woeful Eagles.

4. I had one of the most enjoyable interviews of my career this past Friday. Chicago Cubs’ manager Joe Madden was in town for the Lafayette-Lehigh football game.  He is so likable and intellectual and a great storyteller.  Thus, he is the perfect interview.

5. The PIAA State Football playoffs begin this week. On Friday night, we will have the Bethlehem Catholic – Pottsgrove game from Palisades at 7:00pm LIVE.  Freedom won their very first District football AAAAAA championship this past Saturday and will take on St. Joe’s Prep on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia at 1:00pm.  We will also bring that game LIVE.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 9-4)  (Overall: 102-57-2  64% ) 

Week  TWELVE

CHICAGO

DALLAS

NEW ORLEANS

PHILADELPHIA

NEW ENGLAND

JACKSONVILLE

BALTIMORE

TAMPA BAY

CINCINNATI

CAROLINA

INDIANAPOLIS

CHARGERS

PITTSBURGH

MINNESOTA

HOUSTON

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

“It ain’t over until the fat lady sings”.  This phrase came about with the stereotypical overweight soprano singing her farewell song at the end of the opera leading to the dramatic finish.  So the opera was not over until she took the stage.

Now it has become a phrase often used in sports.  In that context, it means do not jump to a conclusion about your team until you are absolutely sure of that conclusion.  Don’t assume anything until it is true.

As you are well aware the Eagles lost to the Cowboys on Monday night 27-20.  Both the Cowboys and the Eagles have identical 4-5 records.  Both are two games behind the Redskins who sit at 6-3.  Two games does not seem like all that much to overcome, especially for the defending Super Bowl champion.  And the Eagles do have two games on the schedule with the Redskins.  But, has the “fat lady” started to sing?

According to the NFL, the Eagles are left with the hardest schedule in football.  Their future opponents have a combined record of 39-23, which is the best record any NFL team will face.

Up next, the Eagles travel to play the 8-1 New Orleans Saints.  Their other foes who are not in their division are the 8-1 Rams and the 6-3 Texans, who have won six in a row.  It will be very difficult to make up any ground in the East against any of these three teams.  Philadelphia will not be favored to win any of them.

Without such a difficult non-divisional schedule, there would be hope.  The Eagles have one game with the Giants (2-7), two games with the Redskins and one game with the Cowboys.

Now the East is weak and the Redskins could lose the next two – Houston and Dallas.  Dallas has Atlanta next week, but they just lost to the Browns (to the Browns!).

Right now, it looks as if the Rams and the Saints are definitely making the playoffs.  That would leave four spots for the Bears (6-3), Panthers (6-3), Vikings (5-3-1), and Washington (6-3).  The Packers (4-4-1), Dallas (4-5), and, dare I say, Eagles have a glimmer of hope.

On paper, it looks like the Eagles are done and could easily end the season with a losing record.  It was really wishful thinking anyway to expect another Super Bowl.  Back-to-back NFL championships have not been won for 14 years.  New England (of course) did it in 2004 and 2005.

This will be the fifteenth straight year that a team could not repeat.  Cue the “fat lady”.  She can start her aria.

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. It would be an understatement to say that most coaches are rather high-strung. I see it every week at the high school and college level.  It seems it is no different in the NFL.  New Orleans coach Sean Payton smashed a fire alarm inside his team’s locker room in Cincinnati this past Sunday when it just kept going off.  By the looks of the alarm, he made it stop.

2. Since sports betting is pretty much legal nowadays, it was interesting to see some recent results. In the NFL, two weekends ago, according to Vegas, was the worst for bookmakers in 32 years. Things got better quickly.  This weekend with all the upsets – Tennessee over the Patriots; Browns over Atlanta; Colts over Jacksonville; and the Cowboys over the Eagles, the bookmakers got much healthier.

3. This Friday, I will be interviewing the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Joe Madden. The former Lafayette student is returning to College Hill for the rivalry game (see below).  The last time I interviewed Joe Madden was in Yankee Stadium.

4. RCN-TV is once again proud to present across the country college football’s most played rivalry when Lafayette takes on Lehigh this Saturday at 12:30pm for the 154^th It is always a very special event.

5. District championship playoff football is on tap this week. The AAAAAA bracket is intriguing because neither team has ever won a District football championship – #1 Freedom vs. #2 Emmaus on RCN-TV LIVE at 7:00pm.  On Saturday, our attention falls to the AAAA championship between Bethlehem Catholic and Saucon Valley.  That game is LIVE at 7:00pm.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 9-5)  (Overall: 93-53-2  64% ) 

Week ELEVEN

 SEATTLE

CHICAGO

CAROLINA

DALLAS

BALTIMORE

NEW ORLEANS

TENNESSEE

HOUSTON

GIANTS

CHARGERS

ARIZONA

PITTSBURGH

RAMS

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. 

By now, you probably know I would do almost anything to promote Dream Come True.  With that said, I want to let you know and please pass the word along that the 33rd Annual Telethon will take place this year on December 3, beginning at 6:00 pm.  There will be more about that in a later blog.

What I never expected was to be asked to model for an upcoming article about Dream Come True.  It will be found in this month’s edition of Lehigh Valley Marketplace magazine.

The idea behind the session (notice I am already using modeling terminology) was to highlight the history of this wonderful event and offer a prelude to this year’s night.

I arrived in a suit and tie, but I failed to do any “mirror practicing” or spending time determining my best side.  Heck, I didn’t even work extra on my smile.  I figured I was in the hands of professionals and they would guide me through the process.

Makeup was the first challenge.  Now I want you to know that even though I have been on TV for almost 50 years, I can count on one hand the number of times someone had applied a base, some powder, and um… ( I don’t even know what I’m talking about here).  The makeup artist, called that because they can transform an artifact like me into a work of art, had me sit for the application.  It was moisturizer, a base, some powder, etc.  I was hoping she would capture my skin tone (who am I kidding here?).  Not surprisingly it took a little longer than most.  She, obviously, was working with a difficult canvas.  But, alas, I guess I looked as good as she could make me look.

It was on to the modeling portion.  I am assuming, since the magazine is not on the stands yet, that I can anticipate one or two pictures of myself and Scott Barr.  But the photographer took over fifty pictures while instructing me and Scott to “stand straight, don’t breathe, chin out, tilt your head, eyes open wider, and smile”.  For us, the list seemed endless.  Fifty plus pictures to find one or two good ones – with our faces, that sounds just about right.

The important thing, of course, is that attention is brought to Dream Come True and their worthy cause.  But I keep thinking that once the Marketplace magazine comes out, there just might be some heightened interest in more modeling jobs.  Will I need an agent?  A little plastic surgery?  Will I need to create “my people” so they can take calls from “their people”?  I will sit by my phone and wait (and probably wait and wait and wait).

But… maybe Sports Illustrated is reading this?

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. It sure looks like the Steelers knew what they were doing in not settling with Le’Veon Bell. Bell refused to sign his $14.5 million contract.  James Conner has filled in very nicely, thank you.  In the last four games, all wins, by the way, he has touched the ball 108 times for 689 yards.  He is on pace for over 2,000 yards, much like Bell numbers.  Bell has one more week to come to terms.  His bargaining power has slipped.

2. Jon Gruden is finding that his return to the NFL has been quite painful. With only one win, against the hapless Cleveland Browns, it appears the Raiders will not win another game this year.  Some think the team is just awful and others believe the game has just passed Gruden by.  I know there are rabid Raiders fans out there who have hated some of the trades made.  It’s a mess in Oakland right now.

3. The Redskins lost on Sunday and that helps the Eagles who were in a bye week. Washington had a three-game winning streak until they met the Falcons on Sunday, losing 38-14.  Washington is now 5-3; the Eagles are 4-4.

4. Alabama sure has stopped much of the FBS National Championship conversation when they demolished #3 LSU 29-0 on Saturday.  The defense was awesome; the offense was very impressive.  Maybe the semifinal game between #2 and #3 will be good.  The other one will not and it does not look like the championship game will be either.

5. District playoff football continues this week. The AAAAAA bracket is down to four teams – #5 Parkland vs. #1 Freedom will be on RCN-TV LIVE at 7:00 on Friday night followed by  #3 Easton vs. #2 Emmaus at 9:30.  On Saturday, our attention falls to the AAAA semifinals.  At 1:00 PM, we will have Bethlehem Catholic – Pottsville LIVE followed by the LIVE telecast of the Northwestern – Saucon Valley game at 7:00 PM.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 10-3)  (Overall: 84-48-2  64% ) 

Week TEN

PITTSBURGH

JETS

ATLANTA

NEW ORLEANS

WASHINGTON

NEW ENGLAND

GREEN BAY

INDIANAPOLIS

CHICAGO

KANSAS CITY

CHARGERS

RAMS

PHILADELPHIA

SAN FRANCISCO

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. 

I don’t know how you felt about it, but I absolutely loved watching NFL football in the morning.  The Eagles’ game on Sunday started at 9:30 AM.  I ate breakfast before the game and was ready for lunch after the game.  And… there was still the rest of the day.

It also made me think how nice it would have been to actually watch Game Three of the World Series on Friday which ended at 2:30 AM.  It was a great game no one saw.  If they would have started the game at 4:00 EST, we might have lasted until the end.

I remember when I vacationed in Hawaii and was able to watch golf tournaments to the very end and it was not time for “60 Minutes” like it is back here.  Heck, it was only 1:00 PM in the afternoon.  The weekend was not yet over.  The beach was waiting, there were still two meals on the horizon, and I had a happy wife.  What could be better?

So, here is what I am proposing for the NFL – play the 1:00 PM games at 9:00 AM; the 4:00 PM games at noon; and the 8:00 PM games at 4:00 PM.  I am guessing that anyone who lives in Hawaii or California or nearby Pacific Standard Time states, for that matter, would rather be outside during the day anyway and they can DVR the games and watch them whenever the weather turns bad.  You have it all already – a beautiful climate, nearby ocean and beaches, al fresco dining, etc. (AND YOU HAVE IT ALL YEAR ROUND).  Let those of us in the East get some benefit out of our location by allowing us to get our sports out of the way so we can enjoy life.

At least be willing to compromise during our winter months.  Cabin fever is real here in the East – “extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time”.  That malady creeps into my house, for sure.  At least we have football, but what about the wives?  They are forced to suffer extreme cabin fever – at times, it’s almost epidemic – like when the Eagles are on a Super Bowl run!

Perhaps, the easiest thing to do is move all the NFL teams to England.  Heck, the NFL wants to go global – do it!  The crowd at Wembley yesterday seemed no different than the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.

Okay, I have stopped making any sense at all!  I could move, but I know the minute I did that, monsoons would hit Hawaii, wild fires would run rampant in California, and who knows what global warming is planning.

At least I had the good life for one Sunday morning.  Thanks, NFL, for creating a “prime time” I could really enjoy.

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. The Red Sox did it! What an unusual series, especially the pitching rotation.  Boston did not hesitate to use starters as relievers and David Price, a starter, did not care when he pitched.  Manager Alex Corda looked like a genius throughout the season and certainly he looked even more so in the playoffs.  Hats off to the Bosox!

2. If you happen to be the coach of the Cleveland Browns, be very wary of the second game of the season with the Steelers. The last five Browns’ head coaches – Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski, and Mike Pettine – were all fired after the second Steelers game of the season.  And it happened again this week when Hue Jackson was fired after losing to the Steelers in the second game.  The Steelers won this weekend 33-18.  The Browns tied them earlier in the season.  History, I guess, shows it’s time to change coaches.

3. It looks like the Sixers will keep Philadelphia fans interested all year. The Flyers will not!

4. Penn State would be one of the best teams in the nation if they didn’t have to play the fourth quarter. They lost to both Ohio State and Michigan State when they had fourth-quarter leads.  This week against Iowa, they barely hung on in the fourth and came away a winner.  They have now played four straight games decided by six points or less.  The last time that happened was in 1894 (No, I didn’t see those games).  On to #5 Michigan.

5. It’s time for District football. The AAAAAA bracket is wide open.  #8 seed Liberty just beat the #1 seed Freedom this past Saturday.  #2 seed Emmaus takes on a #7 Nazareth team who they beat on the last play of the game earlier in the season.  RCN-TV Sports will have both those games on Friday night with the Freedom-Liberty game LIVE at 7:00 PM.  On Saturday at 12:30 PM, we will see if Lafayette can win their third game in a row when they take on Holy Cross.  The Bethlehem Catholic–Blue Mountain game will follow at 5:00 PM.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 11-3)  (Overall: 74-45-2  62% ) 

Week NINE

SAN FRANCISCO

MINNESOTA

KANSAS CITY

PITTSBURGH

CAROLINA

MIAMI

ATLANTA

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

SEATTLE

RAMS

NEW ENGLAND

DALLAS

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. 

With one week remaining in the regular season for high school football, and, dare I say, the titles are pretty much decided.  Notre Dame, after their dramatic 49-44 win over  Saucon Valley on Friday night, appears to have their first Colonial League championship with one game remaining against 1-8 Wilson High School.

Stroudsburg has a one-game lead over Northampton.  They will play 1-8 Pleasant Valley on Friday and should wrap up the EPC North title.

Freedom will try to win their first EPC title outright by beating Liberty on Saturday afternoon.  They could actually wrap up their championship before they play if Parkland knocks off Emmaus.  Emmaus is the only team that has a chance to tying Freedom if they win and Freedom loses this weekend.

Then everyone’s attention turns to the District and State playoffs.  Four teams get into the 3A and 5A brackets, but both are sub-regional brackets so other districts also qualify.  Eight teams qualify for the 4A and 6A brackets, all from District XI.

In 3A, only one team is guaranteed a spot at the moment – North Schuykill, but Notre Dame should get in and Palisades has an outside shot.

In 5A, Southern Lehigh appears to be our only local team.

5A features Northwestern, Saucon Valley, Bethlehem Catholic, and Allentown Central Catholic.  This appears to be an extremely competitive bracket, with Bethlehem Catholic probably being the favorite.  This is also the bracket where one of our teams could make some noise in the state playoffs.

As is often the case, the 6A bracket possesses the most intriguing possibilities.  Freedom, Emmaus, Parkland, Stroudsburg, Northampton, and Easton have qualified.  Nazareth is looming and Liberty has an outside chance.  Freedom will enter as the favorite, but they only beat Parkland and Emmaus by one point and Emmaus took them to overtime.  Easton just destroyed Parkland this past weekend and their game against Nazareth this Friday looks like a great matchup.

Parkland has won six (that’s right, six) 6A District championships in a row.  They beat Freedom the last two years in the championship games.  And Freedom has never won a football District Championship.  This year, it appears that no less than four teams – Freedom, Emmaus, Easton, Nazareth – have a realistic chance to end the Parkland streak.

Does Parkland finally lose the title?  Does Freedom win their first?  Does some other team upset them both?  Is this the year?

Stay tuned to RCN-TV as the playoffs unfold.  I, for one, can’t wait.

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. Since betting is now legal in some states, you might be interested that the only team this season to cover the spread every week in the NFL is the Kansas City Chiefs. They are 7-0 against the spread.  Of note, also, is that the Packers start this week as 8.5-point underdogs to the Rams.  This is the largest underdog number since Aaron Rodgers became the Packers quarterback.

2. With the Eagles and Dallas losing and the Redskins winning, is the NFC race over? The Redskins have the easier schedule and it is hard to fathom right now that an NFC East team will be a wild card team.

3. At the Staples Center on Saturday night, fans came to an NBA game and a hockey game broke out. Three players, two from the Lakers and one from the Houston Rockets, were suspended for this incident that occurred this weekend.  Check it out.http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=25045119

4. Break up the Crimson Tide!! Alabama went to 8-0 this past weekend by beating Tennessee 58-21.  It was their eighth straight blowout this season.  The #1 ranked team has won every game by at least three touchdowns.  Clemson, Notre Dame, and Michigan follow in the rankings with only Clemson looking like a team that could possibly keep Alabama from another National Championship.

5. RCN-TV Sports will conclude high school football’s regular season (hard to believe) this weekend with rivalry games on tap. Friday night, Parkland travels to Emmaus for their grudge match.  The game is LIVE at 7:00pm.  On Saturday at 1:00pm, we will present the Freedom-Liberty game LIVE with the Allen-Dieruff game to follow at 5:00pm.  Then, on to Districts.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 8-6)  (Overall: 63-42-2  60% )

Week EIGHT

HOUSTON

PHILADELPHIA

PITTSBURGH

KANSAS CITY

CHICAGO

WASHINGTON

DETROIT

CINCINNATI

CAROLINA

INDIANAPOLIS

SAN FRANCISCO

RAMS

MINNESOTA

NEW ENGLAND

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Sunday, October 14, was a special night at the Holiday Inn in Fogelsville.  The District XI held their inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  Fourteen outstanding individuals were honored for their contributions to field hockey, boys and girls basketball, football, wrestling, swimming, and coaching.

Gary Laubach and Larry Miller of Catasauqua

Space does not allow me to present their complete resumes, but let me try to briefly describe their contributions to District XI high school athletics:

Sue Butz-Stavin – Emmaus Field Hockey Coach

• 42^nd year as the coach
• Career record – 937-80-35 – 92%
• 12 State Championships
• 27 straight District titles (32 total)
• National record for career wins

J Birney Crum – Allentown High School Football and Basketball Coach

• 24 years as head coach of football: Career record – 190-51-27
• Basketball : Career record – 490-109 with a winning streak of 60 games

Diane Decker – Marian Catholic Basketball

• Scored 2,377 points with 1,116 rebounds
• Led her team to two District Championships and the 1984 State championship

John Donmoyer – William Allen Basketball Coach

• Coached for almost 60 years
• Won five EPC championships; 6 District titles; and twice a State runner-up
• His 624 wins is the most by any District XI boys basketball coach

Al Erdosy – Northampton Football Coach

• 28 years as head football coach at Northampton
• Career record – 194-55-10
• Teams won 16 Lehigh Valley League titles and shared 5 more
• Winning streaks of 58 games and 47 games
• Four unbeaten and untied seasons

Matt Gerhard – Catasauqua Wrestling

• A four-time State wrestling champion (one of only 13 to accomplish that feat)
• Overall career record – 127-3
• Was named to the first team of Wrestling USA

Michelle Marciniak – Central Catholic Basketball

• Scored 3,025 points, the record for both boys and girls at Central Catholic
• Led her team to 4 District titles and 2 State championship finals
• USA Today All-American and National HS Player of the Year as well as Gatorade and Naismith National Player of the Year

Ed McCaffrey – Central Catholic Football and Basketball

• Basketball – 3^rd highest scorer in Central Catholic history – 1, 637 points
• Won 2 PIAA State Basketball Championships
• Football – All-State honors; went on to play in the NFL winning 3 Super Bowl Championships

Larry Miller – Catasauqua Basketball

• Arguably the greatest high school player in District XI ever
• Scored 2,722 points and had 2,062 rebounds
• Scored 911 points as a senior
• Team won 4 straight Lehigh Valley titles and 3 straight District XI championships
• 1^st team All-State twice; Parade All-American
• All-American at North Carolina; and played in the ABA

Bob Mlkvy – Palmerton Basketball

• Scored 1,963 points, a Palmerton record that still stands
• Team won 44 straight games and 3 Lehigh Valley League titles
• Scored 48 points in one game
• All-State twice and All-American twice

Ray Nunamaker – Nazareth High School Wrestling Coach

• 34 years as head coach at Nazareth
• Career record – 468-95-7
• Teams won 8 District titles and 110 consecutive dual meets
• Coached 9 PIAA state champions, including 1 by his son
• A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Artie Owens – Stroudsburg Football

• Ran for 2,061 yards in his senior year scoring a state record 41 TD’s
• Led his team to an 11-0 season in 1971
• First team All-State and an All-American
• Played in the NFL and the USFL

Milo Sewards – Allentown High School Basketball Coach

• 23 years as the head basketball coach
• Career record – 408-167
• Team won 35 consecutive EPC conference games
• Won 9 league championships, including 5 straight
• Won 4 District titles
• Won the 1950 PIAA State Championship

Alyssa Vavra – Panther Valley Swimming

• Most decorated swimmer in District XI history
• 16 time District XI champion
• Won 5 PIAA championships and 4 PIAA silver medals
• A 17-time All-American
• Currently holds every girls swimming record at Panther Valley
• At Indiana University, she was the Big 10 Swimmer and Athlete of the Year

As you can imagine, it was a wonderful night, with so many potential inductees to go.  The District XI has done itself proud.

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. I hope you were not part of the many people who told me they either left the game or turned the channel Friday night during our state-wide Freedom-Emmaus football game. With 127 seconds to go, Freedom was trailing by 15 points.  Due to a number of unusual happenings, they scored with 1:11 to go and scored again with 27 seconds to go and then got a 2-point conversion to tie the game and send it into overtime.  Freedom won on another 2-point conversion 32-31.  If you missed it, there’s always Video On Demand.

2. My “Gary’s Guesses” are a good indication of how difficult it has been this year in the NFL to pick winners. It is no different in the gambling world.  A report out of Vegas on Monday morning said that Bears–Dolphins game garnered double the interest of any other single game.  85% was bet on the Bears including two $100,000 bets.  The Dolphins won 31-28 in overtime.

3. You decide – Who is the best running back in the NFL right now A) Todd Gurley of the Rams; B) Ezekial Elliot of the Cowboys; or C) Saquon Barkley of the Giants?

4. It was great seeing Larry Miller at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday. Larry is, in my opinion, the greatest basketball player ever in the Lehigh Valley.  He was part of the District XI 1963 championship win.  Catasauqua beat Wilson High School in the final.  It was played, believe it or not, before 12,000 people at the Harrisburg State Farm Show Arena because there was no venue large enough in the Lehigh Valley.  I was part of the starting five for Wilson in that game.  We had beaten Bethlehem High School in the semi-final, also played in Harrisburg.  Wilson was the first small school to beat a large school (there was only one classification back then) in Districts.  Larry scored 42 points against us.  I had quite a few less.

5. RCN-TV Sports will be broadcasting the big Colonial League game between Saucon Valley and Notre Dame on Friday night at 7:00pm. RCN-TV will have the Lafayette at Bucknell game on Saturday at noon.  At 7:00, we will present the Emmaus-Bethlehem Catholic matchup.    That game is, also, LIVE on RCN.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 12-3)  (Overall: 55-36-2  60% ) 

Week SEVEN

ARIZONA

PHILADELPHIA

MINNESOTA

CHARGERS

NEW ENGLAND

TAMPA BAY

MIAMI

INDIANAPOLIS

KANSAS CITY

JACKSONVILLE

BALTIMORE

DALLAS

RAMS

ATLANTA

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.  

I usually take up my blog space writing some thoughts about the national sports scene.  The local stuff I leave for Chris Michael.  This week, however, will be different because I am anticipating a great high school game on Friday night – Freedom at Emmaus.

Both teams come into the game with a 7-0 record.  That is not the only similarity between the two.  Their profiles are amazingly similar.

Emmaus has 2,645 yards of total offense; Freedom has 2,601 – that’s right – just 45 total yards separate the two.  The Emmaus defense has yielded 1,807 yards; Freedom has yielded 1,751 (a 56-yard difference).

Both teams have outstanding quarterbacks:

Emmaus – Ethan Parvell – 61% completions, 14 touchdowns

Freedom – Jared Jenkins – 59% completions, 18 touchdowns

Both use three running backs, all with exceptional skill; both have excellent receivers with touchdown speed available after every catch.

Even though there is so much offensive skill on the field for both teams, the defenses are just as strong and athletic.  Freedom is led by Tristan Wheeler, perhaps the best linebacker in the EPC.  On the Emmaus side is Jacob Weider, who could make the case that he is better.  Both have over 40 tackles this season.

The coaches have combined for over 20 years of experience, so there will not be much they haven’t seen coming into this game.

Keith Groller of The Morning Call wrote a story this week about former WFMZ sports anchor, Jeff Fisher, whose job has taken him to a number of sports markets across the country.  He is a former English student of mine, so I will proudly say (despite having no proof I had any effect on his writing skills) that he has written a book on Texas high school football.  He is probably right when he says there is nothing like it in the country.  But, even he admits that Pennsylvania is probably second.

This Friday night should be a good example of that.  These teams appear to be the best we have to offer this year and, if you are a high school football fan, this one deserves your attention.

Friday night lights don’t just burn in the Lone Star State – they burn just as bright in Pennsylvania.  May the best team win!

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. How about them Browns? After going 1-15 in 2016 and 0-16 in 2017, they have already won two games and tied one this year.  In their division they are tied with the Steelers and a half game behind the Ravens (they beat them).  Cleveland has a football team!

2. If you are depressed and really concerned about the Eagles, you should be. First of all, no team has repeated as the NFC champion since 2003-04 (that WAS the Eagles, by the way).  And no team has repeated as Super Bowl champions since New England did it in 2004-2005.  There is a long way to go, but “success hangover” sure seems real.  The Eagles have matched their loss total for last year already.

3. The NFL was extra special this past Sunday for me. The early game featured the Carolina–Giants game so I got a chance to watch Saquon Barkley again.  And, once again, he had over 100 yards rushing and receiving for the fifth straight game as a rookie.  He is one of only three NFL players in history to accomplish that feat in their first five games.  He also had two touchdowns and looked like he would be the hero of the game when he scored on a leap into the end zone with about a minute to play.  The Giants lost on a Carolina 63-yard field goal on the last play.  In the same game, Carolina was led by RB Christian McCaffrey, the son of former Central Catholic great, Ed McCaffrey.  It was fun to root for two guys with local ties and not care who wins.

4. Alabama remains #1 in the college football polls and it sure looks like they will stay there all year. They are outscoring opponents by 240 points, the most in SEC history.  They are so good that their backup quarterback was an SEC Offensive Player of the Year and now does not start.

5. RCN-TV Sports will be broadcasting across the state of Pennsylvania this Friday night on PCN when we bring you the Freedom-Emmaus football game at 7:00pm (see the blog). It will be followed by Bethlehem Catholic at Easton at 9:30pm.  Lafayette will try to win their second straight game on Saturday at 3:30pm when they take on Georgetown.  That game is LIVE on RCN.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 9-6)  (Overall: 43-33-2  57% )

 Week SIX

PHILADELPHIA

CHICAGO

MINNESOTA

CLEVELAND

CAROLINA

JETS

PITTSBURGH

ATLANTA

SEATTLE

HOUSTON

RAMS

DALLAS

BALTIMORE

NEW ENGLAND

GREEN BAY

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.  

Please forgive me if this blog sounds like I am just rambling, because I am just not as lucid (cough!) as I usually am.  It’s just as I come to work on a Monday morning, I suffer from sleep deprivation.  It’s not easy being a sports fan and sometimes it’s down-right exhausting.  This weekend was tortuous.

I understand the Ryder Cup needs to be in Europe every other time the Americans compete against the Europeans.  What I do not understand is why Paris?  Why not England?  I have no problem watching Wimbledon.  I kind of enjoy “Breakfast at Wimbledon”.  But The Ryder Cup golf came on at 2:00 AM on Friday morning!  2:00 AM!  There was a time in my younger days when I just might be coming home at that time, but I cannot remember ever getting up at that time.

I know – I know – I have TIVO.  I can get up at a reasonable hour and watch 6-7 hours of golf at my leisure.  But, there is no leisure on the weekend.  On Saturday, there is football and there is work.  Once the golf ended on Saturday midday, I was reviewing the game notes for the Lafayette–Central Connecticut State game (yes, I do research), taking a shower, and preparing to leave the house.

But wait, I had to go back to the TIVO.  Penn State–Ohio State was going to start while I was still at Lafayette.  Notre Dame was playing Stanford at the same time.  Thank goodness, TIVO is quick and easy to operate.  Set it up and exit.

My night was planned – do a game – watch a game and parts of another game and try to get some sleep.  But when I came home, my wife, rightfully, wanted to chat.  I gave her my undivided attention (most of it, anyway).  I did not start the Penn State game until 11:00 PM, with the hope that it would not be close and I could check in on Notre Dame and call it a day (and night and early morning).  The Penn State game came down to the very end; Notre Dame won without as much drama and it was 2:00AM when I rolled over, but a bit wired after the Penn State loss!!  Suffice it to say, sleep did not come right away.

Guess when the Ryder Cup started on Sunday morning?  6:00 AM!!  TIVO again, but the NFL starts at 1:00 – more TIVO.  Eagles at 1:00; Saquon Barkley at 4:30!  OMG!  OMG!  I am starting to lose it.  My wife would like to go to the Celtic Classic – What???

I am beginning to feel like a Stephen King character in one of his horror stories.  I’m running on empty, ready to crack.  Someone needed to slap me in the face and say, “Snap out of it!”  Then I realized, there is Sunday Night Football.  That can’t be.  I have had about 14 hours of sleep since Friday night.  Those games go to 11:30 PM.  I decided not to watch and check on the score from time to time.  But I did watch the end until (you guessed it) 11:30 PM.

So here I am on Monday morning – up at 6:25 AM and at my desk by 8:15, writing this.  My lids are a bit heavy; I can shut the door; and, if I don’t snore, then maybe….
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS) 

1. One thing did surprise me, besides the Ravens win against the Steelers, on Sunday night. Do you realize (I did not) that the Ravens have not given up a second-half touchdown this year?  No other team can say that.  Pittsburgh had only 47 total yards in the second half on Sunday night.  Very impressive.

2. Through four weeks, the NFL is impossible to predict. Philadelphia loses along with Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.  All were favored to win.  Cleveland looks like they may be better and then lose to Oakland.  Dallas wins in the final seconds; three games go overtime, etc.  “Gary’s Guesses” are not what they used to be, mostly right – SO FAR!

3. Carson Wentz was sacked four times yesterday and hit 11 times. The defensive secondary was not good.  And the Vikings are next – is 2-3 a possibility?

4. Monday, Major League Baseball offered up two divisional tiebreaker games for the first time in history. There had been ten other one-game divisional tie-breakers, but never two in one year.  The last one was in 2013.  Another difference is that in previous tiebreaker games, the loser was done.  Here, the losers plays in the wild-card game.

5. Lafayette won their first game of the season beating Central Connecticut State this past Saturday. They now have a bye week before getting into the heart of their Patriot League schedule.  There is no bye week for the RCN-TV sports team – Friday night has Easton at Freedom LIVE and Whitehall at Parkland at 9:30 PM.  On Saturday Emmaus will play Central Catholic at 7:00 PM.  Join us.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 8-7)  (Overall: 34-27-2  56% )

Week FIVE

NEW ENGLAND

BALTIMORE

KANSAS CITY

TENNESSEE

CAROLINA

DENVER

PITTSBURGH

DETROIT

CINCINNATI

CHARGERS

SAN FRANCISCO

PHILADELPHIA

RAMS

DALLAS

NEW ORLEANS

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
 

When you get to be my age (and, trust me, it takes a while), and you are still doing what you love to do, it doesn’t hurt to find some inspiration from time to time. You know, some examples of those who could have packed it in and moved on, but decided to continue to give it a try.  Three of those stories played out this weekend.

I will start with Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Washington Redskins. At Oklahoma, in three seasons, he ran for 4,245 yards, 73 yards short of the career rushing record.  He did not play his senior year, opting to turn pro.  That was twelve years ago.  Adrian Peterson is 33 years old.

He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. He stayed with the Vikings through the 2016 season.  In that time, he set or tied five NFL rushing records, and five Vikings’ records.

In the 2016 season, he needed knee surgery and he was released by the Vikings in 2017. The New Orleans Saints took a chance on him and signed him in 2017.  He played only four games and was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.  He injured his neck and did not finish out the season.   Great career, but it was time to retire, right?

Nope. The Washington Redskins took a chance and signed him this year.  This past weekend against the Packers, he rushed for 120 yards and scored two touchdowns.  He now has 102 touchdowns and it was his 52^nd 100-yard game.  Thirty-three is old for an NFL running back, but, in this case, it’s just a number.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has played quarterback in the NFL for seven different teams. After graduating from Harvard, he was drafted by the Rams.  He has played for the Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, and now the Tampa Bay Bucs.  For most of these teams, he was the backup given starting opportunities from time to time.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is 35 years old.

This season began with the Bucs’ starting QB, Jameis Winston, suspended for the first three games. Fitzpatrick got the start.  In week one, he threw for 417 yards and four TD’s.  His team upset the Saints 48-40.  He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.  In week two, he led the Bucs to an upset win over the Super Bowl champion Eagles 27-21.  He was again named the Player of the Week.

This Monday the Bucs lost to the Steelers, but Fitzpatrick led a second-half comeback. They lost 30-27.  Perhaps the game time was too late for this “old” QB.  Some would say he should be in bed!

And then there is Tiger. Tiger Woods is 42 years old.  He has won 14 major championships, 18 World Golf Championships, and has a total of 80 career wins, trailing only Sam Snead by two. Due to the wear and tear on his body AND his age, he went through four back surgeries and had not won a tournament in five years. Since his departure from the game, golf has become a young man’s sport with the real stars being in their early 20’s.  He was, more or less, written off as a future winner.

But this weekend, Tiger won again. At 42, he won the Tour Championship.  The five- year drought ended and golf had a resurgence of viewers.  The broadcast on Sunday drew three times the audience the same championship had last year.  And it was an NFL Sunday.  Since Tiger’s return, the size of the viewing audience has soared.  He was in contention for the PGA championship in August and the telecast drew the highest ratings in nine years.

And I just bet the audience was made up of all ages – young people who want to get to see Tiger’s greatness for themselves and the older viewers who can tell themselves, no matter what their age, that it is just a number! There is always more to accomplish.

ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
 

1. When the Bills beat the Vikings 27-6 this past Sunday, it was the largest NFL upset in the past 23 seasons. The Vikings were favored by 17 points. According to reports out of Las Vegas, one gambler bet $18,000 on the Vikings with a payout of just $1,000 if he won. He didn’t. Another person bet $9,000 on the Vikings to win $450. He didn’t either. And after the Lions beat the Patriots, the bookies had a good day.
2. Carson Wentz did not have a great day for the Eagles on Sunday, but they won, he scrambled like old times, took some hits, dove for a first down, and came away healthy. That checked off a number of boxes!
3. I’m sure Eagles’ fans who have been around for awhile remember Tommy McDonald, the small, but fast, sure-handed receiver from the 1960’s. He was part of the 1960 NFL championship team led by quarterback Norm Van Brocklin. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. McDonald passed away this past week.
4. It’s officially over for the Phillies this year in terms of post-season play. The way this season is coming to a close puts a real damper on any enthusiasm the start of the year might have had on next year’s success. Here’s hoping…
5. With the Celtic Classic part of the weekend schedule, RCN-TV will present one high school this Friday night, but it is a good one – Palisades at Notre Dame live at 7:00pm. Chris Michael and John Leone will have the game. Saturday, Mike Joseph, John Leone and I will bring the Lafayette–Central Connecticut State game to you at 6:00pm. You’re invited join us.

Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 8-8) (Overall: 26-20-2  57% )
 
Week FOUR
RAMS
NEW ENGLAND
INDIANAPOLIS
ATLANTA
GREEN BAY
DETROIT
JACKSONVILLE
CHICAGO
PHILADELPHIA
SEATTLE
CLEVELAND
CHARGERS
GIANTS
PITTSBURGH
KANSAS CITY