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Local Sports

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Pigskin Picks
Cooper Service
They overestimated him. They underestimated him.

Funny how life sometimes imitates the Pigskin Picks.

We've received a number of entries in our contest to see who can come closest to predicting the number of wins fearless forecaster Mark Heiman has amassed in his 20-year career with The Courier. Mark's moving on to bigger and better things and this is his final week with the newspaper.

The predictions of some people appear to be little more than a stab in the dark. That's cool. We're guessing Mark made a few picks the same way and he's probably got a dartboard somewhere around the house to prove it.

Some made their predictions using complicated formulas, factoring in everything from the average number of games per season divided by his estimated winning percentage multiplied by years at the paper. You needed a calculator to come up with an answer, but Mark probably crunched a lot of numbers along the way as well.

Either way, Mark enters his final week of the Pigskin Picks in the same spot he's been for most of those 20 years -- leading fellow pigskin prognosticator Dave Hanneman.

Our gridiron gurus both went 15-3 last week. That allowed Heiman (74-13) to maintain his one-game lead over Hanneman (73-14) for the season.

Hanneman will be challenging a new foe next week, though. Following this week's game, we'll tabulate Heiman's career record, check the entries and see who gets to sit in his chair and make next week's predictions.

We'll keep our calculators handy, just in case.



Hanneman's Picks

FREMONT ROSS over Findlay -- Trojans are banged up. That's not good news when they're facing a strong Fremont Ross team anxious to avenge last year's loss.

LEIPSIC over Arlington -- This one should be a dandy.

LIBERTY-BENTON over Cory-Rawson -- This one should be a dandy.

McComb over VANLUE -- This one should be a ... Sorry, my brain slipped into a loop and I almost couldn't get back out.

Pandora-Gilboa over HARDIN NORTHERN -- Tough call. Taking the Rockets if they're healthy. Otherwise the Bears will have the edge.

Van Buren over ARCADIA -- If the Knights are going to get that goose-egg out of the win column. this is a good place to start.

Hopewell-Loudon over SENECA EAST -- I'm guessing the Chieftains want to bounce back big after last week's loss.

CAREY over North Baltimore -- Tune-up for the Blue Devils before next week's matchup with Hopewell-Loudon.

Riverdale over CRESTLINE -- Whatever elixir got into the Falcons last week, Jeremy Kloepfer should bottle it.

FOSTORIA over Upper Sandusky -- Third straight winless opponent for the Redmen, but I think this one will be closer than a lot of people think.

Ada over PAULDING --Even when Air Faine was grounded, the Bulldogs had plenty of weapons in their offensive arsenal.

BLUFFTON over Allen East -- Pirates wanted to get their swagger back this year. This week and next, they get their chance to strut their stuff.

Columbus Bishop Hartley over COLUMBUS GROVE -- Hartley beat a pretty good Columbus Academy team 28-21 ... and hammered everybody else.

Patrick Henry over DELTA -- Another gimmee for the Patriots, but their last four games offer some interesting matchups.

Ottawa-Glandorf over ELIDA -- Bulldogs are better than they've been. Titans are just typically tough.

Waynesfield-Goshen over ST. WENDELIN -- Mohawks are taking their lumps. But a lot of young players are getting a lot of varsity experience.

Elmwood over OTSEGO -- Otsego isn't cranking out many wins on the football field. But the school turned out a definite winner in that Heiman guy. We'll miss you, bud.

Heiman's Picks

FREMONT ROSS over Findlay -- Unfortunately for the Trojans, they drew the GBC's best team in the opener.

LEIPSIC over Arlington -- Arlington is a good ball team, but the Vikings are sailing along in the BVC.

LIBERTY-BENTON over Cory-Rawson -- Was that opening week loss for the Eagles a mirage or a wake-up call?

McComb over VANLUE -- Panthers are going to ruin Vanlue's homecoming festivities.

Pandora-Gilboa over HARDIN NORTHERN -- It used to be I wouldn't dream of picking against Brunow and da Bears.

ARCADIA over Van Buren -- Black Knights are struggling mightily. That should allow the Redskins to even up their record.

Hopewell-Loudon over SENECA EAST -- Chieftains are going to start a new streak. How long will it last, though, with Carey on the horizon?

CAREY over North Baltimore -- Blue Devils won't get caught looking ahead to Hopewell-Loudon.

Riverdale over CRESTLINE -- I just can't figure out the Falcons. But I do know the Bulldogs aren't very good.

FOSTORIA over Upper Sandusky -- I almost went with the Rammies in honor of my good buddy, Chris Lenhart. But I've already given Dave one pick, see below.

Ada over PAULDING -- In 20 years, I have never been able to figure out why Paulding is not very good in sports. Still haven't figured it out.

BLUFFTON over Allen East -- Pirates are struggling. This is a good time for Dennis Lee and the boys to the right ship.

Columbus Bishop Hartley over COLUMBUS GROVE -- Don't know much about Bishop Hartley except for the fact the Hawks are unbeaten.

Patrick Henry over DELTA -- When I started doing this, I always picked against the Patriots. Now I rarely think they are going to lose.

Ottawa-Glandorf over ELIDA -- How did Elida ever beat Liberty-Benton?

Waynesfield-Goshen over ST. WENDELIN -- Oh, the poor, poor Mohawks. Something has to be done to save them.

OTSEGO over Elmwood -- This one is not correct, but what do I care. It's my alma mater, it's the last pick I'll ever make and I can damn well pick whoever I want.

Home team in caps.
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