Publisher’s recap of Pigskin Prognosticators Week One
The Prognosticators are off and running. Well, maybe running may be over doing it a little. They are off to a slow walk after the first week of showing their football knowledge. Let me say on their behalf that there were some mild upsets in last week’s start to the college football season.
As I mentioned in my introduction article last week, bankers are good with numbers, and Suncrest Bank’s Gary Gostanian proved me right, going 7-3 with his picks and taking an early lead among the Prognosticators. Gary got caught up in the upsets and missed the Texas, Miami and Florida State upsets. Gary has promised to sharpen his pencil and do better in week two. Former Recorder classified advisor Judy Hall made all the ladies proud, as she showed the boys on the panel just how much she knew about the sport. Judy went 6-4 in her first week and she also got caught up in the upsets. Judy watched Washington, Michigan, Texas and Florida States take a loss in their season opener. Judy has assured this reporter that she went easy on the guys the first week, but expects to start putting some distance between them and her this coming weekend.
Tied for second with Judy after week one is our very own editor Matt Sarr. Now I know many of you may be surprised that Matt did so well. You should not be. It would appear that Matt is taking advice from his friends here at the Recorder. Everyone knows that the Recorder staff are some of the sharpest sports minds in the country. Well maybe not the country, but in California. California is a big state, so maybe Tulare County. Tulare County is a big county, so the sports minds here are the sharpest in, let’s say, within a block of the Recorder office. Maybe Matt should look for some better sport minds before week 2. With a 6-4 record, Matt is off to a good start. Remember Matt, these folks are our guests, so play nice.
Following Matt is world-renowned sports fan and jeweler extraordinaire David Horowitz. The first week proved to be a little challenging for David, as he went 5-5. First of all, being the loyal American that he is, David picked Army over Duke. David clearly thought that the greatest fighting machine in the world could certainly defeat the maker of mayo. Well, we should not laugh, but David, well known for his love of fine dining, may have been thrown off by the name of a favorite condiment. David did not explain why he would have selected New Mexico over Minnesota, but I am sure he had good reason. David no doubt will make a comeback this week and show the other Prognosticators that he was not shooting for even, and that he is a force on the way up.
Last in the first week of the picking panel, but always first in the hearts of all Porterville residents, is Mayor Milt Stowe. Showing that all good politicians like to give their challengers a false sense of hope, the mayor started out a little slow at 3-7. Not to panic, Milt will surely start making that move upward in week two. The mayor knows that all campaigns are long, and that what really matters is who has the lead when all the votes are in.
With the NFL starting up this week, excitement is in the air for week two. Some good games are on tap, as number 10 Stanford meets number 17 USC in one of our college games. As for the pros, watch out for Seattle at Denver and the Monday night game, L.A. Rams at Oakland.
After week One, the Prognosticators are a combined 27 and 23. Not the stats that legends are made of, but it offers them all a decent shot at improving. It is a long season and I am sure our panel of fearless pickers will amaze you in weeks to come with their knowledge. You may not want to place any bets using their picks as a guide, but you will most certainly be amazed.
Watch this week’s Recorder for the Prognosticators picks for week number two. Until next week, please know that the Recorder staff and myself appreciate your loyal readership of your home town newspaper. It has been our pleasure to bring you the very best in local news and sports coverage for over 110 years. No one covers Porterville the way we do.