Whether or not you believe in good or bad luck when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday is up to you.

Well, decide quickly because one has arrived — today. Yep, and there’s still Halloween!

I can tell you with a 99.9 percent degree of certainty that as far as tonight’s football games go, half the teams will win and the other half will lose. (I couldn’t help myself!)

The decision on which way teams want their night to go will depend on who wants it most. Of course there are those matchups that will be one-sided so picking the winners is pretty much a no-brainer.

The key is sorting out the good games from the bad and then picking winners who weren’t supposed to have a prayer.

My “Crystal Ball”, as it is sometimes referred to, really hasn’t helped me foresee any upsets. I’m on my own!

CONGRATULATIONS

A tip of the hat goes out to the Port Allegany Gators who shook the monkey off their back with a win over Sheffield last week. The Gators had not tasted victory in 17 straight games. I know what that feels like when I covered Bradford’s 26-game losing streak.

VERY INTERESTING

A comment that Bradford High football coach Jeff Puglio made during his weekly interview on Tuesday stuck with me.

Puglio made it clear to his Owls players at halftime that Kane wasn’t going to stop scoring points as long as they could so they (Owls) had to make a decision. The mercy rule was in effect and the Wolves only needed to keep the game under control.  

Bradford put 14 points on the board and Kane seven in the second half, a small victory of sorts for the Owls, but proof they weren’t going to quit.

Could the Wolves have scored 60, 70 or more points?

I really don’t know, but what would they have to gain. The contest was in hand and that was the perfect time to get young players in the game. They’re the future. I think of football as a revolving circle. You can have a run at the top, but eventually you get your turn at the bottom.

Kane is at the top right now, but like Ridgway, Smethport, Port Allegany and even Coudersport, there will be a time when it comes to an end and you have to start building your way back up.

I believe that while you are on top you don’t burn any bridges behind you especially in your own league. Those other guys are just back their waiting for their turn at the top.

MY RECORD

I was close again, missing just one game. I predicted Ridgway to beat Curwensville and it didn’t happen. The game was close, but that only counts in horseshoes. I finished 11-1. For the season I stand at 56-17.

Now onto this weekend’s matchups.

TONIGHT’S GAMES

Brockway at Bradford, 7 p.m.

The Owls did a gut-check at halftime last week and played well in the second half. They’re going to need a similar performance tonight, but for four quarters. Brockway is always tough and has been for years. The Rovers will come to town with the mindset of adding to their 6-1 record. The Owls will need to play a near flawless game. BRADFORD BY 8

Cameron County at Port Allegany, 7 p.m.

The Red Raiders are still waiting to break into the win column after seven straight losses. The Gators tasted victory for the first time last week and it felt good. The game is also in Gatorland which will help. PORT ALLEGANY by 6

Coudersport at Otto-Eldred, 7 p.m.

This game is for sole possession of first place in the AML North and it isn’t an easy one to pick. Both teams are unbeaten in league play and 4-3 overall. I think the Terrors have a slight advantage. Their offense rolled up over 400 yards last week and they scored a ton of points. They’re also at home. OTTO-ELDRED BY 14

Ridgway at Kane, 7 p.m.

This won’t be the first-half blowout that the Wolves enjoyed last week, but they are on a roll and I don’t think the Elkers can stop them. KANE by 18

Curwensville at Elk Catholic, 7 p.m.

The Crusaders just don’t have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Golden Tide. CURWENSVILLE by 12

St. Marys at Redbank Valley, 7 p.m.

I just can’t give the Dutch the nod until they prove to me they can win. REDBANK VALLEY by 16

TONIGHT’S OTHER GAMES

Clarion-Limestone at Moniteau, MONITEAU by 12

Brookville at Union/A-C Valley, BROOKVILLE by 24

Punxsutawney at Keystone, KEYSTONE by 6

Karns City at Clarion, CLARION by 22

Bald Eagle at Clearfield, CLEARFIELD  by 8

SATURDAY’S GAME

Smethport at Sheffield, 1:30 p.m.

The Wolverines just can’t seem to solve the mystery of winning and I don’t see it happening on Saturday. SMETHPORT by 20