The Bucks County Courier Times and the Intelligencer’s sports departments have once again opened the doors to their season‑long prediction battle, inviting readers to follow the weekly forecasts of high school football games across the county.
Opening Weekend Forecasts
This year’s edition focuses on the first slate of games scheduled for Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, which include matchups such as Bensalem versus Upper Darby and Conwell‑Egan taking on St. Joseph’s in Hammonton, New Jersey. Each contest will be accompanied by a set of predictions from the three veteran analysts who have dominated the competition in recent years.
Last season’s champion, Tom Moore, posted a record of 165‑56, while Drew Markol finished close behind at 163‑58 and Melissa Hanejko rounded out the top three with a 159‑62 tally. Their past performances have set a high bar for accuracy, and this year’s early picks are being closely watched by coaches, players and fans alike.
Moore, Markol and Hanejko each bring a distinct perspective to the table. Moore leans on statistical trends and historical performance, Markol emphasizes matchup dynamics and recent form, while Hanejko incorporates intangible factors such as weather and home‑field advantage. Their individual analyses are published alongside the schedule, giving readers a glimpse into the reasoning behind each pick.
The predictions will be compiled into a running leaderboard that will be updated throughout the season, with the final standings expected to be locked in by December. As the opening weekend approaches, the excitement is palpable, and the staff’s forecasts are already sparking conversation on social media and in school hallways.