Seems like just yesterday that the 2012 football season got under way.

And now, suddenly, there’s just eight days and two games remaining in the regular season.

Times does fly, doesn’t it.

With the end rapidly approaching, some of the year’s biggest matchups are on tap this week.

Locally, the BIG one is Crowley High vs. Notre Dame.

The two teams haven’t met in two years, but it is a sure bet that emotions will be high tonight when the Gents and Pios meet at Gardiner Memorial Stadium.

After all, the stakes are high and bragging rights for a year are on the line.

The Pios lead the District 4-3A standings at 3-0, while the Gents are tied with Jennings for second at 2-1. A Gent victory throws the race into a three-way tie and eases some of the pain of a 21-0 loss to Jennings a week ago. A Pios victory sews up yet another district title for the Pios.

Even more important than that, however, is the effect the game will have on the power ratings which are so important to teams as they jockey for position in the state playoffs.

Notre Dame, which leads the series between the two teams by a 7-2 count, currently sits at No. 13 in kenramsey.com’s unofficial power ratings. Crowley comes in at No. 17.

The top 16 teams in the ratings all draw first-round home games, something surely not lost on the Pios and Gents, which makes tonight’s locally televised game that much more important.

Also on tap tonight is No. 3 Church Point at No. 8 Livonia and No. 4 Eunice hosting No. 21 Rayne.

Both games will also have significant playoff repercussions.

The Crowley Post-Signal Football Contest is also heating up entering this week’s action.

Kye Cantey took top honors last week by virtue of the tiebreaker and in doing so, grabbed a one-game lead in the overall standings over Keith Guillotte and Doug LaCombe.

Jeff Bourgeois earned runnerup honors while I finished among the leaders with a 15-5 record.

Now the picks:

High School

Notre Dame over Crowley – The Pios seem to be peaking at just the right time. The Gents, however, have struggled throughout the season, mainly on defense, and I just don’t see them pulling this one out.

Livonia over Church Point – Church Point has been playing well, but Livonia will be their stiffest challenge yet in district play.

Eunice over Rayne – The Wolves have struggled late in the season and I don’t see their fortunes turning this week.

Ville Platte over Iota – Offensively, Ville Platte is just too strong for Iota.

Pine Prairie over Mamou – Both teams have struggled tremendously this year. This one is a toss up.

Destrehan over Bonnabel – Neither team has been lighting it up, but it’s at Destrehan and it’s also their Homecoming game.

Lutcher over Assumption – Assumption is No. 2 in the Class 4A polls with an 8-0 record, but they have played a pretty weak schedule. Lutcher, No. 4, in an upset.

North DeSoto over Loyola – Neither team is as strong as they have been in the past. This one could go either way.

E.D. White over Port Allen – Another tossup. I’m going with the home team again.

Westminster over Sacred Heart – Westminster is scoring in bunches.

College

Clemson over Georgia Tech – Big ACC game for both teams, but Clemson has been the more consistent squad.

Georgia over Florida – I just haven’t been impressed with the Gators at all this year.

Oklahoma over Kansas State – After last week’s loss to Texas Tech, the Sooners will be out to make a statement.

ULL over Middle Tennessee – Another tough game for the Cajuns on the road, but look for them to rebound after that loss to Western Kentucky .

Michigan over Purdue – Back in The Big House, the Wolverines will get back on track this week. No doubt about it.

Michigan State over Nebraska – State has proved it can play with the best of the best in the Big 10.

Texas A&M over Missouri – Missouri has been impressive, even in their losses. But playing at Kyle Stadium is never an easy chore.

Wisconsin over Ohio State – A win for Ohio State would be huge, but as you know, Michigan fans hate Buckeyes!

South Carolina over Tennessee – South Carolina is on their backup quarterback and lost their top running back recently. However, Tennessee is going to a red-shirt quarterback. Enough for me.

Louisville over Syracuse – Sorry Travis Webb, your Orangemen had their one shining moment last week.