For the first time in several weeks, those picking in the Blue Dot Service’s Playoff Payoff football pick’em contest turned in solid numbers. In fact, three individuals tied for the top spot this week with one individual winning by way of a blind draw.

 

John Reesman was the winner thanks to going 23-3 for the week. He was tied with Danny Knight and Ryan Riley, but those two got the short end of the stick on the draw.

 

Reesman takes home the weekly prize. He walks away with a gift certificate from Mountaineer World, which is situated just off Interstate 79 and below the Meadowbrook Mall as part of the Shops of Benny’s Place. Reesman needs to email info@connect-bridgeport.com to claim the prize; and include contact information. A staff member of Connect-Bridgeport will get in touch with Reesman no later than Tuesday of next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

While things were a bit close at the top, they were extremely crowded at No. 4. In fact, 14 individuals were all even there. The group of Mike Nicewarner, Pete Curry, Doug Marquette, Jayson Nicewarner, Chris Oliverio, Michael Mann, David Gillot, JT Hilton, Chris Nutter, Chris Kerr, A.J. DeFazio, Janet Hathaway, Paul Fulks, and Aaron Williams all had the same 22-4 record.

 

That logjam paled in comparison to the tie for the No. 18 spot that rounded out the top 25. Incredibly, 22 members of the Blue Dot pool had the same mark in Week 13. The group of John Pulice, Gooch Holbert, Rick Carroll, Christopher Cunanan, Jeremy Smith, Chad Morris, Robert Lantz, Scott Nicewarner, Chris Skidmore, Charles Wilburn, Andrew Roush, Jay Krohe, Gary Lhotsky, Mark Trippett, Michael Andrew, Michael Hustead, Rick Crowley, Jason Dodd, Justin Holstein, Adam Heaster, Frank Blake and Ryan Sprouse all ended the week at 21-5.

 

The unique week also led to, for the first time in more than a month, a new leader atop the overall standings. Thanks to a strong week, Michael Mann has managed to get past fellow Bridgeport resident Louis Aragona for the top spot. Mann stands at 287-85 (77.15 percent), while Aragona is two games back at 285-87 (76.61 percent).

 

There is also a three-way tie for third place, and there are plenty of familiar names in the mix. Kevin Carbacio, Hugh Gainer and John Pulice all stand at 284-88 (76.34 percent) on the year.  In the No. 6 spot, Chris Nutter is by himself with a 283-89 (76.08 record), while David Gillot is also solo at 281-91 (75.54 percent).

 

In the No. 8 position, there is a two way tie between A.J. DeFazio and Patsy Sabatelli as both stand at 280-92 (75.27 percent) on the year. There is another two-way tie at the No. 10 position as Danny Knight and Doug Marquette are at 278-94 (74.73 percent). There is a three-way deadlock at the No. 12 spot with Andrew Banko, Bill Montgomery and Paul Fulks all come in at 277-95 (74.46 percent).

 

Fred Spicer comes in at No. 15 with a 276-96 (74.19 percent) record, while Dan McNamee is in sole possession of the No. 16 spot at 275-97 (73.92 percent). Jason Dodd – 274-98 (73.66 percent) – comes in at No. 17, while Adam Holbert’s mark of 273-99 (73.39 percent) has him at No. 18.

 

Five individuals are even at No. 19 with Michael Hustead, Michael Cross, Jeff Muller, Mike Nicewarner and Jeff Toquinto all at 272-100 (73.12 percent). Rounding out the top 25 is a two-way tie for No. 24 as Michael Andrew and Duke Ware stand at 270-102 (72.58 percent).

 

It should be noted that due to the moving of the game to Monday, the New York Jets at Buffalo Bills game was removed from the slate.

 

Anyone can still enter and be eligible for the weekly prizes. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to the Meadowbrook Mall. Second place is a weekend at the Stonewall Jackson Resort, while the third place winner has a prize package that consists of gift certificates to The Wonder Bar, Mia Margherita and more. Remember, those picking will have their worst two weeks of the contest eliminated to help determine the winner.

 

As for the contest itself, each week, a story will detail the weekly winners as well as the overall leaders for the prizes. This year, the weekly winner will receive a gift card to either Mountaineer World or Mountaineer Grille (depending on the week). In the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen by a blind draw by a staff member working at the Benedum Civic Center.

 

Unfortunately, there are occasional schedule changes - usually on the prep football side - that staff does not catch; usually games moved to Thursday. There are also occasional mistakes with the proper teams playing each other. As has been the case in the past, each person will either be given a win for those games when there are schedule changes we miss or a mistake on our end or a or they will simply not be counted for the weekly and final standings.