After three straight weeks of picking more winners than losers, this reporter went 3-4.

After seeing that, one editor said: "I'm surprised it took him so long to have a losing week."

Of course, all the predictions look like winners this week, that is until the teams actually take the field.

Despite not getting them all right, this has been a fairly predictable season with very few upsets.

Could Week 5 be different?

Here is a look at what are perceived to be some of the more competitive games.

Tonight

Pick: Palmyra 14, Maple Shade 12.

Rancocas Valley (1-2 overall, 0-2 Burlco/Olympic American) at Lenape (1-3, 1-3), 7. Both teams have been highly competitive despite their records. After winning one game last year, Rancocas Valley looks like one of the more improved teams in South Jersey.

Pick: Rancocas Valley 21, Lenape 20.

Haddon Township (2-2 overall, 1-1 Colonial Patriot) at Lindenwold (1-3, 1-1), 7. Haddon Township will be looking to gain some momentum because the Hawks' next three opponents - Haddonfield, Paulsboro and West Deptford - are a combined 12-0. Ouch! Lindenwold needs to win to keep its faint Group 1 playoff hopes alive.

Pick: Haddon Township 21, Lindenwold 18.

Delsea (2-2) at Absegami (2-2), 7. Delsea has lost two in a row but remains a major contender for a Group 2 playoff berth regardless of the outcome of this game. Absegami must win to stay in realistic Group 4 playoff contention. Normally stingy on D, Delsea has allowed 81 points over the last two weeks.

Pick: Delsea 21, Absegami 20.

Eastern (3-1) at Seneca (0-3), 7. We know what everybody's thinking - that this reporter is looking to get an automatic W in the selection process. Not so fast. Seneca has lost by a touchdown or less to three potential Group 3 playoff teams - Timber Creek, Triton and Winslow Township. Eastern has yet to achieve consistency. So in our upset special, which will likely upset Eastern, we give Seneca more than a passing chance.

Pick: Seneca 14, Eastern 13.

Tomorrow

Pick: Cherokee 20, Pennsauken 7.

Phillipsburg (3-0) at St. Joseph (3-1), noon. Local historian Chuck Langerman reports that Phillipsburg, with 603 victories, is the winningest high school football program in state history. Langerman adds that the last time the Stateliners came to South Jersey was Nov. 6, 1948, when they lost, 26-13, to Collingswood. That was the second-to-last game that legendary Collingswood coach Skeets Irvine would coach. It's doubtful that Phillipsburg can drum up motivation for a loss from nearly 60 years ago. Here's true motivation - St. Joseph has long been among the elite programs in South Jersey and nothing has changed despite last week's loss to Holy Spirit.

Pick: St. Joseph 14, Phillipsburg 13.

Paul VI (4-0 overall, 3-0 Burlco/Olympic Patriot) at Burlington Township (3-1, 2-0), 1:30. Believe it or not, Paul VI could clinch at least a share of the Patriot Division title with a win. Burlington Township has speed to the outside, but containing the Paul VI pass rush, led by sackmaster Sean Laughlin, will be a tall task.

Pick: Paul VI 21, Burlington Township 14.

Bishop Eustace (2-1 overall, 1-1 Burlco/Olympic National) at Delran (2-2, 1-1), 2. Delran currently stands 12th in the Central Jersey Group 2 power ratings. Since only the first eight teams qualify for the playoffs, the Bears probably have to win their final four games before the Nov. 8 cutoff to stand a chance of qualifying. Delran's two losses are to Camden Catholic and Palmyra, who are a combined 7-0. Eustace would do wonders for its Non-Public Group 2 playoff chances with a win, so this game has serious postseason ramifications.

Pick: Bishop Eustace 14, Delran 12.

Last week: 3-4. Season 24-11.