BRUNSWICK

Friendly competition.

That is what The Times Record staff football poll is all about. There has been some smack-talking, a bit of celebrating when the week goes well and keeping an eye on the standings.

Larry Hubner, like he has done from the outset, still leads the office poll at The Times Record. His pick against his home team Minnesota Vikings in a game at New Orleans in Week 3 is really the difference as Bob Conn has made a run, going 22-7 over the past two weeks to move out of the basement to just one game back.

Doug Parry has sprinted up the standings to third, just four games back, while Patrick Gabrion, Tracy Sautter and Rob Montana are in a three-way logjam for fourth, just five games back. And, even though Shelley King and Stacy Wight are for now bringing up the rear, the highs of one week, or even two, can quickly disappear with a bad week. Everyone is in it, with 13 more weeks to go plus the playoffs. Time enough for the leaders to lose ground and for each pick to become a potential big one.

Our readers have consistently done well in our Weekly NFL Reader’s poll.

Steven Levesque of Topsham has been on fire. Levesque took home the $25 gift card from Admiral Steakhouse each of the past two weeks, but things were certainly close. In the early stages of this fun contest, we are receiving upwards of 35 entrants a week. And, winners can win as often as they can. Levesque has $50 of Admiral Steakhouse goodness to enjoy.

We believe that the entries will only increase. Remember, participation is absolutely free. All you need to do is clip your poll from The Times Record sports pages on Monday and Tuesday, go online to www.timesrecord.com and print off a poll or just stop by our office (3 Business Parkway, Brunswick) and fill one out.

Polls must be received by Friday at 4 p.m. If sending by mail, address your envelope to The Times Record, 3 Business Parkway, Suite 2, Brunswick, ME 04011.

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