Hey, let's throw a pass into the end zone, let the other team intercept it and get a win.

That, my friends, appeared to be the game plan for the Panthers Monday night in their (another) loss to the Philadelphia Cheesesteaks.

The reason I mention the Panthers vs. Eagles game is because on that play hinged the winner of the season-long The Pilot football contest. Entering this, the final week of the 13-week football contest marathon, Dale Kellis of Candor and David Hale of Seven Lakes were tied for the overall lead.

Now, entering the final game of the week, Monday night's clunker (for Panthers fans), the two were still tied for the lead. One of them had the Panthers winning, while the other had cast his lot with the Eagles.

Thanks to that Delhomme toss that ended up in the hands of the Eagles, the good Mr. Kellis nipped the erstwhile Mr. Hale by one game to collect the $200 check destined for the overall winner. Congratulations, Mr. Kellis, you have now joined the likes of Kathy Latham of Vass (2005 winner), John Robbins of Carthage (2004 winner), Chuck Latham of Vass (2003 winner) and Jeremy Britt of Carthage (2002 winner) as pigskin prognosticators extraordinaire.

Kellis finished the year with a 174-86 mark, while Hale finished 173-87.

In the final weekly contest, seven players went 13-7, causing the tiebreaker game, as it has all year, to come into play.

The tiebreaker game was Navy's 26-14 win over Army (Philadelphia seems to be playing a big part in this contest this week).

The 40 total points scored in the game matched up perfectly with Bob Suggs' total of 40 points, so he collects the $50 first-place check.

That leaves six more contestants to battle it out for the second- and third-place money.

A Romig earned the second-place money of $30. This time, though, it was Chuck who came in the winner. His wife had won the contest twice this year (including once when she checked in as Flora and not her usual moniker of Jane).

The Pinehurst resident had 48 points for his tiebreaker number.

Cristina Wase of Pinebluff continued to be impressive in this contest. Having already won the first-place money twice this season, she had to settle for the $20 that goes to the third-place finisher this week.

She had a total of 53 points scored in the annual clash of the service academies.

Let's go ahead and mention the other four who finished 13-7 -- Larry Richards of Concord, David Weaver of Southern Pines, Danielle Wase of Pinebluff and Marty Wase of Pinebluff.

Man, there were a lot of Wases doing well in this final foray into the prognosticating game.

You know, I'm going to miss this contest because it's always fun interacting with our readers, but I'm not going to miss making my picks. Heck, last week I went 10-10 to finish the year 145-84. Enuff said about that. Well, not really. I want to point out that one week I went 0-20 when I forgot to put my picks in the paper.

As my good friend, Dick Maag of Pinehurst, said to me, I have to suffer the penalty for my mistake. It doesn't bother me. Shoot, I've been watching the Panthers all year, and that's suffering enough.

Plus, throw on top of my allegiance to the Panthers the soft spot in my heart for the Redskins, and I've suffered plenty this season.

Anyway, until next year or until, if the paper decides to offer it again, the Bowl Bonanza, I bid thee adieu.

The following is a list of some of the other top prognosticators in this little contest.

Final Standings

174-86 -- Dale Kellis of Candor.

173-87 -- David Hale of Seven Lakes.

171-89 -- Velma Davis of Carthage.

170-90 -- Shaun Ingram of West End.

168-92 -- Amanda Latham of Vass, Larry Richards of Concord.

167-93 -- Dal Butler of Robbins, Michael Ed Brown of Robbins, Dick Maag of Pinehurst, Matt Rock of Carthage, Paul Tilton of Whispering Pines.

166-94 -- Chase Blake of Southern Pines, Michael Gantt of Pinehurst, Dorothy Maag of Pinehurst.

165-95 -- Reuben Davis of Carthage.