Westfield resident Rich Blanchard, 67, is no stranger to victory when it comes to our weekly pro football contest, “Beat ‘The Putz’”.
Blanchard has won multiple prizes over the life of the contest, and on Sunday he struck it rich again. The longtime contestant went 11-2, only losing with the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, two teams which suffered stunning upsets.
“I can’t disclose my strategy,” Blanchard said, jokingly. “There’s no secret, just a couple of good lucky guesses.”
Blanchard also survived a tiebreaker points tie – Mary Curran went 11-2 – and random drawing to earn a gift certificate to the Tavern Restaurant.
Blanchard, Curran, and 12 other entrants who eclipsed my 9-4 Week One record and posted 10-3 marks qualified for the grand prize drawing, and are now eligible to win a TV from Manny’s TV & Appliances.
“I just like trying to beat everybody else – the thrill of victory,” Blanchard said.
Wins will be hard to come by in Week Two when Tom Brady and Gronk clash with the Rex Ryan-led Buffalo Bills, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay and Seattle collide in our Sunday night tiebreaker game. – CHRIS PUTZ
