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It's Halloween, and many of you are no doubt trying to decide what to do tonight -- trick or treat for a year's worth of nougat, or catch a high school football game on the season's next-to-last week?

Here at the News & Record, we say why not both? The principles of "professionalism" and "not looking crazy" preclude me from wearing a costume in the press box tonight, but in the spirit of the season, here's a candy-coated look at what's in store (Sorry, dental industry.).

Dudley (9-0) at Western Alamance (7-2)

Talent? The Panthers have Mounds. Wins? Good and Plenty. But this game will be no treat -- the Warriors are a serious threat to Dudley's undefeated season, especially at home, where they're 29-2 the last four years. The Panthers have only lost six regular season games the last three years, but three of them have been to the Warriors. Western quarterback Donald Britt will be the best the Panthers have seen yet, and his now-you-see-me-now-you-don't mobility might be the only thing that can put Dudley's all-world defense, which is allowing less than a touchdown a game, on its heels.

Grimsley (2-7) at East Forsyth (8-1)

East Forsyth is in the Metro 4-A driver's seat, needing two more wins to Take 5 and the crown from the conference. The Eagles have already clinched their first winning season in years. Grimsley took this matchup 35-21 last year but right now would be happy just to Skor -- the Whirlies have 35 points their last seven games.

High Point Central (6-3) at Page (5-4)

The Pirates could use some Hugs after their promising start has evaporated with four losses by a touchdown or less. That's been the margin of victory in half the defensive-minded Bison's games, and Page, which managed less than 140 yards of offense last week, won't find much more room to run against Central.

Kennedy Charter School (2-6) at Northern Guilford (8-1)

The Nighthawks, winners of four straight, have had a Fun Dip into the varsity ranks this season, outscoring opponents better than 3-to-1 and allowing less than 14 points in every game but two. Kennedy's only win in the last month was over "Got Kids? Academy," whose name is a Milk Dud.

Bartlett Yancey (2-6) at Western Guilford (5-4)

Cory McKenna's four touchdowns last week against Western Alamance were Life Savers for the Hornets' Triad 3-A title hopes. A victory tonight would make next week's meeting with Dudley the title game -- yes, a Western championship depends on wins Now and Later.

Southwest Guilford (1-8) at Andrews (5-3)

The Cowboys silenced the Snickers by registering their first win last week, 14-3 over Reagan. It was the first time all year Southwest held its opponent under 20 points, a mark Andrews has topped once the last month.

Reidsville (9-0) at Southern Guilford (6-3)

Southern's defense is back to its old Twix, shutting out 30-points-a-game West Stokes last week, but does the Storm have enough to slow down Reidsville, which every week seems like it could put up 100 Grand?

West Stokes (6-3) at Eastern Guilford (7-2)

The Wildcats' Red Hots start has been chilled by two close losses the last two weeks. They'd love a win heading into next week's finale at Southern Guilford, the team that beat them in the first round of the playoffs a year ago.

McMichael (7-2) at Atkins (2-7)

You might think the surging Phoenix would Rolo-ver the Camels here, but Atkins played Eastern and Southern Guilford within a touchdown and gave Reidsville as good a fight last week as anybody. And both Atkins' wins came at home.

Thomasville (9-0) at North Moore (1-8)

Is there a more beautiful thing to watch than the Bulldogs' Symphony on offense? They've yet to be held below 28 points, and they're almost exactly on last year's 34-a-game pace.

Bishop McGuinness (5-4) at North Stokes (2-7)

The Villains are in Crunch time, needing one more win to secure the second winning season in the program's seven-year history. That would be a well-earned Pay Day, much like the one you deserve if you made it through all this wordplay.

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com