First, there was The Bachelor. Now, there is The Fumbler.

Yes, a major network has approached The Fumbler about his own TV show. The concept is that 20 female girls' basketball coaches in the WPIAL will vie to be The Fumbler's companion for the WPIAL and PIAA football championships. The winner will accompany him to the title games, but also help in writing The Fumbler's column for those weeks. Whatever else happens is off the record.

The Fumbler is single and the female workers at the WPIAL offices who know his identity have referred to him as "Fabio" more than a few times. So it's no surprise that many girls' coaches are trying to be part of the show.

The Fumbler, though, has sent personal invitations to Mt. Lebanon's Dori Anderson, Bethel Park's Jonna Burke, North Catholic's Molly Rottmann and Pine-Richland's Sherri McConnell. He's hoping they accept.

Stay tuned for the winner.

After starting the playoffs with a 29-4 record in the first round, The Fumbler slipped to 11-5 in the quarterfinals. That makes him 40-9 (.819 percentage) in the postseason and 493-143 (.775 pct.) overall.

You can e-mail The Fumbler at: fumbler@post-gazette.com. Here are his thoughts on this weekend's WPIAL semifinals, and also two PIAA playoff games.

WPIAL Class AAAA
North Hills (9-2) vs. Central Catholic (10-1), 7:30 tonight at North Allegheny -- Word is Central Catholic fans are complaining about the site of the game. Last week, North Hills fans were complaining about having to play Gateway at Penn-Trafford. The WPIAL could put this game in a domed stadium smack in the middle of these two schools, and someone would still complain. Anyway, Central Catholic's fans will be complaining after the game about the final score. North Hills by 1.

Penn Hills (9-2) vs. Upper St. Clair (11-0), 7:30 tonight at West Mifflin -- Upper St. Clair will need a great game from its defense. The Fumbler is starting to get this feeling that Penn Hills might have enough to win it all. Penn Hills by 3.

WPIAL Class AAA
Thomas Jefferson (11-0) vs. Moon (10-1), 7:30 tomorrow night at North Hills -- Thud. That will be the sound coming from North Hills' Martorelli Stadium Friday night after Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak knocks that semifinal monkey off his back and to the ground. TJ has lost in the semifinals five years in a row. Thomas Jefferson by 5.

Blackhawk (10-1) vs. Pine-Richland (11-0), 7:30 tomorrow night at North Allegheny -- Pine-Richland and Blackhawk are the undefeated teams still left in Class AAA. They will make for an absolutely perfect finale next week. Pine-Richland by 4.

WPIAL Class AA
Jeannette (11-0) vs. Beaver (10-1), 7:30 tonight at East Allegheny -- The Fumbler thinks he might have made a mistake by picking Beaver to win the WPIAL title. But he has never turned his back on a team before and he won't start now. Beaver by 2.

Freedom (9-2) vs. Aliquippa (10-1), 7:30 tonight at Ambridge \u0097 Aliquippa defeated Freedom, 20-8, earlier this season. This one will be closer, but the Quips will still come out on top. Aliquippa by 6.

WPIAL Class A
Springdale (8-3) vs. Rochester (9-2), 7:30 tonight at Highlands -- Don't be totally shocked if Springdale knocks off the three-time defending WPIAL champion Rams. But Rochester has the better team. Rochester by 6.

Sto-Rox (10-1) vs. Clairton (9-2), 7:30 tonight at Elizabeth Forward -- Sto-Rox quarterback Adam DiMichele has played in the WPIAL Class AA basketball championship three times. He'll play in a football championship next week, as long as the cold weather doesn't affect his ability to throw the ball tonight. Sto-Rox by 4.

PIAA Class AAAA
Brashear (10-1) vs. Erie Cathedral Prep (6-4), 7:00 tonight at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Erie -- Erie Cathedral Prep won the PIAA title three years ago. This team is nowhere near as strong, but still good enough to knock off the City League runner-up. Erie Cathedral Prep by 8.

PIAA Class AAA
Perry (10-1) vs. Erie Strong Vincent (10-1), 7:00 tonight at Cupples Stadium -- Some might consider it an upset if Erie Strong Vincent wins. Not The Fumbler. Erie Strong Vincent by 2.