Eleanor let me stay out past my curfew last Friday night for the first time since the Montlake Mutts beat up on those Michigan Wolverweenies in the Rose Bowl to win a slice of the national championship pie.

(Note: We ALL know who would’ve won a one-game grudge match between the Dawgfather’s rabid bow-wows and those silky-soft Miami Sugar Canes.)

Anyway, that was 1991. So it had been a few years since Da Grump was “allowed” to roam the streets after 10:30 p.m. It’s for my own good, really, since trouble usually goes looking for Da Grump when the sun goes down — along with indigestion and stray kittens.

So when I had until midnight to hop into the ’Bago and pick up Eleanor from the Bingo Parlor, my choices were limited.

Do I hang out in front of the AM/PM with a few pimple-faced teens, sipping 80-ounce Slurpees and listening to Eminem?

Do I make five trips through the drive-thru at Taco Bell? Maybe six, if I can find enough change between the ’Bago cushions to purchase yet another Black Jack Taco.

Do I just pick up Eleanor at 10:15 and admit that I am too old, too clueless and too smelly to have a Friday night social life?

None of the above, Grumpies!

Instead, I paid a visit to the Shamrock Tavern in downtown L-Town and ordered me a ginger ale on the rocks. They were serving up some my-tee-fine platters of nachos while I was there, but the platter I devoured earlier in the evening at the Jackies vs. Tum-Tum Water playoff game were still rumbling in my gut.

I was just about ready to suck my last ice cube when some of the referees who called the game sashayed into the ’Rock. I thought about asking for Eric “C-Man” Cheatley’s autograph, but figured I’d wait ’til I spotted his dad instead.

It wasn’t long until the REAL celebrities showed up — the RAL Jackies’ coaching staff, led by Boss Bertram, who were met by high-fives and flash bulbs as they entered the establishment.

You know, Grumpies, these guys have had themselves quite a nice season. If somebody would’ve told me before the season that the Jackies were going to make it to the state playoffs, I probably would’ve sent you down to the lab for a breathalyzer test.

The Jackies, by the way, knocked off Tum-Tum Water 16-14 in one of the more thrilling contests Da Grump has witnessed this season. Which means, if you’re scoring at home, that the Jackies will be taking I-5 north on Saturday to joust with the supposedly powerful Archbishop Murphy Wildcats.

Da Grump is aware of Papa Murphy’s past accomplishments. But ya know, Grumpies, these Jackies don’t really care about all that gobbledygook.

Taking a cue from their calm, collected and determined head coach, this team has flown under the radar like a Stealth Bomber most of the season and made history by punching its ticket to the Sweet 16.

It’s time to tip our caps to these gentlemen, buy them a ginger ale, and wish them luck and good fortune against Papa Murphy.

Now, if you’ll pardon me, it’s waaaaay past my curfew.

Da Grump promises to improve on last week’s mundane 9-6 performance, or it’s ’Bago rides for every senior citizen over the age of 95! I’ll take an overall mark of 101-44 into these sure-fire gems …

PREPS

Interlake at Mark Morris: The M&Mers crushed the life out of Ridgemont High last week in that crossover matchup, but things get a little tougher in Round 1 of the state circus. This one’s gonna come down to the Baby Blue defense and whether it can get to the QB and slow down a strong running back. Um, yes sir on both accounts.

M&Mers 27, Belle Square Saints 20

R.A. Long at Archbishop Murphy: It’s gonna be closer than everyone thinks, but hey … Da Grump’s gonna take his Reality Pill now and pick it straight up. Me thinks Jackies will put up a fight.

Papa Murphy 42, Nichols Boulevard 23

Naselle at Tacoma Baptist: OK, so the Baptists from T-Town take an unbeaten record into their fray with the once-beaten Comets, who have made deep postseason runs the past two years. It’ll be close for three quarters before Coach E’s boys wear ’em down with brute strength and a backfield that goes four deep.

Eaton’s Big Uglies 22, Baptists 14

Toledo at Cascade Christian: Coach Herbie came up with a defensive game plan that caused the Rockets to fizzle last week. His Tribe needs another good one this time, as they travel to Sumner to face a private-school power. Ya know, Grumpies, Coach Herbie and his blue-collar rumblers don’t care about private-school this or private-school that.

Herbie’s Hammers 16, Christians 12

Glide at Rainier: The only thing gliding tonight at Chris Corl Field will be the Columbians’ defense, which has been stingier than a home refinance company in the past five weeks. Watch out for Marshall and Carson on the outside and Dirty Curt up the middle.

Thor’s Thumpers 30, Man From Glide 7

COLLEGES

Washington at Oregon State: The Dawgs started out looking like they’d go bowling this holiday season, but … hey, it’s still better than Paint Dry Ty. Beavs are picking up that typical late-season momentum. This one will be over just after halftime.

Corn Valley 38, Montlake 17

Arizona State at Oregon: The Ducklings need to win out to make it to Pasadena, and they’ll take the first step right here by knocking around Denny Erickson’s true-frosh QB.

YouGene Hippies 31, Devil Worshipers 13

UCLA at Washington State: Is this the week the Cougs look themselves in the mirror, muster an attitude and finally — finally! — chalk up a Pac-10 victory against New Weasel’s team? Uh, well, not exactly.

LA-LA Land 24, Palouse Palookas 19

Iowa at Ohio State: No way the Corn Boys sniff out a win, not with that pathetic frosh QB they’ve got back there now. Looks like it’ll be Ducklings vs. Luckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

Luckeyes 23, Hawkeyes 14

Idaho at Boise State: Those Vandals are a nice little college football success story, but c’mon. We all know who the real brawlers are in the Spud State.

Smurf Turf 32, Moscow 17

PROS

Seattle at Arizona: Here we go again. Matthew’s got an owie, Wallace might start and we’re on the road against the defending NFC champs. Let’s just made DARN SURE we take a quarterback next year!

’Zona 27, SeaSlobs 13

New England at Indianapolis: Doesn’t matter where this one’s played, Grump thinks the Patsies will have their way with the Indy defense. Peyton will get his, but the Brady Bunch has the last chuckle.

Hoodie’s Homies 31, Peyton’s Palookas 23

Philadelphia at San Diego: Big Boy Andy’s Eagles took a dive vs. the Cowpokes last week, and the slide will continue against a team that just knows how to win close games.

Charge Cards 21, Cheese Steaks 16

Kansas City at Oakland: Talk about your Poopie Game of the Week. Al Davis’ dorks actually beat Da Chiefs last month, so what’s gonna change this time?

Raid-Duhs 9, K.C. Masterpiece 7

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: Are the Cincy boys a pretender or a contender? Who cares? The Steel Curtain is back in business with Wild Hair Troy wandering the secondary once again.

Mike Hirko’s Favorite Team 17, Bungles 10

Gridiron Grump’s column appears Fridays during football season. He can be reached at gridgrump@tdn.com