The Masked Marvel, after finishing fourth

Before Week 1 of high school football season, the Masked Marvel boasted of his picking prowess in the  Way We See 'Em, stating: "I have a whole family of trophies sitting on the shelves of my mahogany-drenched office, and I plan on welcoming a new member of the bunch three months from now."

 To the Marvel's dismay, it will be Staff Writer Chris Lillstrung who can admire a gleaming trophy on his desk this holiday season.

Lillstrung correctly picked 195 of 242 games this season to wrap up his first See 'Ems title. The Marvel finished a disappointing fourth, behind Howard Primer (second), John Kampf (third), and ahead of Cory Schuett, Theresa Neuhoff Audia and Sports Editor Mark Podolski.

The Marvel congratulated Lillstrung on his championship, but vowed to come back in 2013. From his winter vacation residence in Bel Air, Calif., he released the following statement: "Fourth place suits the Marvel about as well as an off-the-rack sport coat from a department store. A thorough and complete analysis of the 2012 season will be done this weekend, and the Marvelous One will emerge next August ready to reclaim his title."

A source close to the Marvel said members of his entourage have reached out to representatives of statistical expert Nate Silver, author of the Five Thirty Eight blog, who accurately predicted the presidential election.

 2012 Way We See 'Em standings: Chris Lillstrung 195-47, Howard Primer -3, John Kampf -4, Masked Marvel -5, Cory Schuett -7, Theresa Neuhoff Audia -8, Mark Podolski -9

Previous Way We See 'Em champions:

2011: Theresa Neuhoff Audia
2010: Masked Marvel
2009: Howard Primer
2008: Masked Marvel
2007: John Kampf
2006: Howard Primer
2005: Howard Primer
2004: Howard Primer
2003: Mark Koestner