SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. — As athletes duke it out on the basketball court throughout the month of March. People are confident in their top picks as the teams go dancing.
"I think this year, Houston is probably going to take it," said Trevor Nugent, a Bucknell student.
"UConn is going to win it all. I'm from Connecticut, and they're going to win it all," said Tess Bilski.
But it's a battle of the best here in Pennsylvania as well. This year, the coveted March bracket is getting a bit of an overhaul. The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is hosting its 'Coolest thing in PA' bracket for the second year. There, some of the keystone state's most iconic businesses are going head to head.
"These are iconic names that are right here, and not only are our products made here, the people they employ, the impacts they have in the communities, said Luke Berstein, President of PA Chamber.
Mrs. T's Pierogies in Shenandoah is looking for redemption after coming in second place in last year's competition. The company fell short in the championship to Pittsburgh's beloved Primanti brothers' sandwiches.
"So now there's a little bit hotter of a fire underneath our feet, so the stakes are higher," said Meghan Heim, Mrs. T's Assistant Public Relations Manager.
The company is vying for the top spot, pumping out more than 650 million pierogies a year distributed across all 50 states. But it's facing some stiff competition from Hershey bars to Harley Davidson motorcycles, and even locally, as Yuengling Lager is a strong competitor.
"I would definitely say Yueingling Brings it home for PA Beers," added Nugent.
"So depending on who wins the bracket, we could be up against Middlewarth Chips or New Trail Brewing Company, so it could be potato against potato," said Heim.
No matter the winner, the companies all agree that it's about keeping companies local. As Mrs. T's has been for generations.
"We're a 70-plus-year-old brand. We continue to make people smile and that's what we love to see, is just that brand love coming from our pierogi fans," added Olivia Zawatski, Mrs. T's marketing communications manager.
But they still have a message to the Western PA reigning champ.
"You had a great run last year, but I think this year, it's the year of the pierogi," said Heim.
Those looking to vote can find a link to the coolest thing in PA bracket here.