FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 4 PICKS — SAYRE, ATHENS GAMES HIGHLIGHTS SPARSE SCHEDULE (2020-10-02)

The Covid-19 situation has created a scarcity of games in Week 4 of the high school football season, with Troy and Canton sidelined for at least the next two weeks, and Cowanesque Valley on a bye.

However, both Valley teams are in action at home, with Athens set to play host to Towanda, and Sayre welcoming Wyalusing into the Lockhart Street Bowl.

Last week, I went 2-1, while The Mick was a perfect 3-0, Little Red was 2-1, and Country Bob bought up the rear at 1-2. For the season, The Mick is an outstanding 9-1, while Little Red and myself are 7-3, and Country Bob is 6-4. The tag-team match has The Mick and I at 16-4, with a 3-game lead over Little ed / Country Bob.

Towanda (0-2) at Athens (2-0), 7 p.m. @ Alumni Stadium: The Wildcats have a pair of good wins over Sayre and Wyalusing, while Black Knights have been outscored 60-0 in losses to Wyalusing and Troy.

Athens showed improved line play, and in turned an improved running game, in last week's win at Wyalusing, while a young Towanda team has struggled with turnovers, and is averaging just 113 yards in total offense per game.

The Wildcat defense allowed a pair of big plays for scores to Wyalusing's potent offense, but otherwise did its job, getting the ball back for the offense, which dominated the time of possession category.

Towanda's defense has been better than the 30 points per game it allows indicates, often times being put with their back to the wall after offensive and special teams miscues.

Prediction: The Wildcats are an up-and-coming team with a host of play-makers, while the Black Knights are very young. If Athens plays the way it did in the trenches against Wyalusing, they will wear down the Black Knights. ... ATHENS 24, TOWANDA 0.
THE MICK: Athens 35, Towanda 14. ... LITTLE RED: Athens 35, Towanda 6. ... COUNTRY BOB: Athens 35, Towanda 6.

Wyalusing (2-1) at Sayre (1-1), 7 p.m. @ Lockhart Street Bowl: The Redskins bounced back from a tough season-opening loss at Athens with a convincing win over Cowanesque Valley in Week 2, while the Rams ran into a road block against Athens in Week 3.

This could be a high-scoring affair, with both teams having the potential to put points on the board.

Sayre's defense will need to put pressure on Wyalusing QB Mitchell Burke, and will also need to contain speedy Ram wideout Kashawn Cameron.

On the flip side, Wyalusing's defense struggled to get off the field against Athens last week, which could spell trouble for them this week as the Redskins won the battle in the trenches against the Wildcats in Week 1.

Prediction: If the Redskins can limit Wyalusing's big plays, and avoid penalties, I believe they'll be able to establish their run game, which could open up big plays in the passing game. ... SAYRE 27, WYALUSING 20.
THE MICK: Wyalusing 28, Sayre 14. ... LITTLE RED: Sayre 21, Wyalusing 6. ... COUNTRY BOB: Sayre 34, Wyalusing 6.

South Williamsport (1-0) at Northwest Area (3-0), 7 p.m.: In a battle of unbeaten NTL and directional powers, South battles Northwest.

The Mounties have a strong running attack, which should prove too much for Northwest to handle. ... SOUTH 28, NORTHWEST 22.

THE MICK: South 35, Northwest 21. ... LITTLE RED: Northwest 28, South 6. ... COUNTRY BOB: Northwest 24, South 21.

Bucktail (0-3) at CMVT (0-2): I'm not going to pretend to know anything about this game. ... CMVT 19, Bucktail 12.

THE MICK: Bucktail 28, CMVT 27. ... LITTLE RED: Bucktail 28, CMVT 0. ... COUNTRY BOB: CMVT 12, Bucktail 6.