FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 9 PICKS — A RETURN TO PERFECTION FOR VALLEY TEAMS? (2022-10-21)

It’s hard to believe, but next week is the final week of the regular season. However, this week Tioga can clinch a division title at home, and Waverly can clinch a home playoff game in the Class B semifinals.

The Athens Wildcats are looking to pick up some playoff points with a win over Central Columbia, hoping to vault over Montoursville if the Warriors lose their final two games to Selinsgrove (6-2) and Selinsgrove (7-1).

Last week was a solid one for the Pigskin Prognosticators with Country Bob and I posting a 9-1 record, with Little Red at 8-2, and The Mick at 7-3. … On the season, I lead the way with a 60-10 mark, followed by Little Red at 59-11, Country Bob at 56-14, and The Mick at 53-17.

Let’s take the plunge for this week:

Delhi (6-0) at Tioga 7-0): The Tigers are coming off a 55-6 win at SVEC, while the Bulldogs blanked Harpursville-Afton, 59-0.

Tioga and Delhi have beaten up on the bottom half of the division, but the Tigers also own wins over Class B Marlboro (4-3), Walton (6-1 and ranked 10th in Class D), and Class C Newark Valley (2-4 — all four losses to state-ranked teams), while the Bulldogs, who play Walton next week, only have one win against a non-divisional opponent — Class C Oneonta (1-5).

 Both teams have put up impressive numbers. Tioga is averaging 51.4 points and 395.2 yards per game, while Delhi allows just 4.7 points per game, and has pitched three consecutive shutouts. … Delhi is averaging 48.8 points and 418.7 yards per game, while Tioga allows 8.4 points per game.
 
Prediction: There was the same type of hype around this game last year, with season numbers that looked very similar. Tioga won 55-0, then followed that up with a 56-12 win in the playoffs. … TIOGA 55, DELHI 13.
Little Red: Tioga 42, Delhi 14; … The Mick: Tioga 44, Delhi 12; Country Bob: Tioga 47, Delhi 0.

Central Columbia (2-6) at Athens (5-3): The Wildcats are coming off a 21-0 loss to state-ranked Canton, while the Blue Jays dropped a 14-0 decision to Shamokin.

Athens has played five of its last six games on the road, but returns home tonight for its final home game of the season. (Unless the Wildcats find a game for next week.)

The Wildcats have been very good in games like this, outscoring its opponents, 42-7.

Prediction: Look for the Athens passing game to find its footing again tonight. … ATHENS 34, CENTRAL COLUMBIA 13.
Little Red: Athens 28, CC 14; … The Mick: Athens 42, CC 7; … Country Bob: Athens 21, CC 13.

Waverly (6-1) at Chenango Valley (0-6): The Wolverines are coming off a 14-13 setback in its showdown with Chenango Valley, while the Warriors dropped a 34-6 decision at Norwich.

The Wolverines moved the ball very well against Chenango Forks, but didn’t take advantage in the red zone. Chenango Valley’s defense does not compare to Forks’.

The Warrior offense has struggled this season, while Waverly’s defense has been very good.

Prediction: Waverly’s big-play offense should be on display again tonight. WAVERLY 48, CV 0.
Little Red: Waverly 42, CV 7; … The Mick: Waverly 38, CV 7; … Country Bob: Waverly 54, CV 6.

Jersey Shore (8-0) at Canton (8-0): The Class A Warriors are coming off a 21-0 win over Athens, while the Class 4A Bulldogs blanked Montoursville, 58-0.

Prediction: Canton is a state-caliber Class A football team, but Jersey Shore is as good as there is in Class 4A. … JERSEY SHORE 34, CANTON 6.
Little Red: Jersey Shore 42, Canton 0; … The Mick: Jersey Shore 28, Canton 16; … Country Bob: Canton 14, Jersey Shore 7.

Loyalsock (7-1) at Troy (8-0): The Trojans are coming off a 35-13 win at Northwest Area, while the Lancers blanked Wyalusing, 47-0.

Prediction: Both teams have been very good this year, but Loyalsock has done it against a little better schedule. Plus, the Lancers are looking for a little payback for last year’s lopsided loss. … LOYALSOCK 28, TROY 21.
Little Red: Loyalsock 35, Troy 21; … The Mick: Loyalsock 36, Troy 21; … Country Bob: Loyalsock 28 14, Troy 27.

Towanda (2-6) at Tunkhannock (1-7): The Black Knights are coming off a 21-0 loss at Hughesville, while the Tigers dropped a 55-12 decision at Pittston.

Prediction: This is probably the toughest pick of the week. Towanda has really struggled in its last three games, but  with Wyalusing on the schedule next week, the Knights can finish the regular season on a high note. … TOWANDA 21, TUNKHANNOCK 12.
Little Red: Tunkhannock 21, Towanda7; … The Mick: Tunkhannock 14, Towanda 7;
Country Bob: Tunkhannock 35, Towanda 13.

North Penn-Mansfield (1-7) at Wyalusing (2-6): The Rams are coming off a 47-0 loss at Loyalsock in a game that was stopped at halftime due to Wyalusing’s lack of healthy players, while the Panthers dropped a 49-21 decision to West Perry.

Prediction: Both teams are mired in disappointing season. A win would be big for both teams heading into next weekend’s rivalry games. … NORTH PENN 27, WYALUSING 12.
Little Red: North Penn 28, Wyalusing 21; … The Mick: North Penn 27, Wyalusing 18; … Country Bob: Wyalusing 21, North Penn 13.

Newark Valley (2-4) at Chenango Forks (6-1): The Cardinals are coming off a 39-33 win over Oneonta, while the Blue Devils edged Waverly, 14-13.

Prediction: Chenango Forks is flying high, while Newark Valley is a bit banged up. … FORK 34, NEWARK VALLEY 12.
Little Red: Forks 42, Newark Valley 12; … The Mick: Forks 24, Newark Valley 6; … Country Bob: Forks 28, Newark Valley 6.

SVEC (2-5) at Deposit-Hancock (0-6): The Eagles are coming off a 55-6, while the Lumberjacks dropped a 37-0 decision at Bainbridge-Guilford.

Prediction: SVEC beat Bainbridge-Guilford, 50-0. Enough said. … SVEC 48, D-H 0.
Little Red: SVEC 21, D-H 14; … The Mick: SVEC 33, D-H 6; … Country Bob: SVEC 35, D-H 13.

Corning (3-3) at Horseheads (4-3): The Hawks are coming off a 27-8 non-league loss at Victor, while the Blue Raiders are coming off a 23-0 loss at Vestal.

Prediction: Horseheads’ four wins come against teams with a combined four wins … Corning has good wins over Newburgh and Elmira, and played Vestal to a 16-12 loss. … CORNING 27, HORSEHEADS 13.
Little Red: Corning 28, Horseheads 14; … The Mick: Corning 39, Horseheads 14; … Country Bob: Corning 27, Horseheads 13.