FROM THE PRESS BOX: PIGSKIN PICKERS FIRMLY BEHIND TIOGA TO REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPS (2022-12-02)

The New York State football season comes to an end this weekend with the state championship games at the venue formerly known as The Carrier Dome, now the JMA Wireless Dome.

In Pa., it semi-final weekend with Canton and Southern Columbia just one win away from a shot at a state title.

Last weekend was a rough one for our pigskin prognosticators. Country Bob, Little Red, and The Mick each went 4-2, while I was 3-3. On the season, I still lead the pack at 100-17, with Little Red at 99-18, Country Bob at 93-24, and The Mick at 88-29.

What does this week have in store? Here’s what our pigskin pickers think:

New York State Class D Finals
Tioga (13-0) vs. Cambridge-Salem (13-0), noon Saturday @ JMA Wireless Dome: The Tigers advanced to the title game with a 41-34 win over Randolph, while Cambridge-Salem rolled over last year’s state runner-up Moriah, 47-22.

Tioga enters the contest ranked No. 1 in the state, while C-S is ranked third. (Randolph is second.)

You could say this about most any game, but it’s especially true in games like this: Win the battle in the trenches, and you will win the game.

The Tigers’ offensive line — all six of them — has been dominant this season as evidenced by the fact the team averaged 45.5 points and 379 yards in total offense per game.

Cambridge-Salem has similar numbers offensively, and even better numbers defensively, so their interior line play has been outstanding as well.

Prediction: This game will probably be close for the first half, but I think Tioga has too much talent, and too many weapons to be stopped. The Tigers repeat as Class D state champs. … TIOGA 42, C-S 22.
Little Red: Tioga 42, C-S 14; … The Mick: Tioga 35, C-S 16; … Country Bob: Tioga 42, C-S 13.

FRIDAY
PIAA Class A Semifinals
Canton (13-1) vs. Steelton-Highspire (11-1), 7 p.m. @ Shamokin H.S.: The Warriors advanced with a dominating 42-13 win over Northern Cambria in the quarterfinals, while the Steamrollers edged Northern Lehigh, 42-35.

Steel-High is ranked No. 1 in the state, while Canton is ranked No. 2. The Warriors won last year’s match-up 32-27.

Prediction: Is this the week, the lack of a passing game catches up with Canton? … STEEL-HIGH 27, CANTON 21.
Little Red: Canton 28, Steel-High 13; … The Mick: Steel-High 28, Canton 22; … Country Bob: Canton 28, Steel-High 15.

PIAA Class AA Semifinals
Southern Columbia (11-3) vs. Trinity (10-4), 7 p.m. @ Selinsgrove H.S.: The Tigers advanced to the semis with a 42-14 win over Bishop Guilfoyle, while the Shamrocks advanced with a 35-17 win over Executive Education Academy Charter.

Prediction: Three losses is more than Southern Columbia has had since 2015 (they are 106-2 with six state titles and one state runner-up finish in that span). At midseason, no one expected this team to win a state title, but they just might. … SOUTHERN 41, TRINITY 20.
Little Red: Southern 35, Trinity 14; … The Mick: Southern 44, Trinity 14; … Country Bob: Southern 38, Trinity 10.

SATURDAY
New York State Class A Finals
Union-Endicott (11-1) vs. Somers (11-0) 3 p.m. @ JMA Wireless Dome: The Tigers topped Hilton, 28-14 in the semifinals, while the Tuskers advanced to the Class A title game with a 35-7 win over Niskayuna.

Somers dropped a 32-31 decision to Christian Brothers Academy last year in the Class A finals.

Prediction: U-E’s dream season comes up just short. … SOMERS 28, U-E 13.
Little Red: Somers 21, U-E 14; … The Mick: U-E 21, Somers 20; … Country Bob: U-E 21, Somers 14.

SUNDAY
New York State Class B Finals
Maine-Endwell (12-0) vs. Pleasantville, noon @ JMA Wireless Dome: The Spartans cruised to a 61-20 win over Batavia in the Class B semifinals, while the Panthers topped Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, 14-6, in the semifinals.

Prediction: M-E repeats as Class B champ. … MAINE-ENDWELL 42, PLEASANTVILLE 13.
Little Red: M-E 35, Pleasantville 14; … The Mick: M-E 27, Pleasantville 12; … Country Bob: M-E 35, Pleasantville 13.