FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 5 PICKS — TWO VALLEY TEAMS AT HOME, TWO ON THE ROAD (2023-09-22)

This week’s high school football schedule has Athens and Waverly in action at home on Friday night, while Tioga plays a Saturday matinee on the road, and Sayre is on the road Saturday night.

Waverly, the reigning Section IV, Class C champions, plays Class AA Elmira, while Athens takes on NTL powerhouse Troy. Tioga plays a key divisional game at Delhi, and Sayre looks to get on track against a resurgent Cowanesque Valley squad.

The VSR quartet of pigskin prognosticators had a near perfect record last week, with The Mick, Country Bob, and myself going 10-0, and Little Red bringing up the rear at 9-1. For the season, I have a 33-4 record, while the Mick is 32-5, and Little Red and Country Bob are both 29-8.

According to our pigskin pickers, this is what lies in store this weekend:

Elmira (1-1) at Waverly (2-1): The Wolverines are coming off a 47-8 win over Sidney, while the Express pulled out a 32-29 win over Baldwinsville.

Elmira is big and physical, and likes to run the football. Waverly’s already played a team like that in Tioga, while the Express hasn’t seen a passing game like the Wolverines will bring to the table.

Prediction: The Wolverines’ ability to get off the field on third down will be a key. … I think Waverly will put up some points, and get enough stops to get the “W”. … WAVERLY 31, ELMIRA 22.
The Mick: Waverly 30, Elmira 13. … Little Red: Waverly 35, Elmira 7. … Country Bob: Waverly 21, Elmira 13.

Troy (4-0) at Athens (1-3): The Wildcats are coming off a 26-12 home loss to Wellsboro in Week 4, while the Trojans rolled to a 41-7 win over Wyalusing.

Athens is young and very banged up, while Troy may be the best team in District 4 this side of Southern Columbia.

Prediction: Troy 48, Athens 0.
The Mick: Troy 63, Athens 7. …  Little Red: Troy 56, Athens 0. … Country Bob: Troy 47, Athens 0.

Tioga (3-0) at Delhi (3-0) (Saturday): The Tigers are coming off a 68-0 win over Harpursville-Afton, while the Bulldogs topped Bainbridge-Guilford, 49-14.

Tioga is clicking on all cylinders, and Delhi is averaging 51.3 points per game (and beat H-A, 61-0 in Week 2).

Prediction: Delhi has some dangerous skill-position players, but are young and inexperienced up front, and that’s not good against this Tioga team. … TIOGA 55, DELHI 12.
The Mick: Tioga 36, Delhi 13. … Little Red: Tioga 49, Delhi 0. … Country Bob: Tioga 52, Delhi 0.

Sayre (0-4) at Cowanesque Valley (2-2) (Saturday): The Redskins are coming off a 41-7 loss at Marian Catholic, while the Indians dropped a 58-30 decision at South Williamsport.

Sayre is a bit banged up, and still struggling to find its identity, while Cowanesque Valley is the most improved team in the region.

Prediction: Cowanesque Valley has displayed an explosive, big-play offense that is capable of putting together sustained drives as well. Sayre has had trouble stopping anyone. … COWANESQUE VALLEY 44, SAYRE 12.
The Mick: CV 44, Sayre 6. … Little Red: CV 34, Sayre 12. … Country Bob: CV 42, Sayre 7.

Deposit-Hancock (1-1) at SVEC (3-0): The Eagles are coming off an ugly 11-0 win over Newark Valley, while the Lumberjacks dropped a 32-22 decision at home to Walton.

Prediction: Before it’s all said and done, I think SVEC and Newark Valley will be playing in the postseason. … SVEC 34, D-H 20.
The Mick: SVEC 24, D-H 6. … Little Red: SVEC 20, D-H 6. … Country Bob: D-H 27, SVEC 13.

Towanda (2-2) at Wellsboro (2-2): The Black Knights are coming off a 40-0 loss at Canton, while the Hornets won 26-12 at Athens.

Prediction: If Towanda limits its mistakes, Riley Vanderpool will prove too much for the Hornets. … TOWANDA 26, WELLSBORO 14.
The Mick: Towanda 21, Wellsboro 7. … Little Red: Wellsboro 21, Towanda 7. … Country Bob: Towanda 24, Wellsboro 13.

Canton (4-0) at South Williamsport (4-0): The Warriors are coming off a 40-0 win over Towanda, while the Mounties won a 58-30 shootout against Cowanesque Valley.

Prediction: Canton has played a little tougher schedule, and I believe they have a much better defense. … CANTON 43, SOUTH 22.
The Mick: South 28, Canton 24. … Little Red: South 14, Canton 6. … Country Bob: Canton 21, South 6.

Montgomery (0-4) at Wyalusing (2-2): The Rams are coming off a 41-7 loss at Troy, while the Red Raiders suffered a 40-14 home loss to Muncy.

Prediction: Wyalusing can run the football, and is solid defensively. … WYALUSING 33, MONTGOMERY 6.
The Mick: Wyalusing 27, Montgomery 6. … Little Red: Wyalusing 40, Montgomery 14. … Country Bob: Wyalusing 27, Montgomery 14.

Muncy (3-1) at NP-Mansfield (1-3): The Indians are coming off a 40-14 win over Montgomery, while the Tigers topped Northwest Area, 39-15.

Prediction: Muncy is a bit better than most people expected, but NP-M might be as well. … MUNCY 26, NP-M 20.
The Mick: Muncy 21, NPM 20. … Little Red: Muncy 36, NPM 13. … Country Bob: Muncy 28, NPM 6.

Warrior Run (1-3) at Northwest (1-3) (Saturday): The Defenders are coming off a 14-7 win over Hughesville, while the Rangers dropped a 39-15 decision at home to North Penn-Mansfield.

Prediction: Warrior Run has played a tougher schedule, and was competitive in two of its three losses. … WARRIOR RUN 26, NORTHWEST 7.
The Mick: Warrior Run 34, Northwest 14. … Little Red: Warrior Run 36, Northwest 0 … Country Bob: Warrior Run 38, Northwest 0.


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