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

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.