FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 1 PICKS — ATHENS, SAYRE OPEN ON THE ROAD (2024-08-23)

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for high school football. Well, at least in Pa. it’s time for “Friday Night Lights.”

Athens and Sayre both open on the road tonight, and both do so against District 4 powerhouses.

Sayre takes on NTL Large School champ Troy, which dropped a 14-0 decision to eventual state champion Southern Columbia in the Class AA title game last year, while Athens squares off with South Williamsport, which won a Class A championship and reached the state semifinals.

All 13 NTL teams are in action in Week 1, including five league match-ups.

Once again this year, I will be joined in my pigskin prognostications by Country Bob, Little Red, and The Mick. Last year, I topped the standings in convincing fashion, and The Mick and I soundly defeated Country Bob and Little Red in tag-team picking.

Let’s get on with the picks:

Athens at South Williamsport: With the Mounties fresh off a run to the state semifinals, and the Wildcats coming off a 3-8 season, this would look to be a lopsided match-up in Week 1. Looks can be deceiving.

Athens returns nearly intact, while South Williamsport graduated 12 seniors, including more than half its starting line-up on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: South is still a good team, and Athens is still a work in progress. I just have a feeling on this one. … ATHENS 21, SOUTH 19.
The Mick: South 21, Athens 12; … Country Bob: South 28, Athens 13. … Little Red: South 27, Athens 12.

Sayre at Troy: With the Trojans fresh off a dominating run to the District 4 title game, and the Redskins coming off a 1-9 season, this would look to be a lopsided match-up in Week 1. Looks aren’t always deceiving.

Troy returns virtually intact, while Sayre boasts better numbers in 2024, but is inexperienced. That’s not a good combination.

Prediction: No explanation needed, but there are better times ahead for the Redskins. … TROY 54, SAYRE 0.
The Mick: Troy 55, Sayre 6. … Country Bob: Troy 45, Sayre 0. … Little Red: Troy 42, Sayre 6.

North Penn-Mansfield at Wyalusing: The Rams bring back a little more than the Tigers, and they are at home. … WYALUSING 26, NP-M 13.
The Mick: Wyalusing 21, NP-M 6. … Country Bob: Wyalusing 21, NP-M 20. … Little Red: Wyalusing 27, NP-M 0.

Canton at Northwest Area: The Warriors still have some bullets left in the gun, while Northwest Area is building. … CANTON 41, NORTHWEST 6.
The Mick: Canton 35, Northwest 14. … Country Bob: Canton 42, Northwest 0. … Little Red: Canton 21, Northwest 7.

Cowanesque Valley at Towanda: The Black Knights have the best player in NTL in Riley Vanderpool, while CV has a new coach and a lot of new faces. … TOWANDA 36, CV 0.
The Mick: Towanda 36, CV 0. … Country Bob: Towanda 34, CV 6. … Little Red: Towanda 34, CV 0.

Muncy at Warrior Run: Muncy brings back a ton of skill players from a team that won 10 games last ear, while the Defenders were hit a bit harder by graduation. … MUNCY 34, WARRIOR RUN 13.
The Mick: Muncy 44, Warrior Run 0. … Country Bob: Muncy 27, Warrior Run 6. … Little Red: Muncy 33, Warrior Run 20.

Montoursville at Wellsboro: Montoursville is coming off a 3-7 season that ended with six straight losses, but they return quite a bit, while Wellsboro is young and will be without its best player this season due to injury. … MONTOURSVILLE 37, WELLSBORO 6.
The Mick: Montoursville 54, Wellsboro 0. … Country Bob: Montoursville 35, Wellsboro 13. … Little Red: Montoursville 35, Wellsboro 7.

Hughesville at Montgomery: This could be the only win of the season for the winner of this game. … HUGHESVILLE 13, MONTGOMERY 12.
The Mick: Hughesville 21, Montgomery 7. … Country Bob: Hughesville 21, Montgomery 12. … Little Red: Hughesville 28, Montgomery 6.

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