FROM THE PRESS BOX: CAN ATHENS AND SAYRE BOTH BOUNCE BACK IN WEEK 2 (2024-08-30)
It’s Week 2 of the Pa. football season, and Athens and Sayre both have
an excellent opportunity to bounce back from season-opening losses.
The Wildcats will host Northwest Area at Alumni Stadium, while the Redskins play at North Penn-Mansfield.
In
Week 1, I went 6-2 with my pigskin prognostications, while my
compatriots — The Mick, Country Bob, and Little Red — each went 7-1.
So what are we looking at in Week 2?
Northwest Area (0-1) at Athens (0-1): The
Wildcats dropped a 26-13 decision to rugged South Williamsport in a
game that was much closer than the final score, while the Rangers were
thumped by Canton, 42-6.
If the Athens line plays as well as it
did in Week 1 tonight, Athens should find it much easier to run, and
sophomore QB Connor Davidson should have more time to throw.
Prediction: We should get a good look at the potential of this team tonight. …
ATHENS 42, NORTHWEST 13.
The Mick: Athens 28, Northwest 14. …
Country Bob: Athens 28, Northwest 6. …
Little Red: Athens 27, Northwest 12.
Sayre (0-1) at North Penn-Mansfield (0-1): The
Redskins are coming off an ugly 84-12 loss, in which it led 12-7 in the
opening three minutes, to powerhouse Troy in Week 1, while the Tigers
dropped a 37-12 decision at Wyalusing.
Sayre was able to move the
ball at times against Troy, mostly against its second-team defense,
while NP-M struggled to stop Wyalusing on the ground. Obviously, the
Redskins failed to stop the Trojans at all.
Prediction:
This is a big game for Sayre in terms of mentality. After an ugly loss,
the Redskins really need to play well, and a win would be a huge bonus. …
SAYRE 32, NP-M 27.
The Mick: NP-M 22, Sayre 16. …
Country Bob: Sayre 20, NP-M 12. …
Little Red: Sayre 35, NP-M 13.
Towanda (1-0) at Hughesville (1-0):
Playing without two-way standout Riley Vanderpool, the Knights pulled
out a 24-6 win over Cowanesque Valley in Week 1, while the Spartans
pulled out a 14-7 win at Montgomery.
Prediction: Freshman QB Reese Sluyter played better as the game went on, and won’t have the first-game jitters this week at Hughesville. …
TOWANDA 27, HUGHESVILLE 6.
The Mick: Towanda 42, Hughesville 7. …
Country Bob: Towanda 27, Hughesville 6. …
Little Red: Towanda 21, Hughesville 7.
Wyalusing (1-0) at Cowanesque Valley (0-1): The Rams are coming off a 37-12 win over North Penn-Mansfield in Week 1, while the Indians dropped a 24-6 decision at Towanda.
Prediction: The Rams proved they have more than enough to beat re-building teams, and they face another one in CV this week. …
WYALUSING 37, CV 12.
The Mick: Wyalusing 48, CV 7. …
Country Bob: Wyalusing 24, CV 12. …
Little Red: Wyalusing 34, CV 0.
Wellsboro (0-1) at Muncy (0-1): Muncy is looking to bounce back after a surprising Week 1 loss. Wellsboro is in the wrong place at the wrong time. …
MUNCY 48, WELLSBORO 7.
The Mick: Muncy 24, Wellsboro 14. …
Country Bob: Muncy 42, Wellsboro 6. …
Little Red: Muncy 28, Wellsboro 14.
Warrior Run (1-0) at Montgomery (0-1): Warrior Run surprised me with a win over Muncy in Week 1. It won’t be a surprise this week. …
WARRIOR RUN 42, MONTGOMERY 6.
The Mick: Warrior Run 47, Montgomery 6. …
Country Bob: Warrior Run 42, Montgomery 0. …
Little Red: Warrior Run 28, Montgomery 0.
SATURDAY
Canton (1-0) at South Williamsport (1-0): The Warriors rolled to 42-6 win over Northwest Area, while the Mounties topped Athens, 26-13.
Prediction: South brings back its top running back for this key District 4 match-up. It should be a good one. …
SOUTH 28, CANTON 26.
The Mick: Canton 14, South 13. …
Country Bob: South 21, Canton 17. …
Little Red: South 27, Canton 13.
Troy (1-0) at Dover (0-0):
The powerhouse Trojans rolled to an 84-12 win over Sayre, while the
Patriots, who graduate 400-plus each year, will open the season.
Prediction: I’ll take a PIAA state semi-finalist that brings back everyone against a Delaware playoff team anytime. …
TROY 45, DOVER 7.
The Mick: Troy 44, Dover 20. …
Country Bob: Troy 28, Dover 13. …
Little Red: Dover 41, Troy 21.
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