FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 3 PICKS — ALL FOUR VALLEY TEAMS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND (2024-09-06)

It’s Week 3 in Pa., and Week 1 in N.Y. Actually, it’s Week Zero in N.Y. … and it’s actually Week 2 in Pa. because it has a Week Zero, too, but no one really knows that. It’s very confusing, and pretty stupid.

So, it’s the third weekend of high school football in Pa., and with N.Y. joining the fray, it’s the first full weekend of football in the Valley with all four teams in action.

The first couple weeks of the season are always difficult when it comes to pigskin prognostiactions, but our pickers (except for The Mick) this season are having a difficult time getting their legs underneath them in 2024.

I was 5-3 last week, and have a pretty dismal 11-5 record to this point. The Mick posted his second consecutive 7-1 week, and is 14-2 on the season, while Country Bob was 5-3 last week, and is 12-4 on the season, and Little Red was 4-4 to fall to 11-5 in 2024.

What do our pigskin pickers forecast for this weekend? Let’s take a look:

Montgomery (0-2) at Sayre (0-2): The Redskins suffered a disappointing 35-0 loss at North Penn-Mansfield in Week 2, while the Red Raiders dropped a 35-7 decision to Warrior Run at home.

The Redskins’ offense has scored just one TD in two games (Montgomery only has two), but is allowing 59.5 points per game, thanks in large part to Troy’s 84-point barrage in Week 1.

Prediction: When Montgomery lost 14-7 to Hughesville in Week 1, I thought it was just an ugly game between two struggling programs. Then, Hughesville put up 42 on Towanda (albeit without Riley Vanderpool, but still), and it makes me wonder. I want to pick Sayre, but they have something to prove now. … MONTGOMERY 21, SAYRE 13.
The Mick: Montgomery 14, Sayre 8. … Country Bob: Montgomery 21, Sayre 7. … Little Red: Montgomery 22, Sayre 7.

Athens (1-1) at Canton (2-0): Oddly enough, these two teams have played the same two teams in the first two weeks of the season. Both easily disposed of Northwest Area (Canton 42-6, and Athens 44-6), but had different results against a good South Williamsport team.

Canton beat the Mounties, 17-8, in Week 2, while Athens dropped a 26-13 decision. Both games were played at South.

Prediction: The Athens showed its potential against Northwest, but it will be much more difficult sledding against the Warriors. … CANTON 21, ATHENS 7.
The Mick: Canton 35, Athens 14. … Country Bob: Canton 35, Sayre 6. … Little Red: Canton 27, Athens 10.

Maryvale vs. Tioga @ Waverly’s Memorial Stadium: The Tigers are riding a 41-game win streak, and have won three straight Class D state titles, while Maryvale posted a 9-1 record in 2023, with the lone loss coming in the Section VI, Class B title tilt.

Maryvale returns a host of skill players, and is big, but young up front. Tioga, meanwhile, returns an experienced line, but very little varsity experience behind that line.

Prediction: I think Tioga has a very good chance of reaching the state semifinals again this year, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Tigers win another state title, but it may take this team a few weeks to find its identity. … MARYVILLE 20, TIOGA 14.
The Mick: Tioga 23, Maryvale 14. … Country Bob: Tioga 42, Maryvale 13. … Little Red: Tioga 42, Maryvale 6.

Clymer-Sherman-Panama at Waverly: The Wolverines are coming off a New York State, Class C state title — the first for coach Jason Miller in his 22-yard career at his alma mater, while the Wolfpack was 11-1 in 2023, losing 63-16 to Tioga in the Class D semifinals.

Waverly lost the prolific passing tandem of Joey Tomasso and Jay Pipher, but returns a slew of talented athletes, headlined by UConn commit Xavier Watson, and fellow receiver Kolsen Keathley. The big question is sophomore Ben Shaw taking over at QB.

Prediction: I believe the Waverly defense will be scary good this season. I also believe the Wolverines will feature a dominant run game behind a very good offensive line, and I believe Shaw will be just fine at QB. … WAVERLY 42, CSP 16.
The Mick: Waverly 21, CSP 16. … Country Bob: Waverly 35, CSP 13. …  Little Red: Waverly 63, CSP 12.

South Williamsport (1-1) at Troy (2-0): The Trojans are coming off an 8-3 win at Dover (Delaware), while the Mounties dropped a 17-8 decision to Canton.

Prediction: Troy is still averaging 46 points per game, despite scoring just eight in Week 2. The Trojans get back in the groove this week. … TROY 35, SOUTH 0.
The Mick: Troy 32, South 7. … Country Bob: Troy 28, South 6. … Little Red: Troy 52, South 7.

North Penn-Mansfield (1-1) at Towanda (1-1): The Black Knights are coming off a disappointing 42-6 loss at Hughesville, while the Panthers blanked Sayre, 35-0.

Prediction: Senior Riley Vanderpool returns for Towanda, and is likely to play like a man possessed. … TOWANDA 38, NP-M 6.
The Mick: Towanda 21, NP-M 12. … Country Bob: Towanda 35, NP-M 6. … Little Red: Towanda 21, NP-M 14.

Prediction: Muncy is going to want to see more of Tioga County (Pa.) football teams after Week 3. … MUNCY 49, CV 0.
The Mick: Muncy 34, CV 0. … Country Bob: Muncy 38, CV 13. … Little Red: Muncy 42, CV 0.

SVEC at Lansing: The Eagles are coming off a 5-5 season in 2023, and avoided a five-game losing streak to end the season with a 14-12 win over Lansing, which finished the season at 6-4.

Prediction: There’s always a steep learning curve for a first-year varsity football coach. Plus, SVEC lost its best player to graduation. … LANSING 27, SVEC 7.
The Mick: Lansing 28, SVEC 26. … Country Bob: Lansing 21, SVEC 13. … Little Red: Lansing 21, SVEC 7.

Newark Valley vs. Mount Markham @ Morrisville-Eaton H.S.: The Cardinals are coming off a 4-5 season in 2023 that ended with a loss to Tioga in the Class D semifinals, while Mount Markham was 7-4, losing their final game to Dolgeville in the Section III, Class D championship game.

Prediction: Newark Valley is coming off a tumultuous summer after losing a teammate in a tragic car accident, and will likely play with an edge. Coach Ted Hardenstine is one of the best in the business, and brings back quite a bit of experience, even without two of their best players. … NEWARK VALLEY 20, MOUNT MARKHAM 12.
The Mick: Newark Valley 20, MM 13. … Country Bob: Mount Markham 35, Newark Valley 7. … Little Red: Mount Markham 35, Newark Valley 20.

Cowanesque Valley (0-2) at Muncy (1-1): The Indians of CV are coming off a 37-0 loss at home to Wyalusing in Week 2, while the Indians of Muncy thumped Wellsboro, 49-0.

Prediction: Muncy is going to want to see more of Tioga County (Pa.) football teams after Week 3. … MUNCY 49, CV 0.
The Mick: Muncy 34, CV 0. … Country Bob: Muncy 38, CV 13. … Little Red: Muncy 42, CV 0.

THURSDAY
Wyalusing at Wellsboro: This game is already in the books, with the Rams pulling out a 13-0 win on the road. Oddly enough, all four of our pigskin pickers hit this game correctly. …  WYALUSING 27, WELLSBORO 0.
The Mick: Wyalusing 38, Wellsboro 0. … Country Bob: Wyalusing 28, Wellsboro 7. …  Little Red: 34-7.

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