FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 4 PICKS — CAN VALLEY TEAMS DO BETTER THAN 2-2? (2024-09-12)

Week 4 of the high school football season in the Valley features home games at Waverly, Sayre, and Tioga, as welll as games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Waverly and Tioga made successful 2024 debuts last weekend, while Athens had its signature win to this point under second-year coach Shawn Bradley at Canton.

As far as our pigskin prognosticators, The Mick was 9-2 on the week, and leads the pack for the season at 23-4, while Country Bob was 10-1 and is 22-5 on the season, and Little Red was also 10-1, and is 21-6 on the season. Meanwhile, I was 8-3 to fall to 19-8 on the season.

So what do pigskin pickers prognosticate for Week 4?

THURSDAY
Binghamton at Waverly (1-0): The Wolverines are coming off a 24-3 win over Clymer-Sherman-Panama in Week Zero, while the Patriots open the season, coming off a 1-9 campaign in 2023.

It’s hard to tell what Binghamton has, but unless it’s had an influx of talent, Waverly looks good to keep its train rolling.

Prediction: Look for the Wolverines to run the ball more effectively tonight, and to make an effort to get the ball to seniors Xavier Watson and Kolsen Keathley more often. … WAVERLY 38, BINGHAMTON 6.
The Mick: Waverly 36, Binghamton 7. … Country Bob: Waverly 13, Binghamton 7. … Little Red: Waverly 28, Binghamton 7.

FRIDAY
Cowanesque Valley (0-3) at Sayre (0-3): The Redskins are coming off a 55-21 home loss to Montgomery in Week 3, while the Indians dropped a 45-25 decision at Muncy.

The Redskins struggled offensively again in their loss to Montgomery. They have just two offensive TDs in three games.

Prediction: Sayre has been unable to stop anyone defensively, and CV showed its capable of scoring last week in its loss to Muncy. … Oh, and if I’m the CV coach, I’m not kicking it to Nick Pellicano, who has three kick returns for scores for the Redskins this season. … CV 32, SAYRE 26.
The Mick: CV 28, Sayre 21. … Country Bob: CV 49, Sayre 6. … Little Red: CV 45, Sayre 25.

Windsor (1-0) at Tioga (1-0): The Tigers are coming off a 27-6 win over Class B, now they’ll take on the Class C Black Knights, who beat Homer, 35-14, last week.

Tioga was a bit one-dimensional in Week Zero, but it didn’t really need to throw. After a slow start, the Tigers looked like an old-school Tioga team with its rushing attack.

Prediction: Windsor has some very athletic skill players, and Maryvale missed on several opportunities for big plays in the passing game. I think Windsor could keep this close, or possibly pull the upset. … TIOGA 27, WINDSOR 22.
The Mick: Tioga 28, Windsor 16. … Country Bob: Tioga 35, Windsor 6. … Little Red: Windsor 21, Tioga 7.

Owego at U-E (0-1): The RiverHawks open the 2024 season with a talented and experienced roster, while a young Tiger team dropped a 49-14 decision to powerhouse M-E in Week Zero.

Prediction: This is a good group at Owego, and second-year coach Patton Taylor has done a good job with them. … OWEGO 27, U-E 13.
The Mick: Owego 16, U-E 13. … Country Bob: Owego 21, U-E 13. … Little Red: Owego 28, U-E 14.

SVEC (0-1) at Dryden (0-1): The Eagles are coming off a 38-15 loss at Lansing in Week Zero, while Dryden dropped a 52-25 decision to Vernon-Verona-Sherrill.

Prediction: The Purple Lions are rebuilding, and the Eagles are looking for their identity under first-year coach Jared Wayman. … SVEC 36, DRYDEN 20.
The Mick: SVEC 28, Dryden 7. … Country Bob: SVEC 27, Dryden 13. … Little Red: SVEC 28, Dryden 7.

Wellsboro (0-3) at Towanda (2-1): The Black Knights are coming off a 21-6 win over NP-M, while the Hornets dropped a 13-0 decision to Wyalusing.

Prediction: Riley Vanderpool shook off the rust last week, look for the Towanda QB to have a big night Friday. … TOWANDA 41, WELLSBORO 6.
The Mick: Towanda 36, Wellsboro 7. … Country Bob: Towanda 42, Wellsboro 6. … Little Red: Towanda 35, Wellsboro 7.

Wyalusing (3-0) at Montgomery (1-2): The Rams are coming off a 13-0 win over Wellsboro in Week 3, while the Red Raiders dusted Sayre, 55-21.

Prediction: Montgomery has some talented kids in the backfield. This game could be closer than a lot of people think. … WYALUSING 22, MONTGOMERY 20.
The Mick: Wyalusing 16, Montgomery 7. … Country Bob: Wyalusing 27, Montgomery 13. Little Red: Wyalusing 28, Montgomery 21.

Northwest Area (0-3) at Muncy (2-1): The Indians are coming off a 45-25 win over Cowanesque Valley in Week 3, while the Rangers dropped a 42-6 decision at Lake Lehman.

Prediction: Northwest has struggled this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. … MUNCY 41, NORTHWEST 6.
The Mick: Muncy 54, Northwest 0. … Country Bob: Muncy 47, Northwest 0. … Little Red: Muncy 48, Northwest 6.

Canton (2-1) at NP-Mansfield (1-2): The Warriors were dealt a dizzying, 48-42, setback at home against Athens in Week 3, while the Tigers lost at Towanda, 21-6.

Prediction: NP-M doesn’t have the same type of weapons Athens has, and the Canton offense is still capable of scoring. … CANTON 42, NP-M 12.
The Mick: Canton 42, NP-M 14. … Country Bob: Canton 35, NP-M 6. … Little Red: Canton 28, NP-M 13.

SATURDAY
Athens (2-1) at Troy (3-0): The Trojans are coming off a 43-7 win over South Williamsport, while the Wildcats upended Canton, 48-42, at Miller A. Moyer Field.

Athens sophomore QB Connor Davidson is an absolute stud, but this Troy team may be a once-in-a-lifetime group.

Prediction: Athens is going to win a lot of games the remainder of the season, but will have to wait until next week to get things rolling. … TROY 43, ATHENS 13.
The Mick: Troy 46, Athens 12. … Country Bob: Troy 48, Athens 6. … Little Red: Troy 35, Athens 7.



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