FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 13 PICKS — SECTION IV, DISTRICT 4 TITLES ON THE LINE (2024-11-15)

Section IV and District 4 championship games, and a couple PIAA state playoff games comprise the regional football schedule in Week 13.

Tioga and Waverly will both play in rematches for Section IV titles, and Troy will play for a District 4 title.

Week 12 was a pretty good one for three-quarters of the Prognosticators. I was 11-0 on the week, while, Little Red was 10-1, Country Bob posted a 9-2 mark, and The Mick brought up the rear at 7-4.

On the season, The Mick leads the way at 110-22, Little Red is 109-23, I have a 108-24 record, and Country Bob is back at 105-27.

So what do the pigskin pickers see in Week 13? Let’s take a look:

2-Tioga (7-3) vs. 1-Delhi (8-2): The Tigers rallied for a 35-14 win over SVEC in the Section IV, Class D semifinals, while the Bulldogs topped Deposit-Hancock, 42-13 in the other semi-final.

Delhi won the regular-season meeting at Haggerty Field, 41-34, and was able to get to the corner with the run, and throw the ball very effectively.

Since the loss, Tioga has found its identity with a power run game, led by senior Jake Browne. And, the Tigers are as healthy as they're going to get this season.

Prediction: Tioga's defense will need to stop Delhi's perimeter run game, and its passing game to 6-5 tight end Rocco Schnabel. ... Delhi's defense will need to stop the bruising run game of Jake Browne, and the speed of QB Jayden Duncanson. Which defense will make that one play? ... DELHI 42, TIOGA 40.
The Mick: Tioga 45, Delhi 36. ... Country Bob: Tioga 35, Delhi 34. ... Little Red: Tioga 35, Delhi 21.

2-Chenango Forks (8-1) vs. 1-Waverly (9-1): The Wolverines blanked Windsor, 42-0, in the semifinals of the Section IV, Class C playoffs, while the Blue Devils topped Lansing, 42-13, in the other semi-final.

Hard to believe, but Waverly's offense has not skipped a beat despite losing the program's all-time leading passer and receiver, and its defense is better this year.

With seven state titles, Chenango Forks is still e measuring stick in Class C. The Blue Devils have four quality ball carriers, with senior Ryan Bartlow the most dangerous of all.

Prediction: The Wolverines are averaging 45 points per game, and scored 41 on Maine-Endwell. The Blue Devils are well-coached and tough, but Waverly has so many weapons. ... WAVERLY 31, FORKS 14.
The Mick: Waverly 36, Forks 21. ... Country Bob: Waverly 27, Forks 21. ... Little Red: Waverly 28, Forks 14.

2-Owego (8-1) vs. 1-Maine-Endwell (10-0): The River Hawks rolled to a 34-14 win over Norwich, while the Spartans blanked Oneonta, 49-0, to set up a rematch for the Section IV, Class B finals.

Prediction: Two weeks after M-E topped Owego, 21-7, I think we'll see more of the same. In their first outing, M-E was better up front. ... M-E 35, OWEGO 13.
The Mick: M-E 28, Owego 18. ... Country Bob: M-E 28, Owego 14. ... Little Red: M-E 28, Owego 7.

6-Warrior Run (8-4) vs. 1-Troy (12-0): The Trojans rolled to a 69-28 win over seven-time defending state champion Southern Columbia in the District 4, Class AA semifinals, while the Defenders topped second-seeded Towanda, 32-20 in the other semi-final.

Prediction: Troy may suffer a bit of a letdown after its big win over Southern. Then again, it may not. ... TROY 48, WARRIOR RUN 14.
The Mick: Troy 38, WR 13. ... Country Bob: Troy 42, WR 20. ... Little Red: Troy 35, WR 14.

2-Lewisburg (10-1) at 1-Danville (11-0): The Green Dragons rolled into the District 4, Class 3A championship game with a 39-7 win over Mount Carmel, while the Ironmen topped Montoursville, 35-10, in the other semi-final.

Prediction: This is the game a lot of people have been waiting for. This looks like Lewisburg's year. ... LEWISBURG 27, DANVILLE 23.
The Mick: Danville 36, Lewisburg 20. ... Country Bob: Danville 35, Lewisburg 24. ... Little Red: Lewisburg 21, Danville 17.

Shamokin (12-0) vs. Juniata (8-3): The Shamokin Indians edged Jersey Shore, 28-27, in the District 4, Class 4A championship game, while the Juniata Indians topped Bellefonte, 20-6.

Prediction: Shamokin took down state power Jersey Shore last week, and looks to continue its roll. ... SHAMOKIN 33, JUNIATA 7.
The Mick: Shamokin 45, Juniata 7. ... Country Bob: Shamokin 28, Juniata 20. ... Little Red: Shamokin 35, Juniata 14.

Muncy (10-2) vs. Lackawanna Trail (11-1): The Indians are coming off an impressive 42-6 win over Line Mountain in the District 4, Class A title game, while the Lions blanked Tri-Valley, 42-0, in the District 2 title game.

Prediction: Austin Johnson is one of the best players in District 4. ... MUNCY 40, LT 26.
The Mick: LT 28, Muncy 24. ... Country Bob: Muncy 28, LT 20. ... Little Red: LT 28, Muncy 21.

2-Elmira (5-4) at 1-Corning (6-2): The Express are coming off a 32-0 win over Ithaca in the Section IV, Class AA semifinals, while the Hawks had a bye.

Prediction: Corning won the regular-season meeting, 24-12. I don't think it will be that close this time around. ... CORNING 39, ELMIRA 13.
The Mick: Corning 28, Elmira 17. ... Country Bob: Corning 37, Elmira 20. ... Little Red: Corning 24, Elmira 12.


Prediction: Horseheads won the regular-season meeting, 35-20, at Vestal. It won't that close this time. ... HORSEHEADS 42, VESTAL 13.
The Mick: Horseheads 44, Vestal 13. ... Country Bob: Horseheads 42, Vestal 6. ... Little Red: Horseheads 35, Vestal 21.


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