FROM THE PRESS BOX: ATHENS, SAYRE OPEN 2025 SEASON AT HOME — WEEK ZERO PICKS (August 22, 2025)

If you blinked, summer is over and the 2025 high school football season is upon us.

Troy begins defense of its PIAA, Class AA state championship — the first-ever for an NTL program — at Sayre, while a veteran Athens squad looks to improve on last year's 5-6 mark.

I also look to defend my individual title in the weekly Pigskin Prognostication, while the Mick and I look to maintain our dominance over the bumbling duo of Country Bob and Little Red in tag-team action.

The first week of the season is such a crap-shoot in terms of picking games, but I won't get into that again.

Without further ado, let us move on to our Week Zero picks:

South Williamsport at Athens: The Wildcats host the Mounties in what may be their biggest challenge, aside from Week 4's match-up against Troy, of the season.

Junior Connor Davidson is a difference-maker at QB for the Wildcats, and he has a lot of weapons at his disposal.

Prediction: The key will be the Athens defense against South's run game. I'm think the Wildcats will be much-improved up front with a veteran group. ... ATHENS 30, SOUTH 14.
The Mick: Athens 27, South 13. ... Country Bob: South 35, Athens 21. ... Little Red: South 28, Athens 14.

Troy at Sayre: This may be the mismatch of all mismatches.

The Trojans enter the contest as defending state champs on a 16-game win streak, while the Redskins lost eight seniors from a 1-9 squad in 2024 and have very little varsity experience returning.

Prediction: Sayre has solid numbers and a lot of youngsters, which is a good step in coach Ricky Lindblad's attempt to rebuild the program. Playing Troy in your first game is not a good thing. ... TROY 62, SAYRE 0.
The Mick: Troy 45, Sayre 0. ... Country Bob: Troy 63, Sayre 0. ... Little Red: Troy 70, Sayre 0.

Wyalusing at North Penn-Mansfield: This is a tough game to call,, both teams suffered some big graduation losses.

Prediction: Wyalusing's used its ground game to keep the ball away from North Penn last year. I expect more of the same tonight. ... WYALUSING 19, NORTH PENN 12.
The Mick: Wyalusing 12, North Penn 8. ... Country Bob: Wyalusing 21, North Penn 13. ... Little Red: Wyalusing 28, North Penn 7.

Northwest at Canton: The Warriors have lost a ton of talent over the last three years, and could struggle in the Large School Division this year.

Prediction: While they may struggle against Large School foes, I think the Warriors have enough to take down this Small School squad. ... CANTON 31, NORTHWEST 13.
The Mick: Canton 28, Northwest 7. ... Country Bob: Canton 42, Northwest 0. ... Little Red: Canton 42, Northwest 21.

Wellsboro at Montoursville: The Hornets have much-improved numbers in 2025, but lost a couple studs. 

Prediction: Montoursville might not be what it was on the gridiron, but I believe it has more than enough this week. ... MONTOURSVILLE 37, WELLSBORO 7.
The Mick: Montoursville 44, Wellsboro 14. ... Country Bob:
Montoursville 42, Wellsboro 6. ... Little Red: Montoursville 34, Wellsboro 6.

Warrior Run at Muncy: The Indians lost a lot in Austin Johnson (2,180 rushing yards and 30 TDs), Landyn Women (864 yards and 16 TDs on 63 carries) and QB Stiles Eyre, but it's a rich program.

Warrior Run brings back a stud QB in James Keifer, but graduated a great deal of his supporting cast.

Prediction: This game is a toss-up to me, but Muncy is well-coached and always seems to be relevant. ... MUNCY 21, WARRIOR RUN 20. 
The Mick: Warrior Run 18, Muncy 15. ... Country Bob: Warrior Run 28, Muncy 13. ... Little Red: Warrior Run 20, Muncy 7.

Montgomery at Hughesville: Both teams posted winning season, but were hit hard by graduation.

Prediction: Montgomery rarely puts back-to-back winning season together, but the same can be said for Hughesville in recent years.

Prediction: Another tough call. ... HUGHESVILLE 14, MONTGOMERY 8.
The Mick: Montgomery 24, Hughesville 12. ... Country Bob: Hughesvile 14, Montgomery 7. ... Little Red: Hughesville 27, Montgomery 13.

Towanda at Cowanesque Valley: The Black Knights were hit hard by gradation, but I think Reece Sluyter and Gage Evans transition nicely into QB and tailback, respectively, nicely this season.

I also think the Indians have some athletes, and a good young coach and could repeat last year's four-win season.

Prediction: I'll take the Black Knights in a close one, and think both teams will be dangerous by season's end. ... TOWANDA 26, CV 18.
The Mick: Towanda 26, CV 7. ... Country Bob: Towanda 21, CV 20. ... Little Red: Towanda 28, CV 7.

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