FROM THE PRESS BOX: ATHENS, SAYRE OPEN 2025 SEASON AT HOME — WEEK ZERO PICKS (2025-08-22)

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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