FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 15 PICKS — STATE SEMIFINALS ON BOTH SIDES OF BORDER (November 29, 2025)

We're getting down to the nitty gritty with four Section IV teams, including Tioga and Owego, in the N.Y. state semifinals, and just one District 4 team — Southern Columbia — in the PIAA final four.

Mother Nature reared her ugly head, and forced Tioga's game to be moved from Friday to Sunday, while Owego will still play Saturday afternoon.

Southern Columbia is primed to win yet another state title.

Picking postseason games is not easy. Last week, Country Bob and I were both 5-2, while The Mick was 4-3, and Little Red was 3-4.

On the season, The Mick leads the way with a 120-27 record, while I am 116-31, Country Bob is 114-33, and Little Red is 110-37.

Without further ado, the VSR Pigskin Pickers make their picks for Week 15 (Week 14 in Pa. and Week 12 in N.Y.):

New York State Playoffs
Class D Semifinals
Tioga (11-1) vs. Newfane (12-0): The Tigers are coming off a 28-14 win over Section III champ Lowville in the quarterfinals, while the  Panthers crushed Section V champ Avon, 75-12.

Newfane has outscored its opponents 43.8 to 13.1 points per game this season, with dual-threat QB Mac Capen (1,872 yards and 32 TDs rushing, and 1,193 yards and 11 TDs) doing the lion's share of the work.

Tioga has outscored its foe by an average of 32.2 to 14.3 points per game. Logan Bellis has run for 1,767 yards and 25 TDs, and has gotten better as the season has progressed.

Prediction: Newfane has not played the same tough schedule Tioga has traversed. It will be interesting to see how they react if the game is close late. I've always believed if teams are evenly-matched, the team with the best player on the field is likely to win. ... NEWFANE 28, TIOGA 26.
The Mick: Tioga 21, Newfane 14. ... Country Bob: Tioga 28, Newfane 13. ... Little Red: Tioga 34, Newfane 14.

Class B Semifinals
Owego (9-3) vs. Monroe (10-0): The River Hawks are coming off a 36-34 win over Section III champ New Hartford in the quarterfinals, while the Red Jackets topped Lackawanna, 40-14.

The Owego defense goes from the frying pan to the fire in terms of facing potent offenses. New Hartford receiver Payton Way, who set a state record with 370 receiving yards in the loss, is headed to Colgate, while Monroe wideout Isaiah Hampton is headed to Oregon.

I don't know that Monroe's defense has faced a physical group like Owego, but the fact it allowed just three TDs and 25 points the entire season is impressive regardless of the opposition.

Prediction: The River Hawks will need to use its ball-control offense in much the same manner it did in last week's win. I stick with the same rule I mentioned above — in a match-up of evenly-matched teams, the team with the best player on the field usually wins. ... MONROE 34, OWEGO 21.
The Mick: Monroe 14, Owego 13. ... Country Bob: Owego 27, Monroe 20. ...  Little Red: Monroe 28, Owego 7.

Class C Semifinals
Chenango Forks (11-0) vs. Chatauqua Lake-Westfield-Brocton (11-1): The Blue Devils rolled over Section III champ General Brown, 47-24, while the Eagles edged Alexander-Pembroke, 11-8.

Prediction: I thought the easiest pick of the preseason was to predict a state title for Forks. Nothing has changed my mind. ... FORKS 44, CLWB 6.
The Mick: Forks 42, CLWB 8. ... Country Bob: Forks 42, CLWB 7. ... Little Red: Forks 49, CLWB 7.

Class A Semifinals
Union-Endicott (9-2) vs. Brighton (10-2): The Tigers are coming off a convincing 46-22 win over two-time state runner-up Whitesboro, while the Bruins thumped McKinley, 42-14.

Prediction: It's been a good run for U-E, one that exceeded anyone's expectations. ... BRIGHTON 27, U-E 14.
The Mick: U-E 28, Brighton 13. ... Country Bob: U-E 27, Brighton 24. ... Little Red: U-E 27, Brighton 14.

PIAA Playoffs
Class AA Semifinals
Southern Columbia (13-1) vs. Landsdale Catholic (11-3): The Tigers are coming off a 55-26 win over Steelton-Highspire in the quarterfinals, while the Crusaders topped Williams Valley, 33-7.

Prediction: It seems pretty obvious Southern Columbia is on a mission. It almost seems like destiny. ... SOUTHERN 34, LANDSALE CATHOLIC 13.
The Mick: Southern 44, LC 28. ... Country Bob: Southern 42, LC 7. ... Little Red: Southern 35, LC 7.

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