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.