"Football Friday" carries over into Saturday this weekend with two games each day, including a pair of crucial divisional games in Section IV.Athens hosts Muncy, and Tioga is on the road at Trumanbsurg with the division title on the line Friday night, while Waverly travels to Owego in a game that would clinch the division for the Wolverines Saturday afternoon, and Sayre hosts Canton for Homecoming under the lights at the Lockhart Street Bowl.
Last week was a pretty good one for the VSR Pigskin Prognosticators. Little Red proved the adage "even a one-eyed squirrel finds a nut once in a while" by leading the way with an 11-1 record, while Larry (The Mick), Moe (Me), and Curley (Country Bob) were each 10-2.
The Mick and I are tied in the top spot at 66-17, while Country Bob is 65-18, and Little Red is 63-20.
Without further ado, the VSR Pigskin Pickers make their picks for Week 9 (Week 8 in Pa. and Week 6 in N.Y.):
Muncy (5-3) at Athens (7-1): The Wildcats are coming off a 56-21 win over Wyalusing, while the Indians dropped a 28-20 decision to South Williamsport.
Athens' offense has explosive this season, averaging more than 48 points per game, with its season-low in points 35. Muncy's defense on the other hand has allowed about 14 points per game.
Prediction: Athens has shaken off some adverse moments in recent games that may have dragged them under in recent years. The Wildcats will continue to make big plays tonight. ... ATHENS 34, MUNCY 20.
The Mick: Athens 28, Muncy 10. ... Country Bob: Athens 35, Muncy 13 ... Little Red: Athens 24, Muncy 13.
Tioga (5-1) at Trumansburg (4-2): The Tigers are coming off a 34-22 win over Groton, while the Blue Raiders posted a 28-6 win over SVEC.
Trumansburg's losses came against Delhi and Class C Oneonta, and have impressive wins of Walton and SVEC, while Tioga has gotten better each week.
Prediction: Trumansburg obviously has athletes, but it will face its biggest test of the season in the trenches tonight. ... Tioga's offense has been getting and more diverse each week. ... TIOGA 36, T-BURG 26.
The Mick: Tioga 24, T-Burg 21. ... Country Bob: Tioga 21, T-Burg 13. ... Little Red: T-Burg 28, Tioga 21.
Canton (1-7) at Sayre (0-8): The Redskins are coming off a 43-14 loss at Towanda, while the Warriors dropped a 49-7 decision at Wellsboro.
Canton has only been shutout once this season, while Sayre was blanked four games in a row, and scored a season-high 14 points.
Prediction: Both teams have been hammered by injuries this season, and I think this is a pretty even match up. ... CANTON 22, SAYRE 12.
The Mick: Canton 16, Sayre 8. ... Country Bob: Sayre 21, Canton 20. ... Little Red: Canton 35, Sayre 0.
Waverly (6-0) at Owego (4-2): The Wolverines are coming off a 28-20 win over Maine-Endwell, while the River Hawks edged Windsor, 10-7.
Waverly plays loosely at times, but in crunch time this season, the Wolverines have been nearly perfect on both sides of the ball.
Owego's defense has been impressive, allowing just 8 points per game, but the River Hawk offense has struggled at times.
Prediction: This is going to be a big-time battle in the trenches. Waverly has shown more offense and big-play potential this season. ... WAVERLY 17, OWEGO 7.
The Mick: Waverly 14, Owego 13. ... Country Bob: Waverly 27, Owego 6. ... Little Red: Waverly 28, Owego 7.
Newark Valley (3-3) at SVEC (4-2): The Cardinals are coming off 41-22 win over Greene-Oxford, while the Eagles dropped a 28-6 decision at Trumansburg.
Prediction: Newark Valley has beaten the teams it should, but has struggled against Class D's top teams, while aside from last week's loss, SVEC was very good against the top teams. ... SVEC 36, NV 16.
The Mick: SVEC 36, NV 14. ... Country Bob: SVEC 27, NV 12. ... Little Red: SVEC 34, NV 27.
Tunkhannock (3-5) at Towanda (2-6): The Black Knights are coming off a 43-14 win over Sayre, while the Tigers edged Montrose, 15-10.
Prediction: Tunkhannock's three wins come against teams with a combined three wins, and two of those wins are against winless Susquehanna. ... Towanda is starting to put it together, despite the injuries. ... TOWANDA 25, TUNKHANNOCK 18.
The Mick: Tunkhannock 44, Towanda 7. ... Country Bob: Tunkhannock 35, Towanda 21. ... Little Red: Tunkhannock 35, Towanda 7.
Wyalusing (2-6) at Hughesville (2-6): The Rams are coming off a 56-21 loss at Athens, while the Spartans dropped a 42-7 decision at Warrior Run.
Prediction: Both teams have the same record, but Hughesville has played a much tougher schedule. ... HUGHESVILLE 27, WYALUSING 12.
The Mick: Hughesville 33, Wyalusig 7. ... Country Bob: Hughesville 21, Wyalusing 13. ... Little Red: Hughesville 28, Wyalusing 7.
Central Mountain (0-8) at Troy (7-1): The Trojans are coming off a 58-10 win over North Penn, while the winless Wildcats dropped a 35-13 decision to Mount Carmel.
Prediction: The Trojans are once again clicking on all cylinders. ... Central Mountain has scored 30 points in eight games. ... TROY 47, CM 0.
The Mick: Troy 36, CM 7. ... Country Bob: Troy 42, Central Mountain 6. ... Little Red: Troy 48, Central Mountain 6.
Montgomery (7-1) at South Williamsport (5-3): The Red Raiders are coming off a 57-6 win over Holy Redeemer, while the Mounties topped Muncy, 28-0.
Prediction: South has played a much tougher schedule with losses to Milton, Athens, and Troy ... Montgomery has played a very weak schedule, but has an impressive 27-7 win over Muncy. ... SOUTH 30, MONTGOMERY 25.
The Mick: Montgomery 24, South 16. ... Country Bob: Montgomery 28, South 13. ... Little Red: Montgomery 35, South 31.
North Penn (4-4) at Cowanesque Valley (4-4): The Panthers are coming off a 58-10 loss at Troy, while the Indians rolled over Northwest Area, 60-0.
Prediction: This could be a pretty fun game, but I think CV pulls it out. ... CV 36, NORTH PENN 32.
The Mick: CV 15, NP 14. ... Country Bob: NP 21, CV 6. ... Little Red: NP 27, CV 13.
Northwest Area (2-6) at Wellsboro (4-4): The Rangers are coming off a 60-0 loss to Cowanesque Valley, while the Hornets rolled over Canton, 49-7.
Prediction: Wellsboro has been getting each week. ... WELLSBORO 58, NW AREA 6.
The Mick: Wellsboro 26, NW Area 12. ... Country Bob: Wellsboro 28, NW Area 6. ... Little Red: Wellsboro 48, NW Area 6.
