The football season is winding down with both the state quarterfinals on tap on both sides of the border.Tioga kicks off the weekend Friday night, while Owego and Elmira both play Saturday.
There are only two teams — Southern Columbia and Shamokin — remaining in District 4.
Last week, much like this week, was full of tough games to pick. The Mick posted a 5-2 record, while Country Bob, Little Red and I were all 4-3/
On the season, The Mick is in firm control at 116-24, while I have a 111-29 record, Country Bob is 109-31, and Little Red is 107-33. The Mick and I have a commanding 11-game lead in our tag-team dual.
Without further ado, the VSR Pigskin Pickers make their picks for Week 14 (Week 13 in Pa. and Week 11 in N.Y.):
NEW YORK STATE PLAYOFFS
Class D Quarterfinals
Tioga (10-1) vs. Lowville (11-0): The Tigers are coming off a 48-34 win over Trumansburg in the Section IV, Class D championship game, while the Red Raiders topped three-time defending Section III champ Dolgeville, 38-20.
Lowville is widely-regarded as the best defensive team in Section III as evidenced by holding Section III Class C champ General Brown, which averaged 50.8 points per game, to 20 points in a 22-20 win.
Prediction: All the numbers point to Lowville, but we've seen that before. Tioga is 11-0 in these Regional Championships under Nick Aiello. Until I see a Section III team match the Tigers' physicality, I have to stick with them, but I do think it will be much closer than usual. ... TIOGA 26, LOWVILLE 20.
The Mick: Lowville 16, Tioga 13. ... Country Bob: Tioga 42, Lowville 20. ... Little Red: Lowville 34, Tioga 27.
Class B Quarterfinals
Owego (8-3) vs. New Hartford (11-0): The River Hawks rolled to a 27-7 win over Waverly in the Section IV, Class B title game, while the Spartans topped Syracuse Institute of Technology 37-14 in the Section III championship.
New Hartford enters the game averaging nearly 44 points per game, while Owego allows 8.9 points per game. On the flip side, Owego averages 17.5 points per game, while New Hartford allows 17.8 points.
Prediction: This is an intriguing match-up. A high-powered offense against a lockdown defense. New Hartford wide receiver Payton Way (66 receptions for 1,251 yards and 23 TDs, and 24 carries for 300 yards and three TDs) may be the best player the River Hawks have seen all year. ... New Hartford has allowed teams to run the football, and Owego does have the ability to control the clock with its ground game. ... OWEGO 24, NEW HARTFORD 22.
The Mick: Owego 21, New Hartford 0. ... Country Bob: Owego 21, New Hartford 6. ... Little Red: New Hartford 28, Owego 7.
Class AA Quarterfinals
Elmira (6-4) vs. Christian Brothers Academy (10-0): The Express are coming off a 53-18 win over Corning in the Section IV championship game, while two-time defending state champ CBA topped Liverpool, 27-6, to win the Section III crown.
Prediction: This is a total mismatch. ... CBA 55, Elmira 6.
The Mick: CBA 29, Elmira 24. ... Country Bob: Elmira 27, CBA 13. ... Little Red: CBA 35, Elmira 14.
Class A Quarterfinals
Union-Endicott (8-2) vs. Whitesboro (10-1): The Tigers are coming off a 21-20 win over Horseheads in the Section IV title game, while the Warriors topped East-Syracuse Minoa, 21-7, to win the Section III crown.
Prediction: Whitesboro has won 10 in a row since a 28-7 Week Zero loss to two-time defending Class AA state champion CBA. Whitesboro has also lost the last two state title games. ... WHITESBORO 46, U-E 20.
The Mick: Whitesboro 26, U-E 12. ... Country Bob: U-E 28, Whitesboro 20. ... Little Red: Whitesboro 35, U-E 13.
Class C Quarterfinals
Chenango Forks (10-0) vs. General Brown (10-1): The Blue Devils are coming off a 42-6 win over Oneonta in the Section IV championship game, while the Lions won the Section III title with a 51-49 win over Cazenovia.
Prediction: General Brown is scoring 50.8 points per game, but they haven't played Forks. ... FORKS 36, GEN. BROWN 14.
The Mick: Forks 36, Gen. Brown 8. ... Country Bob: Forks 35, Gen. Brown 6. ... Little Red: Forks 48, Gen. Brown 6.
PIAA PLAYOFFS
Class AA Quarterfinals
Southern Columbia (12-1) vs. Steeleton-Highspire (10-2): The Tigers are coming off a 42-0 win over Troy in the District 4 championship game, while the District 3 champ Steamrollers rolled over District 5 champ Chestnut Ridge, 52-20, in the opening round of the Class AA state playoffs.
Prediction: Southern Columbia is on a mission. One of Steelton-Highspire's losses was to Line Mountain, and they are not on Southern's level. ... SOUTHERN 41, S-H 20.
The Mick: SC 44, S-H 6. ... Country Bob: SC 42, S-H 6. ... Little Red: SC 42, S-H 14.
Class 4A Quarterfinals
Shamokin (13-0) vs. Southern Lehigh (12-1): The Indians are coming off a 42-13 win over Bellefonte in the opening round of the 4A state playoffs, while the Spartans topped Bethlehem Catholic, 49-28, in the District 11 championship game.
Prediction: District 4 has had good success in Class 4A in recent years. Shamokin appears like it can continue that success. ... SHAMOKIN 27, S. LEHIGH 20.
The Mick: Shamokin 34, S.Lehigh 18. ... Country Bob: Shamokin 35, S.Lehigh 13. ... Little Red: Shamokin 42, S.Lehigh 7.
