FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 10 PICKS — THE FINAL WEEK OF THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE (2023-10-27)

It’s hard to believe this is the end of the regular season, but here we are with Sayre wrapping up the 2023 season, and Athens, Tioga, and Waverly playing a final  tune-up game before the postseason begins next weekend.

Regardless of the record, the annual “Rusty Rail” rivalry game is the highlight of the action in the Valley. That said, most football fans South of the Border will have their eyes and ears pinned to Miller A. Moyer Field, the site of the annual “Old Shoe” game — pitting 9-0 Troy against 8-1 Canton.

Last week was a solid, if not unspectacular, week for the Pigskin Prognosticators.

Little Red was 11-2, while Country Bob was 10-3, and The Mick and I were both 9-4. On the season, I lead the pack at 80-14, The Mick is 78-16, and Little Red and Country Bob are both 75-19.

So, what does Week 10 have in store for us? Let’s see what the Pigskin Pickers have to say:

Athens (2-7) at Sayre (1-8): The Wildcats are coming off a 28-14 loss at Central Columbia, while the Redskins rallied for a 14-12 win at Montgomery.

Prediction: Sayre has been playing better recently, but Athens has shown more on defense this season than their Valley rivals. … ATHENS 20, SAYRE 8.
The Mick: Athens 28, Sayre 13. … Little Red: Athens 20, Sayre 13. … Country Bob: Sayre 14, Athens 13.

Oneonta (1-6) at Waverly (7-1): The Wolverines are coming off a water-logged 24-7 win at Owego, while the Yellowjackets dropped a 24-16 decision at home to Sidney.

Prediction: Waverly is at the top of its game, especially on defense. The Homecoming crowd should get plenty of thrills from Tomasso & Co. tonight. … WAVERLY 56, ONEONTA 0.
The Mick: Waverly 44, Oneonta 0. … Little Red: Waverly 48, Oneonta 0. … Country Bob: Waverly 38, Oneonta 13.

Newark Valley (4-3) at Tioga (8-0): The Tigers are coming off a 56-0 win over B-G last Thursday, while the Cardinals dropped a 21-14 decision at home to Sidney Saturday.

Prediction: While anything can happen in rivalry games like this, Tioga is riding a historic high, and Newark Valley is not where it has been in recent years. … TIOGA 42, NEWARK VALLEY 7.
The Mick: Tioga 38, NV 7. …  Little Red: Tioga 42, NV 0. … Country Bob: Tioga 44, NV 6.

Troy (9-0) at Canton (8-1): The Trojans are coming off an impressive 44-7 win at Loyalsock, while the Warriors dropped a 14-7 decision at Milton.

Prediction: Canton has been the proverbial thorn in Troy’s side the last several years. That comes to an end tonight. … TROY 22, CANTON 7.
The Mick: Troy 35, Canton 21. … Little Red: Troy 42, Canton 14. … Country Bob: Troy 28, Canton 13.

Towanda (6-3) at Wyalusing (5-4): The Black Knights are coming off a 55-7 non-league rout of Tunkhannock, while the Rams thumped North Penn-Mansfield, 37-16.

Prediction: This may be the toughest game of the week to pick. Wyalusing’s run game has shifted into high gear as the season has rolled on, but Towanda’s Riley Vanderpool is tough to bet against. … TOWANDA 28, WYALUSING 25.
The Mick: Towanda 31, Wyalusing 7. … Little Red: Wyalusing 28, Towanda 13. … Country Bob: Towanda 31, Wyalusing 13.

SVEC (5-3) at B-G (3-5): The Eagles are coming off a disappointing 14-0 loss to Walton, while the Bobcats dropped a 56-0 decision at Tioga.

Prediction: SVEC needs this win to keep its postseason hopes alive. … SVEC 36, B-G 20.
The Mick: SVEC 28, B-G 12. … Little Red: SVEC 28, B-G 14. …  Country Bob: SVEC 47, B-G 0.

Chenango Valley (0-7) at Owego (3-4): The River Hawks are coming off a 24-7 loss to Waverly, while the Warriors dropped a 47-6 decision to arch-rival Chenango Forks.

Prediction: Owego is getting better each week, and CV is not. … OWEGO 40, CV 6.
The Mick: Owego 36, CV 7. … Little Red: Owego 28, CV 7. … Country Bob: Owego 42, CV 7.

Wellsboro (2-7) at North Penn-Mansfield (3-6): The Hornets are coming off a 12-0 loss to Cowanesque Valley, while the Tigers dropped a 36-17 decision to Wyalusing.

Prediction: Another tough rivalry game to call. I’ll take senior QB Karson Dominic in his final home game. … NP-M 27, WELLSBORO 20.
The Mick: NP-M 26, Wellsboro 16. … Little Red: Wellsboro 21, NP-M 7. … Country Bob: NP-M 34, Wellsboro 6.

Montgomery (1-8) at CMVT (2-6): The Red Raiders are coming off a 14-12 loss to Sayre, while the Rams rolled to a 46-14 win over Montrose.

Prediction: CMVT has been more competitive throughout the season. … CMVT 32, Montgomery 13.
The Mick: Montgomery 21, CMVT 6. … Little Red: Montgomery 28, CMVT 7. … Country Bob: Montgomery 12, CMVT 6.

Hughesville (3-6) at Muncy (8-1): The Indians are coming off a 40-8 win over Northwest Area, while the Spartans suffered a 28-12 home loss to South Williamsport.

Prediction: Muncy has been a big surprise this year, but I don’t expect any surprises tonight. … MUNCY 28, HUGHESVILLE 16.
The Mick: Muncy 28, Hughesville 6. … Little Red: Muncy 34, Hughesville 13. … Country Bob: Muncy 55, Hughesville 0.

Northwest Area (2-7) at South Williamsport (7-2): The Rangers are coming off a 40-8 loss to Muncy, while the Mounties topped Hughesville, 28-12.

Prediction: South Williamsport’s only were by 1 point to Canton, and 6 points in OT to Muncy, and Northwest Area has been outscored by a lot. … SOUTH 41, NORTHWEST 6.
The Mick: South 54, Northwest 0. … Little Red: South 35, Northwest 7. … Country Bob: South 55, Northwest 0.