FROM THE PRESS BOX: CAN TIOGA, AND WAVERLY BOTH ADVANCE TO PLAY FOR A STATE TITLE? (2023-11-23)

The high school football season is drawing to a close on both sides of the border, but Tioga and Waverly are still going strong, and are just one win away from playing for a state title.

The Tigers are seeking their third consecutive New York State Class D championship game appearance, while the Wolverines are playing for the program’s first-ever title tilt appearance.

There are no local NTL teams remaining in the PIAA playoffs, but a quartet of District 4 teams will play for a berth in the state semifinals this weekend.

It was a good week for the VSR Pigskin Pickers as Little Red and I both went 7-0, The Mick was 6-1, and Country Bob was 5-2. On the season, I lead the pack at 115-18, The Mick is 112-21, Little Red is 106-27, and Country Bob is 102-31.

So, what does Week 14 have in store for us? Let’s see what the Pigskin Prognosticators have to say:

NEW YORK STATE PLAYOFFS
Class D Semifinals
Tioga (12-0) vs. Clymer-Sherman-Panama (11-0): The Tigers are coming off a 56-12 win over Dolgeville, while the Wolfpack thumped Canisteo-Greenwood, 50-16.

Prediction: Both teams are very good on both sides of the football. Most years CSP would be good enough to win a state title, but Tioga is still the big dog in the yard. … TIOGA 45, CSP 29.
The Mick: Tioga 21, CSP 16. … Little Red: Tioga 35, CSP 21. … Country Bob: Tioga 35, CSP 13.

Class C Semifinals
Waverly (11-1) vs. Salamanca (9-2): The Wolverines are coming off a 49-8 win over Adirondack, while the Warriors topped LeRoy, 21-13.

Prediction: Salamanca has good athletes, but so does Waverly, and the Wolverines appear to have a superior line … and games are won in the trenches. … WAVERLY 31, SALAMANCA 13.
The Mick: Waverly 38, Salamanca 12. … Little Red: Waverly 28, Salamanca 6. … Country Bob: Waverly 21, Salamanca 13.

Class B Semifinals
Maine-Endwell (11-0) vs. Monroe (11-0): The Spartans are coming off a 41-14 win over Indian River, while the Red Jackets edged McQuaid, 14-6.

Prediction: There’s been a lot of buzz around this Monroe team, and some pundits in the Western part of New York believe the Red Jackets can slay the mighty M-E. I think they need their heads examined. … M-E 35, MONROE 13.
The Mick: M-E 37, Monroe 12. … Little Red: M-E 36, Monroe 7. …  Country Bob: M-E 47, Monroe 6.

PIAA PLAYOFFS
Class A Quarterfinals
Cambria Heights (10-3) at South Williamsport (10-2): The Mounties are coming off a 57-20 win over Muncy, while  the Highlanders topped Purchase Line, 27-13.

Prediction: South Williamsport is on a roll, but so is Cambria Heights, which avenged a pair of early-season losses on its way to a district title. This could be a close one. … SOUTH 27, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS 21.
The Mick: South 28, Cambria Heights 14. … Little Red: South 28, Cambria Heights 14. … Country Bob: Cambria Heights 28, South 14.

Class AA Quarterfinals
Bald Eagle Area (12-1) at Southern Columbia (12-1): Southern Columbia is coming off a hard-fought 14-0 win over Troy, while the Bald Eagles blanked Richland, 49-0.

Prediction: The Tigers have won six state titles in a row, and I for one, won’t bet against them to make it seven in a row. … SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 34, BALD EAGLE AREA 20.
The Mick: SOUTH 16, BEA 7. … Little Red: South 28, Wyomissing 14. … Country Bob: SC 35, BEA 6.

Class 3A Quarterfinals
Danville (12-1) at Wyomissing (11-1): The Ironmen are coming off a 40-7 win over Loyalsock, while the Spartans rolled to a 42-14 win over West Perry.

Prediction: Danville can put up points in bunches, and while Wyomissing has also scored a lot of points this season, I’m not sure they can keep up with the Ironmen in a shootout. … DANVILLE 45, WYOMISSING 35.
The Mick: Wyomissing 28, Danville 22. … Little Red:  Wyomissing 28, Danville 14. … Country Bob: Danville 31, WYOMISSING 14.

Class 4A Quarterfinals
Juniata (8-5) at Selinsgrove (12-0-1): The Indians are coming off a 21-7 win over Meadville, while the Seals topped Bethlehem Catholic, 28-13.

Prediction: Selinsgrove beat Juniata, 38-8, during the regular season, and I don’t think it will be much different this time around. … SELINSGROVE 34, JUNIATA 13.
The Mick: Selinsgrove 44, Juniata 7. … Little Red: Selinsgrove 21, Juniata 7.  Country Bob: Selinsgrove 21, Juniata 13.