FROM THE PRESS BOX: WEEK 9 PICKS — ALL THREE VALLEY TEAMS IN ACTION ON THE ROAD (2023-10-20)

With a pair of games already in the books this week, the weekend of action gets into full swing tonight with Waverly, Athens, and Sayre all in action on the road.

Waverly travels to Owego for a non-league game, while Athens is on the road at Central Columbia seeking to build some momentum heading into the postseason, and Sayre is looking to break into the win column at Montgomery.

Last week was a very good one for the VSR pigskin prognosticators. I led the way at 13-0, while The Mick, Little Red, and Country Bob were all 12-1. On the season, I lead the way at 71-10, while The Mick is 69-12, Country Bob is 65-16, and Little Red is 64-17.

So, what does Week 9 have in store for us? Let’s see what the Pigskin Pickers have to say:

Waverly (6-1) at Owego (3-3): The Wolverines are coming off a 42-12 win at Susquehanna Valley, while the River Hawks dropped a 12-7 decision to Windsor.

Owego held a very good Windsor team to just 12 points, but Waverly’s offense has a few more weapons than the Black Knights, and Wolverine defense has been exceptional.

Prediction: The Owego program is headed in the right direction under first-year coach Patton Taylor, but Waverly is on another level this year. … WAVERLY 35, OWEGO 6.
The Mick: Waverly 34, Owego 12. … Little Red: Waverly 49, Owego 6. … Country Bob: Waverly 35, Owego 13.

Athens (2-6) at Central Columbia (0-8): The Wildcats are coming off a 42-19 home loss to unbeaten Canton, while the Bluejays dropped a 33-21 decision at Shamokin.

Athens lost two starters this week. … Sophomore Eli Chapman has looked good in his time under center, but the loss of weapons and depth is a concern. … CENTRAL COLUMBIA 22, ATHENS 13.
The Mick: CC 28, Athens 14. … Little Red: CC 28, Athens 6. … Country Bob: CC 42, Athens 13.

Sayre (0-8) at Montgomery (1-7): The Redskins are coming off a 36-8 home loss to North Penn-Mansfield, while the Red Raiders dropped a 49-6 decision at Warrior Run.

The return of senior Tanner Green at QB, which allow junior Nick Pellicano to return to wide receiver, makes the Redskins a little more dangerous, and should help senior tailback Kaden Bennett find a little more running room.

Prediction: I think the Sayre offense can put some points on the board this week. Problem is, the defense has little success stopping anyone, especially on the ground, and Montgomery likes to run the ball. … MONTGOMERY 27, SAYRE 26.
The Mick: Montgomery 14, Sayre 12. … Little Red: Sayre 28, Montgomery 20. … Country Bob: Montgomery 35, Sayre 6.

Delhi (4-2) at Newark Valley (4-2):  The Cardinals are coming off a 21-8 win at B-G, while the Bulldogs blasted arch-rival Walton, 35-6.

Prediction: The winner has a leg up on a home game in the Class D semifinals. Prior to the season, I had SVEC pegged to meet Tioga in the Class D finals, but with the job Delhi coach Phil Neumann has done this season I’ve changed my tune. … DELHI 34, NEWARK VALLEY 13.
The Mick: Delhi 21, Newark Valley 13. … Little Red: Delhi 21, Newark Valley 7. … Country Bob: Delhi 28, Newark Valley 12.

Walton (3-3) at SVEC (5-2): The Eagles are coming off a 27-0 win at home over Harpursville-Afton, while the Warriors were thumped thumped at Delhi, 35-6.

Prediction: If Newark Valley upends Delhi, and SVEC beats Walton, the Eagles could slide into the two-spot in the division, and get a home game in the Class D semifinals. I think the Eagles do their part. … SVEC 22, WALTON 16,
The Mick: SVEC 14, Walton 6. … Little Red: SVEC 20, Walton 13. … Country Bob: Walton 35, SVEC 19

Wyalusing (4-4) at North Penn-Mansfield (3-5): The Rams are coming off a 41-7 loss to Loyalsock, while the Tigers topped Sayre, 36-8.

Prediction: Neither team has a win over a team with a winning record, although NP-M did beat a 4-4 Cowanesque team. … WYALUSING 26, NP-M 20.
The Mick: Wyalusing 28, NP-M 13. … Little Red: Wyalusing 34, NP-M 12. … Country Bob: Wyalusing 21, NP-M 13.

Wellsboro (2-6) at Cowanesque Valley (4-4): The Indians are coming off a 48-14 home loss to Muncy, while the Hornets dropped a 62-20 decision at home to South Williamsport.

Prediction: The question is which team bounces back. I’ll take the home team, but with little confidence. … CV 32, WELLSBORO 22.
The Mick: Wellsboro 24, CV 21. …  Little Red: Wellsboro 27, CV 13. … Country Bob: CV 28, Wellsboro 6.

Troy (8-0) at Loyalsock (6-2): The Trojans are coming off a 52-0 home win over Northwest Area, while the Lancers thumped Wyalusing, 41-7.

Prediction: This is Troy’s biggest test to date, and the question is, will they get caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown against arch-rival and fellow unbeaten Canton? Loyalsock has been tested a bit more, and it’s playing at home. … LOYALSOCK 24, TROY 22.
The Mick: Troy 35, Loyalsock 21. … Little Red: Troy 49, Loyalsock 14. … Country Bob: Troy 36, Loyalsock 6.

Canton (8-0) at Milton (7-1): The Warriors are coming off a 49-19 win at Athens, while the Panthers won at Mifflinburg, 48-28.

Prediction:  The Panthers have not played a team their size this season, and continue that trend this week. Their only loss came to South Williamsport in Week 1, but they handed Mount Carmel one of its two losses. … CANTON 21, MILTON 13.
The Mick: Canton 18, Milton 12. …  Little Red: Milton 35, Canton 21. … Country Bob: Canton 35, Milton 7.

South Williamsport (6-2) at Hughesville (3-5): The Mounties are coming off a 62-20 home win over Wellsboro, while the Spartans are coming off a 19-14 loss to Towanda.

Prediction: South Williamsport should prevail easily. … SOUTH 35, HUGHESVILLE 13.
The Mick: South 44, Hughesville 13. … Little Red: South 21, Hughesville 13. … Country Bob: South 42, Hughesville 7.

Muncy (7-1) at Northwest Area (2-6): The Indians are coming off a 48-14 win at Cowanesque Valley, while the Rangers were thumped by Troy, 51-0.

Prediction: Muncy will continue to roll. … MUNCY 55, NORTHWEST 0.
The Mick: Muncy 56, Northwest 0. … Little Red: Muncy 42, Northwest Area 0. … Country Bob: Muncy 44, Northwest Area 0.

THURSDAY
TIOGA 56, B-G-0 … Prediction: TIOGA 55, B-G 6.
The Mick: Tioga 56, B-G 7. … Little Red: Tioga 49-12. … Country Bob: Tioga 56, B-G 0.

TOWANDA 55, TUNKHANNOCK 7 … Prediction: Towanda 35, Tunkhannock 12.
The Mick: Tioga 28, Tunkhannock 16. … Little Red: Towanda 27, Tunkhannock 14. … Country Bob: Tunkhannock 35, Towanda 14.