Section Nine Football

CLASS AA/A:

1. NEWBURGH – The Goldbacks handled Section One New Rochelle in week zero but did not play in week one since their scheduled game with Corning-Painted Post was cancelled. The state finalists will visit another top five team, Minisink, in Thursday night action.

2. OUR LADY OF LOURDES – The Warriors head into week two with two wins in the bank, thorough victories over Spackenkill and Pine Bush. Now the schedule gets more interesting as tough Monroe-Woodbury rolls in for a very good non-league contest.

3. CORNWALL – The Dragons are no stranger to making these rankings, so why should 2023 be any different?! Cornwall has posted 92 points in two wins thus far and will play the favorite in a home opener versus Pine Bush.

4. MINISINK – Congratulations to coach Kevin Gallagher for winning his 100th game since taking over in 2006. Minisink broke out fast to a 33-0 lead before halftime at Wallkill. Then the weather prevented a continuation of the rest of the game. This week Newburgh will be a great test for MV.

5 (a). MIDDLETOWN – The Middies poured on 55 points against Goshen on the Faller Field turf to fine tune for the impending Erie Bell game at Port Jervis. Middletown looks to regain the prize after having lost it a season ago.

5 (b). MONROE-WOODBURY – The Crusaders also had a game with John F. Kennedy cancelled in week one after having dropped a tough 21-15 contest with Section One North Rockland in week zero. Things will not get any easier in week two, as the bus veers toward an encounter in Poughkeepsie with Our Lady of Lourdes, our reigning Class A champion.

CLASS B/C/D:

1. PORT JERVIS – After two amazing scoring outputs of 48 and 61 points through the first two victories, the Raiders put the Erie Bell on the line with ancient rival Middletown. As always, a big crowd is expected at Glennette Field in this newest chapter of a series dating back to 1897.

2. O’NEILL – These Raiders got back on track in a two touchdown win at Red Hook. The defending NYSPHSAA Class C champions play host to Class A Roosevelt, finally giving the home crowd a chance to commemorate last season’s accomplishments.

3. MARLBORO – The Iron Dukes edged Saugerties in week zero but had the week one game with Roosevelt cancelled due to weather. The home opener is now this week in a Class B crossover against New Paltz.

4. SAUGERTIES – The Sawyers defeated New Paltz to get the league schedule going and now visit Red Hook in another Class B crossover tilt. After going 1-9 in 2022, this early season victory must be exciting for the Saugerties program and coach Nick Bernard.

5. SPACKENKILL – The Spartans took some punishment in a week zero 30-point setback to Lourdes but paid it forward to Dover in a resounding 34-8 week one triumph. The Spartans entertain Chester in a 6PM Thursday night kickoff to see which squad can gain in these rankings.

8-MAN:

1. PINE PLAINS/RHINEBECK – In these early rankings, we’ll go with the Bombers/Hawks because of a big 33-0 win over defending sectional champion Tri-Valley. This week the Division Two schedule begins with a journey to Ellenville.

2. SULLIVAN WEST – The Bulldogs growled past Onteora on the road in a non-league opening game contest. According to our records, coach Ron Bauer has 199 career wins and may technically get his 200th with Livingston Manor/Roscoe’s impending forfeit of this week’s Division One league game.

3. PAWLING – The Tigers held a 16-0 lead over Rondout when weather conditions deteriorated, making it impossible to resume. Pawling stays home for the league game versus Onteora this week.

4. FALLSBURG – The Comets got the offense moving in a big 48-24 romp over Ellenville in week one. We’ll see how Fallsburg does against champion Tri-Valley in an early 3:30 home game this Thursday afternoon.

5. ELDRED – The Yellowjackets dominated in a 34-0 home victory over the new Millbrook/Webutuck merged squad. This week Eldred has a bye.