Section Nine Football

CLASS AA/A:

1. NEWBURGH – The Goldbacks played a tough first half at Minisink but scored twice later on to earn a 28-6 win in a good battle between two of our better teams. Next up is the home opener against division rival Pine Bush on Thursday.

2 (a). MIDDLETOWN – The Erie Bell took to the highway and resides once again at MHS after a big 29-8 victory at Port. The Bears jumped out to a 14-0 lead and kept the Raiders at bay. The coaching staff certainly will not let the team have a letdown versus Kinston at Faller this Saturday.

2 (b). MONROE-WOODBURY – What a win for the Crusaders in a huge non-league matchup at Lourdes. Trailing in the fourth quarter, M-W scored but had to get the ball back due to a missed conversion. They took the lead on their ensuing possession and held off the Warriors’ final series. Valley Central gets the league schedule going in week three.

3. CORNWALL – The Dragons produced the third win for first-year coach Kevin Arduino in as many games, beating Pine Bush by three touchdowns. Homestanding Cornwall awaits a visit from Class A Division Two Wallkill in what could be a good challenge.

4. OUR LADY OF LOURDES – The Warriors lost a close one to M-W and now get to tangle with 3-0 Washingtonville in another home non-league game. We’ll find out a lot about both squads this week.

5. MINISINK – The Warriors have one of the toughest schedules in Section Nine this season. After falling short against Newburgh, our top-ranked Class AA/A team, they get to face our top-ranked Class B/C/D program, Port Jervis.

CLASS B/C/D:

1. PORT JERVIS – The Raiders lost the Bell, but we’ll still keep them at the top within these classifications. Port could get some challengers in Class B, so they’ll need to operate on all cylinders from here on out. The game at Minisink presents a very good test.

2. MARLBORO – The Iron Dukes seem to have found their way again. A big 55-0 win over New Paltz should convince some folks about the quality of the offense. On deck is a trip over to Goshen for a very intriguing game at the Coliseum.

3. SAUGERTIES – Great work by the Sawyers in coming back from a 21-14 loss to Marlboro in week zero by knocking off both New Paltz and Red Hook. Now they’ll attempt a second Class B Division One win as they entertain struggling Liberty in a Saturday matinee.

4. O’NEILL – The Raiders lost by three touchdowns to Class A independent Roosevelt in the home opener. This surprised a few pundits and fans around the section. At 1-2 overall, the Raiders host Beacon and will look to get things straightened out.

5. CHESTER – The Hambletonians won a thriller at Spackenkill to climb into these rankings. This week’s schedule shows another possibly good contest with rival Burke in Goshen.

8-MAN:

1. PINE PLAINS/RHINEBECK – The Bombers/Hawks posted a 25-7 league win on the road at Ellenville. They get a bye to rest up for more divisional play in week four. So far, the defense has allowed only one touchdown.

2. SULLIVAN WEST – Congratulations to coach Ron Bauer in notching his 200th career coaching win according to our tally. The Bulldogs visit Rondout Valley in a non-league game this Friday night.

3. PAWLING – The Tigers caught the Eagles of Onteora in a big week two league matchup. The bus now points toward Ellenville in a game where Pawling will play the role of favorite.

4. FALLSBURG – How about those Comets?! Fallsburg has opened up with two great victories, including a 40-20 thumping of defending champion Tri-Valley. The red-hot Comets take to the road for the next challenge with league opponent Eldred.

5. ELDRED – The Yellowjackets had a week two bye but return to action with a home game versus Fallsburg. Eldred started off in week one with a shutout win over Millbrook/Webutuck. Now it’s time for divisional play.