Section Nine Football

After a somewhat ordinary week two, Boo returns for more punishment from our proverbial linebackers.

NEWBURGH – The Goldbacks open divisional play with Pine Bush in a Thursday, early evening skirmish. NFA will want to flex some muscle at the Academy Field opener.

O’NEILL – The Raiders need to get over losing to Class A Roosevelt. At 1-2, JIO will welcome Beacon as an opportunity to further prepare for the Class C league schedule.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES – Although Washingtonville enters this Class A crossover at 3-0, the Warriors will be the Wizards toughest challenge to date. Nonetheless, this could still provide some excitement.

MINISINK – Both MV and Port Jervis will rush onto John Bell Field trying to forget about last week’s three-TD defeats. In terms of depth, we’ll give Minisink a slight edge.

CORNWALL – The Dragons and Wallkill Panthers meet in an important league matchup. Cornwall has a defense that can control a highly potent Wallkill aerial attack.

ROOSEVELT – We send kudos to the Presidents for their big win over state Class C champ O’Neill last week on the road. Traveling FDR approaches Highland in another attempt to gain victory.

GOSHEN – The Gladiators won the Spirit Trophy from Warwick but can’t let down against a tough Marlboro group that won 55-0 last week over New Paltz. The defense will need another great performance.

NEW PALTZ – In a battle between struggling squads, we’ll pick New Paltz to come out on top over Dover. The Huguenots will have to get the offense going.

FALLSBURG – The Comets are off to a great 2-0 start and continue league play at Eldred this week. Meanwhile, the Yellowjackets had a week two bye, so must stay sharp going into this tough contest at home.

PAWLING – The Tigers bring a 2-0 mark into this road, divisional hookup at Ellenville. The Blue Devils seem slightly down this season, although they will battle.

SULLIVAN WEST – The Bulldogs finally see some action after winning by forfeit last week versus Livingston Manor/Roscoe. SW visits Rondout Valley, which picked up a 20-point win over Millbrook/Webutuck.

MONROE-WOODBURY – The Crusaders follow up a tight win over Lourdes with a Class AA league game at home against Valley Central. The Vikings lost a close ‘Battle of the Valley’ game versus Wallkill.

MIDDLETOWN – The Erie Bell arrived safely back to MHS. Now it’s a tussle with old DUSO rival Kingston at Faller Field. The Tigers had a lead in the second half at Washingtonville but let it slip from their paws.

SAUGERTIES – How about those Sawyers?! At 2-1, Saugerties looks poised to take a third straight win in a home league game with Liberty. The Red Hawks lost a ‘Red, White, and Blue Bowl’ rivalry game to Monticello.

RED HOOK – The Raiders are a tough vote in this league game against Spackenkill. The Spartans lost by three points to Chester as Red Hook fell short versus Saugerties.

BURKE – In another close call, we’ll give a very slight edge to the Eagles playing at home against old rival Chester. Burke will need to do better on offense, after winning 6-0 at Beacon last week.

WARWICK – After allowing eight Goshen sacks, the Wildcats better not allow the offensive line to go to the movies this time. Monticello has some motivation in this first meeting with Warwick since 1935.

ONTEORA – The Eagles need a win and Millbrook/Webutuck has gotten off to a rocky start in its first season back. Although, the Blazers/Wildcats did score 26 points in a week two loss to Rondout.

TRI-VALLEY – The Bears are overdue for a win and Livingston Manor/Roscoe had to forfeit last week versus Sullivan West due to low roster numbers.