Section Nine Football

SECTION NINE FOOTBALL TOP FIVE RANKINGS AFTER WEEK SIX

CLASS AA/A:
1. CORNWALL – Beacon forfeited the week six scheduled game at Cornwall due to a lack of eligible players. The Dragons will work to stay on top with the impending league game at Goshen. Forfeits are unfortunate for both squads in many ways, especially with so few games played in football.

2. MONROE-WOODBURY – The Crusaders blanked Kingston to up the record to 4-0 in the Class AA division. In two weeks, the showdown with Newburgh will take place at Etzel Field to clarify playoff seeding. First, however, we get to have a great non-league battle between two of our best teams, M-W hosting Minisink in a Thursday special.

3. MIDDLETOWN – The Middies all but had the game won at halftime against Warwick, utilizing some of the backup players in the second half. The Middies return to league action, hosting Pine Bush in another Thursday game, but the Bushmen have gotten a lot better.

4. NEWBURGH – Do you think the Goldbacks meant business in posting a 42-0 shutout at Lourdes?! With that week five loss to Middletown in their craw, NFA went across the river and handed a very rare loss to an exceptional program. As for week seven, it’s the rekindling of an old but famous rivalry, Newburgh vs. Kingston.

5. MINISINK – The Warriors won a very tight contest over previously unbeaten Washingtonville at John Bell Field. MV clinched the A-1 division crown, the fifth league championship credited to coach Kevin Gallagher since taking over in 2006. This week the bus zooms toward Central Valley to take on M-W. Get your popcorn ready!!

CLASS B/C/D:
1. PORT JERVIS – The Raiders clinched the B-1 title thanks to a thorough win over Saugerties. They will receive a first-round bye in the playoffs and a home playoff semifinal game. This week PJ drives up to New Paltz to round up divisional play.

2. MARLBORO – The Iron Dukes dropped a tough contest to Wallkill in the final minute. They have already won the B-2 division and get the first-round bye. Next up is a home contest with league opponent Spackenkill.

3. BURKE – We’ll show the Eagles some overdue respect here after winning a sixth game in a row, pounding poor Dover on Saturday. Burke visits O’Neill in a great clash between two of our better teams in a Friday night 6:30 kickoff.

4. O’NEILL – The Raiders nipped rival Chester by a field goal to clinch the Class C division crown. They’ll meet again to determine the Section Nine winner. Meanwhile, the game this week with Burke makes for some good fan fodder.

5. SAUGERTIES – We’ll keep the Sawyers in this spot despite the rough showing at Port Jervis. A trip to Dover could provide a slight remedy and a sixth win on the season.

8-MAN:
1. PAWLING – The Tigers hold the NYSSWA 5th ranking in the state, entering a big non-league meeting against fellow unbeaten Sullivan West on the road this Friday night.

2. SULLIVAN WEST – The Bulldogs have already won Division One and will get a great test with Pawling riding in this week. SW wrapped up a perfect league record in defeating Eldred in week six play.

3. ELLENVILLE – The Blue Devils held on for a 40-34 victory over Rondout to climb higher in these rankings. Ellenville has slowly picked up steam and will play the favorite versus Tri-Valley at home.

4. RONDOUT – The Ganders fell behind early but made a game of it in a one touchdown loss to Ellenville. RV sees Livingston Manor/Roscoe on the road schedule this week, if LM/R can suit up enough players for the roster.

5. FALLSBURG – The Comets will go two weeks without a game the way things look right now, as they picked up a forfeit win over LM/R and now get a week seven bye. This is not good for any program and another reason why everybody really loses in a football forfeit.