Section Nine Football

Every week six miss by Boo came via one touchdown. Sounds like he needs an oil change.

MONROE-WOODBURY – The Crusaders beat Kingston while Minisink edged Washingtonville entering this great showdown between two talented teams. We’ll give M-W a slight edge but don’t bet the rent money.

MIDDLETOWN – The Middies play the favorite versus Pine Bush but the Bushmen gave M-W a good game two weeks ago and have a good position in terms of earning the fourth Class AA playoff seed after having beaten Valley Central.

MARLBORO – Wallkill beat the Dukes in the final minute but playing up in class helps a program anyway. Marlboro already has the division title in hand as they finish league play with Spackenkill.

PORT JERVIS – The Raiders clinched B-1 and want to make sure to get the #1 playoff seed in the Class B SNF tournament bracket. New Paltz will not make the playoffs after having lost to Liberty in week six by a touchdown.

BURKE – In a tough call, we’ll choose the Eagles over the O’Neill Raiders in what promises to be a great football game. O’Neill will play Chester for the Class C title and Burke is already in the Class D state tournament as the only D representative in the section.

WASHINGTONVILLE – The Wizards lost a very close A-1 game at Minisink but look to rebound at Wallkill. The Panthers pulled out that great win over Marlboro to spark some momentum going into week seven. The Wizards host Warwick next week to determine which of those teams get a Class A playoff spot. A Cornwall win over Goshen would end the Wallkill playoff possibilities.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES – The Warriors took a pounding from Newburgh while Warwick did no better at Middletown. So, in a battle between two 4-3 teams, we’ll go with Lourdes as they seem to play sounder football this year with a better offense.

CORNWALL – The Dragons can set up a showdown with OLL for the A-2 division championship next week with a win at Goshen. This would end the postseason hopes for both Goshen and Wallkill.

SAUGERTIES – After suffering some bruises at Port Jervis, the Sawyers have a very good chance at defeating Dover in non-league action. It appears as though Saugerties will play Red Hook in a Class B quarterfinal playoff game at home next week.

CHESTER – The Hambletonians lost a well-played game at O’Neill but still make the Class C championship against them on November 10th at Spackenkill. Highland will present a great challenge at the Commons.

ONTEORA – The big overtime win at PP/RB earned the Eagles a playoff spot. They should have the edge in a non-league contest this week at Eldred.

ELLENVILLE – The Blue Devils host Tri-Valley in an 8-man crossover matchup. We’ll take Ellenville in this go-round.

PINE PLAINS/RHINEBECK – The Bombers/Hawks will be the pick for this upcoming game with visiting Millbrook/Webutuck as they try to clinch a playoff berth.

PAWLING – In a possible 8-man prelude to a sectional championship game, Pawling entertains Sullivan West in a battle of unbeatens. Both teams will have a bye as division winners in the playoff quarterfinals and would love to at least get a mental edge with a win going toward the off week. We’ll choose the Tigers over the Bulldogs in this one.

VALLEY CENTRAL – The Vikings play a non-leaguer at Monticello before completing league play with Middletown next week. VC gets the nod in this road contest. Monticello will not make the postseason and VC would need a three-way tiebreaker along with Kingston and Pine Bush to have any kind of a chance.

BEACON – The Beacon squad forfeited their game at Cornwall last week but we’ll still favor them going into Liberty this Saturday. The winner gets the final Class B playoff spot and will more than likely face Highland in the quarterfinal matchup.

NEWBURGH – The Goldbacks try for an 11th consecutive win over archrival Kingston in a series that dates back to at least 1915. With Kingston’s loss at Valley Central two weeks ago, the Tigers’ playoff hopes have diminished.