Varsity Insider

Bad week for me last week, including four losses in the Top 10. In fact, as the scores were flowing into Twitter, it seemed like I picked twice as many wrong.

Hopefully, there’s enough information after three weeks to make more accurate predictions. At least that’s what I hope.

Good luck to those in the contest. Enjoy…

2011 Record
Week 3: 28-12
Top 10 (season): 21-10
Overall: 86-29

TOP 10
Friday —
Tuckahoe (2-1) at Dobbs Ferry (2-1), 7 p.m.: After suffering a loss to the defending champ, Tuckahoe continues the toughest part of its schedule against Class C’s next-best. That may be a slight to Dobbs, which proved it was 1A to Bronxville’s 1 in Week 1. That doesn’t bode well for the Tigers, who couldn’t quite keep up in last week’s defeat. PREDICTION: Dobbs 28, Tuckahoe 13

Saturday —
Rye (0-3) at Horace Greeley (3-0), 2 p.m.: For all the flak Rye has received, it continues to give itself a chance to win in the fourth quarter against good competition. But the schedule is unrelenting. It’s conceivable that this is Rye’s toughest game to date. Expect the Garnets to be there in the end again, but Greeley will prove tough to stop, especially on offense. PREDICTION: Horace Greeley 28, Rye 21

Ossining (2-1) at Sleepy Hollow (2-1), 2:30 p.m.: The 36th edition of this 56-year-old rivalry could be one of the best. The teams feature high-powered offenses that both throw and run with equal ability. They also have allowed their share of touchdowns, leading to the possibility that we’ll have a wild shootout. Right now, I just think Ossining is a little more consistent. PREDICTION: Ossining 34, Sleepy Hollow 26

Stepinac (3-0) at Mount St. Michael (1-1), 3 p.m.: The top-scoring offense in the CHSFL’ s AAA division travels to Mount, which has allowed only one more point than the top defense, Iona Prep. Offense should rule in this one. If Stepinac’s gets rolling, I’m not sure Mount can keep up. PREDICTION: Stepinac 28, Mount St. Michael 20

White Plains (0-2) at Mount Vernon (1-2), 3 p.m.: This could be the last chance for these teams and their playoff chances. White Plains, in particular, may have to win out, and it would qualify as a shocker if the Tigers don’t earn a spot in the postseason. They’ll have to match the will of Mount Vernon, which plays hard and hits even harder on defense. That unit will have to force a couple turnovers to keep pace with White Plains’ attack. PREDICTION: White Plains 20, Mount Vernon 12

John Jay-East Fishkill (3-0) at New Rochelle (3-0), 3 p.m.: I’ll probably take some flak for this from our Dutchess friends. Although it’s a matchup of 3-0 teams — and although John Jay has played terrific football so far — New Ro is a level above the competition according to those I’ve talked to. The Huguenots have been (without hyperbole) impossible to score on. And even if John Jay can make the impossible possible, New Ro’s offense appears to have enough firepower to respond in kind. I expect the Huguenots to set themselves apart from the Section 1 pack on Saturday. PREDICTION: New Rochelle 28, John Jay-EF 7

Nyack (2-1) at Pearl River (3-0), 3 p.m.: The question here is much like the one posed in TZ’s matchup with Somers. It’s not about if Pearl River can win at first, it’s about whether it can compete with an elite Class A program. The Pirates enter the game having not allowed a defensive touchdown. Nyack’s defense has been stingy against stiffer competition, and I expect that preparation to serve the Indians well. PREDICTION: Nyack 27, Pearl River 10

Mahopac (2-1) at Scarsdale (1-2), 3:30 p.m.: Scarsdale has struggled the last two weeks, especially on defense. The Raiders have allowed 76 points to John Jay and Clarkstown South and will now be posed with trying to solve a Mahopac offense that proved it was legit last week. The Indians run game is based largely on finesse and speed, which might be easier for Scarsdale to contend with. Either way, one of last year’s former playoff teams will prove who has rebuilt quicker. PREDICTION: Mahopac 21, Scarsdale 14

Clarkstown North (3-0) at Ramapo (2-1), 3:30 p.m.: North, understandably, feels great about its 3-0 start. Its future looks bright, but challenges await. This is certainly one. Ramapo has proved it has a dangerous team, led by the brilliant running of Kevin Jocelyn. The difference with North is that it has speedy players to counter Jocelyn and co. PREDICTION: Clarkstown North 24, Ramapo 14

John Jay (2-1) at Harrison (2-1), 7 p.m.: These teams provided a high-quality, dramatic Class A quarterfinal last year. They have certainly evolved since, but the evolution is a work in progress. John Jay has adjusted to throwing the ball less; Harrison is trying to figure out if it will toss it more. The Huskies have a good history of slowing down the spread offense. They have also had two weeks to regroup from Week 2’s loss to Poughkeepsie. PREDICTION: Harrison 21, John Jay 14

THE REST
Saturday —
Lakeland 28, Peekskill 7
Beacon 40, Roosevelt 6
Gorton 19, Saunders 8
Hen Hud 21, Panas 7
Port Chester 13, Riverside 7
Eastchester 28, Spring Valley 13
Somers 41, Brewster 20
Poughkeepsie 42, Tappan Zee 14
Clarkstown South 28, Fox Lane 7
Carmel 21, Mamaroneck 13
Suffern 20, Ketcham 6
Yorktown 48, Lincoln 6
Arlington 21, North Rockland 13
Bronxville 42, Rye Neck 7
Westlake 19, Pleasantville 13
Lourdes 34, Kennedy 14
Croton-Harmon 35, Nanuet 13
Haldane 21, Blind Brook 12
Valhalla 14, Palisade Prep 8
Albertus Magnus 33, Lincoln Hall 12
Dover 22, Pawling 15
Hastings 22, Woodlands 21
Rye Country Day 41, Nazareth 6
Sacred Heart 44, Fieldston 12
Hackley 20, Long Island Lutheran 13

Sunday —
Iona Prep 28, Xaverian 14
Pelham 22, Byram Hills 13
Briarcliff 34, Yonkers 12
Edgemont 21, Irvington 14
Putnam Valley 21, Ardsley 19