Varsity Insider

Below are my picks for Week 3, including this week’s “Games of the Week” and the “Pick Six,” which was a bit of a disaster last week for me.

In general, my picks were pretty mediocre last week. More than a few of you can share in that struggle. So if you want to subject yourself to more potential prediction problems, join our contest. Just give your picks for the Top 10 games in the comments below the post. If you’ve participated in the past, please use the same username as last week.

Josh’s records -
Week 2: 27-11
Top 10s: 15-5
Overall: 55-19

Picks’ contest leaders -
Week 2: The Donald, Garnet 10580, Pac Son
Overall: The Donald

THE TOP 10 –
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Harrison (2-0) vs. Sleepy Hollow (2-0)
When: Friday, 7
Where: Harrison High School
Key players: Harrison — Vin Nicita (6-2, 190), Sr., QB/S; Charlie Credendino (6-3, 310), Sr., OL/DL; Robert Waldman (5-10, 185), Sr., RB/DB. Sleepy Hollow — Steve Bencosme (5-10, 160), Sr., RB/DB; Zeke Sierra (6-3, 220), Sr., TE/DE; Frank Curanaj (6-2, 285), Sr., OL/DL.
Key matchup: Harrison’s depth vs. Sleepy Hollow’s star power
Outlook: As it proved in last week’s miraculous second half comeback from a 34-7 deficit, Harrison has one of the deepest, most balanced teams in the section. That should serve the Huskies well in this matchup of unbeatens against the talented but thin Headless Horsemen. They are coming off their first win over Rye since 1989 and will be riding a wave of momentum. Harrison should be surfing right alongside them. The Huskies breathed life into their hopes of another championship season, unveiling a passing game and a new running back (Kevin Nathanson) that can make them even more dangerous going forward.
Prediction: Harrison 28, Sleepy Hollow 14

Somers (2-0) vs. Nyack (1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30
Where: Somers High School
Key players: Somers — Stefano Bicknese (6-1, 185), Sr., RB/DB; Joe Lombardo (6-1, 195), Sr., FB/LB; Pete Mueller (6-5, 225), Sr., TE/DE. Nyack — Deshawn Rodriguez (6-2, 225), Sr., TE/DE; Derwhon Bartley (5-10, 210), Sr., FB/LB; Stanley Dragon (6-2, 315), Sr., OL/DL..
Key matchup: In the trenches
Outlook: There will be few games in the section this season that feature more size up front on both sides of the ball. Somers and Nyack are two of the bigger teams in the section and both like to run the ball. This will very much be determined by who wins the battle up front. The Tuskers will rely on Bicknese and Lombardo on the ground. Bartley is the workhorse for Nyack, which hopes to atone for last year’s crushing defeat. Somers scored on a touchdown pass with two seconds left to win 24-20 after the Indians took the lead with 1:30 remaining.
Prediction: Somers 21, Nyack 13

North Rockland (2-0) vs. Clarkstown South (1-1)
When: Saturday, 1:30
Where: North Rockland High School
Key players: North Rockland — John Dapolito (6-0, 210), Sr., FB/LB; Nick Connell (5-10, 190), Sr., RB/LB/S; Eric Favors (5-11, 200), So., G/NG. Clarkstown South — Thomas Lent (6-1, 180), Sr., RB/LB; Ryan McManus (5-9, 160), Sr., QB; Mark Annunziato (6-1, 200), Sr., OL/DL.
Key matchup: South’s Lent and Zach Johnson vs. North Rockland’s run defense
Outlook: These Rockland County rivals did not meet last season, but both were a major factor in the Class AA playoff picture. North Rockland would like to defend its championship and South hopes to build off last year’s semifinal finish, so this should be a strong indicator of the teams’ intentions. The Vikings are more dynamic offensively than either of the Red Raiders’ opponents so far, meaning a third straight shutout is unlikely. But Lent and runningmate Zach Johnson will have to be productive against a strong defense. Something will have to give. Johnson racked up six touchdowns last week, but the North Rockland ‘D’ surrendered just 200 yards of offense total through two games.
Prediction: North Rockland 14, Clarkstown South 10

Pearl River (1-1) vs. Nanuet (1-1)
When: Saturday, 1:30
Where: Pearl River High School
Key players: Pearl River — Chris Van Houten (6-1, 165), Jr., QB; Eric Corcoran (6-0, 185), Sr., FB/LB; Matt Erbacher (6-0, 195), Sr., OL/LB. Nanuet — Dan Breit (6-2, 230), Sr., RB/LB; Liam Reilly (5-11, 175), Sr., C/LB; Ryan Hanney (6-1, 205), Jr., QB/DB.
Key matchup: Pearl River’s passing game vs. Nanuet’s pass defense.
Outlook: This is the 47th meeting between the rivals. After 14 straight Nanuet wins, the Little Brown Jug has relocated to Pearl River the last two seasons. In fact, the Pirates two-game streak is their first since 1995-96. They have only won three straight once (1972-74) in the history of the series, which Nanuet leads 30-15-1. The status of Hanney could help determine the outcome. The two-way star injured his shoulder early in the second quarter Week 1 against Putnam Valley and has not played since. Still, with or without Hanney, Nanuet’s strong defense should keep this a low-scoring struggle unless Pearl River’s new spread passing attack reaps major rewards.
Prediction: Pearl River 14, Nanuet 13

PICK SIX
Friday:
Mahopac 13, John Jay-East Fishkill 7. Mahopac fared better vs. a common opponent in North Rockland. This is the Indians’ week to grab a Top 5 spot.
Lakeland 21, Hen Hud 13. The Hornets are forced to take a major step up in competition against an opponent that played Croton tough.

Saturday:
Rye Country Day 20, Bronxville 17. This should be a good one. RCDS should play better off last week’s season opener, but Bronxville is explosive.
Rye 21, Eastchester 7. I think the Garnets bounce back against a banged up opponent.
Brewster 27, Port Chester 13. One of only three matchups of unbeatens this week in Section 1, but the Bears are better tested.
White Plains 27, Scarsdale 14. Wins might be hard to come by against a tough schedule, but the Tigers get one here.

THE REST
Friday:
Tappan Zee 20, Fox Lane 17
Poughkeepsie 35, Yorktown 21
Carmel 28, Suffern 7
New Rochelle 21, Arlington 0
Clarkstown North 26, Ramapo 12
Panas 34, Riverside 6
Ketcham 33, Mamaroneck 28
Pleasantville 34, Putnam Valley 13

Saturday:
Stepinac 35, Kellenberg 21
Woodlands 41, Valhalla 20
Haldane 14, Riverdale 6
Byram Hills 24, Westlake 19
Beacon 20, Yonkers 6
Spring Valley 33, Lincoln 13
Saunders 40, Peekskill 6
Our Lady of Lourdes 40, Ardsley 21
Ossining 42, Gorton 13
Dobbs Ferry 29, Pawling 8
Pelham 22, Mount Vernon 15
John Jay 42, Horace Greeley 14
Croton-Harmon 21, Irvington 7
Briarcliff 35, Kennedy 13
Edgemont 42, Roosevelt 0
Tuckahoe 26, Hastings 0
Hackley 27, Kingswood-Oxford 13
Palisade Prep 20, YMA 7
Iona Prep 35, Chaminade 20
Albertus Magnus 33, Blind Brook 13