SULLIVAN COUNTY – Tri-Valley and Sullivan West are the two county teams left competing for the 8-man title, but the other teams are filling out their schedules with non-league games.

Let’s take a look at what to expect in Week 9 as our teams get one week closer to wrapping up the 2022 football season.

Playoff Previews

Spackenkill at Sullivan West 

November 4, 7 p.m.

For the first time since last year’s 8-man Championship Game, Sullivan West and Spackenkill will square off. Spackenkill hung on to beat Ellenville last week after an absolute shootout, with the teams combining for more than 100 points in the 56-52 Spackenkill victory.

Sullivan West, as the top-seeded team, earned a bye-week after finishing a perfect 5-0 in the division, so tonight will be their first taste of playoff football since the bitter end to their season last year in Spackenkill.

The Bulldogs will no doubt be looking to avenge last year’s loss, and this time the rematch will be on their home field rather than on the road.

Sullivan West’s last game of the regular season was a big win over Tri-Valley that secured the No. 1 seed, and though Tri-Valley dropped in the seeding, earned a win over Pine Plains to keep their season alive.

Spackenkill is not a team to overlook, as they finished their regular season at 6-1 before their first playoff win last week.

Tri-Valley at Pawling

November 5, 1 p.m.

Finishing the regular season undefeated is no easy task. For the Pawling Tigers, they have yet to lose a game, entering into the semifinal matchup with Tri-Valley at a perfect 6-0.

On their path to the playoffs, they have beaten both teams on the other side of the bracket, Spackenkill and Sullivan West. Both the Spartans and the Bulldogs beat Tri-Valley in the regular season.

The Bears are going to have their work cut out for them this week. Playing on the road is always a tough task, but playing in Pawling during the postseason is not something to look forward to.

Tri-Valley clung to the lead in a close matchup against Pine Plains, winning 45-38, and will need to adjust their defensive scheme if they hope to slow down Pawling tomorrow.

Non-League Matchups

Tonight’s Action

Highland at Liberty, 3:30 p.m.

Liberty, who has yet to win a game this year, will host Highland, a 2-9 team that similarly did not make the playoffs. Though these games matter not for placement in the standings, they are a good way to continue to gain experience and build up programs that have struggled.

Liberty played a close game against Red Hook last weekend, ultimately losing 14-7, and will look to build off that close game and get their first win of the season on Friday night.

Fallsburg at Dover, 5 p.m.

The Comets beat Onteora 28-21 last week, after opening their season with a shutout win over them. This week, Fallsburg will square off against Dover on the road for a non-league clash. The two teams finished the regular season 3-4 and will look to add another win to their season and end at .500.

Dover’s most recent win came against Eldred, defeating them 46-20 in a non-league clash.

Saturday’s Matchups

Onteora at Livingston Manor/Roscoe, 1 p.m.

The Blue Devils will host Onteora in a battle of 0-8 teams. Livingston Manor/Roscoe had a bye week last week, while Onteora lost to Fallsburg. The two teams will be looking to get into the win column before the season reaches its conclusion.

Monticello at Chester, 2 p.m.

The Panthers will be taking on the Hambletonians in a non-league matchup tomorrow afternoon. Chester holds a 4-3 record, while Monticello is sitting at 2-7. The two teams will look to gain experience for next season as this one comes to an end.