SULLIVAN COUNTY — The 8-man division is starting to shake out, with teams wrapping up their league matchups this weekend. Sullivan West’s big win over Tri-Valley has the Bulldogs sitting at the top, undefeated at 5-0 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the division with just Eldred remaining tonight.

With a forfeit win over Livingston Manor/Roscoe this weekend, Fallsburg ends a two-game losing streak and finishes the division at 3-1.

Tri-Valley finished the league at 2-2, but two non-league losses have the Bears at 2-3 with two games remaining.

Eldred is sitting at 1-2 in the league and 2-2 overall as they take on Sullivan West tonight.

Liberty is on the road tonight at New Paltz, still looking for their first win.

Monticello is hosting Goshen on Saturday, looking to get back into the win column after dropping three straight.

Here’s an in-depth look at all the upcoming games this weekend as teams vie for position in the standings.

Friday Night Lights

Livingston Manor at Fallsburg

For the third straight game, the Wildcats have had to forfeit due to low numbers. The Wildcats have only been able to suit up and take the field once this year, a loss to Tri-Valley under the lights at home.

They were scheduled to take on the Comets tonight in Fallsburg, but were unable to get their numbers up to make that game happen.

Fallsburg was off to a hot start, beginning the 2023 campaign at 3-0 with wins over Ellenville, Tri-Valley and Eldred.

In the two weeks since, Fallsburg lost to undefeated Sullivan West and Rondout Valley. The forfeit victory brings the Comets to 4-2 (3-1).

Liberty at New Paltz, 5 p.m.

Liberty has had a tough time this year, with their offense struggling to get anything going and their defense trying to hold opponents. It has led to a 19-178 point differential through six games, and they are headed to New Paltz to take on another struggling team.

New Paltz is 1-5 overall and have a point differential of 50-196 through six games. Their lone win has come against Dover, a former 8-man team that moved back up to 11-man this year.

This game will be a good opportunity for Liberty to get their offense going and possibly get their first win of the season.

Eldred at Sullivan West, 7 p.m.

Sullivan West has been incredible this season. Their unblemished record at 5-0 and their 122-38 point differential are indicative of the strong season that the Bulldogs have put forth in 2023.

They are averaging nearly 25 points per game and in their most recent effort their defense shut out Tri-Valley.

Eldred had a week to rest after last week’s forfeit victory over Livingston Manor/Roscoe, and the Yellowjackets are sitting at 2-2 (1-2) on the season.

The Yellowjackets lost to Fallsburg and Tri-Valley, but will look to get a league win and end the division portion of the schedule at 2-2 after the win over the Wildcats.

 The two will face off tonight in Lake Huntington under the lights.

Saturday Showcase

Pawling at Tri-Valley, 1 p.m.

For the second weekend in a row, Tri-Valley is hosting an undefeated squad. After last week’s loss to Sullivan West, Tri-Valley now has to take on the Pawling Tigers, who have outscored opponents 212-50.

Pawling is averaging more than 40 points per game through their first five, while Tri-Valley is averaging 21.2.

The last time these two squads matched up was in the playoffs last year, and Pawling suffered their first and only loss of the season at the hands of Tri-Valley as the Bears went on to win the 8-man Championship.

This year, after the Bears graduated 13 in 2022, Tri-Valley is figuring out new formations and their new identity. Glimpses of that championship team have shown, but Pawling looks to be a tall task tomorrow.

Goshen at Monticello, 1 p.m.

Monticello (1-5) is hosting Goshen (1-5) tomorrow afternoon. Both teams have struggled on the defensive end this season, with the Gladiators giving up 173 points and the Panthers giving up 193.

This game has the potential to be a high scoring contest if both teams can get their offenses going, and with Monticello playing on their home field they should have a slight advantage.