SULLIVAN COUNTY –– After just one week of the football season, we’ve seen two shutouts, a back and forth battle, and last year’s champion continuing their streak of putting big numbers on the scoreboard. 

Liberty and Monticello square off Saturday for the only game in the county, the entire 8-man array will be on the road, and Fallsburg will have a bye week after their big 33-0 win over Onteora.

But where do our county teams stand as they head into the second week of the season? Let’s find out.

Friday Night Lights

Tri-Valley at Spackenkill

The Bears are coming off of a big opening week shutout after defeating the Dover Dragons 21-0 on Saturday. Spackenkill similarly set the tone, defeating the Livingston Manor/Roscoe Blue Devils 42-8. Expect a physical game as Tri-Valley will attempt to dethrone the defending champs early. The game starts at 6:00 p.m. in Dutchess County.

LM/R at Pine Plains

The Blue Devils are on the road tonight after their forgettable outing against Spackenkill. Their youth and inexperience showed early, as it was the first game action for many of the players. However, this is a scrappy team, and it is far too early to count the semi-final finishers out. Pine Plains scored 20 unanswered points against Sullivan West in week one after falling behind 20-0, but it was Sullivan West who closed out the scoring in a 28-20 win. The game is slated to start at 7:00 p.m. in Pine Plains tonight.

Saturday’s Selections

Liberty at Monticello

These two teams have started a combined 0-3 on the season, but the record goes out the window when these two teams play. It is always an intense game with great defense and bragging rights for the season. 

Typically played near the end of the schedule, these two teams are meeting early in the season this year. Expect a gritty matchup from the two 11-man teams left in the county this weekend as they kickoff at 1:00 p.m. at Monticello High School.

Sullivan West at Pawling

The Bulldogs are hungry. After losing to Spackenkill in the championship last year, the team came out firing, totaling four touchdowns against Pine Plains in week one and shutting out their opponents for three quarters. 

Pawling hung on for a 20-18 victory over Ellenville in week one, as both teams will look to start the season 2-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Eldred at Onteora

Eldred started their season with a bye week, and Onteora might as well have. Losing 33-0 against the revamped Comets team was probably not how the Eagles wanted to start their season, and now they will have the Yellowjackets at home in week two. 

Eldred scrimmaged against Sullivan West and Spackenkill, and hopefully picked up a few tricks that they will be able to deploy against the Eagles in their season opener. This game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, and it should be a good one.