Coach I Picks Week 4: A 58–24 Ledger Meets October

Coach I entered Week 4 at 58-24 (.707) after a 17-4 Week 3. That official ledger includes two correct selections decided by forfeits. The record in the 19 games played last week was 15-4.

Week 4 begins Thursday with Monticello at Liberty, then continues with 13 Friday games and seven Saturday games. All kickoff times below are Eastern.

Read every Week 3 hit and miss →

Thursday, October 1

Monticello at Liberty

6:30 PM · Pick: Monticello

I’m going with Monticello. The Panthers have won the last four meetings with Liberty, whose last win in the series came in fall 2021. This Red, White and Blue matchup means something to this program, and I see it as the make-or-break game of Monticello’s season.

Monticello still has not scored a touchdown. I expect that to change tonight, and I’m picking the Panthers to find a way to win. A victory gives this team something to believe in and helps keep everybody bought in for the rest of the year. A loss here would be serious.

With Poughkeepsie next on the schedule, a win tonight opens a path to a two-win season. Monticello won one game last year and three the year before. Neither of these next two games is a guaranteed win, but this is an opportunity to build something. You want this one. You need a reason to keep pushing, and tonight can give the Panthers that.

Friday, October 2

Middletown at Pine Bush

6:00 PM · Pick: Middletown

I’m going with Middletown. Pine Bush’s strength is its offense, and Middletown’s defense is playing great football. On the other side, the Middie Bears’ offense is rolling, while Pine Bush’s defense has been a concern. I like how this matchup lines up for Middletown on both sides of the ball.

But I need to see Middletown play with some emphasis. Don’t come out looking half asleep because you’re 4-0 and just beat Port Jervis 28-7. You beat Cornwall 22-21 earlier in the season, and now Newburgh has beaten that same Cornwall team 31-0. Eyes are starting to shift toward the Goldbacks.

Newburgh is looming two weeks away. Before that, you’ve got Pine Bush and Valley Central. This is not the year to fall asleep. That would be a huge mistake on Middletown’s behalf. The season is just getting started for the Middie Bears, and the focus has to match the opportunity in front of them.

Monroe-Woodbury at Newburgh Free Academy

6:00 PM · Pick: Newburgh

I’m taking Newburgh, and I don’t expect this game to be particularly competitive. I understand the rivalry storylines and the weight of Newburgh’s recent struggles against Monroe. But I have to pick the teams playing right now.

Monroe just lost 21-6 to Minisink Valley. The week before, Cornwall beat the Crusaders 49-7. Then Newburgh turned around and beat Cornwall 31-0. Scores against common opponents don’t guarantee an outcome, but that sequence gives me real concern for Monroe. This could get very bad.

I don’t see how the Crusaders climb out of this hole against the Goldbacks this week. I hope Monroe finds its response, and I’ll be watching for it. Until that response shows up on the field, my pick is Newburgh.

Wallkill at FDR

6:00 PM · Pick: Wallkill

I’m going with Wallkill. Alex Mikesh is one of the best passers in the league, and this spread offense can be explosive. They have players who make things happen and good guys up front on defense. This is a capable football team.

I still need Wallkill to move past that 7-6 loss to Highland, but the 32-25 loss to Valley Central matters, too. Wallkill was down guys, made a late comeback, and pushed the Vikings in a very good game. VC looks like one of the better teams early in the season. Wallkill showed it could compete, then followed that with wins over Poughkeepsie and Monticello.

FDR started by beating Poughkeepsie and Monticello, but the Presidents haven’t done well since. They lost 35-14 to Kingston and 34-7 to Valley Central. Now I need Wallkill to carry its recent improvement into this matchup. To maintain its place in the rankings, it has to deliver that same kind of performance against FDR.

Beacon at New Paltz

6:30 PM · Pick: Beacon

I’m taking Beacon. I think the Bulldogs are one of the best teams in Class B. Port Jervis needs to keep its head up and its eyes open, because this class can surprise you. Saugerties proved that by beating Port 22-21 in last year’s section championship.

New Paltz has more to work with than its record might suggest. There are good pieces here, but injuries and the struggle to get those pieces working together have made things difficult. I’m not dismissing the Huguenots. I just trust Beacon more right now, especially after the Bulldogs found a way to beat Marlboro 12-6 last week.

Rondout Valley at James I. O’Neill

6:30 PM · Pick: James I. O’Neill

I’m going with O’Neill, but this could be very close. Rondout is better than people might think. The Ganders beat Spackenkill 21-20, Tyler Harned and Wyatt Ortner give them weapons, and quarterback Luke Johnson makes plays. My question is on defense: can Rondout get the stops it needs against O’Neill?

Rondout also has the advantage of recent game action. O’Neill has gone two straight weeks without playing, and the Raiders could come out rusty. That matters. But I keep coming back to the 22-0 lead O’Neill built against Beacon in its last played game, even though Beacon came back to win 29-22. I don’t want the last two weeks to erase what O’Neill showed it can do. I’m taking the Raiders in a tight one.

Valley Central at Kingston

7:00 PM · Pick: Valley Central

I’m rolling with Valley Central. The Vikings have the better start, and their spread offense gives them more opportunities to open things up and hit big plays. Kingston’s defense has played well, and now we get to ask how the Tigers look when they get back to Class AA football.

I can see this going two ways: a very tight game, or a convincing VC win if Kingston’s offense doesn’t show up. A defense can only hold on for so long without help. But Kingston just put 20 points on Lourdes in a 31-20 loss, and that’s not something to overlook. The Tigers have shown they can produce against a good opponent.

My concern with VC is still the defense. The Vikings gave up 25 points to Wallkill in a 32-25 win. I need to see them tighten that up. I’m taking Valley Central, but Kingston’s offense will have a lot to say about whether this stays close.

Cornwall at Minisink Valley

7:00 PM · Pick: Cornwall

I’m going with Cornwall. This is a true heavyweight matchup with championship history behind it. These programs have met in the last two Class A section finals, and both games went down to the wire.

In 2024, Cornwall erased a 19-point deficit to beat Minisink 27-26 for the title. Last year, Minisink answered with a 24-21 championship win over Cornwall. That’s the kind of history these teams bring into Friday night. They know each other, and they know how quickly a game between them can turn.

Now Cornwall is 1-3 after losing 31-0 to Newburgh. I don’t think the Dragons can even fathom being in this position. They fell, but I don’t think they fell that far. This is a program used to playing for championships, and now it’s backed into a corner.

I can only imagine the energy at practice this week. The urgency should be everywhere. Minisink comes in with momentum after beating Monroe 21-6, so Cornwall has to earn this response against a real opponent. I’m picking the Dragons because I expect that pride and urgency to show up. Now is the time to answer.

Washingtonville at Goshen

7:00 PM · Pick: Washingtonville

I’m taking Washingtonville. Goshen has the better start at 4-0, and the Gladiators have earned those wins. But this is their first test against one of the teams at the top of the league.

Washingtonville brings a different level of offensive pressure. This is where we find out how Goshen’s strong start translates against a top contender. I’m picking the Wizards.

Our Lady of Lourdes at Warwick

7:00 PM · Pick: Our Lady of Lourdes

I’m going with Lourdes. My concern with Warwick is its ability to stop the run. The 34-17 loss to Pine Bush showed why that’s a problem, and this matchup is going to put that question right back in front of the Wildcats.

I expect Lourdes to ground and pound its way to a win. Warwick needs answers up front, because the Warriors have the kind of running game that can keep testing you all night. I’m taking Lourdes to keep rolling and send Warwick to 0-5.

Dover at Highland

7:00 PM · Pick: Dover

I’m taking Dover. Highland is coming off a 52-6 loss to Burke Catholic, and that’s a difficult result to move past. Dover, meanwhile, just got rid of an old demon by beating Chester 18-13.

Now the Dragons have a chance to strengthen their claim as the number-one team in the division. They found a way to win a tough game last week. I’m picking them to carry that confidence into Highland.

Fallsburg at Eldred

7:00 PM · Pick: Eldred

I’m going with Eldred. Fallsburg continues to struggle, and I trust Eldred more in this matchup.

The Yellowjackets do need to respond after losing 34-6 to Sullivan West. This is an opportunity to get back on track, and I’m picking Eldred to take advantage of it.

Millbrook at Taconic Hills

7:00 PM · Pick: Millbrook

I’m taking Millbrook. Section IX over everybody.

The Blazers are 3-0 after surviving Onteora 52-46. The offense can put up points; now I want to see a cleaner performance on defense. Taconic Hills has announced this as its Homecoming game, so Millbrook should expect an energized crowd. I’m still riding with the Blazers. Taconic Hills Homecoming announcement.

Pawling at Pine Plains/Rhinebeck

7:00 PM · Pick: Pawling

I’m going with Pawling. The Tigers remain the team to chase in our 8-Man rankings at 3-0, and they just beat Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne 42-16. Millbrook is unbeaten right behind them, so Pawling cannot treat this road game as a week to coast. I’m picking the Tigers to keep their position with another win.

Saturday, October 3

Poughkeepsie at Burke Catholic

1:00 PM · Pick: Burke Catholic

I’m taking Burke, and this shouldn’t be close. Poughkeepsie is still searching for its first score of the season and comes off a forfeit to O’Neill.

Burke just beat Highland 52-6. I expect the Eagles to take control early. If they do, this is the kind of game where you get the starters in, handle business, and get them out. There’s no reason to leave key players exposed to unnecessary injury risk once the outcome is settled.

Marlboro at Red Hook

5:00 PM at Dietz · Pick: Marlboro

I’m going with Marlboro. The Dukes are trying to find their way back toward the top of Class B, but they’ve already lost to Port Jervis and Beacon. That’s two division losses. They cannot afford to play around with Red Hook.

I want to see Marlboro get in, handle business, and get out with a win. More than that, I want to see the offense open up and produce. This is a chance to show more than we’ve seen in those two losses.

Rockland Central at Tri-Valley

3:00 PM · Pick: Tri-Valley

I’m taking Tri-Valley. The Bears beat Fallsburg 26-8 last week and enter at 2-1. Rockland Central’s Week 3 win came by forfeit, not an on-field score, so I am leaning on Tri-Valley’s actual response against Fallsburg. I’m picking the Bears to make it two straight.

Port Jervis at Saugerties

2:00 PM · Pick: Port Jervis

I’m taking Port Jervis in this rematch of last year’s section championship. Saugerties won that game 22-21, and I don’t think Port is looking for just any win this time. I think the Raiders will want to make a statement.

Port doesn’t like to lose. When the Raiders get a chance to make the scoreboard look convincing, I expect them to take it. After the loss to Middletown, this is an opportunity to respond and remind Class B what they’re capable of doing.

Ellenville at Onteora

2:00 PM · Pick: Onteora

I’m going with Onteora. James Horvath has been doing it all for Ellenville, but the Blue Devils need more contributions around him to start beating the teams ranked above them.

Onteora just scored 46 against unbeaten Millbrook. Ellenville has a player who can keep it dangerous, but I’m picking the Eagles in this matchup.

Sullivan West at Cairo-Durham

2:00 PM · Pick: Sullivan West

I’m taking Sullivan West. Section IX over everybody.

The Bulldogs just beat Eldred 34-6. I’m picking them to carry that performance into this road trip and come home with another win.

Spackenkill at Chester Academy

7:00 PM · Pick: Chester Academy

I’m going with Chester. Both teams are coming off close losses: Chester fell 18-13 to unbeaten Dover, and Spackenkill lost 21-20 to Rondout Valley. Chester dropped behind Burke on our two-team Class D board, while Spackenkill now has to answer a head-to-head loss in Class C. Neither team can change last week, but both can change how that loss carries into October. I’m taking the Hambletonians to bounce back at home.

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