Key Section 1 Class A Games: Week 2

3. Horace Greeley (1-0) at Sleepy Hollow (1-0):
Sleepy Hollow looked good in a 21-20 victory over Pelham in Week 1, but QB Nick Vallo and star LJ Garrant will have to be huge in order to knock off last season’s sectional runner-up. The Quakers dismantled Roosevelt 56-14 behind star QB Justin Ciero, who has become one of the most feared players in the section. Nevertheless, Roosevelt is not nearly the same team they were when they won sections in 2009, graduating most of their good players and failing to field a JV team last year. The Quakers will look to stop Garrant, who had 178 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against Pelham, but that is certainly easier said than done. The Horseman will certainly have to mix it up on offense, and contain Ciero on defense to have a shot. This game is huge for Sleepy, who’s only remaining tough opponent after Greeley is Ossining, who they play at home in October. Sleepy is a darkhorse contender this season, and the Quakers better not sleep on them. Prediction: Horace Greeley 24- Sleepy Hollow 14

2. John Jay-Cross River (0-1) at Rye (0-1):
Both teams came into the season with high expectations, but both fell to worthy opponents in the first week. John Jay fell victim to a late Ossining comeback, which resulted in a 28-21 defeat in which one of the players was hospitalized. Rye was dropped 28-20 by Somers, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. Rye may have injury issues as well with QB/DB Jake Meyerson, who had to be replaced by freshman Andrew Livingston late against Somers. The winner of this game will still have a decent shot in the playoffs, but the loser will fall to 0-2. With Harrison and Greeley on both teams schedules, the loser will have a tall mountain to climb the rest of the way to make the playoffs. Prediction: Rye 28- John Jay 21

1. Game of the Week: Harrison (1-0) at Poughkeepsie (1-0):
This highly anticipated rematch of last season’s sectional semifinals should live up to the hype. The Huskies of Harrison won 42-27 at Poughkeepsie in that game en route to a section title and an appearance in the state championship game. The Pioneers, who have never won a section title, will be hungry for revenge, especially on their own field. They looked stellar in the 53-0 thrashing of Spring Valley on the road in Week 1. QB Josh Oliver threw 2 TD passes to Siddique Haddad, and had a 70 yard TD run of his own. The Pioneers’ defense had two TDs of their own and held Spring Valley to just 1 first down in the 1st half. Harrison was also impressive in a 28-7 victory over Lakeland, led by junior QB Vin Nicita, who was huge in the Huskies’ state playoff run last season. Both teams graduated several stars from last season, such as Tanner Knox, Alex Acompora, and Duke Alvora from Harrison, and Jarrid Williams, Brandon Graham, and Tyree Coleman from Poughkeepsie. Nevertheless, both teams return excellent players, like Harrison’s Charlie Credendino, a 6’4” lineman who was out with an injury when they met last season. Harrison has to prevent Poughkeepsie from making the homerun plays that buried Spring Valley, while the Pioneers must cut down on penalties and clean up their kicking game. They’ll need to be disciplined to enact their revenge. Poughkeepsie’s not-so-secret weapon in 6’4” freshman receiver Davonte Hamilton could play a huge role in the outcome of this battle. Prediction: Poughkeepsie 34- Harrison 28