Week 1 Football: Viewing Guide on LocalLive.tv

By Kevin Devaney Jr. on September 10, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

The football season in the Hudson Valley is finally here.

While Stepinac, Iona Prep and a handful of Section 1 teams played Week 0 games last week, every team in the region takes the field this week, beginning with a loaded schedule on Friday night.

Friday, September 10

Game of the Day

MAHOPAC AT SOMERS

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The DeMatteo Bowl II has an added wrinkle this season. Anthony DeMatteo takes over his legendary father, Tony, as Somers’ head coach. And his first game is against his brother, Dominick, the head coach at Mahopac, and his nephew, Anthony, the quarterback at Mahopac. Besides that storyline, Somers and Mahopac figure to be two of the front-running teams in Class A entering the season. Huge test for both teams.

OSSINING (0-1) AT WHITE PLAINS

Time: 6 p.m.

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What to watch for: Ossining opened its season last week at home with a 16-14 loss to Horace Greeley. The Pride showed flashes offensively in the fourth quarter and face a White Plains squad coming out of the gates with a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball.

SUFFERN AT NORTH ROCKLAND

Time: 4:30 p.m.

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What to watch for: North Rockland will unveil its new jumbotron at its home field and take on the unofficial defending Section 1 Class AA champions. Suffern has a lot to replace from last season in what will be a pivotal opening night game for both teams.

PLEASANTVILLE AT HEN HUD

Time: 6 p.m.

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What to watch for: Two contenders in what should be a wide-open Class B field square off in what should be a statement game for both sides.

CARMEL AT ARLINGTON

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The Rams are widely regarded as the top team on paper in Class AA entering the 2021 season. Tough test for the Rams to open the season against an Arlington team that will challenge them physically up front on both sides of the line. Carmel’s lopsided win against Arlington last year was the start of this group’s launch into contention.

FOX LANE AT KETCHAM

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The first game for new Fox Lane coach Andrew Giuliano will be a challenging one. Ketcham has a strong core of skill players returning, and it’s never easy going on the road to Dutchess County on opening night. Expect a down-to-the-wire contest.

PORT CHESTER AT JOHN JAY-EAST FISHKILL

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The heavy favorite to win the league championship, John Jay needs a strong start with a challenging non-league schedule looming. The Rams need to figure out a way to match what will be a physical Jay defense and keep them dominating the line of scrimmage.

WESTLAKE AT PUTNAM VALLEY

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: Westlake enters this game as a decisive favorite, despite being on the road.

WALTER PANAS AT LAKELAND

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The Hudson Valley gets its first up-close glimpse of heralded Panas lineman Maleek McNeil, a Penn State commit who transferred into the district for his senior season. How will Lakeland manage the 6-foot-8, 340-pound McNeil? Who knows. But it will be fun to watch.

TAPPAN ZEE AT HARRISON

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: Harrison is out to make a Week 1 statement and faces a rebuilt Tappan Zee roster. The Huskies will be lead by running back A.J. Troilo.

SLEEPY HOLLOW AT PELHAM

Time: 6 p.m.

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What to watch for: Sleepy Hollow hands the program over to new coach Jerry Flora, a former college head coach at William Patterson. The Horsemen face a Pelham team that should be able to control the line of scrimmage and move the ball effectively.

Saturday, September 11

Game of the Day

BISHOP HENDRICKEN (RI) AT IONA PREP

Time: 2 p.m.

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What to watch for: Arguably the best football programs in their respective states, Iona Prep and Hendricken renew their rivalry. Hendricken is a Rhode Island power looking to avenge a pair of lopsided defeats to the Gaels in the last two meetings. Iona Prep is coming off gritty defeat at NJ power Don Bosco Prep last week.

RYE NECK AT HALDANE

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The Blue Devils face a difficult test in Week 1 against a Rye Neck team that returned the majority of its roster.

NANUET AT BRIARCLIFF/HAMILTON

Time: 7 p.m.

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What to watch for: The return to Section 1 play for Briarcliff/Hamilton pits the Bears against a staple in Class B. Nanuet will pose a hefty challenge on the offensive and defensive lines against a Briarcliff team built around speed. This will be a great test for the Bears.

PEARL RIVER AT BRONXVILLE

Time: 7:30 p.m.

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What to watch for: The Broncos will get to unveil their explosive offense, led by QB Conor O’Neil, at a neutral site (Haindl Park in Eastchester) after their home field was damaged by storms. The Broncos, who rolled through Class C last season, face a Pearl River squad coming off a difficult campaign but are due for a rebound.