FOLLOWING FOOTBALL: IT'S PLAYOFF TIME (2019-11-01)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
TIOGA COUNTY — This is an exciting weekend for the three Tioga County teams which have qualified for the Section IV Football Conference playoffs. Each has a legitimate shot at victory — and a berth in next week's championship games — if they execute their game plans properly. 

This evening, Owego (6-2) will host M-E (5-3) for the second time in three weeks. The Indians won the previous meeting, 37-20. On Saturday, Windsor (6-2) visits Newark Valley (5-3) for the second time this season as well. The Black Knights won the first one, 44-29. The other game pits the top-ranked Tioga (8-0) against Delhi (6-2).

Here's what the Owego, Newark Valley and Tioga coaches have to say, along with my prediction for each game (I'm 25-7 on the season and have a hunch this could be a 3-0 week).

CLASS B
M-E at Owego, Tonight, 7 p.m.
Steve Virkler — Owego

• Owego's Strengths
We have a very close group that does a lot together off the field. Those bonds help all the time when we step on the playing field. We also have a great ability to adapt — we have many guys that can play multiple positions and still understand what their job is and how to do it — that makes coaching much easier and allows you to do many different things.

• Owego's Weaknesses
Still working on consistency. We have to be consistent in order to be successful — games where we finish drives and force teams to punt the ball are games we have taken control of. If we allow big plays or put ourselves in a hole because of penalties that has been a problem for us.

• M-E's Strengths
Maine-Endwell has athletes all over the field — they have a winning mentality and it shows when they play. They have created a culture that the kids believe in and they do what they do no matter who they're playing or when/where the game is. They try to out-execute you when they step on the field in all aspects of the game.

• M'E's Weaknesses
Don't see many weaknesses on their team — if anything they are a little younger this year than they have been in the past but most of those Sophomores playing for them were on the Little League World Series Championship team so there is not a stage that's too big for them.

• Owego Players to Watch
We have a few guys that are playing well right now — up front defensively Gio Fabi, Josh Terry and Sean Heffernan have really set the tone for our defense and that allows Cam Bundy and Ben Miller to make plays at linebacker — hopefully that will continue this week. On offense Nick Wasyln has steadily improved at QB and will need to do so again in order for us to be successful — he will need the help of our offensive line in Tommy Mendelis, Jacob Wong, Sean Heffernan, Mason Pratt and Kolby Jones.

• M-E Players to Watch
They have a few different guys that are playmakers for them but it starts with their QB Mike Mancini and their FB, Ryan Brozovic — those two guys are the motor to their offense and we have to keep them in check in order to slow them down. Defensively they play very well as a group with many different guys making plays — all four of their linebackers are very good and the one who really sticks out on film is their free safety Dan George — he is all over the field making plays and creating havoc. Our consistency in moving the ball against this defense will be key for us — we need to put points on the board and at the same time keep their offensive playmakers off the field.

• Prediction: Owego by 3
Beating M-E twice in the same season is very difficult — most teams can't even do it once. To beat the Spartans again, Owego must receive maximum production throughout its line-up, because M-E will come in ready to battle. I like the fact the Indians have a variety of offensive weapons they can rely on and hopefully they will use them to maximum potential. If M-E can't key on one individual, it increases Owego's chances for success.

CLASS C 
Windsor at Newark Valley
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Ted Hardenstine — Newark Valley

• Newark Valley's Strengths
Our offense has been consistent all season, we have scored 20 or more points every game this season, and 33 or more points the last five weeks. Our defense has been improving as the year has gone on, giving up a combined 24 points over the last half of the season.

• Newark Valley's Weaknesses
We still are looking to improve on special teams. We have been inconsistent this year. We have made some really nice plays on kickoff, kickoff return and punt team. However we have also had some poor plays mixed in as well. If we can win on all special teams this week, it should give us a great chance to earn a win.

• Windsor's Strengths
Windsor is well coached on both sides of the ball. Their offense attack is balanced which makes them difficult to game plan against. We will need to play disciplined and fundamentally sound on defense to be successful. Defensively, their scheme is sound and the kids work hard to do their job. They haven't given up more than 29 points all season long.

• Windsor's Weaknesses
Windsor is a 6-2 playoff team, so they don't have many weaknesses. One thing I would say could be a weakness would be their depth at certain positions. This is a common weakness of many small school football teams.  

• Newark Valley Players to Watch
We expect our offensive line to continue to improve and lead the way when we have the ball. Deeken Frost and Levi Arnold at tackle, Matt Waterman and Joey Woodmansee at guards, and Hunter Kelly at center.

• Windsor Players to Watch
Their QB, (Ethan) Reed, has been impressive all year. We also have to know where (Dave) Flora and (Jack) Beattie are, both have made plays all season long.

• Prediction: Newark Valley by 5
The Cardinals have to play solid defense or this game will go Windsor's way. NV needs good blocking on the offensive line — if that happens, RBs Caden Bennett and Raidyn Ford should pick up some nice runs, and QB Mike Wandell should be able to get a couple good passes off to TE Jake Armstrong.

CLASS D
Tioga vs. Delhi at Johnson City
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Nick Aiello — Tioga

• Tioga's strengths
Our strength will have to be up front on both sides of the ball. Delhi is big on both sides of the line, and their skilled positions have good speed. In order to be successful on offense we’ll need to have great ball-get-off and finish blocks so our backs can take advantage. On defense, we have to work hard to control their run game on the inside so our linebackers and DBs can work on stopping their jet sweep and pass game.

• Tioga's weaknesses
We must get off the field on defense when the opportunity arises. In big games, we can’t let teams consistently convert on third and fourth down.

• Delhi's Strengths
Overall size and speed is a concern for us. They have a diverse offense with many unique formations so preparation and film study is key this week. They have a lot of big play potential because their formations can get you out of position quickly, and they snap the ball quickly. They’ve scored a lot of points against most of their opponents, so they have a lot of fire-power on offense. 

Their defense does not give up many big plays because of their speed, so it’ll be important to keep the chains moving and be successful when we get in the red zone.

• Delhi's Weaknesses
Tough to say.

• Tioga Players to Watch
Both sides of the line – it’s imperative that we win the battle in the trenches.

• Delhi Players to Watch
No. 10 (Alex Haight) and No. 11 (Beau Bracchy) are very versatile, No. 20 (Warren Pardee) is a very hard runner, and No. 1  (Tyler Bruce) and No.  9 (Brody Silcox) are very dangerous. No. 84 (Hunter Sanford) is a solid TE and a good receiving threat, as well as No. 21 (Logan Aikens) on the outside.

• Prediction: Tioga by 12
Only five teams in Section IV are averaging more than 40 points per game (four in 11-man), and the Tigers and Bulldogs are among them. If Tioga runs the ball like it usually does, it will win. A solid performance by the defense will go a long way in helping the blue and gold advance.

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IN PHOTO 2: Owego's Steve Virkler. ... IN PHOTO 3: NV's Ted Hardenstine. ... IN PHOTO 4: Tioga's Nick Aiello.

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NOTE: Check out coverage of the Tioga game on valleysportsreport.net.