SULLIVAN COUNTY — There will be plenty of games to choose from this weekend as all seven Sullivan County football programs are scheduled to be in action for the first time all season. With a couple teams coming off of very big wins, and others still looking to find their footing, this should be an interesting weekend of matchups all around.

The 8-Man playoff picture is coming into view, with Eldred standing alone at the top of the division right now, Sullivan West is right on their heels, and Tri-Valley isn’t far behind.

In 11-Man, Monticello, Fallsburg and Liberty are all looking to bounce back this weekend against some tough teams.

Teams around the county are positioned well this weekend to earn some wins against some tough football teams from around the county and beyond. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up this weekend.

 Friday Night Lights

Liberty at Beacon, 5:30pm

After a close matchup against an undefeated Marlboro unit two weeks ago, Liberty struggled against New Paltz at home last weekend, losing 33-8 against a team they defeated last year. The Redhawks have dropped five straight and will look to get back in the win column this afternoon against the 5-1 Beacon Bulldogs.

Beacon has turned things around this season after barely making the playoffs last year, with their defense only allowing 71 points through six games. Their offense, on the other hand, is averaging close to 24 points per game, and are coming off a 39-0 shutout victory over O’Neill.

Liberty will have their hands full on the road tonight as they look to end their losing streak and get back in the win column this weekend.

 Tri-Valley at Eldred, 7pm

The Bears are coming off an impressive 8-6 win against Pawling, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season last Saturday evening. Tonight, Tri-Valley is back on the road, headed over to face a scorching hot Yellowjackets squad that just took sole possession of first place in the 8-Man division after defeating Sullivan West two weeks ago. The Yellowjackets remained undefeated last weekend after taking on Onteora on the road and winning 40-30.

The Bears and Yellowjackets are both coming into the game with a postseason appearance in their crosshairs, and it will be a good test for both teams to see where they stand ahead of the playoffs.

Both the Bears and Yellowjackets have found different ways to win this year, either in close games or lopsided offensive affairs, and this one should be a great matchup between two solid programs.

 Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Sullivan West, 7pm

As it stands on the schedule, Livingston Manor/Roscoe will be playing their first game since Week 1 tonight. The Wildcats have struggled to stay healthy throughout the season, having to forfeit games due to a lack of numbers, but are seemingly going to be in action tonight against the Sullivan West Bulldogs. Sullivan West is coming off a bounce back win over Ticonderoga last weekend, in which the Bulldogs won a 30-0 shutout. Sitting at 4-1, Sullivan West has two games remaining and can clinch a playoff appearance with a win tonight. 

Seeing the Wildcats fight through the adversity of injuries and getting back on the field will be a great sign, as it will allow the young group to get some valuable experience after playing just two games in the last two seasons so far.

        Saturday Showcase

Chester/Seward at Monticello, 12pm

Monticello will return home after two consecutive road losses, most recently dropping a game against the Spackenkill Spartans 27-8 last weekend. The Panthers will have to face off against a 4-2 Chester/ Seward squad that just lost 12-0 against Burke Catholic.

With both teams looking to get back into the win column, Saturday afternoon will hopefully be a good matchup between these two teams.

 Fallsburg at Red Hook, 1pm

Fallsburg will be on the road this weekend after not having a game since Week 2. The Comets have struggled in their return to 11-Man football, but will have a chance to get their first win against a winless Red Hook team when the two meet tomorrow.

The Comets, who were playoff contenders in 8-Man last season, were reintroduced to 11-Man this year and it has been an uphill battle for the team to stay healthy and have enough players to compete.