The second week of the football season finally brings a full slate of games for our county teams. Liberty, Fallsburg and Eldred are all on the road this week while Monticello, Sullivan West, Tri-Valley and Livingston Manor have their home openers this weekend. The 8-Man season kicks off this week while the 11-man teams head into Week 2 with some exciting matchups this weekend.

Friday Night Lights

Fallsburg at Dover, 7 p.m.

The Comets made their 11-Man return last week and faced off against a tough Liberty team, losing 49-26 at home. The game was closer than the final score indicated, with Fallsburg getting within 10 points twice in the evening before Liberty took control late in the fourth. The Comets had a week to work on some of their week one issues and will be headed to Dover tonight to take on another former 8-Man squad. The Dragons opened their season with a loss as well, as the Dragons lost to Haldane 26-6 in their season opener.

Liberty at Port Jervis, 7 p.m.

The Redhawks made a statement in their win over Fallsburg on Friday night, scoring more points in the game than they did in the 2023-24 campaign. Liberty will look to stay hot as they take on the Raiders, who also won their season opener. Port Jervis, similarly had a big win to start their season, taking Goshen down 61-28. The Raiders, who finished 8-3 last season, will look to stay undefeated as they make their 2024-25 home debut tonight, and the Redhawks will have their work cut out for them.

Onteora at Sullivan West, 7 p.m.

Last year’s Section IX 8-Man Champion Sullivan West Bulldogs have the opportunity to start this season off on the right foot with a home game against Onteora. The Eagles finished 3-6 last season, but battled to an almost even point differential. The two teams faced off in the season opener last year as well, with the Bulldogs winning 44-16 on the road. Sullivan West will likely look to make the same statement in front of their home fans this season.

Saturday Showcase

Wallkill at Monticello, 1 p.m.

It’s a battle of the Panthers tomorrow afternoon as Wallkill and Monticello face off to kick off Week 2. Wallkill defeated Poughkeepsie 34-8 last week, while Monticello lost 36-8 against Saugerties. The game will serve as a good benchmark for Monticello as they try to figure out their identity for the season, and will get a chance to do so in front of the home crowd.

Ellenville at Tri-Valley, 1 p.m.

The Bears, despite having a rough season last year, reached the playoffs and was a part of one of the most electrifying postseason games in recent memory. Despite finishing the regular season 2-7 (2-2), the Bears went on to visit Fallsburg in the first round of the playoffs. The game went down to the wire, with both teams deploying fourth quarter heroics with the season on the line. Fallsburg was the last to score though, scoring the go-ahead, game-winning touchdown in the final minute. 

Now, Tri-Valley will have a chance to start over after an offseason of training and conditioning for the season. They are tasked with taking on the Ellenville Blue Devils, a team that finished 5-3 last season and won the head-to-head matchup 46-6 last year. Tri-Valley, who won the 8-Man Championship two years ago, will look to get back to where they were a few seasons ago as they make their season debut tomorrow in Grahamsville.

Eldred at Livingston Manor, 7 p.m.

The Yellowjackets have been trending in the right direction over the past few years, building up the program and finding more success with each passing season.  After coming up just short of a playoff appearance in 2023-24, the Yellowjackets will look to kick the season off right as they take on the merged unit of Livingston Manor and Roscoe in the home of the Wildcats.

Livingston Manor was unable to field a team for most of the season, and will look to get back in playing shape to start the year. In their only contest of the season, Tri-Valley defeated the Wildcats 36-6. Hopefully with a year of practicing and learning skills, the Livingston Manor/Roscoe team will be ready for game action tomorrow when the Yellowjackets come to town.