Here are our lohud experts' high school football Week 1 predictions (2024)

Eugene Rapay,Mike DoughertyRockland/Westchester Journal News

After a few high school football teams got a head start on the season with Week 0 games, the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley will join in and kick off the 2023 season.

It's an action-packed slate, with some exciting matchups and interesting storylines as the football season fully gets underway. Here are some of the top games to watch, along with picks for every Week 1 game.

Last week's prediction results

Mike's record: 22-2

Eugene's record: 20-4

Mamaroneck at North Rockland

Friday, 6 p.m., at Town of Haverstraw Sports Complex

Mamaroneck graduated 24 seniors from its section-final run a season ago, but the Tigers should remain tough. There are plenty of athletes stepping into bigger roles and they're eager to maintain the program's recent success. They'll look to relish in the opportunity to make a big first impression to open the season.

North Rockland is coming off of a big come-from-behind win over Section 9 power Monroe-Woodbury. The Red Raiders will look to build off of that win and avenge last season's loss to Mamaroneck. The Tigers limited them to just seven points last year and there are plenty of returning Red Raiders who haven't forgotten that.

Mike's pick:North Rockland over Mamaroneck

Eugene's pick:North Rockland over Mamaroneck

Mahopac at Harrison

Friday, 7 p.m.

Mahopac has plenty of motivation for Friday night. The Indians suffered a tough one-point playoff loss to Harrison last season and have been fired up for a chance at redemption. The Indians are coming off a 31-10 victory over Section 9's Goshen in which they built a 24-0 halftime lead, and they hope to start out strong once again on the road.

As for Harrison, its 21-14 victory over Rye is the type of win that can set the tone for the rest of the season. The Huskies have plenty of momentum entering Friday, and they'll look to keep things rolling. While their depth will be tested once again by Mahopac's numbers, the Huskies have shown they have the heart to rumble with anybody.

Mike's pick: Mahopac over Harrison

Eugene's pick: Mahopac over Harrison

Ardsley at Nyack

Friday, 7 p.m.

This is a potential Section 1 Class B playoff preview. It's the perennial contender vs. a new up-and-coming threat. Ardsley has advanced to at least the Section 1 Class B semifinals every year since 2016, including section title wins in 2018 and 2019. The Panthers have high aspirations once again, especially with plenty of returning players now a year older and wiser.

As for Nyack, the RedHawks are ready to make a statement in Class B. They only won three games over their last two seasons in Class A, including a 1-7 mark last fall. With a total of 15 returning starters on both sides of the ball and impact transfers in quarterback Ty'Lyn Blackwell-Williams (Paramus Catholic) and linebacker Mateo Massey (Don Bosco), who are back home after productive starting roles at New Jersey powers last season, the RedHawks are hoping this is the beginning of a turnaround season.

This will be a big early-season test for both teams.

Mike's pick: Ardsley over Nyack

Eugene's pick: Nyack over Ardsley

Pleasantville at Byram Hills

Saturday, 2 p.m.

These teams faced off in two epic thrillers last season, with Pleasantville emerging on top both times. The first was a 17-14 regular season meeting decided by a game-winning field goal before the buzzer, and the second game came in the Section 1 Class B finals when the Panthers came from behind to win 27-20 and ultimately reach the state finals for the second straight year.

Both sides lost some big names on the line to graduation, but retain plenty of talent at the skill positions. There won't be championship hardware up for grabs on Saturday, but you can certainly expect another compelling game.

Mike's pick: Pleasantville over Byram Hills

Eugene's pick: Pleasantville over Byram Hills

Yonkers Force at Yonkers Brave

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

There isn't a high school sporting event that brings the whole Yonkers community together quite like the Superintendent's Cup game between the Force and the Brave. Between the crowds, ceremonies and pregame flyovers, there's plenty of hype.

Hen Hud at Croton-Harmon

Saturday, 3 p.m.

Both teams will be taking the field for the first time this fall, and they'll be eager to shake off the rust.

Hen Hud will face its former coach from 2019-22, John Catano, who recently left his alma mater to return to Croton-Harmon, where he previously coached for 18 years, won three Section 1 titles and made two state finals appearances.

The Sailors are now led by former Ardsley assistant Cole Coyle, who will look to improve on last year's 1-7 showing in Catano's final year. It may be a rebuilding situation for both sides, but there's lots of history and significance for both communities, and this can be the first step they need to jump start their seasons.

Mike's pick: Croton-Harmon over Hen Hud

Eugene's pick: Hen Hud over Croton-Harmon

Valhalla at Westlake

Monday, 6 p.m.

This will be an emotionally-charged game that goes beyond the rivalry between these two schools. On the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, they'll be paying tribute to first responders and dedicating the night to them.

Inside the lines, this will be a league game between two neighbors aiming to contend in Class C. The Wildcats are the defending section champs, and they'll be looking to begin their title defense with a win at home on their brand-new turf field. As for the Vikings, they'll try to build off of their dominant 51-7 win at Rye Neck and avenge last year's loss to Westlake.

Mike's pick: Westlake over Valhalla

Eugene's pick: Westlake over Valhalla

Quick picks

THURSDAY

Horace Greeley at Fox Lane, 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Horace Greeley

Eugene's pick: Horace Greeley

FRIDAY

Tuckahoe at Bronxville, 4:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Bronxville

Eugene's pick: Bronxville

Yorktown at Clarkstown North, 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Yorktown

Eugene's pick: Yorktown

Suffern at New Rochelle, 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: New Rochelle

Eugene's pick: New Rochelle

Edgemont at Pearl River, 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Pearl River

Eugene's pick: Pearl River

Albertus Magnus at Putnam Valley, 6 p.m.