Here are our lohud experts' high school football predictions for Week 3
The action is starting to heat up across the Lower Hudson Valley, with a loaded Week 3 slate filled with marquee matchups in all classes.
Here are some of the top games to watch, along with picks for every Week 3 game.
Last week's prediction results
Mike: 21-3 (67-14 overall)
Eugene: 19-5 (62-19 overall)
Rye (2-1) at Pleasantville (2-0)
Friday, 6 p.m.
Last week, there were several Class AA and A matchups that headlined the weekend slate. Now, it's the highly-anticipated Class B matchup between Rye and Pleasantville at the top of the list.
Pleasantville, the two-time reigning section champ and state finalist, is looking to defend its home field against Class B newcomer Rye. The Garnets have been contenders in Class A for the last few years, reaching the section finals in each of the last three seasons, winning a title in 2019 and reaching the state final four in 2021 as an at-large team. The Garnets are loaded with experience and depth across the board and will be title contender.
They'll try to stop Pleasantville standout Daniel Picart, who opposing teams haven't quite had an answer for. The Panthers may have graduated a solid group, especially in the trenches, from last year's state finals run, but their collective tenacity and unrelenting mindset remains no matter who is lining up on the field.
Mike's pick: Rye over Pleasantville
Eugene's pick: Pleasantville over Rye
Mamaroneck (1-1) at New Rochelle (1-2)
Friday, 6 p.m.
It's a rivalry game that New Rochelle has been looking forward to since last year's showdown came to a suspenseful end. Last year, Mamaroneck defeated the Huguenots for the first time since 1993 in a homecoming thriller that came down to a touchdown with fewer than three minutes remaining, and two crucial turnovers to seal a 32-25 win.
Both teams have graduated some talented contributors but have some key returners that are thriving. Mamaroneck's dual-threat quarterback Henry Mackie is a one-man wrecking ball that has run all over opposing defenses, while New Rochelle has game-changing receiver Corey Dawson and stalwart linebacker Taylor Rhett leading the charge.
Mike's pick: Mamaroneck over New Rochelle
Eugene's pick: Mamaroneck over New Rochelle
Harrison (2-1) at Clarkstown South (1-1)
Friday, 6:15 p.m.
When these two teams previously met, it was a double-overtime thriller, which Clarkstown South won after stopping a two-point conversion attempt to win 38-37.
Although both teams have graduated their share of playmakers since then, you can expect Friday night's game to be played with lots of intensity. The Huskies and the Vikings are looking to make some noise this postseason, and this is a league matchup, which will have an impact on standings and potentially seeding.
The Vikings are coming off of a 47-0 win over Horace Greeley, while the Huskies recorded a 42-7 rout of Clarkstown North. Both teams dominated on both sides of the ball, but they'll be gearing up for a closer battle on Friday.
Mike's pick: Clarkstown South over Harrison
Eugene's pick: Clarkstown South over Harrison
Mahopac (2-1) at Somers (2-1)
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
There are many ties between both sides. Head coaches Anthony (Somers) and Dominick (Mahopac) DeMatteo are brothers. They've followed in the footsteps of their legendary father, Tony, and continue to coach solid programs. The two schools are only six miles from each other, so there's plenty of familiarity between the two communities.
Last year, Mahopac put Somers on upset alert until Somers' star quarterback Matt Fitzsimons barreled into the end zone with nine seconds left to give the Tuskers a 28-21 victory. It was Somers' closest game against a Section 1 opponent all year long before the Tuskers went on to win a state title.
In 2021, Mahopac pushed Somers in another close loss, a 17-14 result. What will this year bring? Will the third time be the charm for the Wolfpac, or do the Tuskers continue their reign?
Mike's pick: Somers over Mahopac
Eugene's pick: Somers over Mahopac
Tuckahoe (2-0) at Haldane (2-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
They meet every year to play for the Section 1 Class D title, but this will be the first time since 2019 that they'll face off during the regular season. The Blue Devils are on the hunt for the first win over the Tigers since 2018, and they'll get an opportunity to get a mid-season gauge of how they stack up against Tuckahoe.
Haldane still has game-changer Evan Giachinta, who recorded more than 300 all-purpose yards and accounted for all three touchdowns in last year's championship loss to the Tigers. Meanwhile, the Tigers graduated a big senior class, but players have stepped into bigger roles just fine. Both teams are coming off of a bye week, so they'll be well-rested and eager for Friday night.
Mike's pick: Haldane over Tuckahoe
Eugene's pick: Tuckahoe over Haldane
Iona Prep (2-1) at St. Anthony's (2-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Gaels are on the road in search for revenge after losing in lopsided fashion to the Friars in last year's CHSFL final.
St. Anthony's is headlined by the No. 2-ranked senior in the state, K.J. Duff, a Rutgers commit who torched the Gaels for four touchdowns in last year's championship game. Duff recently had the game-winning 49-yard touchdown with 1:45 to go in a 42-34 win against St. Joseph’s Regional (N.J.). On that play, he hurdled over a defender and broke loose for the score.
Iona Prep has been solid defensively in each of its last two games, and it'll need to find a way to slow down the St. Anthony's passing attack for a chance to win. St. Anthony's is coming off of back-to-back shootout wins, amassing a total of 94 points over the last two weeks.
Mike's pick: St. Anthony's over Iona Prep
Eugene's pick: St. Anthony's over Iona Prep
Ardsley (2-0) at Byram Hills (1-1)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
It's become somewhat of a rivalry, with many exciting and high-stakes showdowns between both teams ever since the Bobcats dropped down to Class B in 2019. They've traded wins and losses with one another, with regular-season meetings over the last four years tied at 2-2.
These are two disciplined, well-coached teams that are looking to remain a contender in a new-look Class B landscape. This very well may be a playoff preview. Last year, the Bobcats held off Ardsley and won, 28-21, in a game that was close throughout. What will Saturday's meeting bring?
Mike's pick: Ardsley over Byram Hills
Eugene's pick: Ardsley over Byram Hills
Dobbs Ferry (1-0) at Bronxville (1-1)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The Eagles have made it to the Section 1 Class C finals every year since 2015, and have won four titles during that seven-season stretch (no playoffs during 2020-21 season). Although they recently graduated all-state standouts Brandon Holman and Brian Dann, the Eagles have been able to seamlessly transition between each year.
As for Bronxville, the Broncos are coming in fired up after taking a close loss to rival Tuckahoe, their first to the Tigers since 2008. Bronxville has plenty of promise after dropping down to Class C with a veteran group, and will be eager to put on a better show. The Broncos might have gone 1-8 last season in Class B, but seven of those losses came by seven or fewer points, including an overtime loss to state runner-up Pleasantville.
This will be a nice early season test for two Class C teams with title-winning aspirations.
Mike's pick: Dobbs Ferry over Bronxville
Eugene's pick: Dobbs Ferry over Bronxville
Quick picks
FRIDAY
Panas (0-3) at Spring Valley (2-0), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Spring Valley
Eugene's pick: Spring Valley
Yonkers Brave (0-3) at Scarsdale (1-1), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Scarsdale
Eugene's pick: Scarsdale
Arlington (3-0) at Ketcham (0-2), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Arlington
Eugene's pick: Arlington
Yonkers Force (2-1) at White Plains (0-2), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Yonkers Force
Eugene's pick: Yonkers Force
Ossining (0-3) at North Rockland (3-0), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: North Rockland
Eugene's pick: North Rockland
Sleepy Hollow (1-2) at Lakeland (2-1), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Lakeland
Eugene's pick: Sleepy Hollow
Putnam Valley (2-0) at Nanuet (1-1), 6 p.m.
Mike's pick: Nanuet
Eugene's pick: Nanuet
Woodlands (0-1) at Valhalla (1-1), 6:30 p.m.
Mike's pick: Valhalla
Eugene's pick: Valhalla
Pelham (0-2) at Horace Greeley (1-2), 6:30 p.m.
Mike's pick: Pelham
Eugene's pick: Pelham
Holy Trinity (2-1) at Stepinac (2-1), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Stepinac
Eugene's pick: Stepinac
Tappan Zee (2-0) at Westlake (1-0), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Westlake
Eugene's pick: Westlake
Mount Vernon (1-1) at Suffern (2-1), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Suffern
Eugene's pick: Suffern
Carmel (1-1) at John Jay-East Fishkill (3-0), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: John Jay-East Fishkill
Eugene's pick: John Jay-East Fishkill
John Jay-Cross River (1-1) at Yorktown (3-0), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Yorktown
Eugene's pick: Yorktown
Fox Lane (1-1) at Brewster (1-1), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Brewster
Eugene's pick: Fox Lane
Clarkstown North (0-2) at Eastchester (2-1), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Eastchester
Eugene's pick: Eastchester
Hen Hud (0-2) at Nyack (1-1), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Nyack
Eugene's pick: Nyack
SATURDAY
Albertus Magnus (0-2) at Briarcliff/Hamilton (1-1), 12 p.m.
Mike's pick: Briarcliff/Hamilton
Eugene's pick: Briarcliff/Hamilton
Montclair Kimberley Academy (0-3) at Hackley (1-1)
Mike's pick: Hackley
Eugene's pick: Hackley
Kennedy Catholic (1-1) at St. Peter's (3-0), 1 p.m.
Mike's pick: St. Peter's
Eugene's pick: St. Peter's
Long Island Lutheran (3-0) at Rye Country Day (1-0), 1 p.m.
Mike's pick: Rye Country Day
Eugene's pick: Rye Country Day
Pearl River (1-1) at Hastings (0-2), 1:30 p.m.
Mike's pick: Pearl River
Eugene's pick: Pearl River
Edgemont (0-1) at Croton-Harmon (1-1), 1:30 p.m.
Mike's pick: Croton-Harmon
Eugene's pick: Croton-Harmon
Peekskill (1-1) at Port Chester (1-1), 1:30 p.m.
Mike's pick: Peekskill
Eugene's pick: Peekskill
Frederick Gunn School (0-0) at Harvey (0-0), 2 p.m.
Mike's pick: Frederick Gunn School
Eugene's pick: Frederick Gunn School
Ramapo (0-2) at Poughkeepsie (0-3), 2 p.m.
Mike's pick: Ramapo
Eugene's pick: Ramapo
Rye Neck (2-1) at Irvington (0-2), 7 p.m.
Mike's pick: Rye Neck
Eugene's pick: Rye Neck
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud high school football: Week 3 predictions
