By RICK STONE

We’ll again start with the league games, and right off the bat we have two biggies.

In Class AA-l we have the annual regular season showdown between state-ranked #1 Monroe-Woodbury and #24 Newburgh. MSG will be there and so will ESPN Radio. This game is a big deal beyond Orange County. Some recent history. Since the 2003 sectional title game in which NFA blew out M-W, 35-0, the Crusaders have amped up their program. They’re currently riding an eight-game winning streak against their biggest rival with three of those wins coming in the sectional finals.

Last week the Goldbacks looked a whole lot more comfortable with Fred Locklary, who had replaced injured Brandon Clark, under center. But this M-W offense, led by a healthy Dan Scalo, is a load that may be too heavy for even the strong NFA defense. MONROE-WOODBURY wins again.

The other biggie is the Class C showdown between state-ranked #14 Sullivan West and homestanding #18 Millbrook. There will be no TV stations airing this one but maybe there should be. I usually play the odds but here I’m stepping out and looking for an upset. A physical Blazer team will be ready to rumble while the Bulldogs are shaking off the two hour trip from Sullivan to Dutchess. MILLBROOK will win if it can again exercise ball control and avoid getting burned in the secondary.

In AA-l PINE BUSH will defeat old rival Middletown in an emotional battle … In AA-ll MINISINK VALLEY will finally get on the scoreboard and into the win column by topping Washingtonville. The Warriors had to open against NFA and M-W … Also in AA-ll VALLEY CENTRAL has QB Shane MacNamara back and will defeat FDR.

In Class A rugged WALLKILL should have its way with Goshen … Meanwhile we look for young CORNWALL to utilize its quick ground game to outscore a tough Saugerties team.

Class B features a trio of interesting league matchups. State-ranked #6 HIGHLAND is the best B team in the section, but the Huskies will still have to keep O’Neill’s passing game under control … MARLBORO is unveiling its new carpet and lights which should motivate the Dukes to pull off a minor upset over young but talented Burke Catholic … Both New Paltz and Red Hook are desperate for a win. Together they have scored only 7 points so far this season. Homestanding RED HOOK’S solid defense could spell the difference.

Another big Class C game pits defending champ Ellenville against improved Spackenkill. ELLENVILLE should be too strong on both sides of the ball for the Spartans … In the other C contest 0-2 Tri-Valley travels all the way to Pine Plains to face the Bombers who defeated Onteora last week to end a 16-game losing streak. This game should be close but we’ll give the edge to rejuvenated PINE PLAINS, led by Dylan Proper.

Heading the list of non-league games is the big cat fight: the Wildcats at the Tigers. Both are 2-0 and feature the spread. State ranked #22 WARWICK has a few more weapons, however, and will top Kingston.

As for the other non-leagues. We’re looking for CHESTER to get pumped and upset Section One’s Tuckahoe which is the #7 state-ranked Class D team … Troy Correa and his LMR Devilcats will step up and defeat Onteora … Meanwhile experienced ELDRED will edge Class C Liberty in an interesting Sullivan County backyard scrap. The Yellow Jackets are the #11 state-ranked D team.

NOTE: Last week Rick’s record was 15-3. His overall record is 29-7.