THE WEEK AHEAD: RIVALRY FOOTBALL, PLAYOFF SOCCER, DISTRICT CROSS-COUNTRY, AND END OF THE REGULAR SEASON FOR VOLLEYBALL - THIS WEEK AS IT ALL (2021-10-24)

Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s now or never time for area sports teams - rivalry week for football, soccer playoffs start, districts for cross-country, and the last week of volleyball’s regular season.

FOOTBALL

Friday, October 29

Troy (7-2) at Canton (9-0), 7 p.m.: There will be more on the line than just the Old Shoe - the winner takes the NTL Large School title outright. The Trojans are technically the defending champions for Division-I as no title was awarded last season, while Canton holds the Old Shoe.

Towanda (0-8) at Wyalusing (2-7), 7 p.m.: The Rams will look to defend the Bronze Helmet as they welcome the Black Knights. Wyalusing will be hoping to get healthy for just one week, while Towanda has been improving down the stretch.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Tuesday, October 26

Line Mountain (6-11) at Wyalusing (13-5), 4 p.m.: The Rams will host in the district preliminaries for the first time ever. They take on a Line Mountain team that surged down the stretch to get to the 10th seed.

NEB (11-7) at Juniata Christian (8-5), 4 p.m.: The Panthers reach the playoffs for the first time in several years, and are awarded with a long bus ride to the other end of the district. NEB ended the regular season strong with a big win over Tunkhannock, and they hope that carries over to this week.

Saturday, October 30

Bloomsburg (11-6-1) vs Troy (14-3), TBA: All that’s known about this contest is that it will be played on Saturday. Both teams have a common opponent in Towanda - Troy swept the Knights this year, while the Panthers beat them 5-0 at home.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Saturday, October 30

NEB (8-8-1) vs Juniata Christian (10-3), TBA: The Panthers hope to be able to play their district game this year, as last year they had to cancel due to Covid-19 Protocols. Where and when will be decided later.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Thursday, October 28

District IV Championships at Bloomsburg University, 9:30 a.m.: The Class A races should have an NTL heavy contingent at the front with Wyalusing in the boys’ race, and Wyalusing, Troy, and NEB on the girls’ side. In Class AA look for Athens and CV to try and make their mark in a deep field in both races.

VOLLEYBALL

Monday, October 25

Sayre (1-14) at Towanda (7-9), 7:15 p.m.: The Knights will need to win out to make the district playoffs, and that starts with Sayre at home on Monday. 

Tuesday, October 26

NPL (13-1) at Towanda (7-9), 7:15 p.m.: Towanda will need to beat the defending district and NTL champions, who haven’t lost a league match in five years, in order to get into the district playoffs, where they would play - NPL.

CV (1-14) at Canton (11-2), 7:15 p.m.: A win here by the Warriors ensures no worse than a tie for the NTL Division-II title, assuming Williamson beats NEB.

Williamson (12-4) at NEB (10-5), 7:15 p.m.: The Warriors still have an outside chance at the league title, but NEB has been playing strong as of late, while Williamson recently lost to Galeton.

Wednesday, October 27

Wyalusing (12-5) at NPL (13-1), 7:15 p.m.: The Rams finish out the regular season with a road trip out to Liberty to take on the Mounties. It should be a good test to get ready for the District IV playoffs, which start Saturday.