Patch Predicts: Football Season Openers

All three area high school football teams will play their season openers at home this Saturday–with Bronxville and Tuckahoe going into the 2010 season as favorites to vie for Section 1 titles and Eastchester looking to build a competitive season despite a number of key injuries. Patch will offer its prediction on the weekly games each Friday during the season.

Saturday, September 11

Saunders (Yonkers) at Eastchester:  1:30 p.m. The Eagles, who are opening the season with injuries to several starters and key players, are hyped for the season opener and won't take anything for granted against the underdog Blue Devils. Eastchester wrecked Saunders 41-6 in last year's opener, but the Devils, despite going 0-6 slowly improved and played well in two close losses to Harrison and Port Chester in the final two games of the 2009 season. Look for quarterback Tom DiCarlo to control the Eagles quick offense with a mix of short passes and a patient running game.

Prediction: Eastchester 20, Saunders 6

Valhalla at Bronxville: 1:30 p.m. The Broncos are big, experienced and too much for the Vikings to handle in the opener. Quarterback Dillon Mitchell keys the offense behind a gigantic front line. Receiver Ryan Hackett is a key on offense for the Broncos. Kieran Borcich leads an imposing defense and the massive offensive line that helped the Broncos to a 12-1 record, a Section 1 championship and a visit to the Class C state finals last year. Senior quarterback Mark DeMilio and senior running back John Meany will be the focus of Bronxville's defensive game plan. Bronxville blanked the Vikings 21-0 in last year's opener, the only loss of the season for Valhalla.

Prediction: Bronxville 34, Valhalla 14

Hastings at Tuckahoe: 1:30 p.m. The Tigers, who boast a crew of returning veteran players, will face a test right out of the box against an always prepared and skilled Yellow Jackets squad. Running back Gary Jennings, who has more than 2,000 career rushing yards entering his senior year, leads a powerful and productive offense that sputtered scoring points last year. Kevin Chen and Jonathan Jubilee lead strong offensive and defensive lines for Tuckahoe. Quarterback Kevin Garabitos is a year older and a year more experienced at leading the multi-faceted offense. The tigers will have to contain Hastings quarterback Luca Cabucci and a passing offense that can score.

Prediction: Tuckahoe 24, Hastings 13