It's hard to believe we're six weeks into the season and we're still not sure how good Westlake really is.
Don't blame the Wildcats.
Westlake is unbeaten and is rolling toward another Section 1 title game appearance. The season-opening win against Lakeland is really impressive given how well the Hornets are doing in Class A, but the Wildcats have not faced either of the other Class B contenders and will not see Pearl River or Pelham until the playoffs.
Ardsley will be more of a challenge this week, but the average margin of victory in three previous Class B games was 34.3 points. Edgemont/Blind Brook forfeited to Westlake. A wonky league setup is to blame for the lack of competition and there are two forfeits on the books to back up that assertion.
The Wildcats finish the regular season against Putnam Valley and Nanuet and has to focus on preventing a letdown because this team appears to be good enough to go into the Class B championship game without a loss.
Last week: 27-5
Season: 121-30
Heat index
Iona Prep 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Somers 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Westlake 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Clarkstown South 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bronxville 🔥🔥🔥
Pearl River 🔥🔥🔥
New Rochelle 🔥🔥
Mamaroneck 🔥🔥
Pleasantville 🔥🔥
Pelham 🔥🔥
Scarsdale 🔥
Marquee games
Friday, Oct. 9
Iona Prep (5-0) at Cardinal Hayes (4-1), 6 p.m.
This is a nothing-to-lose opponent the Gaels need to handle with care. Hayes would love to stir things up in the CHSFL with an upset win, but that's no easy feat. Iona Prep has the best defensive front in the league. The Gaels also have the biggest offensive line. They are built to control important games.
The pick: Iona Prep 38, Cardinal Hayes 14
New Rochelle (4-0) at Mamaroneck (3-2), 6 p.m.
We've been waiting for the Huguenots to regain their footing in Section 1. And this might be the perfect week to catch Mamaroneck in a lull given the intensity and drama of the previous two wins. Malachi McFarlane and Luke Zaccagnino are New Rochelle's headliners. It's a step up in terms of level of competition, but they need to stay in stride with the Tigers playmakers James Fitzgerald, Mark Lebowitz and Sam Mehler.
The pick: Mamaroneck 27, New Rochelle 21
Westlake (5-0) at Ardsley (3-2), 6:30 p.m.
Getting the defense squared away was undoubtedly a priority for the Panthers, who gave up 29 unanswered points along with the first half lead last week in a loss to Pearl River. Ardsley has to get Harry Hudd and Co. off the field to have a chance. The Wildcats' starters have to revved up for this one. Westlake took a forfeit win over Edgemont/Blind Brook two weeks ago then went to the bench quickly in an easy win over Panas last week.
The pick: Westlake 27, Ardsley 14
Lakeland (4-1) at Somers (5-0), 7 p.m.
It has to be the biggest game Lakeland has been a part of in years. Are the Hornets good enough to win a playoff game? Apparently so. Is Lakeland playing well enough to hand the Class A favorite a loss? Probably not. The Hornets don't have the same level of depth or the big game experience, but a competitive game against the Tuskers would be a sign of progress.
The pick: Somers 35, Lakeland 14
Saturday, Oct. 10
Stepinac (2-4) at Chaminade (2-4), 1:30 p.m.
The Crusaders need a win. And they would love to exact some revenge after losing to Chaminade in a 24-23 overtime thriller during the regular season and 18-14 in the CHSFL playoffs. Stepinac has played well in a couple of losses and needs to make something happen early here. The Flyers aren't exactly lighting it up against league opponents, scoring just 12 points in losses to Farrell and Hayes.
The pick: Stepinac 28, Chaminade 20
Best of the rest
Friday, Oct. 9
Rye County Day at Riverdale Country, 4:30 p.m.
Pelham at Nanuet, 6 p.m.
Ketcham at White Plains, 6 p.m.
Scarsdale vs. Mount Vernon at Memorial Field, 6 p.m.
Port Chester at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
John Jay-East Fishkill at Clarkstown North, 6:30 p.m.
Briarcliff/Hamilton at Tappan Zee, 6:30 p.m.
Ossining at Greeley, 6:30 p.m.
East Ramapo vs. Suffern at Suffern MS, 6:30 p.m.
Carmel vs. Peekskill at Torpy Field, 6:30 p.m.
Arlington at North Rockland, 6:30 p.m.
Rye Neck at Haldane, 7 p.m.
Nyack at Rye, 7 p.m.
Clarkstown South at Brewster, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Hackley at Hopkins, noon
Byram Hills vs. Edgemont/Blind Brook at Blind Brook, 1 p.m.
Sleepy Hollow at Pearl River, 1:30 p.m.
Irvington at Woodlands, 1:30 p.m.
Bronxville at Tuckahoe, 1:30 p.m.
Hen Hud at Hastings, 6 p.m.
Panas at Putnam Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Dobbs Ferry at Valhalla, 6:30 p.m.
Eastchester at Harrison, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Kennedy Catholic at Holy Cross, 1 p.m.
Mike Dougherty covers high school football for The Journal News/lohud. Follow along on Instagram @hoopsmbdlohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: High school football | Dougherty's marquee game breakdowns, picks
