LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Nothing builds confidence like a win to start a season, and for five of the seven Sullivan County football teams, that is just what the first week of action yielded. Considering that the only two teams to suffer defeats were playing other county teams, it would have been impossible for all seven to be victorious. Sullivan West registered a 14-6 non-league win over James I. O’Neill, the two-time defending Section IX Class C champion. O’Neill was moved up to Class B this year, but the Westies made it two in a row against the Raiders, counting last year’s momentous 26-25 homecoming win, which was also a non-league affair.

Senior quarterback Richard Shevak hit fellow senior Ronj Padu on an 80-yard TD pass play on the Bulldogs’ second play of the game. Shevak added a 24-yard run early in the second quarter for the Dawgs’ second score. Sophomore Austin Melchick scored the two-point conversion for the 1-0 Bulldogs. Shevak rushed for 140 yards on 10 carries. Andrew Stabbert had 70 rushing yards on 10 carries and was the team’s leading tackler. The Dawgs travel to Roscoe on September 13 for another non-league tilt. Eldred got a late TD pass from quarterback Hunter Kolvenbach to Josh Warren to help the Yellow Jackets eke out a 13-7 non-league win over Roscoe-Downsville. Eldred travels to Livingston Manor on September 13. New Monticello coach Eric Hipsman mentored the Panthers to a 39-0 non-league win over Ellenville. Devin Williams completed two TD passes to Dante Smalls, and he ran for another. Smalls had five receptions for 85 yards. Sean Jackson rushed for 111 yards on 10 carries. Sterling Morrison had a two-yard TD run and Travis Kelly returned a fumble 60 yards for another score. Liberty smothered Livingston Manor 41-0 in a non-league road win, as senior quarterback Morris Schrader completed seven passes for 181 yards and two TDs. Roy Penn-Consentino rushed for a pair of touchdowns and 72 yards. Class D Manor is returning to varsity action after a one-year hiatus in jayvee. Liberty (1-0) travels to O’Neill for a non-league game on September 12. Tri-Valley bested last year’s winless total with a 41-14 non-league win over Class D Pine Plains. Senior quarterback Justin Swarthout rushed for 85 yards on nine carries and scored three TDs. He completed three of eight passes for 59 yards and one TD on a pass to senior Jared James who rushed for another. Sophomore Michael Schulte rushed for a score. Senior John Killian had 123 yards on 18 carries. Tri-Valley hosts Ellenville on September 13. For ongoing stories, visit www.sportsinsightsny.com and be sure to look in on www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com with a panoply of county superstars. Parents from Sullivan West, Eldred and Tri-Valley who are interested in having Richard shadow their sons or daughters for the season to provide them with a DVD of outstanding action shots at the end of the season should e-mail rross@sportsinsightsny.com.