New York Section 6 Playoff update

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Josh Hosier | November 5, 2024

New York Section 6 Playoff update

An exciting weekend of football in New York moved the Section 6 teams
one step closer to section crowns as all classes have now reached the
semifinals.

Class AA:

Bennett the top seed had a bye but they learned their opponent Friday
night when Jamestown defeated Niagara Falls 41-14. The Red and Green
looked sharp and poised for another run at Bennett. The first match up
between the two was a 27-23 win for the Tigers. Jamestown and Bennett
square off Friday at All High Stadium.

For Jamestown to win: They will have to contain the Bennett powerhouse
offense and not get behind early as they will have an impossible task
if they fall behind and allow Bennett to protect.

For Bennett to win: The key will be keeping their offense rolling and
putting up points and unlike the last time, no let up in the 4th
quarter allowing Jamestown to sneak back into the game.

Take Bennett

Lancaster handled Lockport 40 to 8 to advance to the Semifinals,
meanwhile Orchard Park without star Quarterback Brady Ciano looked
good in a 33 to 6 win over Hutch Tech. The Legends and the Quakers
will meet for the second time this season on Friday night in
Lancaster.

For Lancaster to win: This is a familiar place for the Legends and
they should lean into that experience. Senior leaders like Blake
Minsterman and Alex Krupa will have the team firing on all cylinders
for certain.

For Orchard Park to win: If Brady Ciano is healthy and able to play,
he is the key for the Quakers. Give the ball to Brady and let him try
to put up 40. If Ciano doesn’t play, They will need another excellent
defensive effort to have a shot.

Take Lancaster

Class A:

Top seed McKinley did battle with Willamsville East and came away with
a 22-8 victory. Meanwhile, Kenmore West was able to beat West Seneca
West 31-12. This sets up an interesting rematch between the Macks and
the Blue Devils. They met in week 5 and the Macks fell to Kenmore West
36-33.

For McKinley to win: They must keep the field in their favor, meaning
not giving Kenmore West possessions beginning near mid field or in the
McKinley end.

For Kenmore West to win: The Blue Devils must start faster than the
last game with McKinley if they wish to beat them for a second time
this season.

Toss up but give me McKinley

The Class A Brackets 2 Seed was Sweet Home and they faced
Williamsville North on Friday coming away with a 45-13 victory. The 3
seed Clarence took on Starpoint and posted an impressive 49-7 victory.
These two teams did not meet in the regular season.

For Sweet Home to win: The Panthers will have to continue to put up
points like they have all season, it will be a taller task against
Clarence but if the offense gets its flow, they can roll.

For Clarence to win: Simple for the Red Devils, do what you have for 2
years, play excellent defense, be more physical than opponents and
play with the lead, a fast start is important for Clarence.

I will take Clarence but this one is going to be excellent

Class B

Top Seed Pioneer took down Maryvale 28-12 this weekend. Meanwhile, 4
seed South Park beat Williamsville South 22-14. Pioneer will face
South Park on Friday night at Pioneer. These teams met in week 4 with
a 26-14 victory for the Panthers in that one.

For Pioneer to win: The Panthers will need to get their stars in space
to make things happen. Karter Giboo and Isaac Platt should both get
15+ touches.

For South Park to win: The Sparks have lived and died with their
talented defense. They will need an elite performance from its run
stoppers to beat Pioneer.

Take Pioneer

Two seeded Lackawanna continued their undefeated season Saturday with
its 46-13 win over Grand Island. 3 Seed Health Sciences took out
upstart Olean 34-7. This sets up a semi-final show down between two of
the best class B teams over the last two seasons. This one should be
absolutely electric.

For Lackawanna to win: The Steelers need two things to win, Tyrone
Clark Jr to touch the ball 20+ times, and Sam Ikeguwonu to get in the
backfield and disrupt the Health Science offense.

For Health Sciences to win: Contain Tyrone Clark Jr (no one has this
season) and you can have a shot at the Steelers.

Take Lackawanna

Class C

The Top seed in class C was Newfane who faced off with 8 seeded
Portville Friday night. It was Newfane who was reeling and trailed by
7 at the half and then Portville played an excellent second half and
sealed the biggest upset in all of the quarterfinals knocking off top
seed Newfane 34-21. In the 4 vs 5 seed matchup Chautauqua Lake /
Westfield / Brocton had to rally to overcome Alden 41-28. Portville
faced Chautauqua Lake / Westfield / Brocton in week 8 and won over the
Eagles by a score of 24-7.

For Portville to win: They must disrupt the Eagles offense, if
Portville plays excellent defense they have a good change to advance.

For CLWB to win: The Eagles will need to make sure Brayden Gibbs is
protected and has time to find his receivers which is a tall task
against the Panther pass rush.

This one is going to be epic. Give me CLWB in a thriller.

2 Seed Salamanca kept their undefeated season in-tack with a dominate
49-12 win over Cleveland Hill. Meanwhile, 3 seeded Medina beat
Falconer / CV / MG by a score of 28-12. Salamanca beat Medina in the
Section 6 championship in 2023 and this week the Mustangs will have a
shot at some revenge.

For Salamanca to win: Press the attack with Isaac and Peters and keep
it rolling.

For Medina to win: Somehow, get pressure on Maddox Isaac and force bad throws.

Take Salamanca

Class D

Top Seed CSP rested this weekend with a bye. 4 Seed Gowanda / Pine
Valley proved they belonged handling Wilson 31-20. The Wolfpack beat
Gowanda/PV in week 3 by a score of 42-12 but the Panthers were without
their star quarterback Carter Capozzi in that contest.

For CSP to win: The Wolfpack can not allow the Panthers the change to
think they can keep pace with them, get up early and play elite
defense.

For Gowanda / Pine Valley to win: Let Carter cook, if the Panthers
want a shot at beating the Pack they will need to throw the ball with
success and score often to keep pace.

Take CSP

Two seed Randolph had a bye this week. Meanwhile, Franklinville /
Ellicottville defeated Catt Little Valley 44-7. Randolph defeated FE
in week 5 by a score of 54-17. The two have had a fierce back and
forth the last several years and this will add another page to their
epic rivalry.

For Randolph to win: The Cardinals should look to their secondary as a
key to this game as if they can slow down Isaac Towne they can prevent
FE from keeping pace with them.

For Franklinville / Ellicottville to win: Slowing down Connor Braley
and Kevin McElwain is the key to stopping the Randolph offense and
giving the Titans a shot to win.

A bit of a toss up but I will go with Randolph

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