McQuaid Jesuit High School and the Aquinas Institute hosts the 2019 Section V Class AA semifinals. McQuaid is looking to get in position to win its second title in program history. Pittsford hasn’t claimed the crown since 1982. Aquinas is looking to repeat for the third straight year. Hilton is seeking its third championship in program history. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed MCQUAID JESUIT KNIGHTS (8-0) vs. No. 5 seed PITTSFORD PANTHERS (4-4)
How they got here: McQuaid (No. 8 NYSSWA Class AA) opened with a 57-0 victory over No. 8 seed Monroe. Pittsford took down Webster Schroeder, 50-20, to avenge a regular season loss between these squads.
Points scored per game: McQuaid (37.3), Pittsford (26.6)
Points allowed per game: McQuaid (11.0), Pittsford (21.5)
Last time they met: McQuaid shut out Pittsford, 28-0, in Week 2 of the regular season.
Trends: McQuaid has eight wins for the second straight season. The Knights have scored at least 27 points in every game and held their opponents to 18 or less in seven straight contests. Pittsford has won three straight. The Panthers are averaging 36.3 points per game and allowing 13.7 during their win streak.
Names to know: McQuaid – Joe Cairns Jr. QB 914 passing yards; Andrew Passero Sr. RB, DB 520 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns
Pittsford – Tommy Birmingham Sr. WR, TE 224 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns; Lavontae Bonds Sr. RB 425 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns; Isaiah Cotton Sr. RB 434 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns; Daniel Lawther Jr. QB 802 passing yards, 6 touchdowns; Ryan Sampson Jr. LB, RB 75 tackles, 3 sacks; Clyde Williams Sr. WR 382 return yards, 158 rushing yards, 155 receiving yards
Coaches: Bobby Bates (McQuaid), Keith Molinich (Pittsford)
History 101: McQuaid is seeking their second sectional title in program history and first since 1978. Pittsford is seeking their first sectional title since 1982 when Pittsford Mendon won three straight class AA titles.
A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled for Friday night at McQuaid Jesuit High School.
No. 2 seed AQUINAS L’IL IRISH (7-1) vs. No. 3 seed HILTON CADETS (5-3)
How they got here: Aquinas (No. 13 NYSSWA Class AA) opened with a 35-14 win over No. 7 seed Rush-Henrietta behind Tyler Szalkowski’s 165 passing yards and two touchdowns. Hilton defeated Fairport, 26-12, to sweep the season series.
Points scored per game: Aquinas (40.6), Hilton (20.6)
Points allowed per game: Aquinas (21.1), Hilton (19)
Last time they met: Aquinas defeated Hilton, 42-33, in Week 6 of the regular season.
Trends: Aquinas has reeled off seven consecutive victories. The Li’l Irish have scored at least 34 points during their win streak. Hilton has won four of five. The Cadets are averaging 27.8 points over their last four games.
Names to know: Aquinas – Will Benjamin So. RB, S 775 rushing yards, 488 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 26 tackles, 1 interception; Joseph Debonis Sr. T, DE 54 tackles, 7.5 sacks; Brian Magee Sr. RB, S 586 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns; Ulysees Russell Jr. WR, S 926 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, 33 tackles, 3 interceptions; Tyler Szalkowski Jr. QB 1,898 passing yards, 21 touchdowns
Hilton – Tah-Jae Hill Sr. WR 300 receiving yards; Sean Meyers Sr. RB 960 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns
Coaches: Derek Annechino (Aquinas), Richard Lipani (Hilton)
History 101: Aquinas is the two-time defending champion and coming off a state title. The L’il Irish have won five sectional titles in the last seven years and eight state titles in program history – five in class A (2010, 2007, 2002, 2001, 1998) and three in AA (2018, 2015, 2013). Hilton is seeking its third sectional title in program history and first since 1994.
A 1 p.m. kickoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Aquinas Institute.
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