One team is looking to win its second straight title. The other is seeking its first in 16 years. Canandaigua and East High will meet in the Class A sectional final, Friday, for the second straight year. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 2 seed CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (6-0) vs. No. 4 seed EAST HIGH EAGLES (5-1)
How they arrived here: Canandaigua defeated No. 3 Spencerport, 29-10, in the semifinals. East High beat top-seeded Irondequoit by a 26-0 score in the semifinals.
Passing offense: Canandaigua (115 YPG), East (179.2 YPG)
Rushing offense: Canandaigua (197.3 YPG), East (278.7 YPG)
Scoring offense: Canandaigua (39.3 PPG), East (29.3 PPG)
Scoring defense: Canandaigua (11.3 PPG), East (10.3 PPG)
Current streak: Canandaigua has won six straight. East High has won five straight.
Last time they met: Canandaigua defeated East High, 21-13, in the 2019 Class A sectional final.
VIEW MORE SCOTT CORDARO PHOTOS HERE.
Players to Watch for Canandaigua: Samuel Bennett Sr. WR/DB 227 receiving yards, 113 rushing yards, five receiving touchdowns, two kickoff return touchdowns, one punt return touchdown, one rushing touchdown, Semifinals stats: two catches for 37 receiving yards; Bryan Boldrin Jr. QB/DB 616 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, Semifinals stats: 74 passing yards, 20 rushing yards, one passing touchdown; Christopher Chapman-Taylor Sr. RB/LB 152 rushing yards; Dominic Comella Sr. RB/DB 468 rushing rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, two kickoff return touchdowns, Semifinals stats: 272 yards rushing, 12 yards receiving along with two touchdowns.
East: Yasiir Daniel Sr. RB/LB 393 rushing yards, 123 receiving yards, two rushing yards, Semifinals stats: 160 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns; Naeem Folks Sr. DE 39 tackles, four tackles for loss, two fumbles forced two sacks; Todd Gillam, Jr. Jr. WR/DB 312 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns; Seven McGee Sr. WR 319 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards, three rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown; Justus Ross-Simmons Jr. WR/OLB 437 rushing yards, 267 receiving yards, 41 tackles, five pass deflections, five tackles for loss, five receiving touchdowns, three sacks, two rushing touchdowns, Semifinals stats: 102 receiving yards, 85 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, one strip sack touchdown, seven tackles, one fumble forced and recovered; Cebastian Searight 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, two sacks, one fumble recovery, Semifinals stats: 12 tackles; Cameron Sykes Sr. H/LB 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one fumble forced and recovered, Semifinals stats: 10 tackles; Levi Wright Sr. WR/DB 427 passing yards, 138 rushing yards, 40 tackles, six passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, one interception, Semifinals stats: 208 passing yards, five tackles.
Coaches: Jeffrey Welch (Canandaigua), Steve Flagler/James Vann (East)
History 101: This is the second straight season these teams match up in the Class A sectional final. After winning its ninth title in program history, Canandaigua defeated South Park (VI) in the NYS Far West Regional and fell to Carthage (III) in the state semifinals. East High is seeking its fourth sectional title in program history and first since 2005 when they won back-to-back class AAA championships. The Eagles’ two other championships came in 1996 (Class AA) and 1988 (Class AAA).
What they’re saying: Welch – “East is a very good team with very good athletes. Coaches do a wonderful job. We beat them last year. I’m sure that’ll be motivating for them. They do a great job over there. I’m very happy to be home.”
Comella – “We’re pretty confident in ourselves. We’re just going to have to adjust to their style. They got a lot of threats on the edge, so we’re just going to have to play fast.”
Vann – “We’re blessed to be playing another week of football. We are grateful for that. Which means business as usual and spending time with our East football family for another week.”
Ross-Simmons – “We’re blessed to be back in the championship. Me and my team have something to prove and also we want our revenge against Canandaigua.”
A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Canandaigua Academy.
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