The two top seeds in Class AA square off with the Section V Football championship hanging in the balance. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed McQUAID BLACK KNIGHTS (10-0)
vs.
No. 2 seed UNIVERSITY PREP GRIFFINS (9-1)
How they arrived here: McQuaid took down the No. 8 seed Rush-Henrietta in the opening round with a 48-14 win before rallying against No. 4 seed Aquinas to win 35-14. UPrep earned a 33-7 win over No. 7 Penfield in the quarterfinals before avenging a regular season loss against No. 3 seed Hilton with a 22-14 win.
Players to watch for McQuaid: Johnny Harding (Sr. RB/C): 25 total tackles, 1 PBU, 26 receptions from 350 yard (5 receiving TDs), 63 rushes for 975 yards (11 rushing TDs), 10 returns for 100 yards. Eoin Meyer (Sr. WR/RB/LB): 65 total tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 qb hurries, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 24 receptions for 360 yards (1 receiving TD), 33 rushing attempts for 250 yards (5 rushing TDs), 7 returns for 125 yards. Will DiMarco (Jr. QB): 90 of 150 passes completed for 1280 yards and 10 passing TDs. 27 rushing attempts for 147 yards and 3 TDs. 1 fumble and 4 INTs. Brenton Paladino (Sr. WR/FS): 45 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 21 receptions for 330 yards (4 receiving TDs), 6 returns for 140 yards (1 return for TD). Owen Begemann (OL/DT): 40 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 QB Hurs, 1 INT. Nate Earl (Sr. TE/DE): 30 total tackles, 6 sacks, 7 TFLs, 1 PBU. Allen Nesmith (Jr. RB/LB): 12 total tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFLs, 1 PBUs, 10 receptions for 98 yards, 63 rushing attempts for 407 yards (7 rushing TDs), 2 fumbles, 10 returns for 155 yards. Shemir Bridges (Sr. DE/TE): 36 total tackles, 6 sacks, 10 TFLs, 1 PBU, 8 QB Hurs, 3 fumble recoveries. Dominic Sansone (Sr. K/P): 43 of 43 extra points and 7 of 7 field goals
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Players to watch for UPrep: Tayvion Byrd Jr. QB 140 passing YPG 35 rushing YPG 19 TOT TDs. CJ Robinson Jr. Jr. RB/DB 141 rushing YPG 10.2 YPC 18 TOT TDs. Tyrell Simmons Sr. WR/DE/S 59 receiving YPG 6 TDs, 4.6 tackles per game 6 sacks 15.5 TFL. Juelz Russell Sr. WR/DB 49 receiving YPG 6 TDs, three INTs. Taivon Wilson Jr. RB/LB team-leading 8.6 tackles per game and 5.5 TFL. Isaiah Moonschein Sr. FB/DE 6.9 tackles per game five sacks and 11.5 TFL. Kamari Miller So. RB/LB 7.8 tackles per game and four TFL. Jaylen Singleton Sr. FB/LB 8.1 tackles per game.
Coaches: Bobby Bates (McQuaid), Isiah Young (UPrep)
Last Meeting: UPrep defeated McQuaid, 36-30 during the 2022 regular season.
History 101: McQuaid is looking to win its fifth sectional title in a row, and sixth overall (the other one came in 1978). UPrep last won a sectional title in 2021, as a member of Class A.
What’s next: A spot in the NYS Class AA Far West Regional against the Section VI champion either Buffalo Bennett (9-0) or Lancaster (9-1).
The game will take place Saturday, November 11th at Victor HS. A 1 PM kickoff is scheduled.
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