One squad is making its third state semifinal appearance in the last seven seasons. Another aims to advance to the state finals for the first time in program history. East/WOIS and Whitesboro matchup in the Class A NYS semifinal. Here’s the breakdown:
EAST/WOIS EAGLES (12-0/No.5 NYSSWA)
vs.
WHITESBORO WARRIORS (11-1/No.6 NYSSWA)
Friday, Cicero-North Syracuse HS, 6 p.m.
How they arrived here: East/WOIS opened with a 28-14 win over No. 7 Webster Schroeder before defeating defending Class A2 champion No. 2 Canandaigua in the semifinals 30-14. The Eagles then downed Brighton 25-8 to win the Section V Class A title and took down Clarence 42-7 in the Far West Regional. Whitesboro beat Fulton 67-6, Corcoran 48-24 and East Syracuse-Minoa 55-6 to win the Section III Class A title. The Warriors then downed Vestal (IV), 31-7 to advance to the state semifinals.
Players to watch for East/WOIS: Zymier Jackson Sr. QB 163-of-247 attempts, 2,826 yards (2nd in Sec. V single-season history), 26 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 69 carries, 533 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns; Ervin Wiggins Sr. WR/OLB/DB 43 receptions, 800 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns, six interceptions, five returned for touchdowns, 88 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss; Anthony Diaz Sr. WR/DB 48 receptions, 806 receiving yards, 1406 all-purpose yards, three punt return touchdowns, seven total touchdowns; Jeremiah Tucker Jr. DE/LB 136 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, two sacks, one blocked punt for a touchdown; Perrion Williams Sr. LB/WR 138 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, 15 receptions, 315 yards, four total touchdowns; Deandre Leonard Sr. OLB/WR 17 receptions, 350 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, 103 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks; Brandon Franklin Sr. OL/DL 90 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks; Anthony Hampton Jr. LB/RB 103 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, seven rushing touchdowns; Yusuf Abdi Jr. K 82 total kicking points, 64-for-67 extra points (Sec V single-season record), 6-for-7 field goals, long of 38 yards
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
Whitesboro: Kyle Meier Sr. QB/LB 79-for-128 passing, 1,736 passing yards, 21:2 TD/INT ratio, 157 carries, 1,967 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns. Memphis Ferguson Jr. QB/RB 12-for-16 passing, 237 yards, four touchdowns, 87 carries, 670 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, eight catches, 107 receiving yards, 46 tackles. Anthony Dorozynski Sr. WR 39 catches, 991 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns. Brayden Czternastek Sr. WR/LB 30 carries, 137 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 27 catches, 521 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, 12 tackles, three interceptions. Tyler Thorngren Jr. 23 tackles, five interceptions, one fumble recovery. Carmen Centro Sr. WR/LB/K nine carries, 188 rushing yards, three rushing yards, 13 tackles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, 26-for-32 PATs
Coaches: Steve Flagler and James Vann (East/WOIS), Curtis Schmidt (Whitesboro)
History 101: East is making its first trip to the state semifinals since 1996 and is looking to advance to the state final for the first time in program history. East lost to Rome Free Academy in the ’96 Final Four. Whitesboro is making its first state semifinal appearance since 2017. The Warriors made back-to-back semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2017, falling to Greece Athena 41-21 and West Seneca West (VI) 42-6.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Class A NYSPHSAA final against the winner of Somers (I) and Niskayuna (II).
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