One team is looking to win its fourth regional title since 2018. The other is making its second state quarterfinal appearance in program history. Avon and Clymer/Sherman/Panama will meet Friday in the NYS Class D Far West Regional. Kickoff is 5 p.m. at SUNY Brockport. Here’s what you need to know:
CLYMER/SHERMAN/PANAMA WOLFPACK (8-2, 7-0 in class play)
vs.
AVON RIVER HAWKS (11-0, 10-0 in class play)
How they arrived here: Avon (NYSSWA No. 2) scored 122 points and allowed only three across three sectional wins. The River Hawks beat No. 8 Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen (63-0) in the quarterfinals before downing No. 5 Canisteo-Greenwood (31-3) in the semis. Avon then beat No. 2 Alexander (28-0) to take the sectional title. Clymer/Sherman/Panama (NYSSWA No. 1) earned their way to the state tournament by defeating Gowanda/Pine Valley (51-24) and Franklinville/Ellicottville (33-8) in Section VI’s Class D tournament.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Players to watch for Avon: Wes Farley Sr. RB/MLB (178 carries, 1,590 yards, 8.9 yards per rush, 23 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions, 93 receiving yards, 53 solo tackles, 85 total tackles); Kalman Dolgos Jr. WR/SS (119 carries, 1,293 yards, 10.9 yards per rush, 29 scrimmage touchdowns, eight receptions, 96 receiving yards, 391 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 22 solo tackles, 34 total tackles); Jordan Murray Sr. WR/CB (45 carries, 322 yards, 7.2 yards per rush, four rushing touchdowns, 36 solo tackles, 46 total tackles, four interceptions); James Chase Fr. RB/LB (12 rushes, 158 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, two solo tackles, six total tackles); Emmanuel Calderon Diaz Sr. WR/OLB (Six receptions, 132 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, 17 solo tackles, 32 total tackles); Blaydan Borsching Jr. RB/LB (14 receptions, 202 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, 41 solo tackles, 64 total tackles, one tackle for loss); Travis Hollada Sr. OG/DE (70 solo tackles, 104 total tackles, eight sacks, five tackles for loss); Ryan Davis Sr. OG/DT (45 solo tackles, 74 total tackles, 4.5 sacks); Robert Bridges Jr. WR/FS (40 solo tackles, 64 total tackles); Connor Smith Sr. OT/DE (31 solo tackles, 52 total tackles, three sacks); Brice Ballew Jr. WR/CB (20 solo tackles, 26 total tackles, four interceptions).
Clymer/Sherman/Panama: Tate Catanese Sr. QB (1759 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 81 carries, 458 rushing yards, nine touchdowns); Travis Owens Sr. RB (79 carries, 435 yards, seven touchdowns); Sawyer Whitney Fr. RB (29 carries, 189 yards, five touchdowns); Bruce Hinsdale Sr. WR (42 receptions, 551 yards, four touchdowns, six interceptions, 14 solo tackles, 20 total); Carter Brink Sr. WR (37 receptions, 686 yards, 13 touchdowns); Alex Barmore Sr. (32 receptions, 394 yards, five touchdowns); Kolten Rhoades Sr. (22 solo tackles, 38 total tackles, five sacks); Dalton Richter Sr. WR/DB (31 solo tackles, 57 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six receptions, one receiving touchdown); Collin Ryan Sr. RB/LB (40 carries, 251 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, four receptions, one receiving touchdown, 74 solo tackles, 110 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks); Troy Chambers Jr. T/TE/DE (5 solo tackles, five total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown); Matthew Redlecki Jr. OL/LB (10 solo tackles, 17 overall, four tackles for loss, three sacks)
Coaches: Andy Englert (Avon), Ty Harper (Clymer/Sherman/Panama)
History 101: Avon last won sectionals in the 2020-21 season when no state tournament was hosted (Covid). Avon’s only other regional appearance came in 2012 ( lost to Randolph 34-14) Clymer Central/Sherman/Panama looks to continue its undefeated record in regional matchups (3-0). The Wolfpack beat Canisteo-Greenwood (50-16) in 2023. CSP also beat Notre Dame-Batavia in 2019 (47-14) and Alexander in 2018 (29-6). Clymer as individual school also had regional wins in ’02, ’00 and ’99.
Section V is looking to win its third Class D regional since 2015 with Oakfield-Alabama/Elba in 2021 (28-22 victory over Randolph) and Bishop Kearney in 2015 (22-12 over Franklinville/Ellicottville) the only other victories.
Avon and Clymer/Sherman/Panama have not previously met in the state tournament.
What’s next: The winner will advance to the state semifinals, where they’ll face either Horseheads (IV) or Whitesboro (III).
A 5 p.m. kickoff is scheduled Friday at SUNY Brockport.
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