One team is making its back-to-back regional appearances while the other will end a decade-plus absence in the state quarterfinal. Eastridge will face Health Sciences/BASC/Charter in the NYSPHSAA Far West Regional, Saturday at SUNY Brockport. Here’s the breakdown:
HEALTH SCIENCES/BASC/ GC FALCONS (8-3 / 4-1 in class play)
vs.
EASTRIDGE LANCERS (6-4 / 5-2 in class play)
How they arrived here: Eastridge (NYSSWA No. 15) took down Honeoye Falls-Lima (27-24) to advance to the sectional championship game before beating Batavia 28-14 to earn the Lancers their first sectional title since 2013. Health Sciences Charter (NYSSWA No. 10) beat Olean (34-7), Lackawanna (40-6), and South Park (22-18) to clinch the Section VI title.
Players to watch for Health Sciences Charter: Kavon Pitts Jr. RB/DB (98 carries, 1,014 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 95 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown); Jordan Oliver Jr. QB/DB (60 completions, 1199 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, four interceptions); Kevin Guy Jr. RB/LB (76 carries, 553 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, one interception); Semahj Summerour Sr. WR/DB (25 receptions, 591 yards, nine touchdowns); Brandon Mickell Sr. RB/WR/DB (18 receptions, 343 yards, three touchdowns, 38 solo tackles, 43 total tackles, two interceptions); Alante Green Jr. RB/LB (76 solo tackles, 88 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions); Jeremiah Shuford Sr. LB/OL (123 solo tackles, 156 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks); Donte Prewitt Jr. DE/TE (23 solo tackles, 26 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine sacks)
Eastridge: Benny Calixto Sr. QB (90 completions, 1,408 yards, 12 touchdowns, 36 carries, 248 yards, three touchdowns); Christian Beason Sr. WR (24 catches, 357 yards, two touchdowns, 12 carries, 147 yards, one touchdown, one punt return touchdown); Steven Masetta Sr. WR (30 catches, 479 yards, three touchdowns); Dwayne Collins Jr. WR (16 catches, 317 yards, seven touchdowns, four carries, 100 yards, one touchdown, one kickoff return touchdown); Ian Schneeberger Sr. (88 tackles, 19 TFL, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries); James Dietz Sr. (61 tackles, five TFL, two sacks); Jayden Davy Jr. (41 tackles, four TFL, four sacks); Myles Halmond So. (35 tackles, two interceptions, one pick-six).
Coaches: Ty Parker (Health Sciences Charter), Victor Davidson (Eastridge)
History 101: Eastridge returns to the regional game after an 11-year absence, losing its last regional matchup in 2013 (Williamsville North, 23-20). The Lancers are making their fourth appearance, coming in with a 0-3 record in the quarterfinal game. This will be their first time appearing in the Class B bracket, with their last three appearances in Class A.
Health Sciences/BASC lost to Monroe, 14-6 in last year’s Class B regional.
In the past 10 years Section VI has taken 7 of 10 Class B matchups in regionals. Along with Monroe last season Batavia defeated Iroquois in 2022 (20-8) and Batavia beat Cheektowaga in 2018 (56-28). Saturday will mark the first meeting between Eastridge and Health Sciences/BASC in the state tournament.
What’s next: Winner advances to face either Maine-Endwell (IV) or Indian River (III) in the state semifinals.
A 4 p.m. kickoff is scheduled Saturday at SUNY Brockport.
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