Advantage Federal Credit Union Far West Regional Football Preview: Pembroke faces Frewsburg in 8-Man

The Pembroke Dragons look to extend their success in 8-Man football on Saturday when they face Section VI champion Frewsburg in the Far West Football Regional. The game is at noon at Pittsford Sutherland High School. Here’s the breakdown:

FREWSBURG BEARS (7-1)
vs.
PEMBROKE DRAGONS (10-0)

How they arrived here: Pembroke (NYSSWA No. 1) had an undefeated regular season and continues its winning ways with victories over Red Jacket (46-14) and Holley (52-16) in sectionals. Frewsburg (NYSSWA No. 7) reached states by first defeating Bolivar-Richburg/Parker-Jordan (by forfeit) and then winning their sectional championship over Allegany-Limestone, 57-22.

Players to watch for Pembroke: Caleb Felski Sr. RB/LB (3,050 rushing yards, 47 TD, three interceptions, two forced fumbles); Jayden Bridge Sr. G/DE (One rushing touchdown, 64 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, one pick-six, one blocked punt, 14 hurries); Hayden Williams Sr. C/LB (39 tackles, two sacks, six hurries); Octavius Martin Sr. FB/DT (25 yards receiving, 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, 12 hurries); Jacob Johnson Jr. G/LB (48 tackles, three tackles for loss); Madden Perry Jr. TE/DT (54 yards receiving, 37 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, five sacks, 11 hurries); Wyatt Summers Jr. TE/DE (23 tackles, one sack, seven hurries); Vijay Dhanda Sr. QB/S (616 yards rushing, 111 yards passing, seven touchdowns, 23 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries)

Coaches: Brandon Ricci (Pembroke), Terry Gray (Frewsburg)

History 101: Pembroke is looking to continue an undefeated season (10-0) and is looking to go back-to-back in the 8-man state tournament. The Dragons have won the 8-man for Section V all three years it has been active.

They come up against Frewsburg, which enter the game with a 7-1 record. The Bears look to get revenge on the Dragons for defeat last year in the quarterfinal, 49-20.

The two have matched up twice in recent times, the most recent being this year back on October 11th, when Pembroke defeated the Bears (52-22), and the regional game in 2023.

Pembroke’s last loss came on September 9th, 2022 to Canisteo-Greenwood (28-14). The Dragons have won 34 games in a row.

What’s next: The winner faces the victor in the game between wild card Holley and Section III champion Frankfort-Schuyler.