One squad is looking for its first sectional title in school history. The other is trying to win its first since its schools merged football programs. Penfield and Pittsford played an overtime game in the regular season and will do battle for the Class AA title on Saturday night. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 4 seed PENFIELD PATRIOTS (6-4/6-3 against Class AA)
vs.
No. 3 seed PITTSFORD PANTHERS (6-4/4-4 against Class AA)
How they got here: Penfield started its run with a 3-0 victory over No. 5 seed Aquinas in the opening round. In the semifinals, the Patriots went on the road to top-seeded Rush-Henrietta and defeated the Royal Comets by a score of 22-13. Pittsford took down No. 6 seed Fairport 24-21 in the quarterfinals before defeating No. 7 seed McQuaid 23-20 to earn a spot in the championship game.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Players to watch for Penfield: Zane Kropman Jr. RB (1,370 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns), Dominic Giunta Sr. QB (892 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, 284 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns), Ronan Boyle Sr. WR (28 catches, 343 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss), Jack Bidleman Jr. (57 tackles, seven tackles for loss); Jack Maurer Jr. (14 catches, 220 yards, 31 tackles, four interceptions); Brodie Joyce Sr. (18 catches, 298 yards, 27 carries, 127 yards, 1 touchdown, three interceptions).
Pittsford: Brody Pusateri Jr. QB/S (1,162 passing yards, 194 rushing yards, 12 total touchdowns, 25 tackles); Eric Chen Sr. RB/LB (650 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns); Dayshawn Preston Jr. WR/CB (44 catches, 563 receiving yards, four touchdowns, 32 tackles, three interceptions); Jesse Jablonsky So. WR/CB (27 catches, 381 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 46 tackles), Max Ciavarri Jr. LB (58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks)
Coaches: Anthony Bianchi (Penfield), Steve Marriott (Pittsford)
History 101: These two teams met in Pittsford on October 10th, with the Patriots earning a 27-21 road win in overtime. The win started Penfield’s five-game winning streak. Penfield has never won a sectional title in football. Pittsford Mendon won three titles in the early 80s, but Pittsford Sutherland and Pittsford Mendon have never won a sectional title as a combined program.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class AA Far West Regional against the Section VI Class AA winner, which will be either Bennett or Jamestown.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm this Saturday at SUNY Brockport.
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