Each team just won a first sectional title as merged programs, and have a combined record this season of 21-1. Alexander/Pembroke and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton (VI) will clash on Saturday in the Class C Far West Regional. Here’s the breakdown:
ALEXANDER/PEMBROKE DEFENDERS (11-0)
vs.
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE/WESTFIELD/BROCTON EAGLES (10-1)
How they got here: Alexander/Pembroke (No. 7 Class C NYSSWA) defeated Livonia 38-0 in the first round of sectionals before taking down Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford 27-0 in the semifinals to clinch a spot in the title game. The Defenders beat Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry 30-14 in the Section V Class C title game to win a sectional title. Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton (No. 6 Class C NYSSWA) started off its run with a 70-12 win over Akron in the opening round before beating Barker/Royalton-Hartland 30-13 in the semifinals. A 21-0 victory in the championship game against Southwestern/Frewsburg earned the Eagles the Section VI Class C title.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Players to watch for Alexander/Pembroke: Ryder Reichert Jr. RB/LB (1,047 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, 23 tackles, two interceptions), Brett Maloney So. RB/DB (357 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 13 tackles, two blocked punts), Mason Snyder Sr. WR/DB (12 catches, 271 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 27 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown), Brody Heckman Sr. QB/DB (291 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 62% completion rate, 402 passing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 16 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions), Pierce Dinkins Jr. WR/DB (27 tackles, three interceptions, one fumble return, three defensive touchdowns), Jacob Johnson (47 tackles, 15 tackles for loss)
Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton: Thandon Bensink Jr. RB (894 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 69 tackles, nine tackles for loss), Brayden Gibbs Sr. QB (1,646 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 361 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns) Devin Hewes Sr. WR (53 catches, 664 yards, six touchdowns), Asher Olsen Sr. WR (36 catches, 574 yards, eight touchdowns, 70 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries), Aidan Woodis So. DB (25 tackles, five interceptions, two pass deflections), Tristen Gibbs So. (91 tackles, three forced fumbles, three pass deflections, 204 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns).
Coaches: Tim Sawyer (Alexander/Pembroke), Ty Harper (Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton)
History 101: Alexander/Pembroke is in its first season as a merged program. Pembroke won three consecutive Section V 8-Man football titles from 2022-2024 and won the NYS 8-Man championship in 2023. Alexander last won a sectional title seven years ago, as the Trojans claimed a pair of Class D titles in a three-year span, winning in 2016 and 2018. Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton just won its first sectional title as a merged program as well. Chautauqua Lake last won sectional titles while merged with Maple Grove in 2014 and 2015.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class C semifinals against the winner of General Brown (III) and Chenango Forks (IV).
Kickoff is set for 12:00 pm this Saturday at All High Stadium in Buffalo.
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