by TYLER HATHAWAY
PITTSFORD, N.Y— Pavilion/York used 41 unanswered points after trailing early and forced three turnovers as the top-seeded Golden Knights (10-1) won 41-3 over Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen (7-4) to secure the 2026 Section V Class D championship at St. John Fisher University on Friday night.
“I’ve been working for three years at this thing,” said quarterback John Ayers. “Finally got the opportunity and really showed my skillset. It feels amazing, especially with this group of guys. I’m just so proud of everybody.”
It was the first ever sectional title for Pavilion and first since 1990 for York.
“It’s a wonderful thing for the boys,” said Pavilion/York head coach Kurt Schneider. “In the community, it’s been 36 years since we’ve won a block. We were here a couple years ago, lost to Canisteo-Greenwood. Some of these guys were on that team. Last year we lost against Notre Dame. They came back this year, got in the finals, and got the block. It’s sweet.”
The win avenged a loss in the semifinals to the Fighting Irish a season ago. The Golden Knights were the one seed that year, as well.
“Just our fight,” Ayers said of what the biggest difference between last year’s team and this year’s was. “Last year, I don’t think we were as close as this year’s team. We finally put things together, and they showed up here.”
The Fighting Irish’s offense was never able to get anything going. After allowing a field goal after Pavilion/York fumbled on its own seven yard line, the Golden Knights used a combination of forced punts, turnovers, and even a blocked field goal to keep Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen off of the board.
“It wasn’t a great start,” Schneider said of the early fumble. “But the defense has been great all year. Held them to a field goal. I think it really set the tone for us, and then the offense got back on their feet and let us breathe a little bit.”
The Golden Knights led 13-3 at halftime. They opened the half with three straight touchdown drives to break the game open. In between their drives, Pavilion/York got off the field with fourth down stops.
“Football in my opinion is the best sport because it’s the ultimate team sport,” Schneider said of the complete effort his group showed. “It takes all 11 of us out there doing their own 1/11th and making sure we’re on the same page. If we can do that, we have a special team.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Ayers threw for a touchdown and ran for two. He posted 114 yards on the ground and 35 yards through the air to earn the game’s Most Valuable Player. Trent Englert ran for a pair of touchdowns and tallied 66 yards. Jacob McEntire had 11 carries for 70 yards and a rushing touchdown, and Yeriel Diaz-Pena had 51 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, and a touchdown catch. He was named the game’s offensive player of the game.
Defensively, Englert was named the defensive player of the game. led the Golden Knights with 12 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. McEntire had nine tackles and a pass break up. Ayers had six tackles. Aidan Kobylanski blocked a field goal and had six tackles. Diaz-Pena made seven tackles, deflected two passes, and had a pick. Caleb Gavin added eight tackles. Jaylin McFaddin had a sack.
Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen’s Macoy Hall won the lineman of the game.
The Golden Knights will play the winner of Randolph (VI) and Newfane (VI) in the Class D Far West Regional next weekend.
“Good team effort, and a great coaching staff,” said Schneider. “It’s a fun group to be around.”
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