BUFFALO, N.Y. — Section VI Playoff Trivia
Orchard Park beat Lancaster in 2001, 2007 and lost to the Legends in 2016.
McKinley is playing South Park at the Stadium for the first time.
WNY Maritime/Health Sciences is playing Albion for the first time.
Wilson is playing Southwestern for the first time and the Lakemen are playing at the Stadium for the first time since 1990.
Franklinville/Ellicottville will be playing at the Stadium for the fourth time, winning in 2015 and losing in 2016 and 2017. Before merging, the Eagles playing for the title 7 times, winning 3 and losing 4. Franklinville played in 1986, losing to Pine Valley.
Southwestern has played 11 games at the Stadium with a 4-7 record in 2008. In 2009, the Trojans won the state championship.
Orchard Park is making their 23rd appearance at the Stadium for the title. They have a 15-7 record.
Lancaster is making their 13th appearance for the championship with a 5-7 record.
Albion has played in 10 championship games, winning 4 and losing 6. The last time was in 2002. The last time the Purple Eagles won a title was in 1987.
South Park has a 1-2 record in the title games and won a state championship in 2015.
Dick Gallagher’s Semi-Finals Observations
In Class AA, Steve McDuffie and his coaching staff did an excellent job giving the Quakers a tough match up without their two best players. There was little if any rhythm to the game with very poor tackling, 16 penalties (8 for each team) and dropped passes. The Quakers had a tough time with the Tigers’ speed, athleticism and physicality. The play of the game was Jack Sharp’s 72-yard touchdown run, which gave the Quakers a lead. The most valuable players for Orchard Park include Michael Pataky, Jonathan Lander, and Jack Sharp. Most valuable players for Bennett were Rashad Perry, Devonte Pompey and Daryl Cooper. Pompey played an exceptional game and left everything on the field. The Quakers were fortunate to win.
The Legends jumped to an early lead and dominated the Red Raiders. The most valuable players for Lancaster were Jason Mansell, Shawn Davis and Conor Mahony. The most valuable players for Jamestown were Jaylen Kubera and Trey Drake. The loss of Van Sickle to an injury hurt the Red Raiders. Mansell accounted for 4 touchdowns which was huge for the Legends. Look for the rematch between the Quakers and Legends. Can Mansell and company defeat the Quakers and give the Legends a 4th consecutive sectional championship? The winner will be the team that wins the battle in the trenches, avoids penalties and turnovers.
In Class C, Southwestern dominated Chautauqua Lake 49-6 for the 2nd time this season. The most valuable players were Aidan Kennedy and Tywon Wright for Southwestern.
In Class D, the Wolfpack and Titans dominated their opponents.
In Class A, McKinley and West Seneca West went locked in a defensive struggle with the Macks prevailing 7-0.
South Park defeated Grand Island 36-23 to earn a berth in the championship game. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Sparks only led 20-17. Dean Santorio, the coaches, and the Viking players are to be congratulated at earning a berth in the playoffs and playing a Class A title game. The most valuable players were Keith Jackson and Ben Moskala.
2019 Section VI Football Federation Championships
Class AA Lancaster (7-2) vs. Orchard Park (8-1)
The Legends defeated the Quakers 27-7 in 2016 for the championship. The Quakers are making their 23rd appearance in the title game with a 15-7 record. The Legends are making their 13th title game appearance with a 53-7 record. They will be looking for their 4th consecutive sectional championship. The Quaker’s offensive MVP is Jack Sharp while their defensive MVP is Michael Pataky. Their unsung player is Jonathan Lander. The Legends have scored 297 points and allowed 123 points in 9 games. The Quakers have scored 320 points and allowed 110 points. This is a rematch of a game won by Orchard Park with the Quakers’ comeback victory. Each team has decent kickers in Orchard Park’s Tom Hollender and Lancaster’s Clark Whiteside. The winner of this game with be the team that avoids penalties, wins the trench battle and the turnover battle.
Class A McKinley (9-0) vs. South Park (9-0)
This is the Macks’ first trip to New Era Field while the Sparks have a 1-2 record in 3 previous games. The Macks have scored 286 points and allowed 76 points. The Sparks have scored 336 points and allowed 84 points. The most valuable players for the Macks are Junior Swen and Takeo Funderburk. Both teams play smash mouth football. They have speed, athleticism and excellent coaches. The Sparks cannot afford penalties and turnovers.
Class B Albion (8-1) vs. WNY Maritime/Health Sciences (8-1)
This is the Purple Eagles’ 11th trip to the title game with a 4-6 record. The last time was in 2002 and the last time they won a title was in 1987. The Falcons are at New Era Field for the first time and this is only their second year of playing football in Section VI. The most valuable players for the Purple Eagles are Brillance Johnson and Deyonci Farley. The most valuable players for the Falcons are Addison Copeland and Mekhi Bridgers. The Falcons have scored 280 points and allowed 108 points while Albion has scored 70 points and allowed 141 points. The Falcons lost to Canisius 40-0. In their other 8 games they have only allowed 67 points.
Class C Wilson (9-0) vs. Southwestern (9-0)
Wilson hasn’t been to the title game since 1990 when they lost to Salamanca. Southwestern has been to the championship games 11 times, winning 4 and losing 7. The most valuable players for the Lakemen are Bobby Atlas and Drew Westmoreland. The most valuable players for the Trojans are Aidan Kennedy, Tywon Wright and Cooper Pannes. The Trojans have scored 369 points and allowed 51 points. The Lakemen have scored 234 points and allowed 91 points. Unsung players include Nate Card and Conrad Thomas for the Trojans as well as Brayden Thompson and Anthony Dispenza for the Lakemen.
Class D Clymer/Sherman/Panama (7-1) vs. Franklinville/Ellicottville (8-0)
The Wolfpack will look to win the title again after going undefeated in 2018 and winning a Class D State Championship. The Titans have scored 245 points and allowed 46 points while the Wolfpack has scored 287 points and allowed 72 points. The most valuable players for the Titans include Logan Frank and Niklas Logel. The most valuable players for the Wolfpack include Cam Barmore, Gerrit Hinsdale, Zavon Overton, Connor Cooper, Zach Chase and Alex Dunnewold. The team that avoids turnovers, penalties and wins the battle in the trenches will play next weekend in a regional matchup with a team from Rochester.
Section VI 2019 Football Federation Championship Schedule
All Games Will Be Played at New Era Field
Friday, November 8th
Albion vs. WNY Maritime/Health Sciences – 5pm
Lancaster vs. Orchard Park – 8pm
Saturday, November 9th
Clymer/Sherman/Panama vs. Franklinville/Ellicottville – 12pm
McKinley vs. South Park – 3:15pm
Wilson vs. Southwestern – 6pm