Dick Gallagher provides seven things that you need to know after week 5 of WNY high school football:
There are only 5 unbeaten teams after 5 weeks. Spartans loss to Kenmore West puts the Blue Devils in the driver's seat for the class north league title. They face Niagara Wheatfield Saturday and the Falcons have been shut out 4 games and have only scored 7 pts all season. Ken-West will be a player in the Class AA playoffs with Trent White, Terrell Ford and DeAngelo Miller-Williams.
Most WNY fans are anointing Canisius as champs of the Msgr. Martin Assc. before the playoffs. Crusaders defense is awesome limiting all 5 opponents to 24 pts. Wheatley, Huffman, Brundidge and Zaffram are All-WNY defensive candidates. St. Joe's only had 14 yds in 22 attempts Saturday. Crusaders toughest remaining game will be in week 7 when they host Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) which has appeared in 7 of the last 10 state title games winning 4. Timon could be the sleeper in the catholic playoffs.
Randolph demonstrated its power in Class D by blanking previously unbeaten Franklinville/Ellicottville/WV 28-0. Will play Panthers or Timberwolves in sectional final in November. Line is solid with Senn, Bowers and Andrews while Morrison and Devyn Nelsen makes the offense click. Cardinals are 27-1 in last 28 games which includes 2 state titles.
Maple Grove/Chautauqua Lake are rolling in Class C South. Thunder Dragons are averaging 44 pts while limiting opponents to 19 pts in 5 games. Hulton, Tanner, Sandberg, Baker are outstanding 2 way players. Game this week for division title at Southwestern lost some of its hype with the Trojans being upset by winless Pioneer. Never underestimate Jay Sirianni's Trojans as he will have the Trojans ready to play. Thunder Dragons are currently ranked #3 in Class C state poll.
Class A playoffs will be fun to watch. South Park will clinch "A" South title Friday vs. Buffalo East. Wilquan and William Burgess make the sparks fly as they excel particularly on defense. Williamsville South and Sweet Home will play in week 7 for "A" North championship. 3 of the best QB's in WNY are in "A" North with Castronova (Williamsville South), Torrillo, (Sweet Home) and Woodard (North Tonawanda). South Park and McKinley are teams to watch game Friday with Hamburg @ West Seneca East will have playoff implications.
Jamestown and Orchard Park will play for "AA" South in week 7 at Strider Field in Jamestown. Team which wins the turnover battle avoids penalties and wins the war in the trenches should win. Winner will have an easier path to the championship game at the stadium since they will host 2 playoff games. Holland, Kinsey, Carlson and Panebianco going against Perla, Schul and Belagamba will be fun to watch.
Class B playoffs will be very competitive. Currently Cheektowaga, East Aurora/Holland, Bennett, Burgard, Depew, are favored to make playoffs. Other contenders include Maryvale, Olean, Fredonia, Albion, Medina.
Game between Olean and Fredonia Friday is huge. With Matt McCarthy reinstated on the Hillbillies after week 4 the SR RB will have a huge impact in the next few games. Wouldn't surprise if Hillbillies defeated the Huskies.
Courtesy Dick Gallagher 2014 Regular Season Week 5
