Section VI Championship Review; Class A

McKinley came into the Championship game with one of the most feared rushing attacks in WNY. While Sweet Home did not shut it down completely, they slowed it down enough to come out on top 34-0. Top rated QB [player_tooltip player_id='527730' first='Rocco' last='Panepinto'] did not light up the stat sheet but he was very efficient as he threw for 101 yards and 2 TDs on just 5 completions - including an 18 yard strike to [player_tooltip player_id='806352' first='Niear' last='Patterson'] early in the game that indicated this was a blowout in the making. Standout athlete [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] also had a good game racking up 100 all purpose yards. Sweet Home won their first Section VI title since 2014 and will be playing in the Far West Regionals on Saturday, November 23rd at 6pm at Brockport University.   Player of the Game    Stone, listed at 6'1 225 lbs., is a big bruising back that controlled this game from the start. His tough running ability was a nightmare for the McKinley defense that allowed Daquan to run for 137 yards and 2 scores in just 3 quarters of play.    Force in All Three Phases of the Game    At the beginning of the season, I pegged [player_tooltip player_id='1344772' first='Quinten' last='Wilhelm'] as one of the Panther's breakout players and he has exceeded those expectations. Going in, Wilhelm showed to be a fierce defender and a ferocious hitter as a hybrid LB/SS. He was that and so much more as a junior. He also displayed excellent route running and soft hands as a receiver, catching a 44 yard TD against the Macks. If that wasn't enough, Quinten nailed 2 field goals from 40 and 37 yards out.    Players to Watch in 2025    Sweet Home leading rusher, Stone is graduating this year which should leave the door open for [player_tooltip player_id='1513373' first='Jaylen' last='Hawkins'] for the next two seasons. Jaylen filled in nicely when Daquan left the game because of their big lead, carrying the ball 10 times for 57 yards. Unlike Stone, Hawkins is more of a small, shiftier back that is elusive but effective the same. Jaylen is also a solid DB racking up 100 tackles this year. He also forced a fumble on a kickoff versus McKinley.     Xzavier Allen was a new name to me as I was watching this game but he showed solid awareness and technique from his LB position. 2024 was Allen's first season on varsity and he came in big in the championship game, racking up 2 QB sacks. This is a player I am looking forward to see how he progresses.     I have been watching [player_tooltip player_id='1742268' first='Kalaugn' last='Ford'] play since his freshman season and his athletic ability is off the charts. He is quick, elusive and will break off a long gain if you don't contain him. This past season, he led the Macks in passing as well as rushing - including his 98 yards on the ground vs Sweet Home. He is a player that can be used like a "swiss-army knife" - at QB/RB/WR/DB. It will be interesting to see how he is used in his senior season.

McKinley came into the Championship game with one of the most feared rushing attacks in WNY. While Sweet Home did not shut it down completely, they slowed it down enough to come out on top 34-0. Top rated QB Rocco Panepinto Rocco Panepinto 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Sweet Home | 2025 State NY did not light up the stat sheet but he was very efficient as he threw for 101 yards and 2 TDs on just 5 completions - including an 18 yard strike to Niear Patterson Niear Patterson 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Sweet Home | 2025 State NY early in the game that indicated this was a blowout in the making. Standout athlete Damari Yancey Damari Yancey 5'8" | 152 lbs | ATH Sweet Home | 2025 State NY also had a good game racking up 100 all purpose yards. Sweet Home won their first Section VI title since 2014 and will be playing in the Far West Regionals on Saturday, November 23rd at 6pm at Brockport University.