Section II Class AA Semi-Finals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AA In Section II is comprised of Eight Teams Guilderland, Shenendehowa, CBA-Albany, Albany, Shaker, Colonie Central, Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady. Four teams make the playoffs, with the championship hosted at Colonie High School on November 14th. Last year the Class was won by CBA-Albany, and the Brothers return once again as the top seed. The playoffs consist of CBA-Syracuse, Shenendehowa, Colonie, and Saratoga Springs. Who will take home the Section II Class AA Crown?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's Winter Showcase is back for 2025 with more locations than ever. Looking to attend? Register&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">here</a>. Save a few dollars off the cost of registration by using my special promo code,&nbsp;<strong>LemerWinterPRZ</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;@<a href="https://x.com/PRZcory">PRZCory</a> for the latest New York high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 CBA-Albany Vs #4 Colonie Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brothers have claimed the top seed once again in Class AA. On the season, they went 7-2, and finished perfect in Section II, and Class AA play. The Brothers, led by Coach Burns kicked off the season as part of the Heroes Bowl, where they matched up against Monsignor Farrell of the Catholic League. The Brothers took home a loss, and proceeded to lose a second straight game as CBA-Syracuse got the upper hand against the squad. Since that game, seven straight wins have come, including all three playoff teams in AA. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1260032' first='Archie' last='Jones'], and Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1648702' first='Thomas' last='Toher'], have been a deadly force on the offense for Coach Burns. This Squad can easily win Class AA, and is 100% my favorite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brothers To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/archie-jones/"><strong>2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1260032' first='Archie' last='Jones']</strong></a></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jt-vogel/">2027 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='751267' first='JT' last='Vogel']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/thomas-toher/">2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1648702' first='Thomas' last='Toher']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/amare-coffil/">2026 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1624517' first='Amare' last='Coffil']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/francesco-diaz/">2026 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1523563' first='Francesco' last='Diaz']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-hulett/">2028 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1583490' first='Jack' last='Hulett']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-george/">2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1649118' first='Caden' last='George']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jacob-vogel-2/">2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1512374' first='Jacob' last='Vogel']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factor</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260032"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690bd777e8b59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1260032' first='Archie' last='Jones'] is my CBA-Albany X-Factor. The Brothers QB, is the leader of this squad on offense and in the two loses this season had below-average games. In both teams first matchup, Jones was limited, due to terrible weather. The X-Factor for the Brothers is letting Jones air the ball out, and connect with guys like Toher, "Pop", and Vogel as he has all season. I expect Jones to have another solid night throwing the ball, but this will be the X-Factor, in whether the Brother's advance to the Championship game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Limit Mistakes</strong>: The only loses for CBA-Albany, have come when this team makes mistakes and turns the ball over. The Key to the game is simple, Limit Mistakes, and keep the ball out of the Colonie Central Offense Hands. Wind is expected for this game, with a potential for rain. Can the Bother's weather the storm?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colonie Central Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolfpack, make the playoffs, as the 4th and final seed, and have a road test against CBA-Albany. Colonie Central, sits at 5-4 on the season, and started the year 2-0 with wins against Penfield, and Queensbury. The middle of the schedule was bumpy, as three straight loses came from Saratoga Springs, Shaker, and Shenendehowa, moving them to 2-3. The Final four games, saw them make the playoffs and finishing 3-1, with an upset win over Guilderland, and good wins over Schenectady, and Albany. The Brothers, ended their season with a 12-0 loss, and the Wolfpack, will look to exact revenge this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wolfpack To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/steven-thomas-jr/">2027 QB Steven Thomas</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2028 ATH Keegan Nieckarz</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 RB Mason Grimes</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 WR Cameron Frazier</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factor</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939897"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690bd777e8c57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Junior Signal callers, is one of my top guys at the position in 2027. While Thomas is a QB, his impact is felt, in both the ground, and passing game. I like him a lot, and he is a valuable asset for any team at the helm. As an X-Factor, his dual-threat ability, allows him to stretch the defense as they have to focus on him throwing and running, which in return can open up passing lanes, and holes on the line. Thomas Jr, will need the game of his Junior Season, if Colonie Central wants to pull off an upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>IQ: This one seems stupid, as every football player needs an IQ, but with the dual threat ability Steven Thomas Jr brings, and a mainly rushing attack from this offense, creating gaps, finding holes, and executing Option, and RPO plays with a big IQ, of the defense is a major key for this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">My Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like both teams, and the previous 12-0n matchup, leaves room for an upset here. I think the Brothers, squad is just too good for the Wolfpack to handle, and after a close first half, I see a pull away for CBA-Albany, leading to a 35-14 win and a trip to the Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Shenendehowa Vs #3 Saratoga Springs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone NY Lead Scout Cory Lemer will be in attendance for this game. The Plainsmen claimed the #2 seed, and enter this matchup sitting at 8-1 on the year. The Plainsmen, started the season off with four straight wins, including Section 1 squad Harrison, Niskayuna, Guilderland, and Colonie Central. In week five, Shenendehowa, traveled to CBA-Albany, where they picked up their first loss by a score of 35-14. The rest of the year saw blowout wins against Shaker, Albany, and Schenectady. The other win was a close game, against this Saratoga Squad they will once again face. I like QB [player_tooltip player_id='1649142' first='Jack' last='Clawson'] at the helm, and I think his impact will be needed in this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plainsmen To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-clawson/">2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1649142' first='Jack' last='Clawson']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/evan-fargnoli/">2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1777690' first='Evan' last='Fargnoli'] </a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 ATH Joseph Cardinale</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 WR <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/clifton-park/shenendehowa-plainsmen/athletes/jakub-tomaszewski/?careerid=ig0i96mam8ldd">[player_tooltip player_id='1797126' first='Jakub' last='Tomaszewski']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 RB Carter Toth</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factor</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649142"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690bd777e8d33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clawson is the leader of the Shenendehowa squad. In the previous matchup, Carter Toth ran all over the Blue Streaks defense. I highly doubt, Coach Hayden allows that to happen again, putting all the pressure on Clawson. He only threw 7 passes in game one, and he will become a major name to watch, if Saratoga Streaks forces him to throw the ball more then they'd like. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stop The Run: Saratoga Springs, has the top rusher in Section Two. While the Blue Streaks have shown they can throw the ball, if the run game is stopped, I fully expect the run game to become a big threat in this game, making stoping the ground game a major key for winning this game, if your the Plainsmen. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saratoga Springs Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Hayden, led his Blue Streaks, to a 7-2 record on the season, with two loses both coming from playoff teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1286247' first='Benjamin' last='Coryea'], leads one of the top rushing attacks in the State, and [player_tooltip player_id='1811588' first='Bobby' last='Morris'], has [player_tooltip player_id='1639429' first='Jaden' last='Lockrow'], [player_tooltip player_id='1952604' first='Gavin' last='LaFrance'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1352895' first='Josh' last='Simon'] as weapons. The Blue Streaks, started 2-0 with wins over Monroe-Woodbury, and Burnt Hills Ballston Lake. Week Three, brought loss one, as CBA-Albany got the better of this squad. Four straight wins, came at the hands of Colonie Central, Shaker, Guilderland, and Albany. They finished the season 1-1, and faced a loss against Shenendehowa, where they will look to exact revenge this week, and then took home a dominant win to end the season against Schenectady. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blue Streaks To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bobby-morris/">2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1811588' first='Bobby' last='Morris']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cam-toomey/">2028 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1545198' first='Cam' last='Toomey']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/benjamin-coryea/">2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1286247' first='Benjamin' last='Coryea']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/josh-simon/">2026 TE [player_tooltip player_id='1352895' first='Josh' last='Simon']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaden-lockrow/">2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1639429' first='Jaden' last='Lockrow']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gavin-la-france/">2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1952604' first='Gavin' last='LaFrance']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factor</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286247"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690bd777e8e0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Senior RB, has been a focal point of the offense this season. He has rushed for an average of over 150 yards per game this season, and had 172 yards, and two touchdowns in game one. The Plainsmen will look to stop him, but if Coryea gets going, he will be an X-Factor, as the defense will have to stop him, and the solid passing attack the Blue Streaks Offense has at their disposal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spread The Ball: [player_tooltip player_id='1286247' first='Benjamin' last='Coryea'], is just one of many star offensive players for the Blue Streaks. The main focal point will be the running game, but with the defense expecting this, spreading the ball out, and getting guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1352895' first='Josh' last='Simon'] [player_tooltip player_id='1952604' first='Gavin' last='LaFrance'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1639429' first='Jaden' last='Lockrow'] involved will be a key to this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">My Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think revenge is a dish best served cold, and it will be cold Friday Night in Albany, so what better way for the Blue Streaks, to pick up a win, and advance to the championship game. I see a close game, that ends in OT. Lock it in, give me the Blue Streaks, 35-34. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->