Section VI Semi-Final Playoff Review; Small Schools

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class B</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Lackawanna @ #1 Williamsville South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each team alternated TDs in this one. With Will South's passing attack, QB [player_tooltip player_id='1994452' first='Philip' last='Gangi'] would throw two TD strikes to athletic playmaker Tommy Collins. However, Lackawanna went back to what Lackawanna does best; run the football. The Steelers scored on three 1-yard plunges; two by QB Michael Moore and the other by RB Naseem Dhali. Moore and Dhali would also hook up on a two point conversion that gave Lackawanna the win, 20-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 West Seneca East @ #2 Iroquois</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois did everything in their power offensively to pull this one out. Connolly Cup hopeful [player_tooltip player_id='473979' first='Justus' last='Kleitz'] threw for 365 yards and 4 TDs with his main benefactor being one of the best WR prospects in NYS in [player_tooltip player_id='735840' first='Nick' last='Skutnik']. Skutnik caught 13 passes for 187 yards and 3 scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1707374' first='Jackson' last='Kwaizer'], who will be a name to watch for the next coupe of years, also scored a receiving TD. It was West Seneca East's offense that would prevail in this barn burner; running for almost 400 yards and with 4 TDs by DJ Benker, [player_tooltip player_id='1923490' first='Kyler' last='Monterro'] and Josh Urban (who also accounted for 237 of those yards). The Trojans beat the Redhawks 34-29.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section VI Championship at Highmark Stadium</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lackawanna and West Seneca East knocked off the #1 &amp; #2 seeds respectively to advance to Highmark stadium. Neither programs are strangers to the sectional finals; West Seneca East's last Section VI championship was in 2018 when they were in Class A and they went on to fall in the State finals. Lackawanna most recently won in 2022 when they competed in Class C. This is sure to be a slugfest as they take each other on on Friday 11/14 at 5pm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class C</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton @ #1 Barker/Royhart</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chautauqua Lake went into Barker and beat the #1 seeded Bulls with ease 30-13. Eagles were firing on all cylinders as workhorse RB [player_tooltip player_id='1811603' first='Thandon' last='Bensink'] carried the ball 22 times for 112 yards and scored a TD while adding 12 tackles on defense. All WNY QB [player_tooltip player_id='1344653' first='Brayden' last='Gibbs'] had an efficient day going 9/17 for 135 yards and throwing two scores; both of which went to Asher Olson. Special Teams played a big role as well as [player_tooltip player_id='807877' first='Carson' last='Fairbank'] connected on all 4 of his extra point attempts and averaged 45.2 yards per kickoff and blasted a 47 yard punt that pinned Barker inside their own 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Eden/North Collins @ #2 Southwestern/Frewsburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All season long, Southwestern's defense has been the talk of Class C with them posting 4 shutouts. The 21 points they allowed to Eden/North Collins was the most they have allowed all season. The Raiders QB [player_tooltip player_id='747255' first='Brady' last='Waring'] threw two TDs and ran for another. But it was the Trojans rushing attack that stole the show in this game. The Trojans ran for an amazing 537 yards and 9 touchdowns; Miles Torres, Trent Lewis and [player_tooltip player_id='1455309' first='Bradyn' last='Fuller'] each eclipsed the century mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section VI Championship at Highmark Stadium</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class C championship game will feature a couple surprise teams in Chautauqua Lake and Southwestern. The two teams met in week 5 where the Trojans won 45-0. This time, the stakes will be higher as the two will face off Thursday 11/13 at 6pm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class D</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Silver Creek/Forestville @ #1 Newfane</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newfane bulldozed through Silver Creek this past weekend 38-0. It was the Panthers second straight shutout but even more impressive is that in every game this season, they have scored at least 33 points. Newfane's offense was once again led by dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1624567' first='Mac' last='Capen'] who does most of his damage with his legs. Capen ran for 184 yards on just 8 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Gowanda/Pine Valley @ #2 Wilson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was never in doubt as Wilson came right out and scored 35 straight points. QB Vic Cusatis ran in a TD and threw another to [player_tooltip player_id='1743178' first='Ryan' last='Hough']. RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1344751' first='Brock' last='Lepsch'] also ran in two scores. The Panthers tried to fight back in the end with a TD by [player_tooltip player_id='1743184' first='Winter' last='Mentley-Peters'] but it was too late as the Lakemen won 35-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section VI Championship at Highmark Stadium</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the 5 Section VI championship games, Class D will be the only one featuring the #1 and #2 seeds. Wilson and Newfane met in the regular season finale where the Panthers won 46-25. Newfane and Wilson will square off once again on Thursday 11/13 at 3pm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->