NYSPHSSA Class B Championship Preview

<p>The Road to Syracuse is complete. The Sleepy Hollow Horsemen, enter as a cinderella story from Section 1, that has turned into a true contender for the state title. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='402254' first='Brayden' last='Richardson'], had 446 yards and five touchdowns in his last game, breaking the Section One record. On the other end, the undefeated Red jackets of Monroe, have sliced through their season with ease, and bring the number one player in the state [player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton'] to the championship game in his final high school game. </p>   <p>Prep Redzone's Winter Showcase is back for 2025 with more locations than ever. Looking to attend? Register <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, <strong>LemerWinterPRZ</strong></p>   <p>Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a> @<a href="https://x.com/PRZcory">PRZCory</a> for the latest New York high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepy Hollow Breakdown</h2>   <p>The Headless Horsemen, enter their final game with a 12-1 record. Sleepy Hollow picked up an early season loss to Class D squad Bronxville, and has since run the table. The Horsemen entered as the #3 seed in the Section One Class B playoffs, and picked up convincing wins against Pleasantville, and defending champions Ardsley. In the Reigonal bracket, Saugerites was dealt a 20 point loss, and Glens Falls, picked up their first loss of the year, allowing Sleepy Hollow to punch their ticket to Syracuse. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='402254' first='Brayden' last='Richardson']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1804198' first='Gilbert' last='Onwe']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1902932' first='Jeremiah' last='Bowen']</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factors</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">There is absolutely no way Brayden is human. Against a strong Glens Falls Defense, the Senior RB, accumulated 446 yards and five touchdowns. He has rushed for over 100 yards in every game except the one they lost. Having another excellent game on the ground is a major X-Factor in this game for the Horsemen. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bowen is the signal caller for this Sleepy Hollow squad, but he can easily play all skill positions on both sides of the ball. Bowen has put together a solid campaign as a thrower, and has improved each week. His legs and arm are equal threats, and with Bowen having a day in both categories, opposing defenses, can find themselves in a hole early. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Keys To The Game</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Run Game</strong>: The run game has flourished behind [player_tooltip player_id='402254' first='Brayden' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1902932' first='Jeremiah' last='Bowen']. A key in winning this game, will be to continue to point the ground game, and get the ball in the hand of their star Athletes.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Defense</strong>: In each game against strong offenses this season, the Horsemen, have picked up a turnover, or made a key stop. Against an outstanding offense featuring multiple top athletes across the board, the key to winning this game, will be to slow down this stacked squad. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Passing Game</strong>: Monroe knows the run is coming in the state championship, so what happens if they stop the ground game? If the ground game is stopped, Sleepy Hollow will need the passing game to flourish, which has been limited this season. The final key to this game, will be to establish a solid passing attack along with the reliable rushing game Sleepy Hollow has. </li> </ul>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monroe Breakdown</h2>   <p>The Red Jackets are the team to beat in Class B this Season. Starting out, this Rochester squad looked like the best team in the state. Monroe picked up an 84-0 win, and a 52-0 win in their first two games. The rest of the season went equally as easy for the Red Jackets. Through the rest of the season, Monroe's defense allowed 9 total points over the final five games. The offense also went off scoring over 150 points in those five games. To punch their ticket to Syracuse, the Red Jackets picked up convincing wins over Lackawanna and Owego Free Academy. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2027 ATH Ray Garcia</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 WR [player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='668381' first='Pooty' last='Cunningham']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1284356' first='Jermaine' last='Montgomery Jr']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1513229' first='Brien' last='Walker']</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2028 CB James Brumfield </strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factors </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton'] is heading to Oregon, and he is one of the top prospects in the entire country. Hampton will likely receive double coverage the entire game. Hampton has had major impacts in both the running and receiving game this season, and if Monroe wants a state championship, they need to continue feeding him the ball against Sleepy Hollow.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Brumfield is one of the top young athletes in the state. Sleepy Hollow uses a rush attack as their main form of offense, but when they do throw the ball, they are successful. Playing at the second level Brumfield will need to make tackles to stop explosive plays all day if Monroe looks to win the Championship.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Keys To The Game</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Feed the Stars</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1513229' first='Brien' last='Walker'] are two outstanding athletes. They have led this top offense in the receiver room this season. One key to winning a state title, will be to feed their star athletes and allow them to make big plays throughout the game. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Stop The Run</strong>: Against some of the top rushing defenses this year, the Horsemen led by [player_tooltip player_id='402254' first='Brayden' last='Richardson'] have continually pounded the ball on the ground and have come away with big wins. I expect this game to be no different. One key to this game, will be to stop that powerful rushing attack and force Sleepy Hollow to throw. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Limit Mistakes</strong>: Sleepy Hollow has fed off of defensive stops and turnovers this season. Allowing the Horsemen to score off of mistakes can be the difference between a three point game, and a 21 point loss. The final key in this game for Monroe, is to limit their mistakes on both sides of the ball, and force Sleepy Hollow to beat them straight up. </li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cory's Prediction</h2>   <p>Led by [player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='668381' first='Pooty' last='Cunningham'] the Monroe offense is elite. So is Sleepy Hollow's offense. [player_tooltip player_id='402254' first='Brayden' last='Richardson'] has 40 touchdowns on the ground this season and is coming off a historic performance in the Semi-Final Matchup. Both teams have solid defenses, and the team that makes the first defensive stop will likely win this game. Monroe's offense I think will overpower the Horsemen, and I see a 41-24 win for Monroe, as they send [player_tooltip player_id='505856' first='Messiah' last='Hampton'] to Eugene as a State Champion. </p>

The Road to Syracuse is complete. The Sleepy Hollow Horsemen, enter as a cinderella story from Section 1, that has turned into a true contender for the state title. Senior RB Brayden Richardson Brayden Richardson 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH/RB Sleepy Hollow | 2026 State NY , had 446 yards and five touchdowns in his last game, breaking the Section One record. On the other end, the undefeated Red jackets of Monroe, have sliced through their season with ease, and bring the number one player in the state Messiah Hampton Messiah Hampton 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR James Monroe | 2026 State NY to the championship game in his final high school game.