Section VI Class A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Quarterfinals of the Section VI playoffs are in the books and here we will look to the Semi-final matchups and which players we will look to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Island Vikings</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island is currently the only undefeated team in Section VI capping their Week 9 playoff win against Clarence 42-21. Averaging 37 points per game, the Vikings have been on fire with junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1864262' first='Anthony' last='Mantione']. On the defensive side of the ball led by MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1864299' first='Riley' last='O'Brien'], they are allowing just 8 points per game. Senior RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2257791' first='Santino' last='Favorite'] is having a breakout year leading the team in INTs and working as their top RB. Not only is their varsity on a 9 game winning streak but their JV also went undefeated leaving the door open for several contributors from JV to make their varsity debut; QB [player_tooltip player_id='2206312' first='Aiden' last='Horvath'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='2462333' first='Jayden' last='Digati'] and DL [player_tooltip player_id='2455769' first='Nayef' last='Zidan']. Grand Island's next test will be at vs Williamsville North; This is a rematch of last year's Class A Quarterfinals where the Vikings won 28-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1864262"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebbefa35b67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After leading Grand Island's JV to an undefeated season in 2024, Mantione was handed the keys to the varsity offense as a sophomore and showed a lot of promise taking the Vikings to the Quartfinals. But this season, he has taken a major leap forward earning 4 Connolly Cup Player of the Week awards and passing and running for 1,300+ yards while accounting for 40 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>West Seneca Warhawks</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Seneca West is entering the 2026 post-season with mostly sophomores and juniors but one is better than the next, starting with their QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='1514651' first='Mason' last='Anderson']. Anderson is arguably the best QB prospect in Section VI but his weapons are just as devastating. The Warhawks have had three different WRs catch 15+ passes for 300+ yards and score 5+ TDs; sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2103989' first='Bobby' last='Simmons'] and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1864284' first='Alex' last='Quarantello'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2142715' first='Jeremy' last='Gauthier']. Another offensive weapon to look out for is RB [player_tooltip player_id='1855420' first='Carter' last='Sparacio'] who is a dual threat player at the position. Defensively, the Warhawks have been flying all over the field with LBs Owen Koziol and [player_tooltip player_id='1513378' first='Micah' last='Anderson']. The latter of which has missed the last three games because of a knee injury but I have heard he is back on the practice field this week and could be a key component. West Seneca West will host Orchard Park in the semi-finals; a rematch from Week 4 when the Quakers won in controversial fashion 26-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1514651"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebbefa35bd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson is a dual threat QB with a high football IQ. He has the ability to make something out of nothing and doesn't panic when a play breaks down. He's thrown for almost 2,000 yards so far this year and 23 TDs while running for another 8 scores. He has the tools and size to be a premier QB1 at the next level and with two more years to go, sky is the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Williamsville North</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing to a non-divisional opponent in Week 1, Williamsville North has won 7 of their last 8 games including a shutout over a talented Williamsville East team last week. The Spartans have had a lot of success in the trenches led by Trench Trophy nominees Sean Wojcik and [player_tooltip player_id='1973381' first='Spencer' last='Godell']. Their running game led by [player_tooltip player_id='2247797' first='Jordan' last='Brown'] has been electric but their passing attack led by senior QB Jacob Toomey has been exciting with weapons like [player_tooltip player_id='2175686' first='Luke' last='LaMonte'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2247838' first='Eamon' last='Mouyeos']. Defensively, they have been led by 4-year varsity starter [player_tooltip player_id='1364031' first='Cal' last='Rogers'] who leads Will North in tackles (58) sacks (5) and forced fumbles/fumble recoveries (3 a piece).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1364031"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebbefa35c17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no one stat that jumps off the page when looking at Rogers but he is a complete football player. Whether it is at RB/FB/DL/LB, he has been excellent. Cal displays excellent vision and is a tough, gritty player. No game showed his versatility better than his performance against Orchard Park where he caught 2 TDs, registered a sack, a fumble recovery and blocked a punt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Orchard Park Quakers</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being a final 4 participant in Class AA the last several years, Orchard Park moved down to A where they had the best overall record in Class A-1 but their only loss being to Williamsville North would cost them a division title. The Quakers still went on the road and defeated Starpoint 20-17 last week. Senior RB Dakota Flynn continued his breakout year with a 169 yard/2 TD performance. Their defense has been opportunistic to say the least with big plays by DL [player_tooltip player_id='1263294' first='John' last='Meka Jr'] (10 QB sacks and a 62 fumble recovery for a TD). Their defense has also forced 19 takeaways, including 14 INTs on the season with stud players like LB [player_tooltip player_id='1649119' first='Matthew' last='Wright'] DB [player_tooltip player_id='1653948' first='Shane' last='Avino'] and Hobart commit (Lacrosse) [player_tooltip player_id='1814202' first='Zack' last='Danna'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939439"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebc69c81dfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hassett has had a solid season throwing for 1,400 yards and 21 TDs. He displayed percision passing and the ability to spread the ball around. He has a high football IQ and is considered a top-15 QB in NYS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->