Playoffs! Steve States - Semi Final results and Finals match-ups | Syracusefan.com

Playoffs! Steve States - Semi Final results and Finals match-ups

SWC75

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SEMI-FINALS and Finals Match-ups

CLASS AA

Well, the seasoned for my beloved Northstars. They obviously were a powerful team, one of the best sever out of Section 3 but frankly, it was a down year for the section and the completion was not that strong. Section 4 has only 5 AA teams so their entry in the state playoffs in this class was typically weak. This was the first time CNS came up against a team that could physically stand up to them for 48 minutes. The result was a great game, bracketed by a and opening kick-off return for a touchdown and a closing pick-6 with a 21-21 game in between. Lancaster has probably the best defense in the state, 9they had shut out perennial power Aquinas in the quarter-finals) and they had the team speed to mostly prevent the long plays that had characterized the Northstars’ season. CNS got a long run early in the second half and a late bomb for scores but this was a game about grinding it out. CNS can do that, too,, but not as well as Lancaster., who shut down the Northstars running game and kept Connor Hayes on the run the whole game, injuring his ankle in the first quarter. Hayes did an Eric Dungey imitation the rest of the game, passing for 311 yards including a 45 yard TD late in the game. But he also threw two interceptions, one at the goal line and the other the pick six, which accounted for the final margin. Eric Pride was held mostly in check but ran for 77 yards and a score and Jeremiah Willis ran 71 yards early in the third quarter, so the Northstars put up plenty of numbers against the Legends’ legendary defense.

They seemed to have taken over the game at 14-6 late in the third when Lancaster coach Eric Rupp moved 6-2 220 Joe Andreessen from tackle to quarterback in the wildcat. This guy ran the ball like Larry Csonka, knocking over defenders like bowling pins but ahd the speed to out-run (high school) defensive backs. He led the Legends on three consecutive scoring drives. The Northstar’s just couldn’t stop the guy. A 280 pound tackle took him on and got pancaked. All 11 guys were at the line of scrimmage and he lofted a floater to a receiver who had snuck out behind them. The Northstars fell behind 14-28 but still had hope when the gimpy Hayes threw a laser to Nate Geloff for a 45 yard score with about 3 ½ minutes left. They tried an onside kick because they knew they couldn’t’ stop Andreessen but it failed. They still got the ball back for one final passion but Hayes, on the run, threw an off-balance prayer that was picked off by Max Giordano, who ran through the tired Northstars for a clinching score. Andreessen was the ultimate star of the game. In addition to his offensive heroics, he played linebacker and was all over the field. Amazingly, the senior seems to have gone unrecruited. Somebody is going to get a big back with great power and determination who could also be a dynamic linebacker.

Lancaster comeback ends Cicero-North Syracuse season in Class AA football semifinal

But he still has another game to play for Lancaster against defending state champion Troy from Section 2, who beat Section 9’s Newburgh Free Academy 20-13 in an equally exciting eastern final. After much second half frustration, they managed to score the winning TD on a double reverse:

Troy gets past stern test

Finals match-ups:

Section 2- Troy 12-0 (501-122) NYSSWA #1 MaxPreps 3/272 States: 17-5 with 3 titles
Section 6- Lancaster 12-0 (504-124) NYSSWA #2 MaxPreps 2/268 States: 2-2 with 0 titles
No common opponents.

Comments: Two 12 and 0 teams that have scored 500 points for the championship. It will be the ‘Legends’ vs. the ‘Flying Horses’. What more do you want? (Other than CNS to be one of them.)

CLASS A

Whitesboro turned into a pumpkin against Section 6’s West Seneca West, losing 6-42 to end their 6 game winning streak after a 3-3 start. It was the “Warriors” vs. the “Indians”. The first and last quarters were scoreless but a 28 point second quarter blew the game open:

West Seneca West wipes away Whitesboro in state semifinals

The Indians will next play the “Huskers” of Yorktown from Section 1 who beat Section 2’s Burnt Hills- Balston Lake 34-19, pulling away in the second half:

Football: Yorktown is Dome-bound for the first time in 23 years after 34-19 win

Section 1- Yorktown 12-0 (431-139) NYSSWA #2 MaxPreps 12/625 States: 10-2 with 2 titles
Section 6- West Seneca West 12-0 (515-162) NYSSWA #3 MaxPreps 17/760 States: 2-0 with 0 titles
No common opponents.

Comment: Once again 12-0 vs. 12-0. This is shaping up to be another strong year for Section 6.


CLASS B

Section 1’s Pleasantville upset defending state champion Glens Falls from Section 2, 20-7, avenging a 14-49 loss to the same team in last year’s Semi-Finals. It ended Glen’s Falls’ 24 game winning streak. Glen’s Falls’ only score came with 35 seconds left:

Football: Pleasantville ends Glens Falls' undefeated streak to advance to state final

The Panthers will face perennial powerhouse Chenango Forks from Section 4, who has won more games in their state tournament than any other school. The Blue Devils blew open a 20-13 game with a 21-0 third quarter:

Stevens: It was a matter of Forks being Forks, is all

Section 1- Pleasantville 11-1 (348-137) NYSSWA #2 MaxPreps 19/845 States: 3-2 with 3 titles
Section 4- Chenango Forks 12-0 (452-102) NYSSWA #1 MaxPreps 4/324 States: 30-10 with 5 titles
No common opponents.

Comment: Pleasantville three titles were small school poll titles in the early 70’s. Chenango Forks has won 4 titles in this decade.


CLASS C

In an amazing game, Section 3’s Skaneateles Lakers, who run an offense similar to Syracuse’s, overcame a 15 point halftime deficit to beat Section 6’s Cleveland Hills 63-56. It was the type of game where neither team wanted to break serve and the Lakers fell behind at the half 35-50 because they threw some interceptions in the second half and could not stop the Eagles’ running game. Then they dominated the second half, 28-6 because Cleveland Hill started to fumble the ball and couldn’t stop Pat Hackler, the Lakers’ quarterback, who made Lamar Jackson blush with these numbers: 15 for 29 passing for 310 yards and 4 TDs, (but 3 picks) and carried the ball 19 times for 350 yards and 5TDs. That’s right: he both ran and passed for over 300 yards and accounted for all of his team’s 9 touchdowns. Cleveland Hill’s Javon Thomas ran for 350 yards and 5TDs- in the first half. It was that kind of game, the highest scoring in NYS playoff history.

Hackler, Skaneateles go crazy in 63-56 semifinal football win

Section 2’s Holy Trinity was more holy than Section 9’s Burke Catholic in an otherwise normal game, 28-23, in the 4th season of their existence. They used an old RPI play” to retain the ball on 3rd and 15 from their 30 yard line to retain possession so they could run out the clock:

https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/11/18/off-to-the-dome-holy-trinity-to-play-for-state-title

Section 2- Holy Trinity 11-1 (476-124) NYSSWA #2 MaxPreps 43/1861 States: 2-0 with 0 titles
Section 3- Skaneateles 11-1 (560-245) NYSSWA #1 MaxPreps 35/1656 States: 2-1 with 0 titles
No common opponents.

Comments: Can anyone stop Pat Hackler, who has a state record of 50TD passes? Can the Lakers, (who won their quarterfinal 42-41) stop anyone?

CLASS D

Defending state champ Cambridge of Section 2 brushed aside Millbrook, one of only two Class D teams in Section 9, 56-9. It was Wonder Bread vs. a Wonder Team as these Indians have scored more points, (639) than any other team in the state. Note: I was wrong about Cambridge’s record in previous posts. They did lose- to Greenwich 38-43 on September 30th. But they wiped that slate clean with a 40-7 win over the same team in the sectionals.

http://poststar.com/sports/high-sch...cle_4a71836f-f125-53dc-9fb0-b81d02b38754.html

That sets up a rematch with Section 6’s Maple Grove, who lost in double overtime in last year’s finals. The Red Dragons beat section 4’s Tioga 32-27. The Tigers had turned a 14-26 deficit into a 27-26 lead when Maple Grove responded with a touchdown run by Nick Fabrizio with 3:09 left and then the second fumble recovery of the game by Carson Cryst sealed it:

http://buffalonews.com/2017/11/17/maple-groves-big-finish-secures-berth-in-state-football-final/


Section 2- Cambridge 11-1 (639-129) NYSSWA #1 MaxPreps 30/1427 States: 20-12 with 2 titles
Section 6- Maple Grove 10-1 (411-171) NYSSWA #2 MaxPreps 51/1962 States: 10-4 with 2 titles
No common opponents

Comments: Think of it as the third overtime.
 
The schedule:

Today at Noon: Cambridge vs. Maple Grove for the Class D title
at 3PM West Seneca West vs. Yorktown for the Class A title
at 6pm, Section 3's only hope, Skaneateles vs. Holy Trintiy at 6pm
Sunday at Noon Chenango Forks vs. Pleasantville for the Class B title
at 3pm Troy vs. Lancaster for the Class AA title

(available on Spectrum Sports: Spectrum Sports | Syracuse )
 

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