Oneida Football celebrates after its big win over Cazenovia.
All over Section III, the championship games are full of matchup that players and fans alike have been waiting for all season long.
In Class AA the championship game will feature top-seeded West Genesee battling CBA. Both teams are perfect, when it comes to playing teams in New York State. CBA has just one loss, coming from the two-time defending Massachussets State Champion. Since early this season, observers of Section III Football have been waiting for this matchup, and they'll get it on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. Kickoff is set for 3:30 and the game will be televised on Time Warner Cable Sports (as will all of the championship games)
In Class A, it's the same story. Basically since the start of the season, and each team's performances week in and week out, everyone has wanted to see East Syracuse Minoa (9-0) battle Whitesboro (9-0). Both teams have made short work of just about every opponent they've had this year. ES-M's closest game was a 21-point win over Carthage, Whitesboro's was a 14-point triumph over Jamesville-Dewitt. Expect plenty of scoring too, both teams average over 40 points per game. ES-M looks for its 2nd Sectional Championship, Whitesboro is hoping for title number 8. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Class B saw a bit of a suprise on Saturday. Everyone was expecting, like in the classes above, a dream rematch with the top two seeds Cazenovia and Chittenango.
Oneida threw a wrench in that plan.
The Indians, who won Section III in 2008, used a brilliant 4th quarter rally to upend Cazenovia 12-10. Caz took a 10-0 lead into the 4th quarter, but Oneida used a pair of touchdowns to take out the previously unbeaten Lakers. Tyler Mallinder hit Brandon Worley with 20 seconds left to secure the victory and a spot in the Class B Championship game which is Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
Class C's playoffs have been the most talked about, with the attention surrounding the improper recruiting allegations surrounding Skaneateles and how the Lakers semifinal game with Utica Notre Dame almost didn't happen. Clicking that link, you'll see it did, and the Lakers made the most of its opportunity, outlasting the Jugglers 46-27.
There is a hearing Tuesday to see if Section III's punishment of ending the Skaneateles season will be upheld, if it is, then Utica Notre Dame will advance to the Section III Championship. This creates an odd situation where both the Jugglers and Lakers are practicing and preparting to take on undefeated Herkimer. The #2 seed in Class C has slid under the radar, amid all of the other news, and disposed of Tully 43-14 on Saturday to punch its ticket to the Carrier Dome. Whoever plays against Herkimer, that game is the first of the day on Saturday, with a noon kickoff.
Class D's championship game was settled on Friday, as undefeated Westmoreland takes on Dolgeville, a team it beat 33-0 just a few weeks ago. That game kicks off championship weekend at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
