Battle of unbeatens may be showdown of season in Section V football: Big Week 6 matchups

The sixth block of area high school football games in Section V is here.

These are the games that are stirring our curiosity the most:

Thursday

Webster Thomas (2-3) at Irondequoit (4-1), 6 p.m.

Eight of the 15 teams in Section V Class A advance to the sectional tournament. Webster Thomas is at No. 11 in the class point standings and are trying to steer out of a two-game skid. The Titans were outscored by Webster Schroeder and Brighton 83-23 during the losing streak. A lot of the production from the Titans offense has come from quarterback Levi Kulik, a junior who is threat as a passer and runner, according to Irondequoit coach Dan Fichter.

Irondequoit should also be in bounce back-mode after undefeated Victor edged the Eagles 21-20 in overtime. For the record, Fichter would again go for the win with a two-point conversion attempt against Victor "and so would the kids. It's what we do." Not only does Fichter trust the Eagles, he likes them, calling the players "unbelievable young men." On the field, Irondequoit's strong strength is with the backs and receivers. "We have some talent. It starts with Cam Freeman. It doesn't end with (tight end) Isaiah Ballard and (receiver) Jordan Nolan. They all can carry the ball (for chunks of yardage)."

Friday

McQuaid (5-0) at Hilton (5-0), 7 p.m.

This is one of the biggest showdowns of the season. Only University Prep is ahead of No. 2 Hilton and four-time defending Section V Class AA champion No. 3 McQuaid in the classification standings. Maybe this is the week one or both teams fools the other's defense with different offensive gameplans.

Senior running back Robert Lowry has been the player who gets to the ball into the end zone for the Hilton Cadets. Eoin Meyer and Matt Wilson have been the best McQuaid linebackers, when it comes to zeroing in on offensive threats. Does Shemir Bridges take on part of that job, while lining up all along the McQuaid defensive line?

Hilton linebackers Mason Nolan, Bradyn Pike and Brady Quill are going to try and lock in on McQuaid running back John Harding, and quarterback Will DiMarco, when he turns into a runner. Cadet linebackers seem to have the tougher challenge. The Knights are scoring 40 points per game, when including scores by the defense and special teams.

East High/World of Inquiry (5-0) vs. Pittsford (2-3), 7 p.m. at Sutherland

There was no letdown by East High/World of Inquiry last week, when the Eagles ran away to a win over Greece Arcadia, after defeating champion and nemesis Canandaigua Academy the week before. Now, how do the Eagles line up against a team in Class AA, the Pittsford Panthers? This also is a road game.

Zymier Jackson again looks like one of the best quarterbacks in Section V, throwing touchdown passes and choosing the right time to break for long runs. There is production coming from just about all of the Eagles backs and receivers from Damari Green to Ervin Wiggins Jr., who has tweeted he has an offer of a scholarship from SUNY at Albany and to walk on to the team at Syracuse University. Blocking Pittsford's defensive linemen and linebackers maybe the biggest challenge of the season so far for the East High/WOI linemen. Co-coach Steve Flagler said the playing status for Anthony Diaz is a "maybe" after sitting out last week's game with an undisclosed injury.

Pittsford is having an up and down season with notable swings. There was a 21-6 loss in a hard-hitting game at Hilton, then a 28-0 loss to McQuaid. The Panthers shutout host Aquinas, then suffered a blowout loss to University Prep at Sutherland. Last week was no contest, a 42-0 win at Edison. Where do the Panthers go from here? A win over East/World of Inquiry, a team that is No. 1 in the Section V Class A sectional standings, would be big step forward.

Aquinas (3-2) at Penfield (1-4), 7 p.m.

The Aquinas offense is up and running, with a current string of two games of scoring 28 or more points. First-year Aquinas coach Maurice Jackson said before the season to keep in mind there were a few "young" players learning and playing in the team's offense.

Penfield has lost three in a row, including one-sided games against Hilton and at McQuaid, but can make noise again with a win over Aquinas. A boost in the offense's production has to take place.

Batavia (3-2) at Geneva (3-2), 7 p.m.

The Batavia Blue Devils are back on a winning track after they were shutout at home by Monroe. Quarterback Bronx Buchholz spread his passes last week to Mekhi Fortes, Carter Mullen and Cole Grazioplene. Zailen Griffin, a junior, was the team's leading ballcarrier.

The Geneva Panthers have a chance to pull off an attention-getting upset for the second week in a row. Geneva lost 46-13 at Honeoye Falls-Lima. Versatile senior receiver/defensive back De'Sean Bruce may have had his best offensive game of the season on offense last week. Sophomore linebacker Gianni Velazquez appears to be Geneva's best, or at least most active defensive player, each week.

Avon (3-2) at Canisteo-Greenwood (4-1), 7 p.m.

There are just six teams in Section V Class D, so this is a rematch of a matchup in Week 1, won 12-7 by Canisteo-Greenwood. Both touchdowns for Canisteo-Greenwood were scored in the second half, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to JJ Reese from Collin Cox with just 18 seconds remaining. Beau Zeh had a strong day rushing, with 156 yards on 26 carries.

Avon had a three-game winning streak until falling last week to York/Pavilion, the No. 1 team in the classification sectional standings. Avon's defense, like Canisteo-Greenwood's, can handle the opposing offense.

Newark/Marion (4-0) at Clyde-Savannah (5-0), 7 p.m.

These are happy days for the Newark/Marion Reds, who are playing as an independent team, outside of the Section V Federation.

"We are only the eighth team in the last 77 years of Newark football to start the season 4-0," according to Justin Fladd, who reports the team's results. Kellen Foster has been a dominant offensive player for the Reds. The team's offense is in good hands with senior Alex Bernardi at the steering wheel as quarterback.

Clyde-Savannah played its most competitive game of the season last week but remain undefeated. The Eagles have outscored opponents 300-100. Ryan Clark finished with 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns and Gunner Vogel 100 on 15 carries with a touchdown last week against Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield.

Saturday

Webster Schroeder at Brighton, 7 p.m.

The week's best matchup in Section V Class A could be ball-control, clock eaters versus high scoring firecrackers. It's hard for an opponent to score and beat the Brighton Bruins if it doesn't have the ball. If the Bruins get their running game with Gavin Parks and quarterback Tyler Martinovich going, the Warriors won't have the ball often. Can the Schroeder defense dig in and stop Brighton's ground game?

The Warriors know what they want to do when they have the ball. Gavin Horton, Justin Maier, Tyler Washington and Anthony DeRosa have 200 more yards receiving and at least three touchdown receptions catching passes from Drew Hilfiker. Can the Bruins pinpoint where the Warriors want to go with the ball and disrupt Schroeder's passing game?

Victor (5-0) vs. Churchville-Chili (4-1), 2 p.m. at Fairbanks Road Elementary

Churchville-Chili could be one of the season's surprise teams. The Saints have won four in a row after a lopsided loss to East High/World of Inquiry in their season opener. Victor clearly is at the same level as East, or maybe higher.

The play of Churchville-Chili's offensive and defensive linemen probably hold the keys to the game's outcome. Can they create room to run for Ricardo Lagares? Can they stand up and stop Victor's running game? Focusing on versatile Victor senior Adam Ruffalo also would be a good idea for the Saints.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: McQuaid vs Hilton highlights Section V football Week 6 schedule