Section V enters final week with playoff plans hanging in the balance. Week 8 previews
This is Week 8, the final stop for Section V Football teams on the road to sectionals.
The gate that separates which teams are in or out closes after the final set of regular season games.
Here are some of the playoff implications:
Greece Arcadia (5-2): The Titans are in the No. 4 slot in Class A. Arcadia could host a sectional game, if it can remain in the top four of the class standings. The team's regular season finale is against Brockport (1-6), 6 p.m. Friday at Arcadia.
Gates Chili (4-3): The Spartans sit in the eighth and final slot before they host Webster Thomas (2-5), 7 p.m. Friday.
These are the games we've got our eyes on this week:
Thursday
Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw (5-2) vs. Lyons/Sodus (4-3), 6 p.m. at Lyons High
These teams are next to one another in the Section V Class C standings, Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw at No. 4 and Lyons/Sodus at No. 3. The top four in each classification, except for Class D, play on its home field during the first round of sectionals.
L/P/W's offense last week scored plenty of points, while the defense shutout winless Bishop Kearney/Rochester Academy. Noah Leitten caught a pass for a touchdown and had a rushing touchdown. Cayden Sumerski also rushed for a touchdown, and scored another touchdown later when he returned an interception 50 yards.
Lyons/Sodus should give L/P/W a stronger test, as a team that has won four games in a row. The 26-21 win last week at Bath Haverling was a comeback. Steffon Pinkston and Marcus Asberry are the team's most prolific scorers.
Friday
University Prep (7-0) at Hilton (5-2), 7 p.m.
Both teams are comfortably in the Section V Class AA playoff picture, but if Hilton's losing streak grows, will the Cadets drop out of the top four?
It was a rare game last week when Hilton running back Robert Lowry failed to reach the end zone. Yet, Lowry still helped the Cadets score at Aquinas with a touchdown pass to Luke Lockhart. It is doubtful this is at the center of Hilton's offensive game plan against UPrep. The Cadets must figure out a way to consistently block what has been a formidable defensive line.
UPrep's offense, with Tavion Byrd at quarterback, is the one putting on pressure when on the field. Running back CJ Robinson, receiver Juelz Russell and fullback Isaiah Moonschein as a receiver all scored touchdowns last week against one-win Penfield. The week before Taivon Wilson and Jayvon Johnson also scored a touchdown, along with Russell and Robinson. UPrep has been on its current path before with coach Isiah Young, one step away from an impressive undefeated regular season.
Brighton (4-3) at Irondequoit (6-1), 6:30 p.m.
Brighton is at No. 7 in the 15-team Section V Class A standings. A win by the Bruins would remove doubt whether they are in or out of the playoffs. A victory also would give the Bruins a win over one of Section V's strongest teams, based on won-loss record. Brighton fell to Class AA champion McQuaid in overtime last week, and Class A No. 2 Victor in Week 4, 21-14. Gavin Parks has been a strong engine for Brighton's running game the entire season. Tyler Martinovich is a quarterback you trust in pressure situations.
Irondequoit has turned to a handful of players to carry the ball and tight end Isaiah Ballard threw two touchdown passes last week against Webster Schroeder. Steve Clinkscales, who was under center the week before, had two touchdown catches. Cam Freeman might be the team's top two-way player, a factor on offense and defense.
Honeoye Falls-Lima (5-2) at Wayne (4-2), 7 p.m.
HF-L is on a five-game winning streak with a passing game up and running with quarterback Matt Meacham and receivers Andrew Wanzenreid and Landon Hammond. It is doubtful the Cougars turn to ground-and-pound this week. Wayne hosted high-scoring Monroe in Week 7, and is looking for a bounce back from a shutout loss. The Eagles should host a sectional game no matter what happens, but it would be nice for them to get a win against one of the big three in Class B.
Avon (5-2) vs. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba (3-4), 7 p.m. at Oakfield-Alabama
This is a rematch of a game in Week 3 won by Avon 13-6. This was the game when the season took an uphill tilt for Oakfield-Alabama/Elba. The Aggies are headed to the postseason since all six teams in Class D can advance. Taking advantage with of a second chance would provide a boost. Rushing quarterback Austin Pangrazio and Avery Watterson get the Aggies to the end zone.
Saturday
Aquinas (5-2) vs. McQuaid (7-0), 6:15 p.m. at Fauver Stadium
The highlight matchup of the weekend. This rivalry game is taking place at the University of Rochester, former home of the Section V championship games. The undefeated McQuaid Knights rule Section V Class AA, winners of the last four titles. Aquinas has built a four-game winning streak.
Aquinas scored through the air, but had surprising success running the ball against Hilton with Derrion Battle. "Hilton is known to be physical, but we're physical too. We have guys who can match physicality," Aquinas coach Maurice Jackson said. What is the best way to beat the McQuaid defense? What is the best way to derail a McQuaid offense with junior quarterback Will DiMarco and reliable senior running back John Harding. And know the Knights they can rally to win after defeating Brighton last week in overtime.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V teams battle for final playoff spots: Week 8 previews
