Best games for Friday, October 25, 2024

ROCHESTER — On the cusp of sectional play, two Class A Heavyweights delivered a thriller that Section V football fans can only hope is a preview of what’s to come.

At the end of the regular season for both teams, defending section champion East High/World of Inquiry defeated undefeated Canandaigua, 42-35, in a matchup worthy of its reputation.

With a chance to force overtime, Canandaigua’s drive from the East 7-yard line with one second left in the fourth quarter fell incomplete, prompting a celebration from the Eagles players and a sigh of relief from their coaching staff. .

Canandaigua’s last gasp was only possible because of East’s failed run on fourth-and-1 from its own 36-yard line with 1:29 left that, if converted, would have iced the game.

“I’m glad we won the game,” East co-coach Steve Flagler said.

A loss would have been a tough pill to swallow, as East led by two touchdowns on multiple occasions. Antonio Hampton (8 yard dash) and Kelvin Shepard (89-yard reception) scored the first touchdowns of the game to put the Eagles ahead.

However, there was no abandonment in Canandaigua, despite the 14-0 deficit. The gray wolves Trey Comella responded with two short-yardage touchdowns, and Drew Williamee scored on a QB sneak pass on the final play of the first half to put Canandaigua ahead 21-14, a result partially attributed to three fumbles lost by East (the teams combined for five such turnovers in the first half).

While the turnovers disappeared in the second half, the score did not. East scored four of the next five touchdowns, two of which were Jeremiah Tucker, to take a 42-28 lead. Tucker, a comeback Greater Rochester Selectionsparked East’s second-half offense and finished with 82 yards on seven carries, along with 10 defensive tackles.

“He brought the leadership,” Eagles co-coach James Vann said. “He led by example, showed his teammates that he wanted to go out and win, and kept pushing on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. I don’t think he ever came off the field. Shout out to him for doing that.”

While East comes away happy with the win, Canandaigua’s comeback efforts are a reminder of the challenge of Class A football in Section V. Too many mistakes, or one brief lapse in execution, and it could now spell the end of a season.

“Class A is loaded. I think it’s the best in Section V,” Flagler said. “You have to work hard every week to win. We knew that from last year.”

The message for next week?

“We’re 1-0,” Vann said.

Top performances from Section V on Friday: Quarterback hits 300-yard game in big win

Fairport 31, McQuaid 21

The Fairport Red Raiders have a standout win along with everyone else, and probably the No. 1 seed for the Section V Class AA Tournament as well.

McQuaid’s play of the game came with less than 15 seconds left in the first half. McQuaid trailed 17-14, but the Knights had reached the Fairport 35-yard line, where they were on fourth down and four yards for a first down.

McQuaid Senior Quarterback Will DiMarco sent a pass out of a receiver’s hands and into the hands of Fairport senior Juan Gossinwho was heading forward to make an entrance. Gossin caught the ball while running and scored with 4.1 seconds left to give Fairport a 24-14 halftime lead.

The Fairport Red Raiders, who won three games in 2023, improved their record to 7-1 after recovering from a loss to University Prep in week 7. McQuaid, winner of the last five Section V Class AA championshipsIt’s 6-2.

Brighton 14, Victor 0

No team has defeated the Brighton Bruins, who have made it through the eight-week Section V regular football season undefeated.

The Bruins scored both of their touchdowns during the second quarter. senior runner Gavin Parks scored from the Victor 2-yard line to give Brighton the lead. Grady Hopkins He added a 23-yard touchdown run and his second conversion kick.

Brighton’s defense, led by Luca De Sandis, Matthew Heininger and Amari SnowdenHe did the rest for the victory. Victor has a record of 2-6.

East Rochester/Gananda 42, LeRoy/Caledonia-Mumford 29

Coach Tim Rose named Cadearrell Sneed Jr. Player of the Game after rushing for more than 200 yards and scoring four total touchdowns in the Bombers’ seventh consecutive victory.

East Rochester/Gananda (7-1, 7-0) earned the No. 1 seed in Section V Class C. The Bombers earned a bye in the postseason and will host a semifinal after defeating the reigning section champions in Don Quinn Field.

LeRoy/Cal-Mum (4-4, 4-3) controlled the pace from the start and took a 22-20 lead into halftime after Cameron Riggi returned a blocked punt 23 yards. Ben Newman, who recently became the program’s career touchdown passing leader, threw touchdowns to Justice Allen and Noah Wagner to regain the lead 34-22 midway through the third.

Opponent tight end Peter Clark ran a clear route on fourth-and-goal for an 11-yard touchdown reception from Brady McClurg to trail 34-29. The Bombers didn’t seal the game until Sneed’s 54-yard touchdown run with 1:18 remaining.

East Rochester/Gananda avenged last year’s semifinal loss to a LeRoy team now merged with Caledonia-Mumford, recognized rivals since 1900. Coach Mike Humphrey’s offense stayed true to form and ran nearly 40 times. While starting running back Jake Egeling did not play, Jude Sherman and Zach Boop each scored and combined for more than 150 rushing yards. They often ran behind Ethan Larzelere, who played tackle on the right and left sides, and on the strong side of off-balance fronts.

LeRoy/Cal-Mum took third place and will host a Class C quarterfinal game next week.

“We’re playing a lot better now than we were at the beginning of the season,” Rose said. “I don’t think we’re playing to our full potential yet… We’re still making some mistakes. We’ll work on that next week so that when the semi-finals come around we’ll be better than we were tonight.”