New York Section 6 Class D 1st Round Playoff Preview
Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, News
Josh Hosier | October 29, 2024
Section 6 Class D 1st Round Preview
Cattaraugus Little Valley Timberwolves #6 (1-7) at Franklinville / Ellicottville Titans #3 (5-3)
For the first time in 3 season the Timberwolves of Cattaraugus Little Valley have a win. They beat Cardinal O’Hara in week 3 but the more important outcome of the season was that the T-Wolves were not beat 70-0 in all of their games. Average margin was 30 or in losses which is dramatically improved over the past few years indicating the culture change needed to find more success in the future. They are lead by Junior Grady Merrill who had 12 sacks and 58 tackles for the T-Wolves.
Franklinville / Ellicottville comes off a semifinal defeat in the Section 6 playoffs last season and has a entirely different coaching staff this season. One thing that didn’t change, however? The success that has graced the program for the last several years. FE was led by Senior Isaac Towne who threw for 146 yards and ran for 389 more. The Titans beat Catt-LV 41-8 in week 7.
For Catt-LV to win: Anything can happen if you win the turnover battle and key the game very low scoring.
For FE to win: The Titans must allow Issac Towne to create with his feet and prevent costly errors.
Take the Titans by a lot.
Wilson Lakemen #5 (2-6) at Gowanda / Pine Valley Panthers #4 (3-5)
The Lakemen struggled to a 2-6 finish but perhaps that record doesn’t indicate how capable they could be. Close losses to Newfane, and CSP suggest this team is more than their record. Wilson is led by Junior Michael Ruble with 518 rushing yards and Junior Brock Lepsch with 428 rushing yards.
Gowanda / Pine Valley continues to show signs of growth and development. The CSP loss was without star Quarterback Carter Capozzi, meanwhile the Panthers nearly upset Chautauqua Lake and Randolph. Junior Carter Capozzi had 1515 yards passing and Junior Camryn Slade had 293 yards rushing and 103 tackles on the season.
For Wilson to win: the Lakemen must play the very good defense that kept them in the CSP and Newfane games and hope for some mistakes from the Panthers.
For Gowanda/PV to win: the Panthers will win if Capozzi has time in the pocket and their defense continues to rise to the occasion.
Take Gowanda/PV in a close one
Randolph Cardinals #2 (5-3) – Bye
The Cardinals started slow but rebounded by beating everyone except CSP in class D. Another year with a bye for Randolph seems like old hat for them, but this season has a different feel with a new turf field and a star Junior quarterback Jaxon Morrison who conducts the offense like a conductor. The Cardinals can go as far as Morrison can take them and with him being injured at the end of the season his status is in question, the bye certainly comes at a good time for Randolph.
Clymer / Sherman / Panama Wolfpack #1 (6-2) – Bye
The Wolfpack ran over Class D with its only close class game coming against Wilson. The Wolfpack lost two tough, non class games to defending Class C State champions Waverly, and Class B powerhouse Lackawanna. The Wolfpack rely on Senior Quarterback Tate Catanese with 1378 yards passing and another 312 rushing to go with his 24 touchdowns on the season. They are loaded with talent and primed to return to the state playoffs after last season semifinal appearance.
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