2026 Section VI Class AA Football Playoff Preview

WNYAthletics | Road to the Section VI Championship

The Section VI Class AA football playoffs are shaping up to be one of the more intriguing postseason races in Western New York.

Seven teams qualify for the tournament, with the No. 1 seed earning a first-round bye. Lancaster, Bennett and Health Sciences battled to the wire for the top positions, while Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls and Hutch-Tech rounded out the field.

First-round matchups

No. 2 Bennett vs. No. 7 Hutch-Tech

Bennett enters the Class AA postseason as one of the most dangerous teams in Western New York, with the Tigers looking to turn another successful regular season into a sectional championship run.

The Tigers have demonstrated their offensive capabilities throughout the season, including a convincing 50-21 victory over Jamestown and a 42-0 shutout of Hutch-Tech on October 1.

Those performances illustrate the challenge facing the Engineers in a potential opening-round rematch.

For Hutch-Tech, the postseason represents an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding a difficult regular season. The Engineers struggled against Class AA competition, but the playoffs provide a fresh opportunity to compete without the weight of previous results.

The biggest question will be whether Hutch-Tech can establish any offensive consistency against Bennett's defense. Long, sustained possessions and limiting turnovers would be essential to keeping the game competitive.

Bennett, meanwhile, cannot afford to look ahead. The Tigers have championship aspirations, but postseason success requires discipline, execution and the ability to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Keys to victory: Bennett must establish control early and dictate the tempo. Hutch-Tech needs to protect the football, limit explosive plays and find a way to keep the Tigers' offense on the sidelines.

Bennett would enter as the clear favorite, but the Tigers still need to take care of business.

Players to Watch: 

Bennett - Dontre Hampton is not getting the recognition he deserves. The senior has compiled over 1300 rushing yards and has been a beast all season long. If Hampton gets going it'll be a quick night for the Tigers. Tyzjon Johnson is an explosive player on offense and special teams. Freshman Quarterback Adriaon Little is improving each week.

Hutch Tech - Freshman QB Nahkeen Rumph is a battler. Yerniel Colon, a senior has been leading the way on offense and defense for the Engineers.

Outlook:

Bennett needs to take care of the football and let their skilled players do their thing. Advance to round II healthy is the other objective.

No. 3 Health Sciences vs. No. 6 Niagara Falls

Health Sciences enters the postseason with legitimate championship aspirations after competing near the top of Class AA throughout the regular season.

The Falcons have shown the ability to score against quality competition, including a 46-21 victory over Jamestown earlier this season. Their 24-18 loss to Bennett also demonstrated how competitive they can be against one of the division's strongest programs.

Niagara Falls faces a challenging assignment but has already shown that it can produce when given opportunities. The Wolverines recorded a 33-6 victory over Hutch-Tech in September, although they subsequently struggled against stronger Class AA opponents.

For the Wolverines, controlling possession and avoiding early mistakes will be critical. Falling behind against a talented Health Sciences team could force Niagara Falls into an uncomfortable situation offensively.

Health Sciences must approach the matchup with the understanding that postseason football brings a different level of urgency. Establishing offensive balance and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage will be important.

Keys to victory: Health Sciences needs to maintain offensive efficiency while preventing Niagara Falls from generating momentum through turnovers or big plays. Niagara Falls must play disciplined defense and create favorable field position.

The Falcons would be favored to advance, but the Wolverines have an opportunity to make things interesting if they can keep the game close into the second half.

Players to Watch:

Health Sciences - Junior Arieun Stevens is the feature back for the Falcons and is averaging over 8-yards per carry. Tyjuan Moye and Amare Ridgeway play both sides and will be forces to reckon with. Arnette Williams is a little under the radar, expect to hear his name the further Health Sciences can advance.

Niagara Falls - Terrance Cole, Gavin Hardy and Bradley Miller, all seniors have a knack for getting into the backfield and disrupting plays. If they can apply pressure and force some 3-and-outs we could have ourselves a game.

Outlook:

This is Health's game to lose. Niagara Falls has no pressure, nobody is expecting them to pull off an upset. Can they make it a game?

No. 4 Jamestown vs. No. 5 Lockport

Of the projected Class AA opening-round matchups, Jamestown against Lockport could offer the most intriguing competitive balance.

The Red & Green have experienced an up-and-down season, but their ability to compete against quality opposition makes them a dangerous postseason opponent. Jamestown defeated Niagara Falls 26-0 and recorded a 40-28 victory over Williamsville North earlier in the season.

However, losses to Lancaster, Bennett and Health Sciences illustrate the challenges

Jamestown has faced against the division's elite programs.

Lockport enters the postseason looking to build on the positives from its regular season, including a 42-12 victory over Hutch-Tech and a 20-6 win against South Park.

The Lions will need a strong defensive performance to contain Jamestown and create opportunities for their offense. Keeping the game within one possession entering the fourth quarter would put pressure on the higher seed.

Jamestown, meanwhile, must avoid the inconsistencies that have occasionally limited its success. Establishing the running game and controlling the line of scrimmage could make the difference.

Keys to victory: Jamestown needs offensive balance and disciplined defense. Lockport must create turnovers, control field position and avoid allowing explosive scoring plays.

The Red & Green would have the advantage based on their regular-season results, but this has the potential to become a competitive postseason battle.

Players to Watch:

Jamestown: Alaric Richardson is 80-yards shy of reaching the 1,000 yard rushing milestone for a season. The agile sophomore has been the main cog out of the backfield this season and is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. Angel Martinez and Drew Bloomquist lead the team in tackles.

Lockport: Senior QB Scott Stowe has a lot of experience and has been waiting for a chance to lead his team in a big game. That day arrives Friday. His two main weapons are Charles Johnson III and Hudson Campbell. All three are seniors. Trevon McCutcheon and Dallas Kasperek split carries.

Outlook:

It's a long way down to Strider Field. That ride can make or break a team. Jamestown has last season's Highmark Stadium experience, but many of those players are gone. Lockport has a solid core of seniors that have a lot to play for. We expect Jamestown to pull this one out, but Lockport is not going to give up without a fight. This could go either way.

No. 1 Lancaster — First-round bye

Lancaster enters the postseason in a much better position than they have in previous seasons. The Legends secured the top seed and have received a first-round bye.

The Legends have demonstrated their ability to compete against Class AA's strongest programs, highlighted by a 28-7 victory over Jamestown and a crucial late-season win against Bennett that strengthened their position in the standings.

Lancaster's biggest advantage may be the opportunity to rest, recover and prepare while the remaining teams compete in the opening round.

However, a bye also presents challenges. Maintaining competitive intensity without playing a meaningful game requires discipline and preparation.

The Legends have established themselves as legitimate sectional championship contenders, but their path will become increasingly difficult as the postseason progresses.

Keys to a championship run: Lancaster must remain healthy, continue winning the battle in the trenches and avoid turnovers against opponents capable of taking advantage of mistakes.

The Legends have put themselves in an excellent position, but the real test will come when they return to the field for the semifinal round.

Walking into the postseason, the Legends do have what many consider the top coaching staff in Section VI. The players are always in position to make plays and most importantly are not intimidated. 

They began the season proving that in a public versus private opening week victory over Section V’s McQuaid Jesuit.

The blemish was a week 3 OT loss at home to Health Sciences. Most pundits thought Lancaster would lose by more than a score but they proved people wrong, again. The Legends put up 29 points in the 4th quarter to force the extra period.

Players to Watch:

Justin Teubner has been a stalwart on both sides of the ball for the Legends. Everett Fix has matured as a QB and has become a leader on and off the field. Caden McCoy and Cole Klinger lead the team on defense in tackles. Dan Frank has 7.5 sacks.