2026 Section VI Class C Football Playoff Preview

WNYAthletics | Road to the Section VI Championship

The road to a Section VI Class C football championship begins this weekend, with eight teams battling for the opportunity to play for a sectional title at the University at Buffalo.

Class C features two competitive divisions, North and South, each sending four teams into the postseason. Barker/Roy-Hart enters as the undefeated C North division champion, while Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove leads a challenging C South field.

Springville, Cleveland Hill, JFK, Chautauqua Lake, Portville and Clymer-Sherman-Panama (CSP) complete the eight-team bracket.

With several programs returning to postseason competition after missing the playoffs in recent seasons, this year's tournament offers an intriguing combination of established contenders and emerging challengers.

Game-by-game breakdowns

Portville Panthers at Barker/Roy-Hart

Friday, October 30 | Barker | 7 PM

Barker/Roy-Hart enters the Class C postseason as one of the more impressive stories in Western New York football, having completed its division schedule with a perfect 7-0 record.

The Raiders captured the C North championship and earned the top seed, putting themselves in an excellent position to make a serious run at the sectional title.

For Barker/Roy-Hart, the challenge now becomes translating regular-season success into postseason victories. The Raiders have demonstrated consistency throughout the season, but the playoffs present a different level of intensity.

Portville enters as the fourth seed from C South, having survived a highly competitive divisional race to secure its postseason opportunity.

The Panthers face a difficult road assignment against a team that has yet to lose a divisional contest. Establishing offensive consistency and avoiding turnovers will be essential if Portville hopes to produce an upset.

Barker/Roy-Hart must continue doing the things that helped it capture the division championship, particularly controlling field position and executing in critical situations.

Keys to victory: Barker/Roy-Hart needs to establish the tempo early and capitalize on its home-field advantage. Portville must limit mistakes, create turnovers and prevent the Raiders from building an early lead.

The Raiders enter as the favorites, but the Panthers have an opportunity to change the postseason picture with a strong road performance.

Players to Watch: For B/RH it's Carter Dersarkissian (35), the bruising back eclipsed the 1500 yard plateau recently and has 26 TD's. Portville/CR/BR's Hayden Schappacher (21) is the feature back with Liam Taylor (4) seeing quality carriers as well. Known for their defense, the Panthers will need an all hands on deck mentality when they face a determined Dersarkissian.

Chautauqua Lake at Springville Griffins

Friday, October 30 | Springville

Springville returns to the Section VI playoffs after spending the past several seasons on the outside looking in, making this postseason appearance particularly meaningful for the Griffins program.

The Griffins earned the second seed in C North and now have the opportunity to host a quarterfinal contest against Chautauqua Lake, one of the four qualifiers from a tightly contested C South division.

For Springville, the biggest challenge will be maintaining the consistency that allowed the program to climb into the upper portion of the divisional standings.

Chautauqua Lake arrives having navigated a difficult race in which several teams remained in contention until the final week of the regular season.

That experience could benefit the visitors, who understand the importance of executing when every possession matters.

The matchup could be decided by which team establishes control along the line of scrimmage. Both programs will want to avoid turnovers and create manageable offensive situations.

Springville's home-field advantage could play an important role, particularly if the Griffins can establish momentum early.

Keys to victory: Springville needs to control possession, execute defensively and take advantage of playing at home. Chautauqua Lake must remain disciplined, limit explosive plays and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

This contest has the potential to become one of the more competitive games of the Class C quarterfinal round.

Players to Watch: Springville senior Grant Michalski (8) has been a wrecking ball all season for the Griffins. While the Eagles run amore balanced attack, this could be the week they turn the keys over to Thandon Bensink (12) who has proven to be a locomotive once the wheels start turning. Also watch for junior Tristen Gibbs (2) and Lance Franklin (51), each of whom bring big game experience into the contest.

JFK Bears at Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove

Friday, October 30 | Falconer

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove enters the Class C playoffs with plenty of momentum following a strong regular season that included six victories in eight games.

The Herd finished their regular-season campaign with a convincing 43-6 victory over Southwestern/Frewsburg, producing their highest point total of the season. The victory continued an impressive stretch in which Falconer won five of its final six contests.

That momentum could prove valuable as the Herd prepare to host JFK in the quarterfinal round.

The Bears secured the fourth playoff position in C North after a competitive race for the division's final postseason berth.

JFK faces a difficult challenge against a Falconer program that has demonstrated the ability to produce offensively and compete against quality opponents.

The Bears must find a way to slow the Herd's offensive attack while creating opportunities of their own. Avoiding early mistakes and controlling possession will be particularly important.

Falconer, meanwhile, will look to carry its late-season momentum into the playoffs while avoiding the mistakes that can quickly change the complexion of an elimination game.

Keys to victory: Falconer needs to establish offensive balance, maintain defensive discipline and capitalize on its home-field advantage. JFK must generate turnovers, limit explosive plays and keep the contest competitive into the second half.

The Herd enter as the favorites, but the Bears have an opportunity to make their return to postseason competition a memorable one.

Players to Watch: JFK have a trio of sophomores that have helped put the Bears back on the map. QB Shayne Ciszewski (2), wide receiver Jeadon Thompson (1) and running back Tyler Piniewski (4) are exciting young players. What they lack in experience they make up for in their determination. Falconer/CV/MG have the winningest Section VI coach in Curt Fischer. Fischer has coached in more big games then any two coaches in the area. Fischer will be relying heavily on his defense led by Patrick Braley (24) who leads the team in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles. Dylan Newman (2) is the feature back with 842 yards and 10 TD's. Brody Hawkins (1) is their "X" factor.

Cleveland Hill Golden Eagles (4-4) at Clymer-Sherman-Panama Wolfpack (6-2)

Saturday, October 31 | Clymer | 1:30 PM

CSP enters the postseason with a 6-2 record and one of the more impressive defensive resumes in Class C.

The Wolfpack have allowed just 88 points through eight games, an average of 11 points per contest, while scoring 244 points offensively.

CSP closed its regular season with a convincing 47-24 victory over Allegany-Limestone, rebounding from a narrow loss to Gowanda/Pine Valley the previous week.

Cleveland Hill, meanwhile, enters with a 4-4 record after earning the third seed in C North.

The Golden Eagles return to the postseason after missing out in recent seasons, giving the program an opportunity to measure its progress against one of the stronger teams in C South.

For Cleveland Hill, the biggest challenge will be finding consistent offensive production against a Wolfpack defense that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to limit opposing teams.

CSP will look to establish control early and force Cleveland Hill into difficult offensive situations.

Keys to victory: The Wolfpack must continue their strong defensive play while establishing offensive balance. Cleveland Hill needs to protect the football, sustain drives and capitalize on opportunities created by its defense.

CSP enters as the favorite based on its regular-season performance, but the Golden Eagles have some confidence heading into the post season.

Players to Watch: CSP's Dan Redlecki (54) leads the defense with 66 total tackles. Offensively Gavin Burchanowski (10) and Blake Beckerink (3) have been splitting carries offensively to pace a steady ground attack all season.

Jaiden Rainey (0) and Tey'sean Gladden (8) have done a great job for the Golden Eagles out of the backfield. Bryan Boswell (51) leads Cleve-Hill in tackles with 67.

The road to the Class C championship

The quarterfinal winners advance to the sectional semifinals, scheduled for November 5–7. The Barker/Roy-Hart–Portville winner will meet the Cleveland Hill–CSP winner, while the other two quarterfinal winners meet on the opposite side of the bracket.

Section VI Class C Championship

Friday, November 13, 2026

University at Buffalo

3:00 PM

WNYAthletics Class C postseason outlook

Barker/Roy-Hart enters the tournament with an undefeated divisional record and the confidence that comes from winning a championship in C North.

However, Clymer-Sherman-Panama's impressive defensive statistics and Falconer's strong finish make both programs legitimate championship contenders.

Springville represents another interesting storyline. After missing postseason competition in recent years, the Griffins have earned home-field advantage and an opportunity to make a meaningful playoff run.

The most compelling opening-round matchup could be Cleveland Hill against CSP, where the Golden Eagles face a Wolfpack defense that has been among the class's most productive units.

For all eight programs, the equation is simple: three victories separate them from a Section VI championship.