2026 Section VI Class D Football Playoff Preview

WNYAthletics | Road to the Section VI Championship

The road to the Section VI Class D football championship begins this weekend, with six programs pursuing the opportunity to claim a sectional title and advance into the New York State playoffs.

Randolph enters the postseason as the top seed following a perfect 5-0 divisional campaign, while Newfane earned the second seed after an impressive 7-1 regular season.

Both programs receive first-round byes, leaving four teams to battle in the quarterfinals. Silver Creek/Forestville, Wilson, Franklinville/Ellicottville and Cattaraugus-Little Valley complete the playoff field.

Class D presents an intriguing mixture of championship experience, emerging contenders and programs hoping to overcome regular-season adversity. Randolph has been dominant defensively, while Newfane features one of the division's most productive offensive attacks.

For the remaining teams, the challenge is simple: survive the opening round and earn an opportunity to face one of the division's top two programs.

Class D quarterfinal matchups

No. 6 Cattaraugus-Little Valley at No. 3 Silver Creek/Forestville

Thursday, October 29 | Silver Creek | 6 PM

Silver Creek/Forestville enters the Class D playoffs with momentum after winning its final three regular-season games, including victories over Wilson, St. Mary's and Franklinville/Ellicottville.

The Black Knights finished 5-3 overall and 3-2 in division play, earning the third seed and a home quarterfinal against Cattaraugus-Little Valley.

Their most impressive late-season performance came against Wilson, when they defeated the Lakemen 45-21. The victory demonstrated the Black Knights' offensive capabilities and provided a significant confidence boost heading into postseason competition.

Cattaraugus-Little Valley, meanwhile, endured a difficult regular season, finishing 0-8. The Timberwolves struggled offensively, averaging fewer than nine points per contest, while allowing more than 45 points per game.

The two programs met September 25, with Silver Creek/Forestville earning a convincing 40-12 victory.

For the Timberwolves, finding offensive consistency and limiting turnovers will be critical.

The Black Knights will look to establish control early and avoid allowing their opponent to gain confidence.

Keys to victory: Silver Creek/Forestville must establish its running game, control field position and prevent big plays. Cattaraugus-Little Valley needs to sustain drives, protect the football and force turnovers.

The Black Knights enter as substantial favorites, but postseason football requires every team to earn its victories on the field.

Players to watch: Manny Sanchez of the Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights rushed for over 1100 yards and fifteen (15) TD's. Sanchez wears # 2 and is a senior. Andrew Arnold (4), Will Duliba (8) and Dom Anders (3) have also been difference makers for this Black Knights team. Sean Helmer is the head coach.

Catt/LV is led by Ny Boswell (2) and Dylan Terhune (3). Kory Gross is the head coach.

No. 5 Franklinville/Ellicottville Titans at No. 4 Wilson Lakemen

Friday, October 30 | Wilson | 7 PM

Wilson enters the Class D playoffs looking to regain the form that helped the Lakemen build an impressive start to the 2026 season.

After beginning the year with considerable optimism, Wilson finished 5-3 overall and 2-3 in divisional competition. The Lakemen's late-season struggles included a 45-21 loss to Silver Creek/Forestville and a 44-20 defeat against Newfane.

Despite those setbacks, Wilson has demonstrated the ability to compete offensively and remains a dangerous postseason opponent.

Franklinville/Ellicottville enters with a 2-6 record but features several experienced players capable of influencing the outcome.

Quarterback Brady Tatlow leads an offense featuring versatile skill players Blake Smith and Rylan Benjamin. Senior lineman Mason Blecha provides an experienced presence along both lines of scrimmage.

The Titans will need those veterans to perform at their best against a Wilson team that defeated them 19-6 during the regular season.

For the Lakemen, establishing offensive consistency and limiting defensive breakdowns will be essential. Wilson cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that contributed to its late-season losses.

Keys to victory: Wilson needs to control the line of scrimmage and capitalize on home-field advantage. Franklinville/Ellicottville must protect the football, establish offensive balance and prevent explosive plays.

Wilson enters as the favorite, but the Titans have enough veteran leadership to make this an intriguing postseason rematch.

Players to watch: Wilson - Mason Coulter (#34), leads team in rushing yards, TD's and is 2nd on team in tackles. Also, senior Nick Lemke (#5) who always seems to be around the ball. Cris Interisano leads team with 60 tackles, wears No. 56.

F/E - Blake Smith led team in rushing yard with 701, and was an all-league player last season (#4). Carson Mendell is a jack-of-all-trades kind of player. Mendellis a junior and wears No. 44.

First-round byes

No. 1 Randolph Cardinals (7-1)

Randolph enters the Class D postseason as the team everyone is chasing.

The Cardinals completed their divisional schedule with a perfect 5-0 record and finished 7-1 overall, establishing themselves as the top seed and earning a valuable first-round bye.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Randolph's regular season has been its defense.

The Cardinals surrendered just 58 points in eight games, an average of 7.3 points per contest, while scoring 301 points offensively.

That combination of offensive production and defensive dominance makes Randolph a formidable opponent.

One of the Cardinals' most convincing performances came against Silver Creek/Forestville, when Randolph recorded a 42-0 shutout. The result demonstrated the program's ability to control games against playoff-caliber opposition.

The first-round bye gives Randolph an opportunity to rest, recover and prepare for the semifinal round.

However, the Cardinals must maintain their competitive edge while awaiting their next opponent.

Keys to a championship run: Randolph must continue dominating defensively, establish offensive rhythm early and avoid turnovers that could provide opponents with scoring opportunities.

The Cardinals have earned their position as the tournament's top seed. Now the challenge becomes converting regular-season dominance into a sectional championship.

Randolph appears to be the team to beat, but Class D features several programs capable of making a championship run.

No. 2 Newfane Panthers (7-1)

Newfane enters the Section VI Class D playoffs with legitimate championship aspirations after completing an outstanding 7-1 regular season.

The Panthers finished 4-1 in divisional play, earning the second seed and a first-round bye.

Offensively, Newfane has been one of the division's most productive teams, scoring 310 points in eight games, an average of nearly 39 points per contest.

The Panthers concluded their regular season with a convincing 44-20 victory over Wilson, demonstrating the offensive versatility that has made them a dangerous opponent throughout the fall.

In that contest, Stover rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Morello added 83 rushing yards and another score.

The Panthers have demonstrated the ability to generate offense through multiple contributors, making them difficult to defend.

Newfane's biggest challenge will be maintaining its offensive production against the stronger defenses it will encounter during the postseason.

The first-round bye provides additional preparation time, but the Panthers must remain focused on the immediate challenge rather than looking ahead to a possible championship matchup with Randolph.

Keys to a championship run: Newfane must maintain offensive balance, protect the football and improve defensive consistency against quality opponents.

The Panthers have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone in Class D. If their defense rises to the occasion, Newfane could find itself playing for a sectional championship.

Road to the Class D championship

Section VI Class D Final

Upcoming

Thursday, November 12, 2026

University at Buffalo

3:00 PM

WNYAthletics Class D postseason outlook

Randolph enters the playoffs with the most impressive defensive statistics in the field, while Newfane features an explosive offense capable of producing points in bunches.

Silver Creek/Forestville may be the most intriguing challenger. The Black Knights have gained momentum late in the season and have demonstrated their ability to defeat quality opposition.

Wilson, meanwhile, has an opportunity to reverse its late-season struggles and make a postseason statement.

The biggest question surrounding Class D may be whether anyone can solve Randolph's defense.

With six teams chasing one sectional championship, the next two weeks promise to provide plenty of excitement across Western New York.