Class C Playoff Prediction

The Favorite

Southwestern/Frewsburg Trojan Bears

Overall Record (8-0), League (7-0)

The toughest opponent to date for SW/F was a non-playoff team in CSP, who held the high-powered SW/F offense to just 27 points. Other than that hiccup it’s been smooth sailing for the Trojan Bears. Somehow they’re the No. 2 seed in Class C. They’ve proved they can shut down explosive offenses already, if Eden/N Collins can get past Portville, next week could be a shootout.

The Contenders

Salamanca Warriors

Overall Record (5-3), League (4-3)

The defending champions will have to travel up to Barker/Roy-Hart for the first round. No stranger to travelling great distances, the Warriors, if healthy, have as good a shot as any in reaching Highmark. 

Eden/North Collins Raiders

Overall Record (7-1), League (6-1)

Featuring one of the top QB’s in WNY, Brady Waring can make all the throws. With the Nellis brothers creating all kinds of chaos for opposing defenses, this is a tough team to keep off the scoreboard. Defense has to improve if they want to win out.

Barker/Roy-Hart Bulls

Overall Record (7-1), League (6-0)

The top seeded Bulls host last year’s NYS semi-finalist and reigning Class C champion Salamanca. Barker/RH has emerged as one of the top teams in C thanks to a great defense, solid run game and excellent coaching. This is as good of an opportunity you're going to get to be great. The Raiders are hell bent on being great.

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton Eagles

Overall Record (7-1), League (6-1)

No stranger to winning big games, head coach Ty Harper brings a certain swag that his players have started to emulate. They can move the ball, score points but like Eden/NC have had issues stopping good offenses. The Eagles draw Akron in round 1, who has proven a lot of skeptics wrong. Me being one of the biggest. But I know Ty and he's bringing everything, including the kitchen sink to these playoffs. And who knows what Chris Payne has up his sleeve. Only a matter of time.

Dark Horse

Akron Tigers

Overall Record (6-2), League (5-1)

For a team that graduated so many seniors, this group never made excuses. The Akron Tigers came to play day in and day out and even though they drew a tough first round match-up, don’t discount their ability to win big games. Case in point two weeks ago against WNY Maritime/Tapestry, a program with a really good offense. Coach Gerstung and the boys deserve a ton of credit.

Portville Panthers

Overall Record (5-3), League (4-3)

The Panthers started the season 0-2 and put up zero points in those games. The season looked like it would be long and disappointing. At least to those outside of Portville. Inside the program the coaches and players rallied and came away with some big wins over Salamanca and then CSP. The win over the Wolfpack sent them to the postseason. Should the Panthers find a way to stall the Eden/NC offense they could do what Portville seems to do this time of year, which is pull off upsets. 

Long Shot

Medina Mustangs

Overall Record (6-2), League (4-2)

A great group of coaches and kids. A program that has been dominating C North for some time comes in as the 7th seed. Already low in numbers, not having their top weapon and going down to Southwestern and that offense? This truly is a David versus Goliath match-up. 

Stadium Prediction

Southwestern/Frewsburg 56, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton 33