Section VI Class A Football Final Preview

For the Health Sciences Falcons and McKinley Macks, Thursday’s game between the two schools for the Section VI Class A crown will be a battle with multiple meanings.

In the case of the Falcons, 2025 is the third consecutive season and sixth time overall they’ve reached Highmark Stadium to play for a sectional title. Health Sciences, which has won in Orchard Park in each of the last two years, is grateful for the chance according to coach Ty Parker.

“It's a great feeling to have the opportunity to play here – a lot of programs haven’t had the opportunity to play here once so we don't take this for granted,” Parker said. “We’re extremely humble and very appreciative to have the opportunity to play the last year here at Highmark Stadium.”

On McKinley’s end, coach Brian Davis has his squad in the championship game for the second year in a row and the Macks have one goal – finish what they couldn’t get done a year ago against Sweet Home.

“Being here is a huge accomplishment for our program and especially for our kids,” Davis said. “Doing this two times in a row, we’re trying to make this a habit. But we need to finish. Our whole focal point since the beginning of the season has been to finish, because we need to get over the hump.”

Both teams head into the game being known for having high-scoring offenses. With names like Kaivohn Pitts, Kevin Guy, Alante Green, Quincey Patterson and Donte Prewitt pacing the Falcons and Kalaugn Ford and Anthony Moore III each accounting for over 1,100 yards rushing, along with "X" factor Cardel Staples for the Macks, one would be forgiven for thinking that the scoreboard will automatically light up on Thursday night.

Yet for Parker’s team, his Falcons are also used to playing in close contests. Their Week Eight outing against Williamsville East, a 19-14 victory, proved that Health Sciences can not only hang in there in tough, low-scoring games but also win them.

“During the regular season we were rolling and putting up a lot of points and I felt like going into the playoffs, you’ve got to face some type of adversity,” Parker said. “I'm glad the Williamsville East game did it for us.

Ty Parker/Falcons HC

“It was senior night and the guys were on an emotional high. We didn’t come out and play Falcon football but at the end of the day, I'd rather (face that situation) in the regular season versus the playoffs. That was a learning moment for our guys that we’ve got to stay humble and hungry and never get complacent with what we're doing. So the guys bought into that, and I think that's what helped us play as well as we did the second time we played them in the playoffs (a 35-21 win a week ago at All High Stadium).”

On the flip side, Davis knows his roster can win those types of matchups too. Allowing 20 points in a game just twice all season, the Macks relish the chance to shut down the Falcons.

“Our defensive line and secondary are very, very good,” Davis said. “Especially our defense line, they're the heart of that unit. I feel like that they are the ones that are kind of putting the defense on its back and carrying us a little bit. They’ve performed very well for us.”

These two schools – who met in Week Five, a 44-20 victory for Health Sciences – know each other well, and expect each other’s best effort.

“They’ll be ready to play,” Parker said. “Brian Davis is a good coach and those guys are going to be fired up. We beat them pretty good the first time and I know some of those guys over there – some of their coaches are real close friends of mine – so I know they’ve got a sour taste in their mouth.

McKinley Macks/Media Day

“I’ve told our guys, we’ve got to be able to rise to the challenge and play our best football. Right now is the time where you play your best football of the season, and the team that minimizes mistakes and plays assignment football will come out victorious.”

Davis agreed.

“They’re undefeated right now, so they're playing some good football,” Davis said. “I think the rematch will be what everybody expected the first time we went against each other. You're going to see a really exciting football game.”