Section VI Class AA Football Finals Preview

For the past five seasons the Bennett Tigers have been viewed as one of the favorites to win the Class AA title in Section VI. It’s no surprise to find them playing at Highmark in 2025. 

It was a surprise to see they weren’t playing in this game a season ago.

Jamestown stopped Bennett a week shy of playing in the championship, thanks to the hard running of then junior Chase Bonta.

So, it’s no surprise that the Jamestown Red & Green are standing in the way yet again of the Tigers' shot at winning their 4th Sectional title. 

The Tigers haven’t forgotten that and look to avenge the defeat from a year ago.

Bonta returns for his senior season and is a huge reason why the Red & Green are in this position for the second straight year.

Bonta has been the focal point of the offense this year, despite seeing far less touches than he did in 2024. Freshman Alaric Richardson has been able to take some pressure off the senior to an extent. 

Bonta was so dominant in games that Jamestown was able to keep him on the sideline in the second half. Resting Bonta in the 2nd half during the regular season is starting to pay dividends. 

In both playoff victories, Bonta compiled almost 400 yards rushing, and averaged over 7 yards per carry. He also rushed for 6 touchdowns. 

On the flipside, Bennett’s Jimmy Valentine has been nothing short of spectacular in a similar role. The senior tailback averages just shy of 9 yards per carry. He’s been a top performer in the Section for the entire season. 

Lately, the Tigers have been including junior Dontre Hampton into the fold. Last week against Lancaster he rushed for 211 yards and scored 4 TDs on 12 carries. Jack Eskridge IV, one of the quickest and most explosive receivers in WNY will test the Red & Green secondary.

These two teams are similar in that they are both big and athletic up front and play aggressive on defense.

Not too many teams have been able to run (or pass) against this Tigers defense. Dontre Hampton, Jason Hargrove, Nyree Feaster, Nah'sir Tillmon, Tizjon Johnson and Na’Cere Johnson have all turned in standout performances this season. 

Against Lancaster they gave up a total of 20 points in 2 games, they held Jamestown to 7 points. 

The Red & Green gave Bennett a game back in week 5, losing 14-7. Jamestown knows how to play the Tigers, speaking to members of the team on Tuesday at Media Day, the Red & Green felt very confident heading into the Sectional final.

A few guys that the Red & Green will be looking to take some of the pressure off of Bonta are Richardson, wideout and special teams ace Jericho Thaggard, who is also a solid cover man and Luis Diaz. 

Diaz, like Bonta, Thaggard and Richardson is another dynamic two-way player that has carried the ball effectively and leads the team in total tackles (95). Collectively the Jamestown defense has forced 24 turnovers and scored seven touchdowns. Asziah Watson leads the team with 3.5 sacks.

This has all the makings of an instant classic.

Feature Image/Shawn Turri ~ WNYAthletics

Additional Images/Emily Croisdale ~ WNYAthletics