Bennett Tigers (2-1, 2-0) at Williamsville North (2-1, 1-1) – Class AA
Friday 7pm
The Tigers are coming off their biggest win of the season while the Spartans are coming off their first loss.
Bennett’s line dominated last weekend versus Clarence while Williamsville North lost a close game to Lancaster. The Tigers have a great ground attack; Djae Perry and Semaj Clemons in particular are eating up yards. The Spartans defense however will be a tougher test on Friday.
Will North does not want to fall to 1-2 in the division. Expect Dylan Kelly and Scott Becht to have their teammates ready to go.
Starpoint Spartans (3-0, 2-0) at West Seneca East (3-0, 2-0) – Class A3
Friday 7pm
Nobody has been able to slow down the Starpoint offense this season. They’ve scored the second most points (144) of any team in WNY (CSP – 155). The Spartans take on division foe West Seneca East Friday in a battle of unbeaten.
Head coach Jim Maurino will have the Trojans ready to face this challenge head on. Senior QB/LB Shaun Dolac will put it all out there but will need every one of his teammates to do the same if they want to knock off the Spartans Friday.
Pioneer Panthers (3-0, 3-0) at Cheektowaga Warriors (3-0, 3-0) – Class B1
Friday 7pm
Another game featuring two unbeaten teams. The Warriors might be one of the most exciting teams to watch in WNY. Through three games their defense has not given up a point.
Mike Rigerman, the Pioneer running back has not been denied. He scored 8 touchdowns the past two weeks against division opponents Iroquois and Maryvale.
Expect the Panthers to use the same game plan that helped them bring down Maryvale last week. The Pioneer ground game was pivotal in keeping the Flyers offense off the field. Pioneer’s offensive line is big and strong and will be a good match for Cheektowaga.
The Warriors have 2017 Connolly Cup finalist Keshone Beal still and he has been every bit as dangerous as Rigerman, perhaps more so. Beal has a cannon for an arm and a solid receiving corp.
This is the game you’ll want to keep tabs on.
McKinley Macks (1-2, 1-1) at Kenmore East Bulldogs (1-2, 1-1)
Friday 7pm at Sparky Adams Field
I can’t remember a big game involving the Kenmore East Bulldogs but that’s what you have Friday night. Both the Macks and Bulldogs play in the wide-open A2 division where all 7 teams have a legit shot of finishing on top.
The Macks have two of the better players in WNY in Kaiyer Fields and Taivon Martin. These two could really light up a scoreboard if you let them. Ken-East has been playing well this season, despite the record. They lost two close games they easily could have won. It’s possible the Bulldogs turned a corner last week when they defeated North Tonawanda.
Senior running back Danzo Young and his classmate Nate Murdie (QB) are playing at a high level, along with junior Dom Ferguson (RB/LB) who is starting to excel at the varsity level.
This is an interesting game due to playoff implications. Neither team can really afford to lose another game to a division opponent.
Cardinal O’Hara (0-0, 2-1) at St. Francis Red Raiders (0-0, 1-2)
Saturday 1pm
Some questions will be answered after these two Monsignor Martin schools go at it. St. Francis picked up an impressive road win last Friday over Walsh Jesuit, overcoming a 21-0 first half deficit. Sophomore quarterback Jake Ritts, by all accounts, seems to be the real deal.
Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to build momentum after winning their second consecutive game. Brandon Broadnax and Jermaine Haynes seem to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting but their offensive line, anchored by Steven Boyd and Remir Velazquez, are giving O’Hara their identity.
CJ masters isn’t too shabby either; the O’Hara junior qb tossed a couple TD’s last week in the win over Tioga. This has the makings of a high scoring game.
Best of the Rest
Clarence at Lancaster – Clarence already has two losses to division opponents)
Williamsville East at Sweet Home – A win puts the Panthers back into the mix)
Grand Island at North Tonawanda – Sionko’s return spells doom for A2 opponents)
Niagara Wheatfield at Jamestown – That’s a long bus ride for an undefeated team, easy to lose focus)
Lake Shore at Lew-Port – Can Lake Shore win 2 in a row?)
CSP at Salamanca – The Wolfpack need to stay focused. Everyone in D is gunning for them now)
Catt/Little Valley at Maple Grove – Nobody wants to draw CSP in round 1, C-LV needs a win here)
Lockport at Orchard Park – Will someone recognize Jack Sharp please?
Gowanda/Pine Valley at Wilson – Solid Class C-North match-up