CLASS AA
WINNER: Shaker - We've already talked about Shaker here on this blog, but they get another nod for the manner they disposed of Bethlehem and now are in position to win the division with a win over rival Colonie on Friday.
LOSER: Schenectady - Had the Patriots been better with their extra point conversions, we could be talking about them being in a comfortable position entering the final week of the season to make the playoffs. Instead they must win their Week 7 game against LaSalle. A loss eliminates them with no chance for outside help.
Games To Watch
Saratoga Springs (3-3) at Ballston Spa (2-4) - Fri, 7PM: The good news is that Saratoga Springs holds the tiebreaker over Guilderland should they lose, but the bad news would be that if that situation comes to be, they'll be possibly making a trip south to Shaker for the first round, a team who already beat the Blue Streaks this season. Ballston Spa needs the win to get in.
Colonie (4-2) at Shaker (5-1) - Fri, 7PM: Another year where the Colonie Cup will come into play when it comes to playoff seeding. And this time it's for the top spot in the Liberty Division. Shaker has rattled off five straight wins since losing to CBA to start the season, whereas Colonie could wind up with any of the four seeds with this game. A win guarantees them the #1 seed, but a loss could throw Colonie into a Week 8 meeting at Shenendehowa.
LaSalle (2-4) at Schenectady (3-3) - Fri, 7PM: And this is the game that could throw Colonie as far down as the #4 seed. A LaSalle win over Schenectady will clinch their berth into the playoffs. Where they end up as far as seeding is concerned depends on the Colonie/Shaker game as well as the Bethlehem/Columbia game. Schenectady will have one seed if they win, the #4 seed.
Bethlehem (4-2) at Columbia (1-5) - Fri, 7PM: Back-to-back losses against Colonie and Shaker has Bethlehem in a position where if they make the playoffs, they're going to have to play on the road next week. The Eagles do not want to open the Quarterfinals against Shenendehowa.
CLASS A
WINNER: Amsterdam - The Rugged Rams were critiqued heavily by onlookers after dropping their first game against Cornwall, and those same came out in masses when they lost to Averill Park. But last Friday's win against Troy was a statement that the Rugged Rams aren't dead. And now they have the chance to play for the #1 seed.
LOSER: Troy - It was going to be a season of change for the Troy Flying Horses, but how bad the change was going to affect them on the field is becoming more extreme with each loss. After losses to Bishop Maginn and Amsterdam, the Flying Horses have no chance at playing at home next week, and now find themselves playing Burnt Hills or Queensbury on the road -- two teams the Flying Horses fell to handily in the regular season.
Games To Watch
Queensbury (6-0) at Burnt Hills (5-1) - Fri, 7PM: The two games between Spartans last year remained close and dramatic until the very end -- with Queensbury coming out winners both times. Many are already talking as these will be the two teams left standing come Week 10. The winner gets the #1 seed and will be guaranteed to play at home in Week 9, but the loser will likely face a road game should they win their first round sectional game.
Bishop Maginn (6-0) at Amsterdam (4-2) - Fri, 7PM: If Bishop Maginn is to walk into the playoffs with the #1 seed, they first must walk out of Amsterdam with a win. Bishop Maginn can fare no worse than a #2 seed, but Amsterdam can drop down to having to face Burnt Hills or Queensbury in the first round as they lose the tiebreaker against Averill Park.
Averill Park (4-2) at Scotia (4-2) - Fri, 7PM: With the right recipe, this could be the start of a home-and-home series, with Averill Park potentially possessing the Southeast's #2 seed and the Scotia Tartans guaranteed the Northwest's #3 seed. You probably will see some chess maneuvering that you wouldn't otherwise see, with either team not wanting to release too much of their playbook in the event both will meet the following week.
South Glens Falls (1-5) at Gloversville (2-4) - Fri, 7PM: One playoff spot in Class A isn't set in stone. The winner of this game will be awarded the #4 seed and will travel to either Bishop Maginn or Amsterdam for the first round next week. The loser is out of the playoffs and will be playing a crossover game.
CLASS B
WINNER: Cohoes - Exiting their non-divisional game against the Glens Falls Indians, the Tigers looked soft. They had just lost 40-20 to fall to 1-3. Since then, the Tigers have won back-to-back games and now find themselves with an opportunity to snatch the #2 seed from Ravena with a win over the Indians at their home debut this Friday night.
LOSER: Johnstown - It was a non-divisional game, but a big statement could have been made had Johnstown held onto their 28-20 lead in the 4th quarter against Ravena. The Sir Bills, still pushing for their first winning season in nearly 20 years, turned the ball over and yielded two quick touchdowns to give the Indians the victory.
Games To Watch
Ravena (5-1) at Cohoes (3-3) - Fri, 7PM: The Cohoes Tigers have spent all season on the road and are finally coming home after renovations to their field. And what a big game they will face on their homecoming under portable lights - a chance to snatch away the #2 seed in the Reinfurt Division from the Ravena Indians. Winner will get to stay at home next week.
Hudson Falls (3-3) at Broadalbin-Perth (4-2) - Fri, 7PM: The Hudson Falls Tigers can make things easier on themselves with a win over the Patriots, as that would secure a playoff spot without having to play spectator at the following day's Johnstown/Glens Falls game. And with the right ingredients, the Tigers could turn what could be a trip to Rotterdam into a home date next weekend. Broadalbin-Perth cannot be the #1 team, but can secure their #2 seed with a win at home.
Johnstown (3-3) at Glens Falls (2-4) - Sat, 1:30PM: Last year, the Glens Falls Indians lost their home finale, but still got outside help to continue their playoff streak. This year, the Indians are on their own. They need a win, otherwise they will miss the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades. Johnstown isn't in yet, but a win will push them through to the playoffs. A loss won't doom them if Broadalbin-Perth beats Hudson Falls, as it would push them into a three-way tie where they hope their quarter points are sufficient enough to make Hudson Falls's loss back in Week 2 matter.
Hudson (2-4) at Albany Academy (2-4) - Sat, 1:30PM: The winner of this game will win the right to travel to Schuylerville for the Quarterfinals next Friday as the Reinfurt's #4 seed. The loser is out of the playoffs, and will play a crossover game next week.
CLASS C
WINNER: Fonda - The Braves played Westhill strong back in Week 1 at the Carrier Dome. And held strong against Coxsackie-Athens in the first half before blowing the game open in the second half. Fonda's playing some great football since their trip to Syracuse and could arguably be the best team in Class C right now, even above Hoosick Falls. The Braves have allowed only 34 points since Week 1, while averaging over 50 points per game since.
LOSER: Corinth - After back-to-back tough games against Greenwich and Hoosick Falls (and Schuylerville in week 2), the Corinth Tomahawks could have enjoyed homecoming with a tune-up against Schoburg to get them ready for Fonda this week. However, that game disappeared as Schoburg was forced to forfeit due to injuries. This week will provide a challenge for Corinth, and it doesn't get any easier from here on out with the playoffs around the corner.
Games To Watch
Fonda (5-1) at Corinth (4-2) - Fri, 7:00PM: Fonda's locked in as one of the top 3 seeds, and Corinth is locked in as one of the middle 3 seeds for the postseason. So this match could very well be a preview for a playoff game. With that said, Corinth will be fighting hard after not getting to play last week, and Fonda will want to continue making a statement in Section 2.
Mechanicville (5-1) at Holy Trinity (4-2) - Sat, 1:00PM: The winner clinches the #2 spot in the Central Division, and the loser has to hope their resume is well enough to grab one of the two wild card spots. Greenwich and Chatham will be watching this game closely as their playoff chances could hang in the balance.
CLASS D
WINNER: Cambridge - After their 21-19 loss to Whitehall in the rain two weeks ago, the Indians bounced back in a big way with their win over Warrensburg. Ethan English was perfect, Caleb Rowland and Chris Warnke provided English with big plays, and the Cambridge Indians made a statement that the loss at Ambrose Gilligan Field was a small setback and that the Indians are still a contender for the Class D Sectional title.
LOSER: Whitehall - Meanwhile, the Whitehall Railroaders looked well on their way to a 6-0 start by building a 20-0 lead in the first quarter against Hoosic Valley. But then it fell apart, as the Railroaders allowed 27 unanswered points to trail 27-20 in the third quarter. Justin Hoagland's kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Railroaders hope to tie the game, but Justin Culligan went for two on a pass attempt, and never saw the lead again as the pass failed.
Games To Watch
Rensselaer (4-2) at Whitehall (5-1) - Sat, 1:00PM: So, according to The Post-Star's Pete Tobey, Whitehall should have enough quarter points should that they lose the game against the Rams, their head-to-head against Cambridge in the first tiebreaker in the quarter points system will yield them the #1 seed. But after losing to Hoosic Valley, the Railroaders are going to want to make sure they're ready for the playoffs. Remember, they narrowly beat Canajoharie in Week 1 on a goal-line stance, therefore Justin Culligan will want to make sure that the team is freshly prepped for the battle come Week 9.
Hoosic Valley (5-1) at Cambridge (5-1) - Sat, 1:00PM: Hoosic Valley finishes off the season with an explosive Cambridge Indians offense that, like Whitehall, will want to use this game to gear up for the playoffs come two weeks from this weekend. The Indians are having an exceptional season, and are hoping to give it an exclamation point with a win over one of the perennial teams to beat.
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