2015 New York high school football playoffs start with a bang

Video: Chase Pratt's highlights vs. Harrison High School
See the Rye High captain in action.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association football championship weekend is just over a month away, when titles will be awarded in classes AA and B (Sunday, Nov. 29) and classes A, C and D (Friday, Nov. 27) at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

With sectional playoff action underway, here are some notes from around the Empire State.

Rye, Harrison rivalry takes new turn



The Rye vs. Harrison rivalry, one of the most tradition-rich and heated in the state, took a brand-new turn in the 86-year history of the series. For the first time, the teams met in consecutive weeks.

After Rye pulled out a 28-14 win to end the regular season, the teams were paired off in the opening round of the Section 1 Class A playoffs, with Rye drawing the No. 1 seed and a home game.

"It was weird," Rye junior cornerback Will Hysnon said. "We didn't really see Harrison as the 16 seed, but that's what they came out as. It was just really fun to play them again. I know the seniors loved it."

Indeed. There was plenty to love for Rye, which this time jumped in front early and quickly pulled away for a 34-6 win – a far cry from the regular-season finale that featured a 14-14 halftime tie.

"Our coaches really gave us great preparation and our captain, Chase Pratt, really said it best," Hysnon said. "He said they (Harrison) came out and played with a lot of emotion in the first half of the first game. This time, we just didn't let them get any chances."

Rye will face Yorktown (Yorktown Heights) this weekend in the semifinals.



More familiar foes

Unbeaten Victor eliminated Webster Thomas (Webster) from the Section 5 Class AA playoffs for the second-straight season. Victor (8-0) won the teams' latest meeting, 41-22, and will now play Rush-Henrietta (Henrietta) in the semifinals on Sunday. Rush-Henrietta beat Pittsford in the quarterfinals, 35-28.

Meanwhile, in Section 9, senior quarterback Matt Chaffee tossed three touchdowns as Minisink Valley (Slate Hill) rolled past Warwick in the Class AA quarterfinals, 42-7. Minisink Valley (6-2) had lost to Warwick in the regular season, 9-6.

Defending state champ Jamestown stopped short

All-state quarterback Nikkolas Holland and defending Class AA state champ Jamestown had their share of ups and downs during the regular season. As a result, they drew the No. 3 seed in the Section 6 South Division. Any hopes of another run to the state final ended quickly, as Jamestown fell to No. 2 Niagara Falls in the quarterfinals, 14-12. Devan Jackson scored two touchdowns, rushing for 125 yards, for Niagara Falls, which advanced to this weekend's semifinals at Orchard Park.

Cazenovia starts postseason in style

Defending Section 3 champ Cazenovia, the top-ranked Class B team in the state, looks poised for another prolonged postseason run. Cazenovia started the playoffs with a 42-6 win against Westhill (Syracuse) in the quarterfinals.



The Lakers' trademarks – strong defense and balanced scoring – were once again the keys to the win. Tj Connellan gained 100 yards on 16 carries.

Cazenovia (8-0) will face Chittenango in the semifinals.

Greenwich's Brandow busts loose
 
Mike Brandow scored five touchdowns, gaining 167 yards, to lead Greenwich over Voorheesville in the Section 2 Class C quarterfinals, 55-7.

Joe Lombardi is director of media initiatives and managing editor of the DailyVoice.com, as well as the primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.