If the NYSPHSAA teams in action last weekend weren't playing for sectional championships, chances are they were playing in the postseason or in games with huge playoff implications.
Let's take a look at some storylines that cover all three scenarios:
New York football computer rankings by class and overall.
East beats West - again: There is no shortage of storylines whenever Suffolk County intra-district rivals Smithtown East and Smithtown West meet, no matter what the sport. Such was the case last Saturday as Smithtown East pulled away for a 40-16 football victory that clinched a Long Island playoff spot and a home game in the first round. The win was Smithtown East's first in the rivalry since the schools split back in 2005.
It was also especially sweet for the East-Side Bull players that were part of an 11-10 win over Smithtown West in lacrosse last May 1, which was West's first loss after an 11-0 start, and gave Smithtown East a big lift in its run to a first-ever Long Island championship.
One of those players was midfielder John Daniggelis, who led the football Bulls once again from his quarterback position. Daniggelis was questionable for the game after missing Smithtown East's previous game with turf toe that was thought to be severe. But after a trip to the Hospital for Special Surgery, he was cleared to play, though his status remains week-to-week.
As a three-year varsity starter in both sports, Daniggelis is accustomed to the buildup leading into the games.
"It only fuels our determination and desire on the field, but once it's over, our mutual respect for one another and our bonds we created as youth players seem to kick back in," said Daniggelis, who threw for 110 yards and rushed for another 65. "That is, of course, until we meet again in the spring."
See video highlights of the Smithtown East vs Smithtown West football game
here.
All New York photo galleries.Warmack's ‘Great Eight' sets Section 3 standard: Utica Notre Dame senior quarterback
Kevin Warmack scored eight – count 'em, eight – touchdowns, a Section 3 record, in a 52-40 win over General Brown in the Class C semifinals Friday night. Warmack is a three-year varsity starter at QB and defensive back, who is also a point guard in basketball.
See video of the game here.
Austin Neal, South Park
Photo by Bertram Smith
Highland's boys soccer team beat Onteora, 3-0, to win its first Section 9 title since 1997 and advance to
the NYSPHSAA Class B tournament. Senior midfielder Joseph Dolan had one goal and one assist for Highland, which will play Section 1's Rye Neck in the opening round at Middletown's Faller Field on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
South Park's next episode will be at The Ralph: South Park became the first Buffalo Public School League football team to advance to a Section 6 title game by beating Hamburg, 19-10, in the semifinals. South Park will face Sweet Home for the Class A championship on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Ralph Wilson Stadium. William Burgess and Austin Neal combined for 213 yards rushing.
Sweet Home is ranked No. 2 in the state in Class A, South Park No. 6.
NYSPHSAA Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets.Honeoye Falls-Lima wins Section 5 title-game thriller: Alex Ptucha's penalty kick in the first overtime lifted
Honeoye Falls-Lima to a 2-1 win against Pittsford Sutherland in the Section 5 Class A2 boys soccer title game. Alex Delmerico was the title-game MVP. Pittsford Sutherland also lost on a penalty kick in last year's title game, falling by the same 2-1 score to Pittsford Mendon.
First things first for Sachem East: Junior Alexandra DeCicco took the individual title to lead Sachem East to its first-ever Suffolk County Class A cross country championship. DeCicco, who finished in 19:33.55, will join her teammates at the NYSPHSAA championships Saturday, Nov. 8 at SUNY Canton.
Another year, another title for Warwick: One of the most impressive streaks in the state has been extended as Warwick won its 17th straight Section 9 boys cross country title, outdistancing Monroe-Woodbury, 37-68.
NYSPHSAA Girls Soccer Playoff Brackets.
Scoring leader helps Poland spring to girls soccer title:
Mikayla Blumenstock scored three times, giving her 46 goals on the season, as Poland beat Copenhagen, 4-2, to win the Section 3 Class D girls soccer title. Poland
draws a bye for the first round of the NYSPHSAA tournament.
Sectional champ Jamesville-DeWitt stays unbeaten: A dominating defensive effort lifted Jamesville-DeWitt to a 2-0 win in the Section 3 Class A girls soccer championship game, improving the Red Rams' record to 18-0-1 heading into
this week's state regionals against Scotia-Glenville.Return to glory in Patriot Nation: Kevin Turi's goal on a breakaway in overtime gave John Jay-East Fishkill a 2-1 win over Mamaroneck in the Section 1 Class A boys soccer title game. It was the Patriots' first sectional championship since 2008.
NYSPHSAA Football Playoff Brackets.
Quarterback Tyree Brown has South Park headed to the Section 6 Class A final on Thursday night at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Sparks are the first Buffalo public school to reach a sectional championship in football.
Photo by Bertram Smith
