SYRACUSE - Randolph's decisive victory over Maple Grove last week for the Section 6 Class D football title has earned the squad some much-deserved praise in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association poll.
The Cardinals (8-2), who have now won seven straight games and recently earned their first sectional crown in three years, rose from No. 8 to No. 4 in the class while knocking Maple Grove, which had gone undefeated throughout the season, from its longtime perch atop the poll to No. 6.
Randolph's next foe, Avon, of Section 5, is No. 2 at 9-1 overall. The two squads square off in the Far West Regionals today at All High Stadium at 5 p.m.
Ellicottville (7-2), the Class DD champions, and Clymer (7-2), the Class DD runnersup, are honorable mentions in Class D.
In Class AA, Jamestown dropped a modest seven places to No. 15 following their title-game defeat at the hands of now eighth-ranked Orchard Park while in Class C Fredonia, which suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to Cleveland Hill last week, is No. 15 as well.
In boys soccer, meanwhile, the area's last remaining squad, Maple Grove (18-1-1), rose two places to No. 10 in Class C after they edged I-Prep in double overtime to clinch a place in the Far West Regional, slated to be played today at 5 p.m. at Hamburg High School against Section 5 champion, and fourth-ranked, William-son (18-0-2).
Also making the rankings are Randolph (15-2), No. 16 in Class C, and North Collins (13-3), No. 5 in Class D.
Finally, little changed in the boys and girls cross country rankings ahead of this weekend's state meet at Elma Meadows Golf Course.
The Maple Grove girls remained undefeated and atop the list in Class D, a spot ahead of rival Greenwich of Section 2, and the boys the boys held steady at No. 4.
Behind the Lady Red Dragons, Sherman is No. 8 and Silver Creek No. 10.
In Class B, the Fredonia Lady Hillbillies are still the second-ranked squad behind Section 1's Bronxville.