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Wolfpack, Titans Headline Big Night

Clymer/Sherman/Panama quarterback Gerrit Hinsdale has directed the state’s top-ranked Class D team to 15 straight victories. P-J file photo by Scott Kindberg

It’s only Week 3 of the high school football season, but several of the matchups this weekend have a decided playoff feel to them.

It begins in Class D.

At 7 tonight, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, the defending state champs, the owners of a 15-game winning streak and the classification’s top-ranked team, according to the New York State Sportswriters Association, will take on No. 6 Franklinville/Ellicottville at Ellicottville Central School. Both teams are 2-0 and both are coming off impressive victories.

Behind the play of senior quarterback Gerrit Hinsdale, the Wolfpack routed Silver Creek/Forestville, 53-12, last Saturday. Hinsdale completed 7 of 10 passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns; Connor Cooper rushed for 75 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run; and Derek Sears added 68 yards on the ground. Defensively, C/S/P surrendered only 159 yards.

Tonight will be a more difficult test.

Franklinville/Ellicottville quarterback Logan Frank rushed for 177 yards and scored three touchdowns in last week’s victory over Randolph. P-J file photo by Valory S. Isaacson

The Titans are on a roll.

In a 28-7 victory at Randolph last Friday, Franklinville/Ellicottville yielded only 57 yards. Offensively, it was led by quarterback Logan Frank, who rushed for 177 yards on 20 carries, including three touchdowns; and Jordan Grinols, who added 101 yards on 14 carries.

But there’s more on the high school gridiron docket this evening.

Southwestern (2-0), the third-ranked Class C team in the state, will entertain Allegany-Limestone, while Jamestown (2-0), No. 22 in the Class AA poll, will travel to Buffalo to take on honorable-mention Bennett (1-1) at All-High Stadium.

The Trojans are coming off a convincing, 40-8, win at Portville. Offensively, the running back duo of Tywon Wright and Conrad Thomas combined for 251 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Thomas led the defense with 12 tackles, including four for loss, while Cooper Pannes had 11 stops, including one for negative yardage. Admission to the game is free.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders travel north for an important Class AA game against the Tigers. Continued strong play on both sides of the ball will help.

Last week against Hutch Tech at Strider Field, Jamestown raced to a 32-0 lead in the third quarter en route to a 39-13 victory. Savon VanSickle (122 yards rushing, three touchdowns); Demarri Jones (113 yards, one touchdown); and Jaylen Butera (41 yards, two touchdowns) dominated behind a stout offensive line. Defensively, Butera picked off a pair of passes, and Jones, Joshua Tonkin and Cam’ron Mayes all finished with six tackles.

“Big game, big showdown, big test, great timing,” Jamestown coach Tom Langworthy said of the matchup with Bennett. “It’s early in the year, but we’ve got a couple games under our belt (Bennett) is a contender, but I think we’re pretty good. I want to see how we match up.”

Those matchups are pretty sweet, indeed.

And, then there are those teams which are just getting their seasons started. Maple Grove and Frewsburg will debut as eight-man programs tonight. The Red Dragons will entertain Section V’s Oakfield/Alabama/Elba, while the Bears will play host to Section V’s Pembroke.

STATE RANKINGS

CROSS COUNTRY

The Maple Grove boys are ranked third and Randolph is 19th in Class D, per the NYSSWA. Southwestern is No. 7 and Falconer at No. 12 in Class C.

Among the girls teams, Maple Grove is third and Clymer/Sherman/Panama is fifth in Class D; and Silver Creek is 12th and Allegany-Limestone is 23rd in Class C.

SOCCER

Maple Grove tops area boys teams, finding itself third in Class C, followed by Westfield/Brocton at No. 9. In Class D, Pine Valley is 14th.

Among the girls teams, Allegany-Limestone is 14th in Class B where Falconer/Cassadaga Valley is an honorable-mention choice. Westfield is 13th in Class C, and Chautauqua Lake and Portville are honorable mention.

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