How could it not be?

The Red Raiders jumped out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and still led 28-6 three minutes into the third quarter only to watch as the Spartans scored four touchdowns in a little more than 14 minutes, including the final one on a 5-yard run by senior Kendal Donovan that capped a 99-yard drive with 2:03 remaining to pull them within 35-34. Then Williamsville North coach Paul Palizay opted to go for the 2-point conversion and the lead.

But a pair of Jamestown defenders — sophomore Aziyon Wilson-Earll and senior Sean O’Brien — had other ideas.

Wilson-Earll made initial contact with Donovan before the goal line and then O’Brien finished off the tackle. The Red Raiders recovered the onside kick and, from there, they ran out the clock.

The winner of tonight’s Class A championship game will play in next Saturday’s Far West Regional at the University of Rochester’s Fauver Stadium. P-J photo by Tim Frank

The two teams will renew acquaintances at 9 tonight when they square off in the Section VI Class A championship game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The winner advances to the Far West Regional against the Section V champion at Fauver Stadium in Rochester on Nov. 19.

“I think both teams have a lot in common,” Jamestown head coach Tom Langworthy said Tuesday during Section VI Media Day at the home of the Buffalo Bills. “I expect it to be a good game, expect it to be a battle. I think over the course of the season you’ve seen that Jamestown and Williamsville North have been the best teams in Class A, so it only makes sense that we play at the stadium.”

The Red Raiders (8-2), winners of eight straight, including a 55-8 semifinal rout of No. 6 Kenmore West, are the No. 2 seed, while the Spartans (7-3) enter at No. 4. Williamsville North advanced to the title game by virtue of a 34-13 win over No. 8 Clarence.

Offensively, the Red Raiders are comfortable running and passing the ball and have averaged 49 points per game during their winning streak. Against the Spartans six weeks ago, senior quarterback Trey Drake completed 16-of-24 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns; senior Darius Freeney caught seven passes for 210 yards and a pair of TDs; and junior Carsen Bane rushed for 90 yards on 13 carries and two more touchdowns.

For the season, Drake has passed for 2,189 yards, 25 touchdowns and only one interception, which came against Williamsville North. Freeney (36-725), sophomore Carson Panebianco (35-605), O’Brien (32-424) and senior Colin Melendez (35-405) are the primary receivers. Bane has rushed for 915 yards and 12 touchdowns, while senior Radon Wright has run for 574 yards and three scores behind an offensive line of Wilson-Earll, senior Brandon Lobb, junior Cole Joly, junior Aiden Deveraux and senior Aric Bloomquist.

Defensively, O’Brien has amassed a school-record 177 tackles this season, 17 of which came in the first meeting against the Spartans, while senior Mason McVinney (102) and Bane (92) have also been stout defenders. That trio will likely be in the middle of it all tonight as Williamsville North features a particularly potent running game.

Donovan leads the team with 1,153 yards rushing on 169 carries and 14 touchdowns, followed by senior quarterback Mitch Kelly (137-697-11). Kelly has completed 66-of-108 passes for 862 yards and 12 touchdowns, five of them to leading receiver DJ Leonard (26 catches, 380 yards), who is a junior.

“We’re a tough team, a physical team,” Palizay said. “We obviously can run the ball really well, but we’ve got receiving threats this year and a quarterback who is smart and knows where to put the ball. We’ve a very balanced team.”

Williamsville North’s defense is led by junior Rocco Urbanaczyk (66 tackles) and Kelly (62 tackles). Kelly and Leonard lead the team in interceptions with four apiece.

Palizay knows the Spartans will be tested.

“I’ve been at North for 15 years and Jamestown has always been a challenge as long as I’ve been there,” he said. “We’ve got a lot to prepare for.”

Langworthy has a similar take on Palizay’s team.

“I expect it to be a great game,” Langworthy said. “I expect it to be a battle, we know they’re a tremendous opponent and we have a lot of respect for them.”