Emily Zaranek (9) and the Falconer Golden Falcons are ranked No. 4 in Class C in the opening rankings by the New York Volleyball Coaches Association. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

Seven local teams find themselves recognized as the New York State Sportswriters Association released its first football rankings of the season.

The highest-ranked team locally is Southwestern/Frewsburg, which opened at No. 8 in Class C. The Trojans, who beat Cleveland Hill in Week 1 and Fredonia this past Friday will host Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg in Class C South action tonight on Charles A. Lawson Field.

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton is No. 13 in Class C, also with a 2-0 start to the season. The Eagles topped Tonawanda in Week 1 and Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg last week. They will host Springville on Friday night.

Salamanca, which lost last year’s Class C state championship game 26-20 to Schuylerville, is listed as honorable mention in the opening rankings with a 2-0 record. The Warriors, who beat Olean in Week 1 and Springville last week, will host Clymer/Sherman/Panama on Friday.

In Class D, Gowanda/Pine Valley is No. 9 after starting the season 2-0, but one of those wins was a forfeit by Silver Creek/Forestville last week. The Panthers opened the season with a victory over Akron and host Wilson on Friday.

Franklinville/Ellicottville and Randolph are listed as honorable mention in Class D. The Titans are 0-2 with losses to Clymer/Sherman/Panama and Newfane while the Cardinals are 2-0 with wins over Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove and Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale. Franklinville/Ellicottville travels to Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale tonight while Randolph is scheduled to play at Silver Creek/Forestville on Friday.

Jamestown is listed as honorable mention in Class AA after starting the season 1-1. The Red & Green opened the season with a victory over Williamsville North, but lost to St. Joe’s this past Saturday. Jamestown hosts Class AA No. 25 Lancaster on Friday at Strider Field.

Other Western New York teams in the rankings include: No. 14 Canisius, No. 17 St. Francis, No. 19 St. Joe’s, No. 25 Lancaster and honorable-mention Bennett and Niagara Falls in Class AA; No. 8 Health Sciences/Buffalo Academy of Science/Global Concepts, No. 23 McKinley and honorable-mention Clarence in Class A; No. 20 West Seneca East and honorable-mentions Iroquois, Lackawanna and Williamsville South in Class B; honorable-mentions Eden/North Collins and Medina in Class C; and No. 6 Newfane and honorable-mention Wilson in Class D.

The No. 1 teams in the state are: Iona Prep of New York City’s Catholic High School League in Class AA, Section VIII Garden City in Class A, Section IX Port Jervis in Class B, Section IV Chenango Forks in Class C and Section IV Delhi in Class D.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Five local teams have found themselves honored in the initial New York Volleyball Coaches Association’s girls volleyball rankings.

Ellicottville is the top-ranked team in the state in Class D, followed by No. 3 Brocton and No. 5 Clymer.

The Eagles are 4-3 on the season and will wrap up this week with a match at Springville on Friday. The Bulldogs are 4-0 on the season and will visit Salamanca on Friday. The Pirates are 2-3 and visit Sherman today before hosting Maple Grove on Friday.

In Class C, Chautauqua Lake is No. 3 and Falconer is No. 4.

The Eagles, playing an independent schedule this season, are 5-1 after beating Lake Shore on Wednesday night. The Golden Falcons are 6-1 after sweeping Fredonia on Monday night.

Other Western New York teams in the rankings include: No. 2 Lancaster in Class AAA; No. 2 Orchard Park and No. 8 Williamsville North in Class AA; No. 3 Williamsville South and No. 10 Hamburg in Class A; No. 8 Royalton-Hartland in Class B; No. 1 Portville and honorable-mention Newfane in Class C.

The No. 1 teams in the state are: Section II Shenendehowa in Class AAA, Section V Webster Schroeder in Class AA, Section V Pittsford Sutherland in Class A, Section IV Windsor in Class B and Section VI Portville in Class C.

BOYS SOCCER

Maple Grove is the only local team to find itself in the boys soccer rankings, coming in at No. 6 in Class D.

The Red Dragons are 3-2-0 on the season after losing to Westfield/Brocton on Tuesday. They will host Chautauqua Lake on Thursday.

Other Western New York teams in the rankings include: Section 11 Lancaster in Class AAA; No. 9 Clarence and No. 12 Williamsville East in Class AA; No. 4 East Aurora and No. 15 Grand Island; No. 7 Lafayette, No. 12 Springville and No. 19 Medina in Class B; and No. 4 Wilson and No. 14 Allegany-Limestone in Class C.

The No. 1 teams in the state are: Section V Fairport in Class AAA, Section VIII Garden City in Class AA, Section V Pittsford Mendon in Class A, Section III Westhill in Class B, Section I North Salem in Class C and Section III Hamilton in Class D.