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Ralph Wilson Stadium previews
Class A Final
Central vs. Sweet Home
Central and Sweet Home both come into tonight's game undefeated at 9-0. Neither team had an easy time in last weekend's Section VI semifinals, as the Warriors won 26-18 against Grand Island and the Panthers escaped Iroquois with a 25-20 victory.
Central, which finished 6-0 in Class A South, is making its first trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium, while Sweet Home is making its third straight appearance. The Warriors have gotten big contributions from running backs Jaleel Harris (junior) and Nick McClean (sophomore), with each capable of breaking a big play at any time with their great speed. Also, junior running back Pat Eck has picked up tough first downs in big spots.
Senior quarterback Adam Piscitello has developed into a star this season, finishing as one of the Warriors' top runners in an option offense. He also possesses a strong arm and often looks for tall, bigplay receiver Andrew Charvat, who is a 6-foot, 3-inch threat at the wideout position.
Defensively, Charvat, Eack and senior Dante Parker have anchored the secondary, while seniors Jake Havernick and Brandon Hammer and junior Blair Bell have provided steady play up front.
McClean has also shown consistency on field goals and extra points this season.
Sweet Home (6-0 in Class A North) is led primarily by senior running back Marcus Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards this fall. However, starting quarterback Casey Kacz sustained a knee injury against Iroquois and will likely be a game-time decision against Central.
Panthers head coach John Faller, who is coaching his seventh Class A championship game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, said he expects Central to come out strong.
"They're going to be really hungry because it's their first time at the Stadium," Faller said of the Warriors. "They're a tough group of kids."
Faller added that his team's top receivers are Will Reese and Noah Nwachukwu, who each hauled in 20 receptions for nearly 400 yards.
Defensively, he listed Nick Chrisman and Andy Hopkins as Sweet Home's top linemen.
Class B Final
Depew vs. East Aurora
The Dan McGrath-led Wildcats (8-1 overall, 6-0 in Class B North) have been on a tremendous roll since a season-opening loss to Central. Eight wins later, Depew is making its fourth trip to "The Ralph" and is still seeking its first win there.
The Wildcats and Blue Devils have traveled basically the same paths in recent years, as the squads paired off in the 2005 Class B Consolation Bowl final, won by Depew, 14-0. In 2006, each team was eliminated in the "B" semifinals, with the 'Cats falling to Lackawanna and East Aurora losing in overtime at Maryvale.
Although both E.A. and Depew graduated significant amounts of contributors from last season's roster, each squad has surprised in league play by winning their respective divisions this fall.
The running back tandem of junior Dan Gorski (800 yards) and senior Matt Strychalski (691 yards) has been lethal, and senior slot back Greg Osika managed to compile 400 rushing yards.
Junior quarterback Joe Christiano has been solid when called upon to throw, often looking in the direction of Osika or tight end Andrew Hardy. The 'Cats' massive offensive line, led by 250-pound-plus seniors Kevin Dudkowski and Jon Bayerl, has manhandled opposing squads this fall.
Depew has averaged a whopping 260 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Harry Sugg has overseen a unit that has been flatout dominant this fall. Dudkowski, Bayerl, senior linebacker Ross Cole and Osika have harassed quarterbacks and provide surehanded tackling. In the secondary, junior defensive back Nelson Holland has stepped up big over the second half of the season.
East Aurora, which is coached by Tim Wade, is led offensively by junior quarterback Scott Drosendahl, who has thrown 20 touchdowns this fall, including 14 scoring strikes to senior wide receiver Shane Biggs.
The Blue Devils have made just one appearance at The Ralph, losing to Salamanca while in Class C in 1996. Depew's last appearance was in 1987, under the guidance of the late Frank Constantino.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Class C Final Cleveland Hill vs. Falconer
Cleve Hill and Falconer, who both sport records of 7-2, each head into tomorrow's Class C championship on five-game winning streaks.
The trip the "The Ralph" is the Eagles' first since 2003, last winning the title in 2000. Falconer has made trips to the stadium in four of the last six years, experiences Golden Falcons head coach Dan Krentzer said gives his team immeasurable game knowledge.
"It absolutely helps," Krentzer said of having played recently at The Ralph. "It's a different type of game. The first time we went there, we played and coached differently. We learned how to react to that type of environment."
Graham, who is making his first coaching experience at The Ralph, said his team is wary of Falconer's experience, which includes an appearance in the Class C state finals in 2006.
"They're got a solid, run-first scheme," said Graham. "We have a lot of respect for what they've accomplished."
The Eagles' junior tandem of quarterback Rhakeem Wiggins (1,066 rushing yards) and running back Peter Westbrooks (994 yards, 7.53 per-carry average) has given opposing teams fits. Cleve Hill almost exclusively runs an option offense, one that Krentzer expects to be a threat against his squad.
"They'd be crazy not to (run their typical offense) against us," Krentzer told the Times. "(Westbrooks and Wiggins) are both extremely talented athletes."
Cleve Hill's defense has been led by junior linebacker James Griffin, the team leader in tackles, as well as defensive linemen Mike Golombek, Zack Eldridge and Curtis Hairston.
For Falconer, running back Austin Spicer leads a balanced backfield. Krentzer said the strength of his team on both sides of the ball is its unselfishness.
"There are no superstars on this team," said Krentzer, whose squad features eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters who played significant roles on last season's state-qualifying team. "Everything is spread out. It's very nice to coach a group of guys that will do anything to help the team win."
Kickoff tomorrow is at 7 p.m., following the Depew-E.A. contest.
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