Section 4 football playoffs loom, but a bit of business still remains
With elimination games a weekend away, Section 4 Football Conference members in Divisions I through V include two unbeaten teams and three once-beatens, all with high aspirations.
The late-October weather forecast is about as favorable as it can be, so it would appear no issues are ahead on that front – as opposed to last weekend.
Here, a sprinkling of highlighted matchups:
Horseheads at Corning, 6:30 Friday
While all Division I members will close the regular season short of a winning overall record, Corning can arrive at 4-4 by getting past Horseheads (6-2).
The Blue Raiders’ second loss was served by Vestal last weekend, 28-7, marking Horseheads’ second-lowest scoring output of the season. The low came in an 8-3 setback against Elmira – both losses absorbed at home.
Vestal at Binghamton, 7 p.m. Friday
Most all would appear well for the Golden Bears, winners of four in a row by 20 or better and this week elevated to a No. 21 Class A ranking by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
Cam Schaffer passed 12-for-18 for 129 yards and two scores, and Liam Nealy rushed for 118 yards and a score in last week’s impressive handling of Horseheads.
Elmira at Union-Endicott, 7 p.m. Friday
The Express has put together neither consecutive wins nor consecutive losses this season, an oddity to be sure. A weekend ago, Elmira fell at home by 31-8 to Corning.
Union-Endicott hopped from a three-game slide last weekend, getting all over Binghamton in the first quarter of a 36-8 victory that left the Tigers a 2-5 record.
Maine-Endwell at Norwich, 7 p.m. Friday
The Spartans’ 50.9-per-game scoring average is second in Section 4, trailing only the 51.4 norm by fellow twice-defending state champion Tioga Central. The Spartans’ win streak is 29.
Norwich put up a combined 28 points in the second and third quarters in last weekend’s 42-22 win over a Windsor squad that trotted onto its home field once-beaten for that one.
Newark Valley at Tioga, 7 p.m. Friday
These two have played in some classics over the years, so no telling what may be in store despite all the dominance Tioga Central has demonstrated along the way to an 8-0 record and No. 1 state ranking. One opponent has played the Tigers to closer than a 28-point game (Waverly, 23-17 on Sept. 8).
Newark Valley had a four-game win streak end with last week’s 21-14 loss to Delhi, New York’s sixth-ranked Class D team.
More: Week 7 Football: Maine-Endwell rolls over Johnson City; Horseheads denied top seed
Oct. 27
Horseheads at Corning, 6:30
Vestal at Binghamton, 7
Elmira at Union-Endicott, 7
Chenango Valley at Owego, 7
Windsor at Johnson City, 7
Maine-Endwell at Norwich, 7
Chenango Forks at Sidney, 7
Oneonta at Waverly, 7
Watkins Glen/O-M at Susquehanna Valley, 7
S-VE/Candor at Bainbridge-Guilford, 7
Newark Valley at Tioga, 7
Dryden at Clyde-Savannah, 7
Lansing at Ithaca, 7
More: Week 7 Football: Maine-Endwell rolls over Johnson City; Horseheads denied top seed
Oct. 28
Deposit-Hancock at Delhi, 1:30
Harpursville/Afton at Walton, 1:30
South Seneca at Whitney Point, 1:30
Eight-Player
Oct. 26
Oxford at Greene, 6
Oct. 27
Groton at Trumansburg, 7
Oct. 28
Moravia at Thomas A. Edison, 1:30
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Top-ranked Maine-Endwell, Tioga Central look to continue charge
