Section V Class D – Bishop Kearney’s Justin Davis avoids a tackle from Clyde-Savannah’s Derrick Chance bellow and No.20 Joseph Dapolito in the third quarter at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, November 7 2015.

Section V Class D – After a kick from Bishop Kearney’s Todd LaRocca the ball bounces off Clyde-Savannah’s Dereck Cobb in the third quarter at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, November 7 2015.

Section V Class D – Bishop Kearney’s Dahmir Pross is tackled by Clyde-Savannah’s Jaret Murray in the third quarter at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, November 7 2015.

Bishop Kearney’s Justin Davis intercepts a pass intended for Clyde-Savannah’s Derrick Chance in the third quarter.

Section V Class D – Bishop Kearney’s Justin Davis tries to get ahold of the ball before Clyde-Savannah’s Clayton Paddock but they both would drop it in the third quarter at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, November 7 2015.

More than two-and-a-half decades passed before Bishop Kearney won its second Section V Football Championship.

A disjointed Clyde-Savannah offense helped hand the Kings the long-awaited title Saturday afternoon.

Bishop Kearney’s defense came up with six turnovers by Clyde-Savannah in the Class D final, a 46-21 win for the Kings at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester.

The Kings (8-2), the tournament’s No. 5 seed, are sectional champions for the first time since 1989. After 26 years, a new championship banner for football will go up with all of the flags for basketball at the private school in Irondequoit.

Next for Bishop Kearney, is the Far West Regional on Nov. 14 at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Kings face Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley, the greater Buffalo-region champion.

“We came out here and didn’t think about a 26-year drought, or whatever it was,” Bishop Kearney senior quarterback Todd LaRocca said. “It was another game, we had to win each quarter.

“We came out here and played Bishop Kearney football.”

It is a style that produces a good amount of throws, yards and most importantly, points.

LaRocca had four touchdown passes during a day in which he completed 18 of 36 attempts for 219 yards. Justin Davis, a senior, was Bishop Kearney’s top receiver with eight catches for 133 yards and touchdown.

It was a game the Bishop Kearney offense could also run effectively.

Dahmir Pross, a 170-pound junior, ran for 204 yards on 23 carries, including a 14-yard run that mushroomed Bishop Kearney’s lead to 32-14 with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.

The No. 3 Golden Eagles (8-2) found it difficult to keep up.

“We lost our tailback last week, Tyler Rattray,” Clyde-Savannah coach Nick DerCola said. “In the first half, we lost Jarrod Faniel. So we lost out top two players, but the bottom line was that we gave them early scores and we never really recovered.

“I don’t believe that we’ve turned the ball over that much all year, so it was very uncharacteristic of us, but that’s the way the game goes sometimes.’

Devin Green intercepted an underthrown pass during Clyde-Savannah’s first possession to set up an 8-yard touchdown reception by him. The Golden Eagles did make it to the end zone to take a 7-6 after a 19-yard run by Faniel, a touchdown set up by a fumble recovery.

Section V Class D – Bishop Kearney’s Ricky Lopez and Clyde-Savannah’s Dylan Ufholz jump on a loose ball in the third quarter at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, November 7 2015.

Clyde-Savannah’s defense came up with another turnover on Kearney’s next drive, an interception in the end zone by Tre Kanaley. The relief for the Golden Eagles was temporary.

A high snap led to a big hit by a Bishop Kearney defender and a fumble that bounced into the end zone during a scramble for recovery. Bishop Kearney senior defensive lineman Aaron Pilgrim ended up on top of the ball for a touchdown and a 12-7 lead for his team.

The Kings’s lead never was smaller, in part because Bishop Kearney’s Anthony Maxwell recovered a fumble and senior linebacker Freddie Jackson intercepted a pass during Clyde-Savannah’s next two drives.

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

Coaches Who Care: When Eddie Long speaks, they listen

Aquinas head coach Chris Battaglia brings the championship trophy to his players.

Aquinas’ Trent Collins, right, jumps for a loose ball after Rush-Henrietta’s Joseph Ortiz dropped a punt return.

Rush-Henrietta’s Gavin McDonald, bottom, tackles Aquinas’ Jake Zembiec.

Rush-Henrietta’s Jared Gerbino releases a pass toward the end zone.

Aquinas’ Jason Hawkes, left, catches a pass in front of Rush-Henrietta’s Wendell Felder.

Aquinas’ Shemar Hayes, left, breaks up a pass intended for Rush-Henrietta’s Joseph Ortiz.

Rush-Henrietta’s Eric Black, left, catches a touchdown pass while being defended by Aquinas’ Shemar Hayes, center, and Damon Burton.

Aquinas’ Shemar Hayes, left, breaks up a pass intended for Rush-Henrietta’s Wendell Felder.

Rush-Henrietta’s Joseph Ortiz, top, loses his helmet as he is brought down by Aquinas’ David Vito.

Aquinas’ Trey Brown, top, takes a hit from Rush-Henrietta’s Peyton Watts.

Rush-Henrietta’s Jared Gerbino, center, tries to break the grasp of Aquinas’ Griffin Virgil as he runs through the defense.

Aquinas’ Jason Hawkes, right, dives for a pass thrown over the middle while being defended by Rush-Henrietta’s Steven Clark.

Aquinas’ Earnest Edwards, right, tries to break the grasp of Rush-Henrietta’s Steven Clark during the Section V Class AA Football Championship.

Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec throws from the pocket early in the Section V Class AA Football Championship.

Aquinas’ Jamir Jones, left, and Jack Owens, back, break up a pass attempt by Rush-Henrietta quarterback Jared Gerbino on the final play of the game to win the Section V Class AA Football Championship on Nov. 8, 2015.

Aquinas players celebrate following their win in the Section V Class AA Football Championship, played at Sahlen’s Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. Aquinas won, 17-14.

If you read the list of Section V football champions, the string of titles for Aquinas ended last season.

Ask the right player at Aquinas, and they will tell you the team’s streak is alive when it comes to game action.

The chance for Aquinas to win a sectional title last year ended in a courtroom, where quarterback Jake Zembiec was ruled ineligible for postseason play and Aquinas forfeited its sectional victory.

Aquinas won another Section V championship on a field Sunday, the team’s ninth title in the last 10 years, after it held off a clearly determined Rush-Henrietta squad at Sahlen’s Stadium, 17-14, in the Class AA final.

“It’s awesome because we won this year for us and the 2015 seniors who didn’t get to win last year,” Zembiec said. “Really, in my mind, and I think in a lot of our minds, this is 10 in a row for us.

“Last year is obviously a sore subject, but it feels great to be on top again. We feel like we deserve it.”

The winning points were delivered by senior kicker/punter Collin Cup, who made a 26-yard field goal with 11:05 remaining. After that moment, it was up to the Aquinas defense to once again clinch a playoff win.

Rush-Henrietta failed to score in the fourth quarter after senior Jared Gerbino threw two touchdown passes earlier.

Zembiec, the former Class AA state player of the year headed to Penn State University on scholarship, was named most valuable player of the game. He finished 18 of 29 passing for 166 yards with a 13-yard touchdown throw to junior Jason Hawkes in the first quarter, after it was time to deal with a swollen knee last week.

Aquinas also played without running back Taylor Riggins, a senior headed to Syracuse as a defensive player. The playing status of senior receiver/defensive back Earnest Edwards was iffy in the days before the game because of a hip injury.

“It hurt all week. I’ve been going to chiropractor getting it massaged out, trying to get it better,” Edwards said. “But I just figured, this was my last Section V championship game. I’ll go out hurt or not.”

“I was still hurting a little bit, but I just tried to fight through it and give it my all. It was very worth it. Nine out of 10 with a sectional championship, I’m pretty proud.”

Aquinas (10-0), tied atop the New York State Sportswriters Association state rankings, faces Orchard Park in a state regional at 4 p.m. next Sunday. The Orchard Park Quakers, who will come to Rochester to play Aquinas, are the Section VI or Buffalo-region champions.

The Rush-Henrietta Royal Comets believed they could play in that game, after they knocked off previously undefeated teams in the first two rounds of sectionals. Imagine the credit and praise if Aquinas became a third victim, after the Royal Comets finished the regular season with a 6-3 record.

“Obviously, (Aquinas) is very good with its front seven,” Rush-Henrietta coach Joe Montesano said. “So we felt coming in that we had to get the ball to the flats; they give you the flats.

“I think we did a pretty good job of that. You know there were times where I think we got a decent push, our backs did a nice job and Jared made some good plays in the run game, but they are very hard to move the ball on. I think we did just enough. We needed the ball to kick our way a couple of times and unfortunately it didn’t.”

The Royal Comets moved into the lead after Gerbino threw a pass over a defender and to Eric Black for a 6-yard touchdown with 38 seconds to play in the first half. Gavin McDonald’s conversion kick made the score 7-6.

Aquinas moved 66 yards on its first drive of the second half and scored on a 11-yard run by reserve running back T.J. Scanlon with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter. Zembiec and Edwards connected on a pass during Aquinas’ conversion attempt to give their team a 14-7 lead.

The Royal Comets came right back. They moved 90 yards to even the score, as Reggie Robinson grabbed a 20-yard pass in the back of the end zone by Gerbino and McDonald made another kick.

When the Aquinas offense took the field again, it had a drive start at the team’s 35. Aquinas made it to the Rush-Henrietta 9, where Cup, who missed an extra-point attempt in the first quarter, was sent on to the field.

Aquinas coach Chris Battaglia said it was the first kick Cup made all year. Cup said it was just his second attempt all season.

“I’d like to thank my coaches and my teammates for having confidence in me,” Cup said. “I knew I needed to get it done.”

The Royal Comets attempted a 30-yard field goal to even the score on their next possession, but the kick was blocked. They had the ball again with 1:08 to play, and because Gerbino delivered under pressure, made it to the Aquinas 28 before being stopped.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

Aquinas 17, Rush-Henrietta 14

A – Jason Hawkes 13 pass Jake Zembiec (Collin Cup kick)

R-H – Eric Black 6 pass Jared Gerbino (Gavin McDonald kick)

A – T.J. Scanlon 11 run (Earnest Edwards pass Zembiec)

R-H – Reggie Robinson 20 pass Gerbino (McDonald kick)

A – Cup 26 FG

Batavia’s Dominick Mogavero holds the Class B championship trophy Sunday, Nov . 8, at Sahlen’s Stadium. Batavia defeated Livonia, 52-20.

Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs raises the championship trophy.

Batavia quarterback Greg Mruczek releases a pass from the pocket.

Livonia’s John Smith, right, looks for open room to run.

Livonia’s James Hapke, center, falls on his own fumble after a hit by Batavia’s Ray Leach (34).

Batavia’s Ray Leach runs for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Livonia’s Matt Hyde runs the ball down the sideline.

Batavia’s Trevor Sherwood, left, bobbles, then catches, the ball while being defended by Livonia’s John Smith.

Livonia’s Brody Metcalf, left, takes down Batavia’s Dominick Mogavero during the Section V Class B football championship, played at Sahlen’s Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. Batavia won, 52-20.

Batavia’s Dominick Mogavero, left, is pursued by Livonia’s Brody Metcalf in the Class B football championship Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. Mogavero ran for three touchdowns and four conversions as Batavia won, 52-20.

Batavia’s Dominick Mogavero runs for yardage.

Livonia’s John Smith, left, fumbles the ball after getting hit by Batavia’s Eric Davis, center, and Terren Lovria, bottom right. Livonia recovered the ball.

Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs gets doused with water by his players.

Batavia’s Malachi Chenault, center, intercepts a pass.

The gains for the Batavia Blue Devils on Sunday came in chunks of yardage, and usually with the ball in the hands of Dominick Mogavero.

That has been the case for the last two high school seasons at Batavia, a repeat champion in Section V Class B after the Blue Devils raced to a 52-20 win over Livonia during the tournament final at Sahlen’s Stadium.

“We went through the experience last year and I felt that last year, the sectional championship was kind of like the climax of our season,” Mogavero said.

“We don’t really feel that is (the case) this year. We want to keep rolling, going into next week playing tough.”

Mogavero, a Democrat and ChronicleAll-Greater Rochester linebacker last season based on the votes of area coaches, ran for three touchdowns and four 2-point conversions for No. 1 seed Batavia (10-0).

The Blue Devils will try to advance out of the regional round again against Section VI or Buffalo-area champion Cheektowaga (9-1) at 1 p.m. next Sunday in Rochester. Cheektowaga pushed the Blue Devils right out of the state playoffs last season in Buffalo, 35-16.

“When we heard they won, that’s what we were looking forward to, definitely,” Batavia senior quarterback Greg Mruczek said. “This definitely will be fun playing them again. It’s a great opportunity.

“We’re very excited.”

The scoring began early for the Blue Devils and came at a relatively quick clip.

In the first drive, the Blue Devils were in the end zone after three plays. Mruczek threw a pass downfield over a trailing defender to running back Anthony Gallo for a 60-yard touchdown 20 seconds into the playoff.

Batavia freshman Ray Leach ran 34 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter to extend the lead. Mogavero then reached the end zone for the first time with a run for two points.

Livonia struck back a little more than two minutes later. The Bulldogs swept downfield with runs out of tight formations and scored on a 6-yard run by Ethan Perham. Livonia cut Batavia’s lead to 14-8 on a 2-point conversion run by Perham.

The Blue Devils were still in high gear early in the second quarter. A three-play drive from the Batavia 30 ended with Mogavero’s first touchdown, a 7-yard run. Batavia failed to convert, but led 20-8.

Livonia’s next chance to respond ended with a fumble on fourth down at the Batavia 32. The Blue Devils needed two plays to score after the turnover on downs, a 33-yard reception by Ryan Hogan and a 24-yard touchdown run by Mogavero. A second conversion run by Mogavero made the score 28-8.

“All the credit goes to our offensive line and Dom, he did a great job,” Mruczek said. “Our line comes to practice every day and they work so hard. Give all the credit to our line, they did a great a job all game.”

There were more big plays before halftime, including a long run by Mogavero to set up his 1-yard touchdown run and an interception by Batavia senior defensive back Malachi Chenault.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

Batavia 52, Livonia 20

B – Anthony Gallo 60 pass Greg Mruczek (pass failed)

B – Ray Leach 40 run (Dominick Mogavero run)

L – Ethan Perham 6 run (Perham run)

B – Mogavero 7 run (pass failed)

B – Mogavero 24 run (Mogavero run)

B – Mogavero 1 run (Mogavero run)

L – Matt Hyde 24 run (pass failed)

B – Trevor Sherwood 17 pass Mruczek (Mogavero run)

B – Leach 66 run (Jonathon Barber run)

L – Jon Greeley 3 run (run failed)

Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec throws a pass rolling out of the pocket during a regular season game played at McQuaid Jesuit High School on Saturday, October 10, 2015.

A week-by-week look at quarterback Jake Zembiec’s statistics throughout his senior year at Aquinas. Zembiec, rated one of the top quarterbacks in the country, is headed to Penn State next year.

Aquinas is undefeated through 10 games this season and won the Class AA sectional championship for the 9th time in 10 years.

Week 1 – Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy

14 for 20, 197 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

 * Played through one series in the third quarter.

Week 2 – Delaware Valley Charter

16 for 24, 228 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

 * Played through one series in the third quarter. 

Week 3 – Buffalo Saint Joseph

9 for 18, 158 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT

* Played three quarters.

Week 4 – Buffalo Saint Francis

13 for 14, 317 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs.

* Played through one series in the third quarter.

Week 5 – Buffalo Bishop Timon

12 for 18, 168 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

* Played three quarters. 

Week 6 – McQuaid Jesuit

15 for 19, 313 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

* Played the first half.

Week 7 – Buffalo Canisius

12 for 18, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

* Played midway through the third quarter. 

Sectionals

AA quarterfinals – Fairport (35-14 win)

13 for 20, 201 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

AA semifinals – Hilton (21-14 win)

9 for 16, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

AA championship – Rush-Henrietta (21-14 win)

18 for 29, 166 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs

***

Totals– 131 for 196, 2,048 yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs

66.8 completion percentage, 15.6 yards per completion

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Brighton’s Luke Basler, right, Tim Francis, Tristan Judd and Graham Trolley celebrate a point.

Brighton’s Tim Francis, left, and Tristan Judd block a ball.

Spencerport’s Jaden Gillette passes the ball towards the net.

Brighton’s Evan Silver, right, blocks against Spencerport’s Josh Rabidoux.

Spencerport’s Jarod Barnard, right, sets teammate Trevor Lane.

Brighton’s Tristan Judd, right, hits against the block of Spencerport’s Andrew Bertino.

Spencerport’s Zachary Baxter, right, Trevor Lane, center, and Josh Rabidoux celebrate a point.

Brighton captains Luke Basler, left, Tristan Judd and Ben De La Cruz hoist the championship trophy.

Brighton’s Ben De La Cruz, center, hits between the block of Spencerport’s Trevor Lane, left, and Zachary Baxter.

Spencerport’s Josh Ramos, center, and Zachary Baxter, right, set a block against Brighton’s Stefan Mickol.

Brighton’s Stefan Mickol, center, hits between the block of Spencerport’s Josh Ramos, left, and Jarod Barnard.

Brighton players celebrate the championship point at the Section V Class BB Boys Volleyball Championship played at Webster Schroeder High School on Tuesday.

Brightonplayers celebrate championship point at the Section V Class BB Boys Volleyball Championship played at Webster Schroeder High School on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Brighton won the Class BB title with a 3-1 win over Spencerport (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20).

Brightonplayers celebrate championship point at the Section V Class BB Boys Volleyball Championship played at Webster Schroeder High School on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Brighton won the Class BB title with a 3-1 win over Spencerport (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20).

Sectional MVP Ben Delacruz tallied 19 kills and three aces to help lead Brighton over Spencerport 3-1 in the Class BB boys volleyball finals on Tuesday.

Stefan Mikol tallied 11 kills and Tristian Judd added eight blocks and six kills for the Barons (19-4), who won 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20.

Luke Basler had 34 assists and Graham Trolley chipped in 23 digs for Brighton.

Coach Dr. Bradley Rosenbaum felt his team is very balanced.

“We have a nice mixture of seniors and underclassmen,” he said “This year they came out and worked very hard”.

“Midlakes are always well coached, always in the finals, very disciplined, and we have our work cut out.”

Class B Finals at Webster Schroeder

No. 2 Midlakes 25-25-25, No. 1 North Rose-Wolcott 21-18-22

Ken DeVey finished with 12 kills and two blocks and Seth Welker registered nine kills and 12 digs for Midlakes (18-5).

Libero Caleb DeLauro had 13 kills, Kamren Record had 33 assists, and twin brother Gavin Record chipped in five kills for Midlakes, which advances to the Class B/BB crossover match against Brighton at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Girls volleyball

Class D State qualifiers

Honeoye 22-25-14-25-25, Caledonia-Mumford 25-16-25-14-19

Lydia Barnard tallied 20 kills, 40 digs and four aces and Hailey Cornish chipped in 6 aces, 5 kills, 29 assists and 22 digs for the Bulldogs.

Bailey Lis added seven kills and five blocks and Kenzie Helling contributed 11 digs for Honeoye.

Andrea Coyle had 28 kills and 19 digs and Chelsea Riggi added 29 assists and 13 digs for Cal-Mum (19-4).

Emily McDonald added four aces and 11 digs for the Red Raiders.

Aquinas head coach Chris Battaglia hoists the Section V Class AA football trophy on Sunday. The Little Irish have won a sectional title in football nine of the past 10 years and superintendents in Monroe County schools want the state to consider whether private schools should be allowed to play in public school tournaments.

Superintendents of 18 school districts in the Rochester suburbs have signed a letter to ask the state governing body for high school sports to discuss the removal of private schools from future Section V postseason competition.

The Monroe County Council of School Superintendents represent schools which are members of the Monroe County Public School Athletic Conference; it includes Pittsford, Fairport, Gates Chili, Rush-Henrietta, Brockport and others.

The group has asked the New York State Public High School Athletic Association if Section V can change the structure of its postseason competition, which includes sports teams at Aquinas, Batavia Notre Dame, Bishop Kearney, Our Lady of Mercy, McQuaid Jesuit and other non-public schools in the region.

Take our poll: What do you think?

“Is it fair, is it equal for non-public schools to participate in sectionals and states?” Pittsford school district superintendent Michael Pero said.

Pero explained that athletes who are on teams or participate in NYSPHSAA-sanctioned sports at public schools must live in that school district’s boundaries.

“Private and parochial schools don’t have that limitation,” Pero said.

Complete results: Section V football playoffs

The NYSPHSAA sanctions high school sports in 11 sections around the state. NYSPHSAA executive director Robert Zayas has received the letter from the superintendents.

“There is no pre-determined timetable, but if not (discussed) now, then when?” Brockport Superintendent Lesli Myers said.

Myers also emphasized that the proposal is not “a pre-conceived notion, it’s not adversarial.”

Section V executive director Ed Stores said he received a copy of the letter Nov. 4.

Whether sports teams from private schools should be included in sectional play has been a topic for decades, complicated by the fact that private schools are members of NYSPHSAA, Section V and other section sanctioning bodies. Zayas said that of the 783 members of the NYSPHSAA, about 10 percent are non-public schools.

“The conversation has really been limited to Section V,” Zayas said.

Section V, the Rochester region; Section III, the Syracuse region; and Section II, the Albany region, include the most non-public schools. Participation of private schools in sectional play varies around the state.

Private schools in Buffalo are not a part of Section VI postseason play, and have a separate postseason structure, but charter schools do participate. The other 10 sections do allow teams from non-public schools into the organization’s tournaments and championship events.

“It’s always going to be an issue if they are together,” Gates Chili physical education teacher and football coach Jason Benham said. “Make them separate. It’s a simple solution.

“We have to rely on the dynamics of our towns and communities.”

Benham said “it’s nothing against those schools” but it’s “a different ballgame” between public and non-public schools.

“I don’t see the drawback to having a private school championship,” Benham said. “They do recruit, it’s a business, they have to recruit students, I don’t look at it as a negative. If I worked at (a private school) I would do the same thing. It’s a realistic part of their business.”

Lakiescha Titus-Jones and Matthew Jones Sr. have five children who did or still attend Aquinas. Jarron Jones is a defensive lineman at the University of Notre Dame and Aquinas senior Jamir Jones will follow one of his older brothers to South Bend, Indiana.

“My husband and I have worked 60 to 70 hours a week since 2004,” Titus-Jones said. “If anyone were to receive anything for sports, don’t you think Jarron would have?

“Our kids are not on scholarship. There is aid, but it’s based on financial need, just like with everyone else. If Aquinas wasn’t winning games, this would be a moot point. I think the real issue are these superintendents. Why is it OK to sit in judgement of and generalize about our program?”

The discussion seems to heat up during high school postseasons, in football and basketball in particular.

Aquinas won a Section V football title for the ninth time in 10 years on Sunday. Chris Battaglia, the Aquinas football coach, said he heard someone say that players should play for teams in their school districts.

“Our school and students have an equal right to participate in sectionals and states,” Aquinas President Mike Daley said. “Our parents pay a school tax in the communities they live in and have chosen to send their children here and pay a tuition.

“They are paying double.”

Zayas said he was an associate director of a high school athletics sanctioning body in New Mexico and that sports teams from public and non-public schools participate in the same playoff and postseason systems. He also said he worked as a teacher and coach at a public school in Texas.

“This is a topic of conversation in every state in the country,” Zayas said. “It depends on on where you are.”

Stores said he believes the issue is “going to come to a head” locally, one way or another.

“In my time in this position and my years as a league chair, I’ve done this for almost 30 years,” Stores said. “I’ve never seen us closer to making a move than we are right now.

“Some people would say that’s a good thing, some people would say it’s a bad thing.”

Pero said the letter does mention the creation of parallel tournaments or postseason play as an alteration to the current sectional and state formats.

“That does not mean that’s the end result,” Pero said. “It’s where we’d like to begin the discussion.”

It seems this region of the state is where the question is asked the most often.

“If any changes are going to take place, they are going to be initiated by the membership of the association, and that’s the entire membership of 11 sections,” Zayas said. “At this point, I’ve only received a request for any change of this type from Section V.”

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

Aquinas returns to top of Class AA
Bishop Kearney is football king again

Name: Megan D’Angelo.

School/class: East Rochester/senior.

Sport/position: Field Hockey/midfield.

Family: Parents, Elizabeth and Phil; sister, Natalie, 23; sister, Alexis, 20.

Academics: 89 average.

Megan D’Angelo.

Last week: Scored a goal that sparked the East Rochester Bombers to a 2-1 win over Akron during the Class C state regional. The Bombers move on to the state semifinals, where they face reigning state champion Whitney Point of Section IV (Binghamton region) at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Maine-Endwell High School.

About me: Team captain during her third varsity season. … Played more as a defender during her first two seasons with the Bombers, who also advanced to the state semifinals last season. … “She loves defense, you can see it,” East Rochester coach Nicole Caruso said. … Also plays basketball (shooting guard) and lacrosse (defender). … East Rochester Crew Leader helps mentor freshmen. … Also member of the high school’s Foreign Language Club. “I take French right now. I really want to go to Paris. When I’m older, I’ll go.” … Played Amateur Athletic Union basketball. … Undecided on college. … “I eat (pasta) every day.” … “I’m an open book, people know me very well.”

Boys Athlete of the Week: Benjamin De La Cruz

Brighton outside hitter Benjamin De La Cruz

Name: Benjamin De La Cruz.

School/class: Brighton/senior.

Sport/position: Volleyball/outside hitter.

Family: Parents, Donna and Simon Sr.; brother, Simon Jr., 20.

Academics: 2.8 GPA.

Brighton senior outside hitter Benjamin De La Cruz.

Last week: Named MVP of the Section V Class BB Tournament after he produced 19 kills in the final to help Brighton win its second sectional championship. The Barons (19-4) face Midlakes (18-5), Section V’s Class B champion, for a slot in the Division II state tournament Thursday at Webster Schroeder.

About me: Wears jersey No. 12. “Growing up in middle school and watching Etan Bennett, I had to wear it once I played for the varsity. I looked up to him so much.” … Six-foot, 155 pounds. … Also plays with Victor Volleyball Club. …  “It takes a lot of everything to be really good at it. It’s a sport you can’t perfect, so constantly trying to get better is addicting.” … Plans to spend one year at Monroe Community College. “I’m undecided on what I want to do, so I’ll save as much money as I can and see what I like most.” … Part of Brighton’s Link Leader program, that helps guide freshman at the school. … Also has spent time with students with special needs.

Girls Athlete of the Week: Megan D’Angelo

Winning sectionals last night was an awesome feeling. Also winning all tournament team MVP was so gnarly. 🎉👍🇺🇸

—
Ben Delacruz (@swirl69_ben) November 11, 2015

Batavia running back Dominick Mogavero tries to get around the edge against Cheektowaga’s Ja’Vaughn Williams during the Class B State Quarterfinal game at Sahlen’s Stadium.

Sunday was a very good day for the Batavia Blue Devils offense,

Senior running back Dominick Mogavero ran for more than 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a fumble return in his role on defense during the Class B high school football regional.

Ryan Hogan had 108 yards receiving. The Blue Devils had more than 300 yards of offense and put up points. But somehow the Blue Devils had to be better, and coming away with zero points on three drives inside the Cheektowaga 20 proved costly.

Cheektowaga came back to defeat Batavia 43-36 at Sahlen’s Stadium, after the Section VI champion fell behind by 16 points twice in the playoff game in Rochester.

“Obviously, we could’ve cashed in a few more times,” Batavia coach Brennan Briggs said. “But giving up 43 points, it’s tough to win football games when that happens.

“It works both ways.”

The score was tied 36-36 in the fourth quarter  when the Batavia Blue Devils went for a first down on 4th and 10 at the Cheektowaga 40. The Blue Devils lined up in punt formation and snapped the ball to Mogavero, who was tackled short of the first down at the Cheektowaga 33.

The Warriors needed eight plays to score on a 4-yard run by Tyree Billingslea, and Anthony Grabp added a conversion kick with 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Batavia’s final drive ended at the Cheektowaga 26 when a short pass in the backfield bounced into the hands of Trevor Darlak for an interception,

Cheektowaga (11-0) advanced to the state semifinals, 3 p.m. Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse, where the Warriors face Cazenovia of Section III. The Section VI champion also defeated Batavia (10-1) during the regional round last year.

“They are an athletic team, they are known for making big plays,” Briggs said. “They’ve done it all year. They’ve been down and come back.

“When we were up by two scores, I said it to my guys, ‘They are the comeback kids.’ They did it last year, they’ve done it this year.”

Billingslea finished with 210 yards and three touchdown runs. He also would have been worthy choice for most valuable offensive player of the game. The choice was Cheektowaga quarterback Eric Bartnick, a junior who passed for 310 yards with a touchdown, after he completed 26 of 32 attempts.

“It was multitude of things,” Briggs said. “He’s two-dimensional, he can throw the ball, he can run the ball. He’s a very good football player.”

So is Mogavero, a 2014 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester team member, who has played his final game in high school.

The senior running back/linebacker finished with 215 yards on 33 carries, but his production in chunks naturally diminished after he suffered an injury to one of his arms.

Long before then, Batavia and Cheektowaga seemed to reach the end zone at will.

Both teams scored three touchdowns in the first half. The first quarter, it was advantage Batavia, ahead 14-0 after 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Adonis Davis.

The Blue Devils led 22-6 after Mogavero’s second touchdown, an 8-yard run, and two-point conversion reception by Trevor Sherwood in the second quarter.

Bartnick lofted a pass over the Batavia defense to Stephen Parker for a 32-yard touchdown midway though the second quarter. A two-point conversion catch by Tyron Lawson cut Batavia’s lead.

The Warriors moved to within two points before the half, but were down 16 again in the third quarter after an 8-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Barber and Mogavero’s 40-yard fumble return for a score.

Mogavero’s fumble return came soon after an apparent touchdown for Cheektowaga was taken away when it was ruled that Billingslea stepped out of bounds during the pass play. A replay shown it was a Batavia defender who actually stepped out.

The Warriors were down 36-20, but Billingslea began the comeback. He scored his second touchdown on a 57-yard run late in the third quarter and ran in the conversion attempt.

Cheektowaga evened the score on a 5-yard run by Bartnick and another conversion run by Billingslea with 9:08 remaining. That finished a 10-play, 83-yard drive.

“We have a fast-tempo offense,” Billingslea said. “It makes it easier for us.

“We keep going and going and makes plays faster.”

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec throws a pass rolling out of the pocket during a regular season game played at McQuaid Jesuit High School on Saturday, October 10, 2015.

A week-by-week look at quarterback Jake Zembiec’s statistics throughout his senior year at Aquinas. Zembiec, rated one of the top quarterbacks in the country, is headed to Penn State next year.

Aquinas is undefeated through 10 games this season and won the Class AA sectional championship for the 9th time in 10 years.

Week 1 – Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy

14 for 20, 197 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

 * Played through one series in the third quarter.

Week 2 – Delaware Valley Charter

16 for 24, 228 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

 * Played through one series in the third quarter. 

Week 3 – Buffalo Saint Joseph

9 for 18, 158 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT

* Played three quarters.

Week 4 – Buffalo Saint Francis

13 for 14, 317 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs.

* Played through one series in the third quarter.

Week 5 – Buffalo Bishop Timon

12 for 18, 168 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

* Played three quarters. 

Week 6 – McQuaid Jesuit

15 for 19, 313 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

* Played the first half.

Week 7 – Buffalo Canisius

12 for 18, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

* Played midway through the third quarter. 

Sectionals

AA quarterfinals – Fairport (35-14 win)

13 for 20, 201 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

AA semifinals – Hilton (21-14 win)

9 for 16, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

AA championship – Rush-Henrietta (21-14 win)

18 for 29, 166 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs

States

AA quarterfinals – Orchard Park (VI) (42-14 win)

15 for 21, 230 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

***

Totals– 146 for 217, 2,278 yards, 31 TDs, 5 INTs

67.3 completion percentage, 15.6 yards per completion

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Tyler Olbrich celebrates a touchdown with his Aquinas teammates during the team’s state semifinal game against Liverpool.

Aquinas celebrates their 17-16 win over Liverpool.

USA TODAY, for the second consecutive week, has Aquinas as one of the top 25 high school football teams in the country.

Aquinas actually moved up a slot to No. 22, after the Section V champion held off Liverpool 17-16 Saturday to advance into the state final.

Saratoga Springs of Section II, the Albany-region, defeated New Rochelle the same night to set up the state championship game, 3 p.m. Sunday inside Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome.

Earnest Edwards, a senior defensive back/running back/receiver at Aquinas, blocked an extra-point attempt by Liverpool with 3:53 remaining that kept Aquinas in the lead.

Super 25 Boys Varsity Football Expert Rankings, week 15
Aquinas guts out win in state semifinal

Aquinas senior quarterback Jake Zembiec completed 18 of 27 passes for 256 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Collin Cup, a senior rarely called on to kick field goals this season, made a 24-yard attempt that gave Aquinas a 17-7 lead with 7:12 remaining in the third quarter.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association final on Sunday is a chance for Aquinas to win its second state championships in three years and sixth overall. Aquinas won state titles in Class A in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2007.

Zembiec, who gave a verbal commitment last November to play at Penn State, was named the 2013 Class AA state player of the year after Aquinas won the Class AA state championship.

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

Jake Zembiec’s 2015 statistics

Sports

Rayshawn Boswell scored 31 points to help lead Monroe to a 95-86 victory over University Prep at the Eastridge Tip Off tournament on Saturday.

Boswell recorded back-to-back 30 point games and was named the MVP of the Eastridge Tip Off tournament for Monroe (2-1).

Chris Gibson earned All-tournament honors for Monroe.

Monroe

Rayshawn Boswell 31, Daquan Brown-Junious 6, Anthony Colon 7, Danny Colon 0, Carlee Ellis 4, Chris Gibson 17, Tyquil Glastow 10, Tyrece Harper 20, Hakeem Sanchez 0, Chris Williams 0.

University Prep

James Barnes 4, Isaiah Brinkley 17, Quillan Leach-Alexander 6, Jakhi Lucas 9, Jeenathan Williams 36, Kory Wyatt 14.

3-Point Goals – Monroe (Rayshawn Boswell 4, Anthony Colon 1, Chris Gibson 3, Tyrece Harper 3), University Prep (Isaiah Brinkley 2, Quillan Leach-Alexander 1, Jakhi Lucas 2).

Non-league

Livonia 63, Geneva 51

Ricky Allen scored all 17 of his points in the first half to lead Livonia (1-1).

Derek DeMartinis scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs. DeMartinis went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the victory.

Jon Mohnkern added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Livonia

Rick Allen 17, Derek DeMartinis 11, Christian Dulaney 0, Ron Loomis 0, Barrett Lowe 0, Maddux Minton 2, Jon Mohnkern 13, CJ Richardson 8, Brandon Semmel 4, Reid VanScoter 8.

Geneva

Noah Barber 3, Drew Brinson 3, Pliekou Irvin 2, Jemar McCall 9, Benton Patchett 8, Reid Patchett 1, TrayShawn Ross 12, Tyler Tyson 13.

3-Point Goals – Livonia (Rick Allen 4, CJ Richardson 1), Geneva (Drew Brinson 1, Jemar McCall 1, Tyler Tyson 2).

Dansville 59, Canisteo-Greenwood 51

Canisteo-Greenwood

Bobby Avery 15, Justin Hendrickson 22, Jacob Jensen 0, Dave Thompson 0, Chad Warriner 0, Holden Weeks 7, Dylan Wentworth 5, Ben Woods 0.

Dansville

Ryan Conklin 9, Cody Dudek 0, Forrest Edmond 0, Tom Graves 5, Austin Milliman 11, Anthony Sackett 1, Derek Wampole 27, Tom Wise 6.

3-Point Goals – Canisteo-Greenwood (Bobby Avery 2, Justin Hendrickson 4, Holden Weeks 1, Dylan Wentworth 1), Dansville (Ryan Conklin 1, Tom Graves 1, Derek Wampole 1).

Derek Wampole totaled 27 points and 15 rebounds and Austin Milliman had 11 points and six rebounds for Dansville (2-0).

NE/NW College Prep 74, Eastridge 62

NE/NW College Prep

Tysheen Brock 0, Robert Brooks 8, Sherman Graham 18, Jakiy Lee 0, Robert Lovelace 3, Torrence Phillips 26, Tyshawn Ratcliffe 4, Ben Russ 9, Noah Tavolino 0, Daiquon Turner 6.

Eastridge

Jerry Bradley 0, Rey Cain-Oriol 9, Dusean Chambers 7, Shakel Lawton 17, Alex Rivera 6, Robbie Salisbury 6, Kyndal Taggart 14, Kavon Tayler 13.

3-Point Goals – NE/NW College Prep (Robert Brooks 2, Sherman Graham 2, Torrence Phillips 3), Eastridge (Dusean Chambers 1, Alex Rivera 2, Kyndal Taggart 2, Kavon Tayler 1).

Torrence Phillips scored 26 points and added 4 assists and 4 steals and Sherman Graham was named to the Eastridge Tipoff all-tournament team and finished with 18 points, 4 assists and 4 steals for NE/NW Prep (1-2).

Tyshawn Ratcliffe grabbed 11 rebounds for the Panthers.

Fairport 67, Jamesville-Dewitt-III 57

Fairport

Ryan Algier 12, Wanya Bruce 2, Stephen Gabel 8, TJ Hendricks 0, Jordan Holmes 0, Cam Keeley 8, Matthew Keenan 18, Nick Lapp 3, Dan Masino 14, Matt Muncey 2.

Jamesville-Dewitt

Jai Benson 2, Buddy Boeheim 0, Jim Boeheim 23, Matt Carlin 12, Darvin Lovette 8, Rahmell Smith 12.

3-Point Goals – Fairport (Stephen Gabel 2, Cam Keeley 2, Matthew Keenan 1, Nick Lapp 1, Dan Masino 1), Jamesville-Dewitt (Jim Boeheim 1, Matt Carlin 2, Rahmell Smith 1).

Dan Masino had 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds and Matt Keenan was named the Player of the Showcase, scoring 18 points to lead Fairport (2-0).

Matt Muncey added seven rebounds for the Red Raiders.

Wilson 60, Palmyra-Macedon 58

Wilson

Isaiah Benjamin 6, Donovan Campbell 18, Robert Davis 15, Earl English 13, Keavaughn Harris-Hill 0, Tabu McKenzie 8, Patrick Phillips 0.

Palmyra-Macedon

Brandon Hawkins 26, Holden Knorr 17, Davon McClain 0, Dominic Sutberry 4, Hunter VanDeVelde 11.

3-Point Goals – Wilson (Donovan Campbell 2, Robert Davis 1, Earl English 1), Palmyra-Macedon (Brandon Hawkins 2, Hunter VanDeVelde 3).

Donovan Campbell recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Wilson (3-0).

Pembroke 56, Akron-VI27

Akron Central

Gates Abrams 12, Lee Abrams 0, Weylon Abrams 5, Ryan Akin 0, Jake Burns 0, Owen Hill 4, Derek Holtz 2, Elias Johnson 0, Austin Lodd 4.

Pembroke

Ryan Cansdale 6, Alex Detwiler 0, Dakota Dieter 8, Sam Lang 0, Kilian Lewis 1, Kyle Ludwig 18, Reid Miano 1, Kobe Price 7, Danny Pritchett 0, Zach Staebell 0, Zach VonKramer 15.

3-Point Goals – Akron Central (Gates Abrams 2, Weylon Abrams 1), Pembroke (Kyle Ludwig 4, Kobe Price 2).

Kyle Ludwig led all scorers with 18 points and added five rebounds for Pembroke (3-0).

Zach VonCramer had five rebounds to go with his 15 points for the Dragons.

Ryan Cansdale tallied seven assists and six rebounds for Pembroke.

Victor 56, Newark 44

Newark

Nathan Beard 9, Taylor Clements 11, Ben Cowles 4, Nick Greco 2, Jose Santell 10, Brian Sharp 4, Nick Synesael 4.

Victor

Clay Bleier 13, Jacob DiSanto 12, Brandon Fink 3, Connor Keenan 0, Michael Novitsky 15, Kyle O’Dea 0, Sam Palomaki 11, Jackson Parker 2.

3-Point Goals – Newark (Nathan Beard 1, Jose Santell 2), Victor (Clay Bleier 2, Jacob DiSanto 2).

Michael Novitsky scored 15 points for Victor (2-1).

Williamson 48, Cato-Meridian-III 36

Cato-Meridian

Clifford Brown 6, Aiden Crandal 2, Justin Donnely 7, Garrett Goodwin 0, Noah Keefe 3, Conner Lovelace 9, Joe Phillips 2, Bryce Pollock 0, Devin Simmons 7.

Williamson

Thomas Babcock 7, Jacob Bailey 0, Sean Campbell 8, Nigel Cobbs 7, Jack Devendorf 11, Gary Immesoete 0, Mac Immesoete 3, Dakota Koyler 0, Nate Lalone 0, Cooper Markko 0, Alex Steurrys 5, Edwin Wynn 7.

3-Point Goals – Cato-Meridian (Noah Keefe 1, Conner Lovelace 1, Devin Simmons 2), Williamson (Thomas Babcock 1, Jack Devendorf 1, Alex Steurrys 1, Edwin Wynn 1).

Jack Devenforf tallied 11 points and eight rebounds for Williamson (2-1).

Williamson outscored C-M 17-7 to secure the lead in the third quarter.

Monroe County

Canandaigua 46, Brockport 17

Brockport

Antonio Alvarez 4, Willie Ball 2, Cory Gross 4, Shane Hogan 0, Brandon LaMere 0, Zach Maxon 0, Jakeb Mitchell 6, Raphael Odey 1, Noah Schultz 0, Matt VanDetta 0.

Canandaigua

Devin Andrews 0, Tyler Bell 0, Noah Borden 7, Max Colcord 8, Grant Emerson 0, Noah Emerson 0, Carson Greene 2, Brian Hoffman 4, Scott Laforte 11, Sam McClean 0, Aaron Parsons 0, Max Tucker 0, Zach Wade 14.

3-Point Goals – Canandaigua (Scott Laforte 2, Zach Wade 4).

Scott Laforte had 11 points and seven rebounds and Zach Wade recorded 14 points and four assists for Canandaigua (2-1).

Laforte made the Spencerport all-tournament team for the Braves.

Webster Schroeder 61, Spencerport 37

Webster Schroeder

Matt Ambalavanar 8, Connor Bissaillon 0, Will Bjarnar 0, Nick Brewer 14, Clay Dwyer 0, Brandan Gartland 27, Justin Graham 0, Jared Griffin 4, Karise Leonard 0, Chris McKrell 4, Evan Merkey 2, Caleb Punter 0, Andy Rye 2, Josh Simons 0.

Spencerport

David DeBellis 1, Ryan Donovan 6, Spenser Doty 0, John Feeney 0, Bernie Garwig 0, Ryan Gentile 2, Charlie Huff 3, Trevor James 2, JJ Johnson 8, Leon Mosley 0, Zekiah Owens 15, Michael Sero 0.

3-Point Goals – Webster Schroeder (Matt Ambalavanar 2, Nick Brewer 2, Brandan Gartland 5), Spencerport (Charlie Huff 1, Zekiah Owens 1).

Brandon Gartland hit five 3-pointers on his way to 27 points and was named the More Than A Game Tournament MVP for Schroeder.

Nick Brewer had 14 points for in the game and earned all-tournament team honors for the Warriors.

Justin Johnson made the all-tournament team for Spencerport (2-1).

Hockey

Section V

Hilton 8, Irondequoit 1

Frank Gaffney had three goals and two assists and Hunter Howell added two goals and two assists to pace Hilton (2-0).

Rush-Henrietta 6, Greece Arcadia/Olympia 5

R-H scored five goals in the third period to overcome a four-goal deficit.

AJ Nestler had two goals and an assist to lead R-H.

Joe Gardner recorded three goals and an assist and Ray Warner added a goal and an assist for Arcadia/Olympia.

Webster Schroeder 4, Brighton 3 (OT)

Senior Matt Montgomery had two goals and an assist, including the game-winning goal with 1:25 remaining in overtime for Schroeder (2-1).

Grant Dowler scored the game-tying goal in the third period for Brighton.

The very top of the season’s first Section 5 Boys Swimming Coaches Poll has a familiar look.

Pittsford again gathered all first-place votes and is followed by another undefeated team, rival Fairport.. One of Pittsford’s three victories came against No. 3 Brockport on Dec. 10.

Brockport is winless, but clearly coaches took into the consideration that the Blue Devils’ three dual meets were against Honeoye Falls-Lima in the season-opener, Fairport and Pittsford.

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Pittsford senior Arthur Fan, a member of the 2015 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Boys Swimming Team, was named swimmer of the meet at last season’s Class A sectionals and the Monroe County Swimmer of the Year.

Monroe High expects to play varsity football just two seasons after the formation of a modified team at the school in the Rochester School District.

One very long timeout is about to come to an end for Monroe High varsity football.

The Rochester School District high school expects to field a team this fall for the first time since the mid-1980s. School district and Section V officials still need to give approval, but Monroe has informed other schools inside and outside the Rochester City Athletic Conference to place the team on schedules for fall 2016.

“Everything is on schedule,” Monroe assistant principal and football coach Jason Muhammad said. “Very, very excited.

“I have boxes and boxes of Monroe gear that teachers have ordered, and it wasn’t a fundraiser.”

Monroe was one of three schools in the district to form modified-level teams for the first time in 2014. About 55 seventh and eighth-graders, including two girls, pulled on the pads and helmets that season. Encouraged by the turnout, Monroe officials added a junior varsity team that included students in the junior class this past season. Students at School Without Walls are eligible to join all three teams at Monroe.

“It was kind of, ‘let’s play a season, and see what happens,’ ” Monroe athletic director Greg Witman said. “After that first year, it was ‘Oh, boy.’ We all thought we’re ready to make the jump.

“It was pretty clear we were going to keep going. Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”

The Monroe Redjackets’ return to varsity football won’t reverse another likely, slight decrease in the number of Section V teams. Section V Football chairman Dick Cerone said he projects a number in the high 60s, pending approvals of merged teams. There were 70 varsity teams this fall and 71 in 2014, according to Cerone.

Teams are grouped together in classifications for postseason play, based on student enrollment.

“I can’t even put a classification (chart) together,” Cerone said. “This is the longest I’ve gone without one. I’m not able to do much, there are so many changes.”

Monroe is expected to play in Class A, Cerone said. The number of football teams in the RCAC, known as the City-Catholic for decades, would increase to six.

“I go back to the days when there were eight teams in the city, and that was without Catholic schools,” Cerone said. “It’s declined so much over the years, it’s about time.”

Caledonia-Mumford and Bryon-Bergen plan to field varsity, JV and modified teams comprising  students from both schools this fall. Byron-Bergen was partnered with Elba in recent seasons. Fall cheerleading also will be a merged team.

Mike Reed, athletic director at Caledonia-Mumford, said about 25 players were on last season’s varsity football squad and the same number of students joined the modified “A” team. There have been no JV football teams at Caledonia-Mumford four of the last five years, according to Reed.

“We’re not able to fill all three levels,” Reed said.

The Livingston County Athletic Association will be asked to approve the merged Caledonia-Mumford/Byron-Bergen team next month,  followed by Section V. Reed added there is also hope to hire the team’s coach then. John Walther resigned after last season, his fifth as the Cal-Mum varsity coach.

Muhammad, who coached the Marshall varsity in the Rochester School District for nine seasons, coached the newest Monroe football teams each of the last two years. He expects to have at least 28 players with the Monroe varsity before official practices begin in August.

About 25 students played with the Monroe JV last season, while the total for modified went down to 25. Muhammad said the modified team would have had close to 40, but School Nos. 45 and 9 in the Rochester School District were no longer feeder schools for the program. School Nos. 5 and 16 continue to be partnered with Monroe.

“We feel that if we can get our partnerships solidified we’ll be fine,” Muhammad said. “We’ve established a protocol in the building, ‘this is how we do things, this is what we don’t do’,  It has to be right on the field, but it’s even more important that it’s right off the field.

“(The players) are not only seeing success on the field, they are leaders in ways they haven’t been in. Let’s say there is a conflict at school. In the past, these students would be spectators or participants. Now they are working to keep the peace. These guys stay together. When a teacher who has worked here for almost 20 years says this is the most school spirit she’s ever seen, that matters.”

Witman was a football coach at DePew in Section VI for more than a decade and the athletic director at North Tonawanda — also in the Buffalo-region — before taking his current position at Monroe in February 2014.

“The school spirit that comes with football and the pageantry that comes with it, we’ve already seen a difference,” Witman said. “We had kids come out to modified games, pretty good crowds.

“There’s no sport, if you can sustain it, that gets so many people involved. What I mean is that you have players. You have cheerleaders. There are kids performing halftime shows or selling items at the concession stands. There are kids who just come out to games to watch. You don’t get that with other sports.”

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

172 Lb division – Jack Freischlag of Wayne defeated Justin Harter of Greece at Spencerport High School.

120 Lb division – Top, Rush-Henrietta’s Austin Kassel defeated Nick Yankloski of Wayne at Spencerport High School.

182 Lb division – Top, all American Kevin Parker of Shenendehowa defeated Mike Daskavitz of Lockport at Spencerport High School.

285 Lb division – Cameron Rohr of Irondequoit defeated Mason Mastrangelo of Lancaster at Spencerport High School.

99 Lb division – Top, Aiden Rabideau of Clarence defeated Mike Lopresti of Spencerport at Spencerport High School.

113 Lb division – Matthew Caccamise of Wayne defeated Tyler Mitchell of Spencerport at Spencerport High School.

When former Spencerport wrestling coach Bill Jacoutot invited Rush-Henrietta to the Teike-Bernabi Wrestling Tournament years ago, the Royal Comets were less than world-beaters, not exactly contenders to win the event.

“He told me if you want to get better, you have to have competition,” R-H wrestling coach Mickey Marlowe said.

“You have to come here (these days), there are teams from all over the state.”

More than 20 years later, the Royal Comets are history-makers.

Rush-Henrietta finished on top of the Teike-Bernabi tournament team standings for the first time Wednesday night with 329 points in the 50th edition of the event, 10.5 more than three-time defending champion Shenendehowa, a power from Section II or Albany-region.

“It’s definitely an honor to be a part of the 50 teams (that have won,” R-H 195-pound wrestler Jesse Trout said. “I don’t think that we’ve won this tournament before. To be able to say that I was part of the team to do it, that is pretty big.

“It’s a very prestigious tournament. To be able to say that your team won the Spencerport Teike-Bernabi Tournament, that’s a pretty big deal around here.”

Rush-Henrietta’s Austin Kassel at 120 pounds,152-pounder Justin Klein and Trout won their weight classes. Klein’s 4-2 victory over Tristan Almeter of Iroquois in Section VI or Buffalo-region, made him a three-time champion at this tournament.

“I’m really happy and proud of my team,” Klein said. “Last year, we lost a lot of guys (to graduation), so I don’t think we expected to prove that we are good.

“I wasn’t going to get my hopes up, because Shenendehowa is a good team. So is Spencerport. We led in Day 1 and we were still doing well (Wednesday). It was back and forth between us and Shenendehowa.”

Spencerport placed third, after Kyle Pittman defeated Shenendehowa’s Anthony DiNallo, 5-4 in the 160 final. The 182 final was not as competitive. National High School Coaches Association and Flowrestling All-American Kevin Parker of Shenendehowa pinned Lockport’s Mike Daskavitz in 3:28. Parker pinned five opponents in a total of 4:59.

Irondequoit 285-pound senior Cameron Rohr, who finished third last year during his debut at the state championships, was named one of the tournament’s most outstanding wrestlers. Rohr put a end to his weight division’s final when he pinned Lancaster’s Mason Mastrangelo in 54 seconds.

A two-time Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Football lineman, Rohr won the Monroe County league championship last week, after finishing second the previous two years. He is 17-0 this season.

“‘I’ve wrestled since the second grade,” Rohr said. “I wrestle good kids all of the time.”

In other words, Rohr was nowhere near rattled while in the spotlight.

The Royal Comets handled themselves well, too.

“I’ve been coming here probably longer than anyone in this building,” Marlowe said. “We’ve been around awhile, coming to this thing for a long time. You know, we’ve had years where we were happy to get a top-five.

“I was kind of surprised. They just wrestled really hard. Three seniors showed up in the finals and locked it up. That was a good feeling.”

JAMESJ@GANNETT.COM

Bishop Kearney’s Todd LaRocca,(12), throwing to Justin Davis during the Class D state semifinals at Cicero-North Syracuse, also ran for nine touchdowns this past season,

Footballs fly around now more than ever at high school football games, and that means a quarterback’s arm is in  on a lot of plays.

Bishop Kearney had one of the best quarterbacks in the state, according to the New York State Sportswriters Association.

A total of 14 players from Class B, C and D schools in Section V were designated first-team offense or defense, including Todd LaRocca, a senior at Bishop Kearney.

LaRocca, listed at 6-3 and 190 pounds, threw for 2,448 yards with 30 touchdowns as Bishop Kearney advanced to the state semifinals. The Kings, with coach Eddie Long, won the team’s first Section V championship since 1989. LaRocca, Most Valuable Player of the sectional final, is one of seven Class D first-team all-state selections in Section V.

Bishop Kearney running back Dahmir Ross, a junior, Red Jacket senior running back Sean Sheets and Caledonia-Mumford senior placekicker Josh Rides are on the Class D first-team offense with LaRocca. Clyde-Savannah’s Jarrod Faniel and Avon’s Josh Lutz, seniors who excelled at linebacker positions, are first-team selections with Avon defensive back Zack Loomis, who scored seven touchdowns in a game during the 2015 regular season.

Batavia senior linebacker Dominick Mogavero (40) was named first-team all-state for the second consecutive season.

Batavia senior linebacker Dominick Mogavero, for the second consecutive year, and Livonia senior offensive lineman Kirk Kornbau were named first-team all-state in Class B. Mogavero, also Batavia’s leading ballcarrier with 15 touchdowns and 1,127 yards, swooped in to make 125 tackles with five sacks, while Batavia repeated as Section V champions.

A pair of East Rochester/Gananda teammates are on the Class C first-team offense and three members of the state semifinalist Bath Rams are on the first-team defense. Cameron Cleveland ran for 2,095 yards and 26 touchdowns during East Rochester/Gananda’s drive to the sectional final, while senior offensive lineman Hayden Ricci helped make room.

Patrick Brewer and Michael Rice, included on the all-state team as defensive backs, helped Bath to its best season since 2000, along with senior defensive lineman Jacob Cupp, a senior listed at 5 foot-10 inches and 250 pounds.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

New York State Sportswriters Association

Section V All-state Football players

Class B, C, and D

Class B first team: OL Kirk Kornbau (Livonia) senior; LB Dominick Mogavero (Batavia) senior; Second: QB Greg Mruczek (Batavia) senior; LB Tyler Crouch (Hornell) senior; Third: QB Tanner Irwin (Penn Yan) senior,  LB Nick Kallio (Livonia) senior; LB Ethan Perham (Livonia) senior.

Class B Player of the Year: QB/DE Jake Schaffner, Cazenovia-III, senior.

Class C first team: RB Cameron Cleveland (East Rochester/Gananda) junior; OL Hayden Ricci (East Rochester/Gananda) senior; DL Jacob Cupp (Bath) senior; DB Patrick Brewer (Bath) senior; DB Michael Rice (Bath) senior); Second: OE Jake Taggert (Bath) junior; OL Matt Machuga (Bath) senior; DL Alex Brothers (East Rochester/Gananda) senior. Third: DL Shawn Morris (Lyons/Sodus) senior.

Class C Player of the Year: QB/LB Tony Silvanic, (Chenango Forks-IV) senior.

Class D first team: QB Todd LaRocca (Bishop Kearney) senior; RB Dahmir Pross (Bishop Kearney) junior; RB Sean Sheets (Red Jacket) senior; PK Josh Roides (Caledonia-Mumford) senior; LB Jarrod Faniel (Clyde-Savannah) senior; LB Josh Lutz (Avon) senior; DB Zack Loomis (Avon) senior. Second: OE Justin Davis (Bishop Kearney) senior; LB Josh Jackson (Bishop Kearney) senior; DB Devin Jensen (Dundee) senior.

Class D Player of the Year: RB/DB Jesse Manuel (Tioga-IV) senior.

Webster Thomas goalie Dalton Jerzak, left, stops a penalty shot by Webster Schroeder’s Matt Montgomery in the third period to preserve the 2-2 tie Webster Ice Arean as part of the Robert J. Smith Memorial High School Hockey Showcase on Saturday.

Webster Schroeder’s Tommy Winn, right, takes a shot on goal past Webster Thomas defender Zachary Fosdick during regular season game played at Webster Ice Arean as part of the Robert J. Smith Memorial High School Hockey Showcase on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas played to a 2-2 tie.

Hector Vargas, who finished with two goals, scored to even the game at 2-2 for Webster Thomas as the Titans tied Webster Schroeder in a Section V hockey game on Saturday.

Tyler Cooligan had two assists for Webster Thomas (9-1-2).

Webster Schroeder led 2-1 after the first period.

Connor Ball tallied a goal and an assist and Matt Montgomery added two assists for the Warriors (6-4-1).

Boys Swimming

Bath Invitational

200 medley relay: 1. Brockport (Alex Burrow, Brandon Amthor, Nathaniel Bartalo, Bruce Kane) 1:39.48; 2. Pittsford (Samuel Roche, Arthur Fan, Casey Ransford, Ben Beldner) 1:40.79; 3. Avon (Nick Fasoldt, Trevor McCabe, Drew Page, Nic Wolfer) 1:45.37; 200 freestyle: 1. Amthor (BKPT) 1:43.58; 2. Britt Kaukeinen (Irondequoit) 1:45.82; 3. James Baker (Honeoye Falls-Lima) 1:46.99; 200 IM: 1. Noah Stevens (Brighton) 1:58.28; 2. David DeLaus (HFL) 2:00.80; 3. Bruce Kane (BKPT) 2:05.44; 50 freestyle: 1. Wolfer (AVON) 22.08*; 2. Alex Baker (Canandaigua) 22.83; 3. Christian Realbuto (PITT) 23.07; Diving: 1. Sean Riley (PITT) 523.40; 2. Shane Gillman (Dansville) 507.35; 3. Corey Neas (BRIG) 492.25; 100 butterfly: 1. Noah Stevens (BRIG) 51.03*@; 2. Arthur Fan (PITT) 51.43*; 3. Max Wagner (Hilton) 56.22; 100 freestyle: 1. Wolfer (AVON) 47.53*; 2. Bartalo (BKPT) 48.31*; 3. Baker (CANA) 49.74; 500 freestyle: 1. Baker (HFL) 4:45.16*; 2. Tim Drake (PITT) 4:55.76; 3. John Kellett (PITT) 4:56.98; 200 freestyle relay: Brockport (Bartalo, Bruce Kane, Alex Regna, Amthor) 1:28.29*; 2. Hilton (Lee Lohrmann, Adram Reitz, Wagner, Alex Parks) 1:30.81; 3. Honeoye Falls-Lima (Baker, DeLaus, Zach Skelton, Harper Coleman) 1:31.74; 100 backstroke: 1. Arthur Fan (PITT) 53.62*: 2. Kaukeinen (IRON) 54.61*; 3. DeLaus (HFL) 55.92; 100 breaststroke: 1. Chris Evans (PITT) 1:05.19; 2. Eric Fan (PITT) 1:05.23; 3. Tommy Magda (PITT) 1:05.79; 400 freestyle relay: 1. Brockport (Amthor, Kane, Bartalo, Matt Dambra) 3:13.58*@; 2. Pittsford (Samuel Roche, John Kellett, Ransford, Arthur Fan) 3:18.43; 3. Honeoye Falls-Lima (Baker, Jackson Kammermeier, Harper Coleman, DeLaus) 3:19.83. * = State cut @ = Pool record

Harley-Allendale Columbia Invitational

Boys

Team: 1. Attica, 235; 2. York, 216; 3. Gananda, 197; 4. Harley-Allendale Columbia, 191; 4. Geneseo, 191; 6. Albion-VI, 95; 7. Oakfield-Alabama, 90; 8. Wheatland-Chili, 58; 9. Batavia-Notre Dame, 48; 10. Wayne, 42; 11. World of Inquiry, 33; 12. Batavia, 4.

Individual: 200 medley relay: Geneseo (John Baker, Zac Shine, Alex Kruger, Josh Welch) 1:50.62; 800 freestyle relay: Attica (Alex Kunes, Kyle Best, Tyler Stachowiak, Matthew Langerman) 8:01.65*; 200 IM: Kunes (Att) 2:06.97; 50 freestyle: Stachowiak (Att) 23.68; 100 butterfly: Tanner Streb (York) 58.67; 400 medley relay: Geneseo (John Baker, Zac Shine, Alex Kruger, Garrison Hunt) 4:08.21; 100 freestyle: Stachowiak (Att) 52.27; 100 backstoke: Chris Lemley (Batavia-Notre Dame) 57.33; 400 freestyle relay: Attica (Kunes, Andrew Stoffel, Langerman, Stachowiak) 3:37.05; 100 breaststroke: –Kunes (Att) 1:04.42; 200 freestyle relay – Harley-Allendale Columbia (Matthew Gelb, Max Kreckel, Jacob LaDue, Gil Smolyak) 1:38.58.

Girls

Team scores: 1. Harley-Allendale Columbia, 350; 2. Attica, 267; 3. Oakfield-Alabama, 90; 4. Albion-VI, 109; 5. Batavia Notre-Dame 91; 6. Wheatland-Chili, 80.

Individual: 200 medley relay: Harley-Allendale Columbia (Stephanie Cui, Emma Tracy, Floriana Milazzo, Nicole Gelb) 2:01.10; 800 freestyle relay – Attica (Reagan Bifarella, Jordyn Stachowiak, Jackie Keicher, Bayli Fugle) 9:43.78; 200 IM: Emma Tracy (HAC) 2:21.93; 50 freestyle: Nicole Gelb (HAC) 24.70*; 100 butterfly: Liz Jurs (O-A) 1:07.43; 400 medley relay: Oakfield-Alabama (Madie LaGrou, Brittany Hicks, Jurs, Logan Cadieux) 4:51.67; 100 freestyle: LaGrou (O-A) 56.59*; 100 backstroke: Gelb (56.59)@; 400 freestyle relay: Harley-Allendale Columbia (Lily Kegl, Kit Taylor, Lila Campbell, Emma Tracy) 4:10.18; 100 breaststroke: Bifarella (Att) 1:20.23; 200 freestyle relay: Harley-Allendale Columbia (Campbell, Taylor, Milazzo, Gelb) 1:50.11. * = Meet record @ = School record

Indoor Track and Field

RIT Invitational

Abby McGahey won the triple jump (34-0) and Rachel Richenburg won the weight throw (35-10) for Canandaigua. The 3,200 relay team of Lily VonRhedy, Stella Gullo, Katie Cobos and Molly O’Neil placed first for the Braves.

Fairport’s Dan Masino, left, drives the baseline against Webster Schroeder’s Jared Griffin during on Dec. 11, 2015. Fairport beat Webster Schroeder 55-54.

The weather is finally cold this winter but high school sports are heating up, highlighted by three showdowns in three different sports.

On Wednesday night in Fairport, there’s a boys basketball showdown as the unbeaten Red Raiders host Aquinas in a non-league game that’s a rematch of last year’s Section V Class AA championship. The Little Irish won that game, 63-49, on their way to reaching the state semifinals. These are two of Section V’s best defensive teams. Fairport was No. 1 in the Democrat and Chronicle‘s large-school coaches’ poll last month and Aquinas was tied for second.

The Little Irish took an 8-1 record into Monday night’s matchup at Bishop Timon of Section VI and Fairport was 9-0 headed to Gates Chili. Senior guard Earnest Edwards (17 points per game), a star receiver/runner for the state champion football team, leads Aquinas in scoring but has support from 6-foot-3 junior guard Jalen Pickett (14.1 ppg/7.6 rebounds), 6-6 senior Jason Hawkes (12.3 ppg/6.4 rpg) and senior guard David Vito (10.4 ppg).

Fairport is led by do-it-all junior guard Dan Masino and 6-3 senior guard Matthew Keenan. They average about 18 and 17 points per game, respectively, and are among coach Scott Fitch’s top 3-point threats.

On Tuesday in Penfield, the Hilton girls (9-2) find how well they stack up against Section V’s best, Penfield (9-1). The Patriots are winning by an average margin of 28.6 points. The only single-digit win was a 63-55 victory over Victor in a Monroe County Division I game. Its only loss was, 58-54, to Section VIII’s Peekskill in a holiday tournament.

One of Hilton’s two losses was to Victor, 53-51, in early December. The other was a 61-52 slip-up against Fairport on Dec. 29.

Boston College-bound senior forward Emma Guy (18 ppg), future Seton Hall player Ali Fitzgerald (12) and sophomore guard Makaila Wilson (12 ppg) power Penfield, ranked No. 1 in the latest D&C poll. Hilton is No. 5. Coach Jeff Eichas’ Hilton team needs to play its best to pull off an upset. The Cadets are coming off Friday’s 52-47 overtime victory over Greece Athena. Senior guard Cameron Graupman, who averages 21.4 points, scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. She’s committed to play next season at the College of St. Rose, a Division II program in Albany.

Finally at 5:15 p.m. Thursday in Fairport, No. 1 Pittsford travels to No. 2 Fairport as the top two boys swimming teams in the latest Section V poll square off in a dual meet that’ll decide the Monroe County Division I title. The Panthers, who’ve won 13th straight sectional titles, breezed to a win last weekend at the Fab 4 Invitational in Bath. They had 610 points and runner-up Brockport, 391. The teams split winning the 12 events. Senior Arthur Fan (100-yard butterfly, 100 backstroke), named Swimmer of the Meet at the Section V Class A championships last year, was a double-winner for Pittsford.

JDIVERON@Gannett.com

Large-School Girls’ Basketball Coaches’ Poll

The Webster Varsity Volleyball Tournament, a fast-moving high school boys event, includes some heavy hitters from the area and other parts of the state when it convenes Saturday at Webster Thomas High School.

Penfield, Spencerport, Fairport, Webster (combined team), Cicero-North Syracuse (Section III), West Seneca West and Orchard Park (Section VI) begin play at 8:30 a.m. in a one-game pool. Elimination rounds are scheduled to start between 1-1:30 p.m., finals at about 3 p.m.

Penfield, the defending champion, was a Class A Section V finalist last fall and is 8-0 this season through Thursday. Setter Andrew Solomon, and outside hitter Jack Bittker are back for the Patriots. Both are 2015 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team selections.

Admission is free, with matches taking place on two courts inside the Thomas field house and in the school gymnasium.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

Section V boys volleyball loaded, setting table for states

Penfield’s Jack Bittker, left, hits by the block of Fairport’s Mitch D’Agostino (16) and Garrett Vermeulen on Sept. 20. The Patriots won the match against Fairport in three games.

Penfield’s Noah Wulforst makes a diving dig on a McQuaid serve.