Rush-Henrietta quarterback Jared Gerbino has helped the Royal Comets beat two undefeated teams during the Section V Class AA tournament. .
Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec throws a pass rolling out of the pocket during a regular season game played at McQuaid Jesuit.
Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec throws a touchdown to Jalen Pickett.
Hilton varsity football coach Rich Lipani reminded fans of local high school football that Aquinas quarterback Jake Zembiec is more advanced than most quarterbacks his age.
There were people who were impressed with Rush-Henrietta senior quarterback Jared Gerbino, too, last week during the Section V Class AA semifinals.
Zembiec, who committed to play at Penn State University last November, probably is the most accurate passer in Section V. In a twist, the 2013 Class AA state player of the year helped Aquinas defeat Hilton in the Class AA sectional semifinals with 61 rushing yards on 10 carries, including the go-ahead touchdown, a 2-yard run, in a 21-14 win for Aquinas.
Aquinas rallies to overtake Hilton
Rush-Henrietta QB Jared Gerbino on the run against Victor.
Gerbino, who sprained both ankles this season and played on despite the injuries, was 9 of 12 passing for 127 yards against defending champion Victor. He ran 55 yards to score Rush-Henrietta’s first touchdown and threw a 36-yard scoring pass to Reggie Robinson in the fourth quarter of R-H’s 20-19 win.
Aquinas (9-0) and Rush-Henrietta (6-3) meet in the Section V Class AA Championship at 4 p.m. Sunday at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester.
Zembiec has completed 67.7 percent of his 167 passes, including 26 for touchdowns, versus five interceptions. Gerbino makes good use of his 6-foot-4 inches and 215 pounds as a runner, as he is Rush-Henrietta’s second-leading rusher (643 yards, seven touchdowns). He has 17 touchdown passes and two interceptions among 130 attempts.
Here are four more things to watch during the sectional finals, Nov. 7 and 8 at Sahlen’s:
2. Injuries at Aquinas: The Aquinas offense has to play on without a starting running back versus Rush-Henrietta, and the playing status of the team’s leading scorer is uncertain.
“We’re not going to use this as an excuse,” Aquinas coach Chris Battaglia said. “We have to play.”
Leadng rusher Taylor Riggins (521 yards and seven touchdowns) is sidelined with an torn knee ligament. Riggins was injured last Sunday during the semifinal round while being tackled. It’s a loss for the Aquinas defense also, as Riggins is a senior with a verbal commitment to play linebacker at Syracuse University.
Earnest Edwards, a senior with 22 touchdowns, is dealing with a hip injury after a hard landing at the end of a punt return Sunday. Battaglia said whether Edwards, a cornerback on defense, will try to play in the final probably won’t be decided until game day.
Jake Zembiec’s 2015 statistics
3. Ready to ‘Rocc‘: Let’s talk about another quarterback.
Bishop Kearney senior Todd LaRocca, who threw for 1,936 yards and 24 touchdowns for last season’s sectional finalist, has a chance to make history at his school. The Kings face Clyde-Savannah in the Class D final, noon Saturday.
There are plenty of Bishop Kearney basketball champions, but the last football team to win a title at the school was in 1989.
LaRocca’s passing numbers are similiar this season, 1,858 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
“He’s doing exactly what I want to do, be a good leader and take what teams are giving him,” Bishop Kearney coach Eddie Long said. “He is that captain and leader we need him to be.
“These guys know how important the game is to the school. They are excited to try and change that.”
Rush-Henrietta holds off Victor to reach AA final
4. Gain more ground: East Rochester/Gananda has a running back near the 2,000-yard mark this season.
Cameron Cleveland must pick his way through what has traditionally been a rugged Bath defense in the Class C final at 3 p.m. Saturday. Cleveland is 54 yards from 2,000, with 1,946 and 25 touchdowns.
Both the Bombers and Rams are 9-0 this season.
Canandaigua to face first-time finalist Brockport
5. Class A rematch: The name of the game is to win, and that’s what the Brockport Blue Devils (8-1) have done, with or without a wow-style.
The Blue Devils, finalists for the first time in team history, will try to top Canandaigua for the second time this season, in the Class A title game at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Blue Devils defeated Canandaigua, 33-28 at Brockport in Week 2.