High School football: 7 games to watch for in Section V this season

Democrat and Chronicle

Maybe the Section V football schedule will shift again, but at last it is out for everyone to see it.

The high school practices which count, as far as the New York State Public High School Athletic Association is concerned, begin Monday.

We can't wait. Here is a look at the games that pop out before the pop of pads:

Week 1

Pittsford quarterback Matt Larocca leaps into the end zone on an 11-yard touchdown run against Webster Thomas last season.

Victor vs. Pittsford (Aug. 30 at St. John Fisher College) : It's Teddi Bowl III, the only game scheduled in the area, and the matchup under lights is between two of the area's most consistent and successful teams. Proceeds and donations go to Camp Good Days and Special Times.

Scoreboard watching for: Hornell at Batavia; Hilton at Fairport, Aug. 31.

Week 2

Batavia 's Ray Leach, has been an All-Greater Rochester selection the past two seasons. Leach was stabbed in an incident in Batavia earlier this month, leading to questions about his status for this season.

Batavia at Livonia (Sept. 7): Batavia's season-opener is a challenge, regardless of the status of Blue Devils senior running back Ray Leach. The Blue Devils are going to Livonia, a place where there is just as much pride in a football team that has a bunch of wins.

Scoreboard watching for: Buffalo Canisius at McQuaid, Sept. 7; Irondequoit at Greece Athena, Sept. 8.

Week 3

Victor's Kordell Jackson makes a tackle in a 2016 game against McQuaid.

Churchville-Chili at Victor (Sept. 14:) The arrival of these two teams in Class A drew the most attention. Victor is the only team outside of Aquinas to win a Section V Class AA title since 2012. Churchville-Chili played Victor and Class AA Pittsford tough last season, and welcome back star defensive linemen Nasiere Tisdale and Will Zimmerman.

Scoreboard watching for: Aquinas vs. Buffalo Canisius, Sept. 13; East High vs. Wilson at Marina Auto Stadium, Sept. 15.

Week 4

Irondequoit's Freddy June Jr. rolls out of the pocket against Wilson during the 2017 Section V Class A championship game.

Irondequoit at Victor (Sept. 21): Is this the showdown of the teams to beat in Class A? Irondequoit senior quarterback Freddy June, the 2017 All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year, looked downright comfortable at the West Side Team Camp. Does Victor crank up its power-running game to hold on to the ball?

Scoreboard watching for: Caledonia-Mumford/Byron-Bergen at Le Roy, Sept. 21; Geneva at Wayne and University Prep vs. Bishop Kearney/Rochester Prep at Marina Auto, Sept. 22.

Week 5

Wilson's Desi Floyd Jr. tackles McQuaid's AJ Fina during last season's RCAC matchup.

Wilson at McQuaid (Sept. 28): This may determine the winner of the Rochester City Athletic Conference. Wilson is the defending Section V Class A champion and the word is the Wildcats should be tough again. McQuaid won last season's matchup — without starting quarterback Hunter Walsh — 10-8. The game came down to a 32-yard field goal attempt by the Wildcats.

Scoreboard watching for: Bath at Livonia; Geneva at East Rochester/Gananda, Sept. 29.

Week 6

Webster Thomas' Collin Hill (2) is tackled by Pittsford kicker Max Hopfinger after a long kickoff return during a game last season.

Webster Schroeder vs. Webster Thomas (Oct. 5): Maybe this game has an impact on the race to get into the Class A sectional tournament. Or, maybe not. It's more certain there will be a good atmosphere because familiarity strips away fear, and that leads to the Warriors and Titans playing hard against one another.

Scoreboard watching: Victor at Canandaigua; Livonia at Caledonia-Mumford/Byron-Bergen; Le Roy at Bath, Oct. 5; McQuaid at Aquinas, Oct. 6.

Week 7

Fairport quarterback Mike Pellittiere eludes a Penfield tackler during a game played Sept. 15, 2017.

Fairport at Penfield (Oct. 12): Maybe Penfield will have made it clear by this point that it can stand up to it's rival, and perhaps win as it did in the Connors & Ferris tournament last year. Fairport is in a new era with coach Marc Vitticore, but may show it's moving forward, not backward.

Scoreboard watching: Hornell at Livonia, Oct. 12.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

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