Here’s a look at the final Democrat and Chronicle/Section V high school football coaches’ polls, before the final week of the regular season.
Livonia’s Matt Hyde and teammates charge into big Livingston County league matchup against Hornell, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Let’s begin with the small schools first, the top teams in the B, C and D classifications:
Livonia takes over the No. 1 spot after nearly a full regular season of dominance and before a home game 7:30 p.m. Saturday against No. 3 Hornell. Batavia did nothing wrong last week to cause a drop, can impress 7:30 Friday with win at No. 5 Clyde-Savannah. Is Hornell back to being a power? We should find out Saturday at Livonia.
East Rochester/Gananda running game averaging 7.5 yards a carry. Interesting home game Friday night for Clyde-Savannah, as the Golden Eagles take on Class B Batavia while trying to clinch the top seed for the Class D sectionals. Big win for Wayne over Geneva puts home playoff game within reach. Bishop Kearney, a state semifinalist last season, moved up to Class C.
It won’t be easy, but Geneva can play spoiler 7 p.m. Friday against undefeated ER/Gananda. Bath losses are to No. 1 Livonia and No. 3 Hornell. Letchworth-Warsaw already has doubled last season’s win total of three.
The large school rankings include Class AA and A schools in Monroe County, for the most part:
Opposing defenses must deal with fast and physical running backs Mitch Spindler and Zack Estabrooks at No. 1 Victor. Not exactly smooth sailing from start to finish for Pittsford, but only loss was to the Victor Blue Devils. Fairport has a tough close to regular season against Hilton, but should have home sectional game. Class A tournament described as wide open and competitive, but Greece Athena has emerged as team to beat.
Indications are that Aquinas will play home Saturday against Buffalo Bishop Timon-Saint Jude, a team involved in a fight during a game last week. Aquinas senior linebacker Damon Burton must sit out because he was ejected from the team’s game last week. Certainly a season to be proud of for Brighton, key game Friday night at Spencerport. No stalls or falls for Canandaigua since one-point loss to Brighton in Week 4. A win at home against Gates Chili, and Rush-Henrietta is in the Class AA tournament.
A loss opens the door to disappointment. Spencerport can put itself into a home game in the Class A playoffs with a win over Brighton. McQuaid faces Class A Wilson Friday night at home for the Rochester City Athletic Conference title.
JAMESJ@Gannett.com
Large-School Coaches’ Poll
1 – Victor (3)
Record: 6-0
Points: 30
Previous rank: 1
2 – Pittsford
Record: 5-1
Points: 26
Previous rank: 5
3 – Fairport
Record: 5-1
Points: 22
Previous rank: 2
4 – Hilton
Record: 4-2
Points: 20
Previous rank: 4
5 (tied) – Greece Athena
Record: 6-0
Points: 12
Previous rank: 3
5 (tied) – Aquinas
Record: 3-3
Points: 12
Previous rank: T10
7 – Brighton
Record: 5-1
Points: 11
Previous rank: 6
8 – Canandaigua
Record: 5-1
Points: 10
Previous rank: 7
9 – Rush-Henrietta
Record: 3-3
Points: 6
Previous rank: NR
T10 – McQuaid
Record: 4-2
Points: 2
Previous rank: T10
T10 – Spencerport
Record: 4-2
Points: 2
Previous rank: T10
Also received votes: Webster Schroeder and Wilson.
Small-School Coaches’ Poll
1 – Livonia (3)
Record: 6-0
Points: 48
Previous rank: 2
2 – Batavia (2)
Record: 6-0
Points: 45
Previous rank: 1
3 – Hornell
Record: 6-0
Points: 32
Previous rank: 3
4 – East Rochester/Gananda
Record: 6-0
Points: 31
Previous rank: 4
5 – Clyde-Savannah
Record: 6-0
Points: 23
Previous rank: 5
6 – Wayne
Record: 5-1
Points: 21
Previous rank: 7
7 – Bishop Kearney
Record: 6-0
Points: 20
Previous rank: 6
8 – Geneva
Record: 5-1
Points: 17
Previous rank: 9
9 – Bath
Record: 4-2
Points: 11
Previous rank: 8
10 – Letchworth/Warsaw
Record: 6-0
Points: 10
Previous rank: 10
