Twelve Section II Teams Make the Cut in NYSSWA Football Rankings
The NYSSWA (New York State Sportswriters Association) released their first high school state football rankings of the season on Wednesday and 12 Section II teams made the cut. Here they are.
Class AA
#1 Troy (2-0): The defending state champs have not missed a beat this year and dominating their first two opponents, Columbia and Guilderland, scoring a combined 114 points. At this point they are the favorite to win the section and seem locked and loaded to defend their state championship come late November. They are on the road against La Salle on Friday.
#18 Shaker (2-0): The Bison have used their defense to grab their first two wins with a statement shutout win over CBA in Week 1 and only allowing seven points to Bethlehem in Week 2. They lost in the sectional final to Troy last year, and look armed for another deep playoff run.
Honorable Mention: Saratoga Springs (2-0).
Class A
#6 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (2-0): A real threat in Class A, BH-BL has looked really strong so far. They opened up with a huge win over Queensbury in Week 1 and dominated Scotia in Week 2, 55-0. This team could make a run to state-level playoffs.
#17 Queensbury (1-1): They may have lost to BH-BL, but this is not a team to joke around with. Their offense is strong and defense really showed up in Week 2 as they allowed just six points to Green Tech. This is a strong team that could give BH-BL a run for their money come sectional time.
Honorable Mentions: Amsterdam (2-0) and Averill Park (2-0).
Class B
#1 Glens Falls (2-0): Joe Girard III is one of the best quarterbacks in the state, and he has shown why. The team has put up 72 points in their first two games against Hudson and Schalmont while, even more impressive, haven’t allowed a point yet. The Indians are the defending state champions and could very well do it again this year.
#6 Schuylerville (2-0): Another offensive-minded team. The Horses have scored 40+ points in both of their games this year in wins against Schalmont and Hudson and have that dominant offense looking ready to go. The defense has looked shaky, so they can look to improve on that for the playoffs.
Class C
#4 Stillwater (2-0): The offense has been great in their first two games, putting up at least 48 points in both of their games and had a shutout against Taconic Hills in Week 2. They should handily win their next two games before what should be a fantastic game against Holy Trinity on September 30.
#18 Holy Trinity (1-1): A heartwarming story, as Section II football fans know that their team locker and equipment rooms burned down towards the end of last season, and now they are state-ranked. They had a surprising loss Week 2 against Mechanicville in a 38-34 shootout but otherwise their defense looks good, holding Chatham to six points Week 1. This is a team that could surprise Stillwater and possibly win the section.
Honorable Mentions: Chatham (1-1) and Watervliet (2-0).
Class D
#1 Cambridge (2-0): Another defending state champion, they haven’t lost a beat this season, opening up with a 57-0 win over Rensselaer and a win over Section I’s Albertus Mangus in Week 2. They seem as a near-lock for the sectional title and could win a second straight state championship.
#5 Greenwich (2-0): Another good defensive team, they have allowed just 15 points combined in their two games, including a shutout in Week 2. This is a team that could really challenge Cambridge for the section. They have a tough test coming up this week against Warrensburg/Bolton.
#18 Whitehall (2-0): A fantastic defensive unit has given this team success. They allowed just six points in Week 1 to Cohoes and grabbed a win against Hoosic Valley despite scoring just 13 points (they got a shutout). This squad could make a deep sectional run.
#19 Canajoharie/Fort Plain (2-0): They have outscored their opponents 74-7 in two weeks and look really good. This is a team that has potential to make a long playoff run, but it will be tough for them in a deep Class D this year.
Honorable Mentions: Warrensburg/Bolton (2-0).
For the full rankings, click here.
