Class B Scouting Report: M-E vs. Schalmont

The Maine-Endwell Spartans have been making plenty of headlines this season.  Having won 37 straight games and in position to win a third, straight State Title, the Spartans are ready for their next opponent Schalmont.  Head Coach Matt Gallagher compares the Sabres to his Spartans, not the biggest team, physically but both teams have strength and speed.

Meanwhile, Schalmont Head Coach Joe Whipple says that if his Sabres want to take home the top honors, they can't get caught up in the accomplishments of the Spartans, and just stick to their game.

Kick-off at 3:00 on Sunday at the Carrier Dome.

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Forks ready for Sunday, not overestimating Rye Neck

While the Chenango Forks Blue Devils are ready for the school's first appearance in the State Finals since 2007, they know it won't be an easy game.  Their opponent, Rye Neck, as Forks Head Coach Dave Hogan says, runs a very similar 5-2 defense and there are many other similarities in their games.  The Blue Devils are averaging 40 points per game, the Panthers, 38.  Forks allows an average of 10.9 pts per game, Rye Neck just 6.  So, while the Blue Devils have been confident throughout this week of practice, they know beating Rye Neck won't be a walk in the park and will take an all around effort.

Kick-off at 12:00 on Sunday at the Carrier Dome.

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Blue Devils Return to Glory

It's been six years since the last time the Chenango Forks Blue Devils have made an end of season appearance in the Carrier Dome.  State Champs in '03 and '04, runners up in '01, '02, '05, and '07, Chenango Forks has a strong history of football excellence in the 21st century alone.  For this year's squad, the goal at the beginning of the year was to make it back to the state finals, where Hornell ended their season the year before.  After getting over that hump on Saturday, the Blue Devils now have their eyes on the prize... a state title, and a return to Forks glory.

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Win Streak? Three-peat? No pressure for Spartans

Logic would dictate that at 18 years old, or younger, one might start to feel the pressure of a 37-game win streak dating back to 2011.  One might also feel the pressure of being the two-time defending state champions, going for three in a row.  One would also expect to feel the weight of the expectations from a community and Section IV fan base.  But, one is not a Maine-Endwell Spartan.

Despite having plenty of importance riding on Sunday's state championship game against Schalmont, the Maine-Endwell Spartans are still focusing on one game, one week at a time.  That game, that week, comes Sunday at 3:00 in the Carrier Dome, and they're ready for it.

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East extends Ernie Davis win streak

It was a cold night at U-E's Ty Cobb Stadium, and despite earlier concerns that the game might be postponed, the 23rd annual Ernie Davis Exceptional Senior Classic went off without a hitch.

For the 4th straight year, the East won the battle.  This year's contest was a 20-6 victory.  Binghamton's Joe Crowley scored the first two touchdowns of the game.

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Spartans, Blue Devils get shot at Title

While Section IV Teams went 0-2 in Semifinal games Friday night, Saturday was much better for the Southern Tier.  The Chenango Forks Blue Devils blanked Cleveland Hill 22-0 in the opening game of the day.  The Maine-Endwell Spartans followed up with a 35-13 victory over Depew.

For the Blue Devils, it's the first trip to the Carrier Dome since 2007, having made six State Finals since 2001, and winning it all in '03 and '04.  Since the opening of training camp, the Blue Devils have been working towards a return to the semis, to secure a better outcome than last year's loss to Hornell.  While that goal is complete, the larger goal, a state title, will have to wait one more week.  Chenango Forks faces off against Rye Neck, who beat Hoosick Falls 14-0 in the East Semis, at the Dome on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 12:00.

The Maine-Endwell Spartans also battled the whiteout conditions in Rochester and bested Depew.  It was the 37th straight win for the Spartans and secures a third straight State Title berth.  M-E goes for back-to-back titles in Class B, and a third straight state title overall (having won Class A honors in 2011).  M-E draws the 3:00 game on Sunday, against Schalmont.  Schalmont blanked Marlboro Central 66-0 in their semifinal game.

VIDEO COURTESY OF TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS CHANNEL

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Both Tigers fall in bad night for Section IV

ROCHESTER -- It was a bad night to be a Tiger on the gridiron.  In the first of two matchups at Sahlen's Stadium, Tioga fell to Randolph 35-6.  In the nightcap, Union-Endicott fell to Williamsville North 27-14.

For Tioga, all roads led to this game.  Last year, the Randolph Cardinals put an end to the Tigers season 7-6 in the State Semis.  Since then, the Tigers have been waiting, hoping that the Cardinals would find their way back to the Semifinals for a bit of revenge.  Unfortunately for #2 ranked Tioga, #1 ranked Randolph came out with a sense of urgency.  The Cardinals scored on their first two drives of the game, and led the Tigers 21-0 at the half.  Tioga eventually trailed 28-0 after three, before Brad Jump found his way into the endzone, but it was too little too late as Tioga's season once again ended at the hands of Randolph, 35-6.

Union-Endicott also saw it's season end in the Semis last year, but at the hands of Sweet Home.  With Sweet Home out of the way, the Tigers had their eyes on the Dome, but like their striped counterparts, U-E's Tigers were caught flat footed out of the gate.  The Spartans put up 20 unanswered points in the first half and took a 27-0 lead at the start of the 4th quarter.  U-E made a run late in the 4th, scoring twice, but it was also too late.  U-E's six game win streak ends with the 27-14 loss, the Tigers finish the season 8-4.

VIDEO COURTESY OF TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS CHANNEL

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