Local teams head to playoffs

A common refrain throughout the high school football regular season was: “It’s the Class B East. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”

With the onset of the Section III playoffs, Class B East fans will have the opportunity to see how their teams outside of division play against the B West.

After an unexpected midseason loss to Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, 2017 Class B East champion Cazenovia won three straight over New Hartford, Oneida, and Chittenango, respectively, to close out their regular season. With an Oneida loss to VVS and a win over Chittenango on Friday, the Lakers captured another B East crown and the No. 2 seed in the Class B bracket.

The Lakers and head coach Jay Steinhorst will host No. 7 seed Homer in the quarterfinals in a rematch of 2017’s Section III championship game in the bracket’s only Saturday contest at 1:30 p.m.

At one point in danger of missing out on the 2018 postseason following losses to Camden and Chittenango, VVS posted a big win over rival Oneida during the final week of the regular season to secure the No. 4 seed. Gary Oliver’s Red Devils will host No. 5 Westhill on Friday at 7:00 p.m.

After failing to reach the postseason in 2017, Oneida returns to Class B postseason after a muchimproved campaign. Head coach Jason Fuller’s side had a shot to surprise everyone with a Class B East regular season title over

Cazenovia heading into the final week of the sea- son, but things did not go in Oneida’s favor. Now, No. 6 Oneida will regroup and focuse on a dangerous No. 3 Marcellus team that finished second in the Class B West standings.

Making the move from the Class B West to East this regular season, Chittenango may be the team most familiar with its opponent during quarterf inal play. The No. 8 Bears and head coach Curt Kielbasa, however, have a tall task ahead in No. 1 seed and undefeated Skaneatles on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p. m.

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Cazenovia running back Ryan Romagnoli runs through a pair of Mexico defenders on Saturday, Sept. 1during a 53-7Cazenovia win.

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Oneida senior running back Steven Barrett celebrates with teammates after a second quarter touchdown on Thursday, Aug. 30.

BY ANDREW AURIGEMA CONTRIBUTING WRITER Vernon-Verona-Sherrill quarterback Alex Oliver (20) and wide receiver Travis Decker (1) celebrate following touchdown during Friday’s 14-6Red Devil victory.