Baldwinsville football surges to playoff win as CNY teams battle for sectional spots
Baldwinsville’s 48-26 victory over Utica Proctor puts the Bees one win from a Section III Class AA championship berth, while other CNY teams face playoff heartbreak and surprises as fall sports reach their peak.
Sophomore Zayden Farley led Baldwinsville to a 48-26 win over Utica Proctor on Friday night at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, according to Eagle News. Farley’s performance, combined with a relentless Bees offense, sent Baldwinsville fans home happy and put the team just one win away from a Section III Class AA championship berth.
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Two weeks ago, Baldwinsville barely edged Utica Proctor by a touchdown. This time, the Bees broke the game open with a 27-point unanswered run in the middle quarters, turning a close contest into a rout and showing how much the team has grown since their last meeting.
Fans in Baldwinsville and the western suburbs have watched the Bees build momentum all season. The team’s playoff surge has become a rallying point for the community, with students, parents, and alumni packing Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium on Friday nights. The 48-point outburst was the Bees’ highest-scoring game of the year, and it came at the perfect time.
With the win, Baldwinsville advances to the Section III semifinals, where they will face a familiar opponent. The Bees’ defense, which struggled early in the season, has tightened up in recent weeks, allowing the offense to take more risks and put up big numbers. Farley’s breakout night has fans talking about a possible championship run, something Baldwinsville hasn’t seen in several years.
For Central New York residents, especially those out in Baldwinsville and Lysander, the playoff run is a bright spot as the days get shorter and the weather turns. The Bees’ success stands out in a fall sports season marked by upsets and heartbreak for other local teams.
By The Numbers
- 48 points: Baldwinsville’s total in their playoff win over Utica Proctor, per Eagle News
- 27 unanswered points: The Bees’ mid-game scoring run that broke the game open, according to Eagle News
- 21-20: The final score as West Genesee fell to Central Square after leading by 20 at halftime, per Eagle News
Baldwinsville’s 48 points were the most scored by any Section III Class AA team in the opening round. The 27-point unanswered run started late in the first half and continued through the third quarter, leaving Utica Proctor scrambling to catch up. The Bees’ offense averaged just over 30 points per game during the regular season, but Friday’s performance set a new bar for the team.
West Genesee’s 21-20 loss to Central Square was one of the biggest surprises of the weekend. The Wildcats led 20-0 at halftime but couldn’t hold on, giving up three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. The loss ended West Genesee’s season and left fans at Mike Messere Field stunned.
Playoff heartbreak and surprises for West Genesee, Solvay, and more
While Baldwinsville moves on, other Central New York teams saw their playoff hopes dashed in dramatic fashion. West Genesee, playing at Mike Messere Field, surrendered a 20-point halftime lead and lost 21-20 to Central Square, Eagle News reports. The loss stunned Wildcats fans and ended their postseason run earlier than many expected.
Central Square’s comeback was fueled by a pair of long touchdown drives in the third quarter, followed by a late score that put them ahead for good. West Genesee’s offense, which had looked sharp in the first half, struggled to move the ball after halftime. The Wildcats’ defense, usually a strength, couldn’t stop Central Square’s momentum.
Solvay, another Onondaga County school, also saw its season end as Bishop Ludden-Grimes/SAS advanced in the playoffs. By the time Halloween celebrations began, only Bishop Ludden-Grimes/SAS remained alive among area high school football teams seeking Section III titles, according to Eagle News.
For families in Camillus, Solvay, and the surrounding towns, the end of football season means a shift in focus. Local gyms and rec centers start filling up as basketball, wrestling, and indoor track take over. The Wildcats’ early exit was a tough pill to swallow, especially after a regular season that saw them win several close games out near West Genesee Street.
Solvay’s loss to Bishop Ludden-Grimes/SAS capped a season of ups and downs. The Bearcats had hoped to make a deeper run, but turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly. Bishop Ludden-Grimes/SAS, meanwhile, moves on as the last Onondaga County team still in the hunt for a title.
For many in these towns, football season is more than just games on Friday nights. It’s a chance for neighbors to catch up, for students to show their school spirit, and for local businesses to see a boost from game-day crowds. The end of the season always brings a sense of change, as communities look ahead to winter sports and holiday events.
Cazenovia’s defense powers sectional semifinal return
In Madison County, the Cazenovia Lakers are back in the Section III Class C semifinals, thanks to a defense that has long been the team’s calling card. According to Eagle News, Cazenovia’s ability to shut down quality opponents has been a hallmark for decades, and this year’s playoff run.
The Lakers’ defense held opponents to under 14 points per game during the regular season, and that trend continued in the playoffs. Cazenovia’s disciplined play and strong tackling have frustrated teams from across Central New York, especially in big games at Buckley-Volo Field.
Chittenango, another Madison County school, was ousted by Homer 14-6, ending their postseason hopes. The Bears’ defense kept them in the game, but the offense couldn’t find the end zone when it mattered. Homer’s late touchdown sealed the win and sent Chittenango home for the year.
The Lakers’ continued success is a familiar story for fans out in Cazenovia, where football remains a community centerpiece each fall. Local businesses along Albany Street see a bump in business on game days, and the school’s marching band is a fixture at every home game. The Lakers’ playoff run has given the town something to rally around as the weather turns cold.
For more on school sports and education news across Central New York, check the latest on our Syracuse schools page.
Syracuse Orange field hockey faces tough finish
Back in Syracuse, the Orange field hockey team closed its regular season with a 3-1 loss to Boston College, according to the Daily Orange. Syracuse, ranked No. 13 nationally, struggled to generate offense and did not record a shot on goal until the final three minutes of the game. Fieve Frenken scored the Orange’s only goal, the first of her career, with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Lynn Farquhar told the Daily Orange that the game was a hard-fought contest and would help prepare the team for the ACC tournament. The Orange finished the regular season with a 9-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in ACC play.
For fans in the University Hill and Westcott neighborhoods, the end of the regular season means postseason hopes rest on the Orange finding their offensive rhythm. The team’s struggles to generate chances have been a theme, but the upcoming ACC tournament offers a fresh start.
The Orange’s home games at Coyne Stadium have drawn steady crowds this fall, with students and local families turning out even as temperatures dropped. The team’s defense has kept them in most games, but the lack of scoring punch has made for some tense finishes. Frenken’s late goal against Boston College was a bright spot, but the Orange will need more firepower to make a run in the ACC tournament.
With SU football and basketball seasons overlapping, the campus is buzzing with activity. Field hockey players and fans share the spotlight with other fall sports, and the JMA Wireless Dome remains a weekend destination for thousands of Syracuse residents. The Orange’s postseason fate will be decided in the coming weeks, with hopes of a deep tournament run still alive.
What it means for Central New York residents
For Baldwinsville, the football team’s playoff run brings excitement and community spirit as the days grow shorter and colder. In Camillus and Solvay, the end of football season shows a shift toward winter sports and other local events. Out in Cazenovia, the Lakers’ defensive tradition continues to unite the town each fall.
In Syracuse, the Orange field hockey team’s postseason push is a reminder of the city’s college-town energy, especially as SU football and basketball seasons overlap. With foliage at its peak and SU football Saturdays drawing crowds to the JMA Wireless Dome, Central New York residents have plenty to cheer for as November begins.
For more on upcoming events and things to do, visit our community events page. For business openings and local economic news, check our CNY business coverage.
Where to check for updates
For the latest on high school sports, playoff brackets, and local event schedules, visit the official Section III athletics website and follow updates from Eagle News and the Daily Orange.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Baldwinsville, New York , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Eagle News, Baldwinsville football playoff win, West Genesee and Solvay playoff results, Cazenovia and Chittenango football
- Daily Orange, Syracuse Orange field hockey loss to Boston College
