Leading off today: In the words of Democrat and Chronicle reporter James Johnson, the anticipated showdown was just another mow down. Fielding its best team in several years, McQuaid nevertheless dropped its 12th straight game to Aquinas in one of Section 5's most passionate rivalries.
The Little Irish, ranked 17th in Class AA by the New York State Sportswriters Association, came up with three turnovers and blocked a punt en route to a 34-0 win over the No. 17 Knights.
Senior linebacker T.J. Jones recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass to end McQuaid drives in the first half. Marlek Connor Jr. turned another interception 102 yards for a touchdown and was responsible for blocking the punt.
More Class AA: Sean Bryan scored three rushing touchdowns, including one for 48 yards to lead No. 19 St. Anthony's to a 31-12 win over No. 16 Cardinal Hayes in CHSFL action.
Ryan Vahey made a fourth-down stop to set up Bryan's 48 yarder and also returned an interception 60 yards for the Friars.
• Seventh-ranked Oceanside used strong defense and a rarely seen special-teams play to roll past No. 22 Freeport 34-6.
Derek Cruz ran for 91 yards and two TDs on 11 carries out of the Wildcat, threw for a first down out of punt formation and tossed a 2-point conversion pass.
Francesco Ancona drilled a school-record, 57-yard field goal on a free kick after Jake Lazzaro signaled for and made a fair catch on a punt with six seconds left in the first half. Ancona placed the ball on the tee, took a 10-yard running start and made the most of a tailwind and no defensive line rush in his face to convert the attempt.
"I've always wanted to try it," Ancona told Newsday. "It was a tough angle but when I kicked it, I knew it was good."
• Fourth-ranked New Rochelle posted its fifth straight shutout, beating previously unbeaten Scarsdale 35-0. The Huguenots allowed just 73 yards in a rematch of the 2016 Section 1 final.
Class A: Kevin Hall had 146 yards and two touchdowns to lead Roosevelt past No. 17 Plainedge 35-15 in Nassau County action. Tayveon Johnson chipped in with a 61-yard interception return to put Roosevelt up 21-0 before the half and also caught a 42-yard touchdown.
• Rickey Gamble put Rochester ahead for good with a 40-yard punt return and the Wildcats edged Batavia 21-14. Gamble also made an interception in the victor.
Wilson is tied for 25th in Class A. Batavia is ranked 11th in Class B.
• Jacob Cheshire completed 29 of 40 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns for No. 24 Sayville in a 40-27 win vs. Half Hollow Hills West. Cheshire also ran for a TD and a 2-point conversion.
James Lyons had 15 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns, and Nate Bauland was credited with three of
