Harrison would be riding into town with a perfect record if not for the 21-20 loss to Rye in the final 15 seconds of their huge rivalry game.
About Aquinas: The Aquinas offense starts with above-average size on the line and enviable depth at running back. Starting fullback Tim Young would be getting halfback carries at many Rochester-area large schools, but his role here is short-yardage running and clearing a path for Mike Messina, who's heading to Syracuse University to play lacrosse.
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Junior QB Cory Benedetto can make the necessary throws and is blessed with the best WR duo in Section 5 in all-stater Chris Bostick (a St. John's baseball recruit) and Jahmahl Pardner. Junior Taylor Byrne was impressive in two games before Bostick's return from a leg injury last week.
Credit offensive coordinator Rich Parrinello for the way he has spread the ball around.
The defense really began to click once soph Billy Lombardi (5-7, 192 pounds) was inserted on the line in mid-season in addition to his role at the No. 2 tailback. Offenses have to contain him and junior Jarron Jones (6-7, 305) on the line and account for linebacker Marc Pettrone, another junior. Pettrone sometimes took high-risk gambles a year ago but has carried out assignments nearly flawlessly this fall.
Aquinas uses Pardner, Messina and Bostick for special-teams returns. Personally, I'd just kick the ball out of bounds. The thought of any of them running on a dry, fast track with a full head of steam should make Harrison nervous.
Past championships: Harrison owns NYSPHSAA crowns in 1999 and 2002 in three trips to the Carrier Dome. Aquinas won it all in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2007.
Making a pick: It's nice to have a state tournament that's now old enough for rich football traditions to show through, and this is a prime example. Kids on both sidelines know what's at stake and know the stories of heroes from past generations.
That being said, it's the here and now rather than ghosts of the past that matters most. Aquinas is a little better across the board and is also setting up nicely for a long postseason run in 2011 with its wealth of young talent.
The pick is Aquinas 41, Harrison 14.