No. 6 DeSales (3-3) at No. 3 Notre Dame (4-2)
1:30 p.m. Saturday
Anybody that was at Aquinas High School for the 2006 sectional finals game between Notre Dame and C.G. Finney will always remember the Fighting Irish players running towards the stands to celebrate a championship with their fans.
The players were holding the trophy high as they were on top of the world, just knocking off state ranked Finney, which came into the game undefeated.
Nick Bochicchio was a waterboy on that team and was as much there to support his older brother Christian, who was the quarterback on that squad.
Now, the younger Bochicchio is a junior and the starting QB that is looking to lead the Fighting Irish to a Class D championship. The playoffs kick off this weekend with a home game against DeSales.
Notre Dame has a lot to look forward to during this playoff run, including a possible matchup with Finney - which is always a good time - in the semifinals, but will not be overlooking DeSales in the opening round.
The Saints do not excel at any one thing, but do many things well. They will mix in the pass with a run offense that is led by running back Brandon Wright.
Senior Brendan Costello is a solid quarterback that will look to get the ball in the hands of sophomore playmaker Erin Edwards-Rhymes as much as possible.
DeSales plays in the tough Finger Lakes West and has scored 174 points while giving up 166.
Notre Dame has been playing some good football of late, with wins over Holley and Elba/Byron-Bergen in the last two weeks.
The running back duo of Kevin Schildwaster and Mike Pratt has proven to be a strong 1-2 punch.
Schildwaster leads the squad with 487 yards and seven touchdowns with Pratt not far behind with 440 yards and five scores. The backfield has plenty of depth with Gianni Zambito and Greg Barr emerging as solid backups in recent weeks.
Bochicchio is well over 600 yards passing and has it made with receiver Kevin Francis on the field. Every time Francis gets the ball in his hands, he is a threat to take it to the house.
The winner of this game will play either No. 2 C.G. Finney (4-1) or No. 7 Perry (3-3) next weekend.
