Pembroke (5-0) at Oakfield-Alabama (5-0)
7 p.m. Friday
Genesee Region League football fans have had this game marked on their calendars since the schedules came out.
Pembroke and Oakfield-Alabama have had the top two teams in the league all season long and this game will decide the champion.
O-A would clinch the title outright with a victory and avoiding a total meltdown against Holley next week. Pembroke would clinch at least a tie and would claim the title outright with a win and a victory over Attica in the final week of the season.
This game has become the biggest rivalry in the GR in recent years as both teams are powerhouse programs that compete for a sectional title every year.
It shouldn't be any different this year as Oakfield-Alabama is currently the second seed in Class C while Pembroke follows at No. 3.
Le Roy is the top seed and will be playing tough games with Caledonia-Mumford and Hornell in the final two weeks, so the winner of this game could end up getting the prestigious top seed in sectionals.
The Hornets are ranked No. 10 in the state while Pembroke gets an honorable mention.
Pembroke's Chip Foster and O-A's John Dowd became head coaches at the same time and the Dragons have won four out of five meetings between the two powerhouses.
The games are typically defensive battles:
2003 - Pembroke 17, Oakfield-Alabama 13
2004 - Pembroke 14, Oakfield-Alabama 9
2005 - Oakfield-Alabama 34, Pembroke 16
2006 - Pembroke 14, Oakfield-Alabama 6
2007 - Pembroke 13, Oakfield-Alabama 10
The Hornets have a big size advantage on the offensive and defensive line, but Pembroke might have the edge in the amount of skilled players that will touch the football.
Andrew Wright tops that list.
He has rushed the ball 39 times for 539 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 334 yards and three scores.
But Wright is by no means the only offensive weapon.
Mike Dibble has gained 390 yards and scored eight touchdowns, Josh Phillips has 268 yards and six TDs and quarterback David Kleckler has rushed for 230 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 rushes.
Kleckler has completed 21-of-38 attempts for 532 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. His main targets are Wright and tight end Ken Babcock (9 receptions, 198 yards, 3 TDs).
Tim Smith has been the biggest producer offensively thus far for the Hornets, gaining 651 yards with nine touchdowns on 73 carries. But O-A will spread the ball around.
Brad Riner has 413 yards and six touchdowns, Joe Natalizia has 221 yards and two scores and Jason Stanley has pitched in 212 yards with one touchdown.
Josh Athoe returned from a leg injury suffered during baseball season and got the start last week, rushing 16 times for 83 yards with two touchdowns.
A.J. Kehlenbeck has added a pretty good passing attack for the Hornets. He has completed 13-of-24 pass attempts - to seven different receivers - for 145 yards and four TDs. Noah Seward leads the team in receptions with three for 36 yards. He also has four sacks.
Crud! Ever since I was a
Crud! Ever since I was a Pembroke cheerleader (graduate 1975) Oakfield has been knocking the Dragon down! My cousin was a Hornet and never let me forget our losses, their wins. Keep trying Pembroke, we gotta show them whose the Boss! :-)