In today’s paper, I took a close look at each of the five Section 1 championship games this weekend at Mahopac.

As many have discussed, Haldane is playing in the Class D championship despite an 0-7 record. The Blue Devils, who take on Tuckahoe today at 2, don’t care what you think about their record. They feel they could legitimately make victory No. 1 happen today.

When I look at the Class A championship game, I can’t help but marvel at what Roosevelt has accomplished. We knew they had talent. But I never believed they’d be able to survive the schedule or make a postseason run with a roster so thin. But despite so many two-way starters, the Indians just might be able to pull this off and my article explains why.

Tonight’s Class B championship game is technically a rematch from Week 3 with Nanuet taking on Sleepy Hollow. But this is hardly the same Sleepy Hollow team from late September. The Horsemen feel they’ve finally put everything together and is poised to pull off the upset (The link for this story isn’t working, but trust me it’s on lohud.com).

Tomorrow’s Class AA championship features the two best defenses in Section 1 in New Rochelle and North Rockland going head to head.

And in the Class C final, Croton-Harmon will attempt to write another chapter to its magical two-year run. The script in 2009 has followed a similar path of last year, as you can read in my article.

Back later today and tonight with a ton more.

So I got a new BlackBerry this week, dowloaded UberTwitter and felt the world was at my fingertips. Apparently, the thing doesn’t work. Not only could I not post on the blog, the updates were showing up on this page at all. Stupid BlackBerry.

(Another problem is that it’s incredibly hard to text while driving on it, which I guess isn’t really a problem)

Anyway, here are the updates from tonight:

Section 1 Athletics has denied requests by The Journal News to broadcast this weekend’s football championships live on LoHud.com.

Our managing editors spent all week trying to negotiate an agreement with Section 1. In the past, The Journal News paid a fee to broadcast state playoff games.

I spoke this afternoon with Section 1 Executive Director Jennifer Simmons, who said the section had a reluctance to put a live event on air.

“Media is growing leaps and bounds and we need to make sure we’re protected as far as live event goes,” Simmons said. “We’re having ongoing conversations at the board level and we’ve decided to put a halt on everything until we’ve looked at it and decided what we’re going to do.”

“We have lawyers going back and forth and each school has a different interpretation. What waivers need to be signed? Do we need one signed by the parents of every player because it’s live? That’s become a big issue.”

Basically, the concern with a live event is over what could happen that Section 1 wouldn’t be able to control (i.e. a brawl, serious injury, etc.). Simmons also said there’s concern over what a broadcast could do to the attendance, and revenue, although she said that “was part of it but not a huge part of it.”

Simmons said that the section became more aware of live broadcasting through ongoing negotiations with MSG Varsity. Several Section 1 schools have been apprehensive to signing contracts and having cameras at games, even though MSG is all taped.

MSG has purchased the rights (not exclusive ones) to tape two games this week to be re-aired this week on Cablevision Ch. 14.

So, unfortunately, we will not be showing the games on lohud.com. I’ll still be blogging live and providing Twitter updates.

This is the third of five breakdowns of Section 1 Championship games this weekend at Mahopac High School.

Class B championship
Sleepy Hollow (5-3) vs. Nanuet (8-0)
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Preview meeting: Nanuet defeated Sleepy Hollow 28-14 on Sept. 26
Common opponents: They played in the same league and both beat Pelham and Ardsley, and Pleasantville and Kennedy in cross-overs/playoff games. Sleepy Hollow lost to Lourdes, which Nanuet beat.
How’d they get here: Nanuet beat Briarcliff 41-7 and then defeated Kennedy 21-7 in the semifinals. Sleepy knocked off Irvington 13-12 and then powered past Pleasantville, 28-19.

Position-by-position breakdowns
Quarterback: John Bucci is a talented thrower for Sleepy Hollow but hasn’t really been called on to carry the offense at any point this season. Tom Hanney is one of the best at the position in Section 1 with his power-running ability and efficient passing (35 for 49). Edge: Nanuet.
Running backs: This matchup will come down to the two best backfield in Class B. Gabe Ostrow (845 yards and 16 touchdowns) and Bret Bonomolo have been a steady, consistent combo all season for the Golden Knights. Nobody has been better of late than Bobby Small, who has 755 yards and seven scores in the last four games. The emergence of L.J. Garrant evens this matchup. Edge: Push.
Receivers: Neither team throws the ball all that much. But Nanuet has a pair of talented receivers in Greg Mooney and John Brezovsky, who each could be called on to make a big play in this game. Edge: Nanuet.
Offensive line: The Golden Knights have as solid a unit as there is outside of Class AA. Lyle Birrittella, Kevin Willison, Brendan Siegrist, Ryan Maroney and Tyler Esposito are a stellar quintet. Sleepy has rock-solid core with A.J. Sims, Pete Del Monico, Steve Hart, Jarae Williams, and Nick Fanelli. Although good, Nanuet is slightly better. Edge: Nanuet.

Defensive line: With 10 players starting on both sides of the ball, many of Nanuet’s guys flip to the other side of the ball. Willison and Maroney stuff the middle of the field. Mike Segarra, Sims and Williams are extremely versatile and get after the quarterback. They’re part of a group where 5-6 players rotate in. Edge: Nanuet.
Linebackers: Nanuet has a stellar group in the middle. Ostrow and Birrittella are punishing hitters and Bonomolo does a tremendous job covering both sidelines. Del Monico and Jonathan Martin are linebackers who makes so many plays creeping up to the line. Kayzon Stovall is quick to the edges and John Randazzo controls the middle. Edge: Nanuet.
Secondary: The speed in Sleepy Hollow’s secondary is incredible. Small finds his way in on so many tackles and L.J. Garrant is an excellent coverman. Nanuet’s Rob Leonard has locked up every receiver he’s gone against, and Hanney is a field general at safety. Edge: Push.
Special teams: Sleepy Hollow has a decent kicking game while Nanuet has one of the area’s most consistent legs in Brian Purvis. But where the Horsemen have a huge advantage in this is in the return game with Garrant and Small, who have been awesome all season. Edge: Sleepy Hollow.

Bottom line: Forget what happened in Week 3. Sleepy Hollow isn’t that overconfident, disorganzied team anymore. Nanuet has improved, too, of course, but not nearly at the rate of Sleepy Hollow. The longer this game stays close, the better Sleepy Hollow’s chances. But I think Nanuet’s ball-contol, power-running game will allow it to survive this one.

PREDICTION: Nanuet 24, Sleepy Hollow 14

Kickoff for today’s John Jay-EF at Rye game has been pushed back an hour to 5:30 p.m.

I’ll be there. If you’d like me to post updates, please let me know.

This is the second of five breakdowns for the Section 1 championship games this weekend at Mahopac High School.

Class A championship
Poughkeepsie (6-2) vs. Roosevelt (7-1)
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Previous meeting: They didn’t play in the regular season.
Common opponents: Poughkeepsie lost to Eastchester, 13-12, and beat Rye 25-20. Roosevelt beat Eastchester, 22-12 and lost to Rye, 49-26.
How’d they get here: Just a few upsets, that’s all. Poughkeepsie handed Somers its first loss, 14-10, in the quarterfinals before stunning Rye in the semifinals with three touchdowns in the final 3:30. Roosevelt knocked off Ossining 41-20 in the quarters and stormed past Lakeland, 32-7, in the semis.

Position-by-position breakdown
Quarterback: Roosevelt has perhaps Section 1’s best player in Donovan Walker, who has thrown for 895 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 549 yards and eight score. Poughkeepsie’s Jarrid Williams has gotten the job done of late. Although he isn’t quite the passer Walker is despite throwing for 918 yards. Edge: Roosevelt
Running backs: The Indians have one of, if not, the most productive runner in Dave Thomas, who’s rushed for 1,123 yards and is averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Thomas Boddie is a very capable backup. The Pioneers, though, have far more depth with hulking fullback Troy Wright and halfback Josh Graham, who’s the fastest high school football player I’ve ever seen. Edge: Poughkeepsie.
Receivers: This is a tough one. Roosevelt has a pure wideout in A.J. Pritchett (24 rec., 5 TDs) and two good possession receivers in Klaudio Selimaj and Alton Ritter. The Pioneers, meanwhile, have the most explosive player in the section in Graham, who torched Rye as a receiver. Malcolm Daniels and Jovan Wilkens are also great targets. Reuben Frank lines up at wideout but doesn’t get thrown to that much. Edge: Push.
Offensive line: What Roosevelt lacks in depth it makes up for in sheer determination. This is one of the hardest working groups I’ve seen all year. Tyrone Jones, Korab Muriqi and Gorge Tigre lead the unit. Poughkeepsie has some serious beef up front and is a tough, physical group. Edge: Poughkeepsie.

Defensive line: The Pioneers have the area’s top defensive end in Frank, who’s headed to UConn, and an underrated star in Tyree Coleman. Musa Nesheiwat, at 318 pounds, takes up some serious space in the middle. Roosevelt has Jones in the middle and a couple of nice ends in Kevin Outlaw and Ritter. But Poughkeepsie is just deeper and more physical. Edge: Poughkeepsie.
Linebackers: Poughkeepsie middle linebacker Jaquawne Simpkins (127 tackles) is a special talent. Few hit as hard as Wright and Dorian Cummings covers the field so well. Thomas is terrific at linebacker for Roosevelt, and Boddie and Ritter are good complements. Edge: Poughkeepsie.
Secondary: There isn’t a better defensive back around than Walker, who could legitimately play safety at the Division I-A level. He’s that good. Ronald Vereen won’t play this week after being ejected against Lakeland but the unit is solid as long as Pritchett comes back healthy. Poughkeepsie has some of the hardest-hitting defensive backs with Graham, Wilkens, Dijon Davidson and Dane Myers. Edge: Roosevelt.

Special teams: Both teams have several threats to return a kick to the end zone. The Indians have a slight advantage in the kicking game with Selimaj, who’s one of the most consistent around. Edge: Roosevelt

Bottom line: Hopefully they have fire extinguishers up at Mahopac, because these teams are going to burn holes in the turf. More than anything, though, I think the physical beating these teams are going to unleash on eachother will be jarring. That’s why Poughkeepsie beat Rye; it physically wore them down and then ran past them. They won’t have the speed advantage on Roosevelt. But the Pioneers are slightly bigger, stronger and deeper. Expect a thriller.

PREDICTION: Pougkeepsie 27, Roosevelt 22

This if the first of five breakdowns of the Section 1 championships this weekend at Mahopac.

Class D championship
Tuckahoe (4-3) vs. Haldane (0-7)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Previous meeting: Tuckahoe defeated Haldane 18-0 on Oct. 3
How’d they get here: Well, they’re the only two teams in the conference, that’s how. It’s been that way for the past four years with Tuckahoe winning three times. The Tigers have captured five of the last six Section 1 titles.

Position-by-position analysis:
Quarterbacks: Tuckahoe has a first-year player in Kevin Garabitos, who has had some good moment passing and running this season. Haldane has a gifted athlete in Rafael Famighetti, who’s a first-year starter. Edge: Haldane
Running back: Both teams possess a durable, talented runner — Tuckahoe with junior Jarett Sommer and Haldane with senior star Derek O’Dell. The Tigers, though, have a playmaker in Gary Jennings, who has improved every week. Edge: Tuckahoe.
Receivers: Neither team throws the ball more than 5-6 times per game, so it’s hard to really get a read. Edge: Push.
Offensive line: The Tigers have a very talented front five, led by James Jubilee, P.J. Castracucco and Kevin Chen. Ryan Snavely is a force as a blocking tight end. Haldane will have perhaps the best lineman on the field in Cameron Zampino and John McGuire has come on strong this season. But the Blue Devils don’t have Tuckahoe’s depth. Edge: Tuckahoe.

Defensive line: Flip those guys to the other side of the ball and it’s not much different. Snavely is very good up front. Tuckahoe had the size and the depth. McGuire is probably a better defensive player and will give the Tigers problems between the tackles. Edge: Tuckahoe.
Linebackers: When healthy, O’Dell could probably step in and play the position on just about any team in Section 1. He’s still recorded 57 tackles in limited action and a bum ankle. Sommer is a quality run-stopper in the middle. But, with O’Dell and Famighetti, the Blue Devils have a slight advantage. Edge: Haldane.
Secondary: Jennings and Jamie Maldonado lead a deep, athletic core of Tuckahoe defensive backs. Haldane has a young but talented group with Frank Fusco and Ryder Hine. Tuckahoe’s speed will be too much.
Special teams: Neither team has found much consistency in the kicking game, but the Tigers get the advantage here because they have Jennings in the return game. Don’t be shocked if he brings one back to the house on Saturday.

Bottom line: Both teams have thin rosters that have been depleted by injuries against a grueling Class C schedule. Haldane is finally healthy and enters the game confident despite a winless record. It played Tuckahoe tough in the first meeting, allowing a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception that set up another score. These games are always close. But I think Tuckahoe’s speed and depth wear down Haldane and lead it back into the state tournament.

Prediction: Tuckahoe 28, Haldane 13

I’ll be breaking down the Section 1 finals over the course of the next two days. First, here are my picks for this weekend’s bowl, CHSFL playoff and other assorted games:

Thursday
Arlington 20, Mount Vernon 12
Scarsdale 28, Clarkstown South 20
John Jay 38, Ketcham 32, OT
Mahopac 35, Lincoln 7

Friday
Mamaroneck 14, Port Chester 6
John Jay-EF 21, Rye 17
Ossining 20, Somers 14
Carmel 28, Suffern 13
Pleasantville 35, Albertus Magnus 21
Valhalla 14, Blind Brook 8
Clarkstown North 34, Gorton 13

Saturday
Harrison 20, Eastchester 7
Sacred Heart 28, Harvey 14
CHSFL playoffs
Holy Cross 27, Fordham Prep 17: The Rams lost already to Holy Cross, which is poised to make a run at the final.

Sunday
CHSFL playoffs
St. Joseph’s by the Sea 35, Iona Prep 31: Although healthy on offense, Iona’s defense hasn’t proven it can line up and stop one of the league’s top offenses. St. Joe’s is extremely talented.
Stepinac 28, St. Francis Prep 20: St. Francis is only 1-7 and that victory came last week. But don’t be fooled by the record of the AAA team. Stepinac could have its hands full.
Mount St. Michael 14, Xavier 0: Xavier is a quality program but not one at the level of Mount. The Mounties should advance.

My game-by-game breakdowns for the Section 1 finals will be posted beginning tonight.

You know the drill. Tonight at 7 p.m. we’ll be airing live from our studios for our weekly high school football discussion, Varsity Central Chat. You can tune in by clicking here or going to lohud.com/vclive.

Joe Tralli and Bobby Dusconi of Croton-Harmon will be our special guests. Croton is taking on Bronxville for the Section 1 Class C title this weekend.

Those guys will be answering your questions. I’ll also be taking questions on every game this weekend, as well as announcing the Player and Coach of the Week. Be sure to tune in.

The next three Game Balls are here. The Player and Coach of the Week will be announced on tonight’s edition of Varsity Central Chat, which you can watch here at 7 p.m. Croton-Harmon seniors Joe Tralli and Bobby Dusconi will be our special guests.

6. Mike Tomasula, Blind Brook: Statistically, this is as impressive a game any running back/receiver/kick returner has had all season. Tomasula did a little bit of everything in Saturday’s wild 40-36 win over Pawling. He started teh day by catching touchdown passes in the first and second quarters as Blind Brook went into the half tied 14-14. In the third, Tomasula opened up the lead with a 7-yard touchdown run followed by a 65-yard punt return for a score. Then in the fourth, he played a key role in Blind Brook rallying in the final minute for the win. Tomasulo rushed for 265 yards as Blind Brook earned a spot in the developmental league final with Valhalla.
5. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels and Jeff Mack, Iona Prep: See what happens when these guys are on the field together? Finally healthy for the first time since Week 2, the dynamic combo carried the Gaels past Farrell, 35-0. Woodson-Samuels was 20 of 27 passing for 301 yards, and Mack carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and four touchdowns. Iona doesn’t go into the CHSFL as the favorite this season. But it does go in as a team nobody wants to face.
4. Roosevelt’s offensive line: All year I’d heard about how terrific Roosevelt quarterback Donovan Walker and running back Dave Thomas were. And they are. But I was stunned by how well the Indians offensive line played in Saturday’s 32-7 win over Lakeland in the Class A semifinals. The group — Tyrone Jones, Korab Muriqi, Gorge Tigre, Raheem Uguhart and Kyle Williams — were solid throughout as Roosevelt ran for 172 yards and threw for 100 to earn a spot in the Class A championship game.

We know who Nos. 3-2-1 will be. But in what order? That’s up to you. I’ll have the results on tonight’s show.

Croton-Harmon senior standouts Joe Tralli and Bobby Dusconi will be live in our studio for Wednesday’s edition of Varsity Central Chat. The show starts begins at 7 p.m. and can be watched on lohud.com/vclive.

Those guys will answer my questions and your regarding this weekend’s Section 1 Championships. Croton, the defending champ, faces Bronxville in Sunday’s Class C final at 5 p.m.

I’ll also be announcing the Player and Coach of the Week, and answering your questions on the upcoming weekend. We’ll be off the air by first pitch of the World Series, so don’t worry. You won’t miss a thing.

In honor of Election Day on Tuesday, I bring you this:

It’s obvious to me that we have a very clear-cut Top 3 for this week’s Game Balls. What order they should be in, and who should be the Player of the Week, is almost impossible to decide.

Should it be…

Ryan McLaughlin of Albertus Magnus setting the Section 1 record for passing yards in a game with 409 and the Rockland County single-season mark? McLaughlin completed 16 of 24 passes with four touchdowns, an interception and a touchdown run. It was in a non-playoff game as the Falcons beat Lincoln Hall, 41-34.

Or should it be…

Bobby Small of Sleepy Hollow and his momentous 300-yard rushing effort in an upset of Pleasantville in the Class B semifinals? Small scored three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter as the Headless Horsemen rallied back.

Or should I give it to…

Josh Graham, the magnificent running back from Poughkeepsie. Graham piled up 202 yards of total offense, rushing for two touchdowns and catching the winning score as time expired as Poughkeepsie devastated Rye, 25-20, in a Class A semifinal.

Or should I give it to one of their lineman? Nahhhh.

Since I’m having such a tough time, I’m putting it on you guys. Go to the right side of the page and cast your vote for one of the three. The results will play a heavy part in my decision. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors.

The voting will run from right now until midnight on Tuesday.

Since we already know who the Top 3 Game Balls are going to, I’ll split the rest into two posts. Here’s the first set of recipients, plus a list of honorable mention:

Week 8 Game Balls
Honorable mention: Brendan Connolly, Edgemont; Reuben Frank, Poughkeepsie; Brendan Nagle, Rye; Nolan Robinson, Pleasantville; Josh Grant, Yonkers; Paul Grimaldi, Lakeland; Gabe Ostrow, Nanuet; Donovan Walker, Roosevelt; Matt Wheeler, Scarsdale; Joe Tralli, Croton-Harmon; Caleb Gilligan-Evans, Stepinac; Timmy Muller, Fox Lane; Mike Celenza, Albertus Magnus; Ben Spiegelman, Scarsdale; Hart Mechlin, Bronxville; Matt Laccetti, Ossining; Devonte Brailsford, Dobbs Ferry.

Top 10 performances
10. Matt Deiana, Somers: The Tuskers were able to peel themselves off the pavement after losing to Poughkeepsie and avenge a loss that festered for over a year. Credit Matt Deiana for leading that charge. The senior running back rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the 27-0 win over Nyack. Deiana also recorded 10 tackles with a sack to help give Somers one more game, versus Ossining on Friday.
7. Jameson Pickel, John Jay: Few realize the season Pickel has to put together this season. He carried John Jay to its third win in a row on Saturday, a 42-32 thriller over Scarsdale. Pickel ran for 183 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and was 18-of-27 passing for 143 yards and two touchdowns. There might not have been a more productive double-threat quarterback in Class AA this season.
8. Sal Sulla, North Rockland: A week after being used sparingly out of the backfield because of injury, Sulla made one of the most dramatic plays of the season. With Saturday’s Class AA semifinal with Arlington tied 14-14, the senior running back broke a 65-yard touchdown run to put the Red Raiders into the championship for the seventh time this decade. Sulla was also stellar defensively as North Rockland shut down an Arlington team that had scored 98 points combined in its previous three games.
7. Joey Lapopolo and Jonny McGhee, New Rochelle: Does this defense have to do it all? It seems like it each week as the Huguenots turned in another commanding performance in their 24-7 win over White Plains in the AA semis. Lapopolo returned a fumble 22 yards for New Rochelle’s first score and McGhee sealed it late, returning an interception 28 yards for a score. It was the second time McGhee put White Plains to rest with a second-half interception return this season. The kid has a flair for the dramatic.

The rest of the list will be posted Tuesday night. The Player and Coach of the Week will be announced on Wednesday’s edition of Varsity Central Chat, which starts at 7 p.m.

Let’s run through the best of last weekend’s non-playoff games:

Edgemont 27, Ardsley 8: Edgemont closes a disappointing season on a solid note. Brendan Connolly scored three touchdowns for the Panthers, who bring back the core this year’s team. This year, although frustrating, should serve them well as they make another run towards contention in Class B.
Spring Valley 20, Panas 17: Although this game didn’t mean much to the outsider, it was an important win for the Tigers, who finish the season 5-3. It was truly a turn-around year at Spring Valley, which has struggled in recent seasons. The Tigers gutted out the win, rallying in the fourth quarter as Geraldo Cetoute broke a 70-yard touchdown run for the winning score.
Hackley 27, St. Luke’s 7: The Hornets get back on track after a difficult couple of weeks. Adam Parker ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns for Hackley. A championship is probably out of the question as long as KLHT is still intact. But the Hornets could put together a few more wins and position themselves for a run in the postseason.
Ossining 21, Fox Lane 7: Apparently the game wasn’t as close as the score indicates. The Foxes got yards but they couldn’t make their way into the end zone after the first quarter as the Ossining defense made the stops it needed throughout. Lemar Johnson ran for 133 yards and threw for 65, and Matt Laccett rushed for 137 yards and two scores on 22 carries in the win. Tim Muller had 22 tackles for the Foxes. Ossining gets Somers in a bowl game on Friday.
Somers 27, Nyack 0: Not the best few weeks for the Indians, who end the years losers of four of five. Credit the Tuskers for swallowing the bitter taste of losing to Poughkeepsie by putting forth a strong effort here. Matt Deiana led the way, rushing for 164 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. He also had 10 tackles and a sack.
Eastchester 12, Horace Greeley 7: The Eagles shut down Greeley to advance in the Class A bowl playoffs. They’ll get an eagerly-awaited rematch with Harrison in what will be certainly be one of the most intense games of the weekend. Eastchester deserves credit for how its responded since losing to Roosevelt and being denied a playoff berth. If they can avenge that loss to Harrison, the season won’t be a total loss.
Harrison 28, Yorktown 7: The Huskies beat a Yorktown team without its starting quarterback to play one more week. Steven Ricciardi scored twice for Harrison, which has been one of the most productive running teams in Section 1 this season. It will have to open it up a little more against Eastchester, which coughed the ball up seven times in the first meeting, a one-point Harrison win.
Yonkers 20, Dover 0: Josh Grant rushed for 150 yards and scored two touchdowns to end his high school football career on a positive note. Grant started the year at Gorton but was forced to return to Yonkers because he apparently violated Section 1’s transfer rules. Yonkers won two of the three games Grant played after going winless last season and up until his return. Grant hopes to play football in college.
Iona Prep 35, Farrell 0: This is just what the Gaels needed going into the playoffs. They’re healthy now that Jeff Mack is back and they’re clicking on both sides of the ball. Mack ran for 140 yards and four touchdowns and Tyrae Woodson-Samuels had his second straight 300-yard passing game, going 20 for 27 for 301 yards and a touchdown.
Mount Vernon 32, Carmel 14: Really didn’t see this one coming. When I saw the score, though, it reminded me of past years with Mount Vernon, which has won some big games in the non-playoff bowl season. Don’t be shocked if Mount Vernon goes up and gives Arlington a great game on Friday, if not wins.
John Jay 42, Scarsdale 32: This one seems like a wild game where both teams filled the stat sheet. Jameson Pickel was at his best. The John Jay quarterback ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and completed 18 of 27 for 143 yards and two scores. Ben Spiegelman ran for 102 yards and three touchdowns for Scarsdale, and Matt Wheeler caught seven passes for 131 yards.
Stepinac 17, St. John’s the Baptist 14: The Crusaders end the regular season 8-0 for the first time in school history. Caleb Gilligan-Evans ran for 124 yards and a touchdown as Stepinac survived late. The Crusaders have a tough road to a AA Division title since it will likely have to beat two AAA teams that dropped down for the postseason.
Class C League 3 Semifinals
Valhalla 28, Woodlands 8: The Vikings improved to 7-1 and have lost only to unbeaten Bronxville in the regular-season opener. John Meaney scored three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Valhalla will host Blind Brook in the final.
Blind Brook 40, Pawling 36: It won’t get nearly the attention but this was actually one of the best games of the year. Pawling trailed 34-16 entering the fourth quarter before scoring 22 straight points to take the lead. Kyle Hollander, though, scored the winning touchdown with 15 seconds left on a 1-yard plunge. He had 13 yards rushing and two scores, and Mike Tomasulo rushed for 265 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Other games: Mamaroneck edged Lincoln 7-6 on a late touchdown by Dean Chiapparelli on a pass from Henry Millette. … Pearl River outlasted Brewster, 16-6. … Clarkstown South pounded Gorton 34-0 for its second win. … Clarkstown North finally got past Ramapo after two near misses, winning 14-0. … Hen Hud beat Port Chester 6-0. … Ketcham routed Mahopac 25-7. … John Jay-EF beat Suffern 42-6 as Suffern star Anthony DiMarsico didn’t play because of injury. … Lourdes beat Irvington 31-6. … Rye Neck defeated Putnam Valle 41-22. … Byram Hills got a pair of fourth quarter touchdown runs from Eric Mainthrow and beat Westlake 21-16. … KLHT pounded Rye Country Day 36-14. … Briarcliff beat Pelham 30-7. …

If you missed this instant classic, you have two chances to make up for it.

You can watch the replay on Lohud.com/vcsports1 where the game is available onDemand. You can get there by clicking here.

Or, if you’re a Cablevision subscriber, you can watch the game tonight at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity (Ch. 14). They had announcers and sideline reporters at the game, which I’ve said is one of the best I’ve ever been a part of.

At 7, you should check out MSG’s High School Sportsdesk. They’ll have highlights of Sleepy Hollow-Pleasantville, Croton-Bronxville. Sportsdesk repeats at 10 and will again be followed by Rye-Poughkeepsie at 10:30.