For some teams in Section V, the postseason has arrived. For others, one final tune-up awaits.
Sportswriters James Johnson, Jeff Uveino and Justin Ritzel are back for another week of predictions in high school football. This week's featured games include pivotal matchups that will affect the Class AA playoff race.
Follow along each week to see how the experts fare.
Section V football predictions, Week 8
Matchup No. 1: East High/World of Inquiry at Rush-Henrietta
Rush-Henrietta 21, East/World of Inquiry 14: Rush-Henrietta coach Bruce Johnson knows this game against a team in Class B is anything but a layup to a win for the Class AA Royal Comets. But Johnson also sees potential benefits from this matchup this late in the regular season.
The idea is for a team to ramp up its performances going into the postseason. Rush-Henrietta's win over Hilton
in overtime last week was similar to a Section V tournament game. The same effort will be needed to beat state-ranked East/World of Inquiry, particularly against the Eagles' defense. Rush-Henrietta gets into the end zone enough while the defense surrenders high rushing yardage and time of possession totals, but not points.
Matchup No. 2: McQuaid at Fairport
Fairport 28, McQuaid 21: Two Class AA contenders meet hoping to build momentum one week before the Section V playoffs begin. McQuaid is riding high after a lopsided win at Penfield, its third victory in the past four weeks. Fairport, meanwhile, stumbled in overtime against Victor after leading most of the way. Fairport earned its first two wins of the season before facing Victor. Can the Red Raiders bounce back in their regular-season finale? Playing at home could help them do so.
Matchup No. 3: University Prep at Pittsford
UPrep 35, Pittsford 28: The Griffins remain a difficult team to gauge with only one week remaining in the regular season. UPrep (3-4) enters the game with only one prior matchup against another Section V team, a 42-34 loss to Rush-Henrietta. Now another top dog in Class AA awaits, a Pittsford group that's won five games in a row. Watch for a stellar individual matchup between UPrep receiver Gavin White, perhaps the best football athlete in the region, and Pittsford defensive back Dayshawn Preston.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Three key games, three bold predictions for Section V football Week 8 games
