The Section 1 playoff race in Dutchess County turned into a nail-biting affair on Friday night, with both quarterfinal contests stretching into dramatic finishes. Arlington (10-1) secured its spot in the Class AA semifinals with a narrow victory over John Jay, surviving a persistent offensive threat from the Patriots. The Admirals’ resilience was highlighted by key rushing touchdowns from Troy Mondelli and Mikey Fortuna, which proved decisive in a game that saw Boston Smith answer for John Jay. The loss marks the end of the road for the Patriots, who finish the season with a 2-7 record, while Arlington continues its pursuit of a deep postseason run.
Arlington edges John Jay in thriller while Ketcham stuns New Rochelle to reach Class AA semis
In the other Section 1 matchup, Ketcham delivered a stunning upset over New Rochelle to punch their ticket to the Class AA semifinals. The victory caps a remarkable turnaround for the Ketcham program, which has shown significant growth throughout the season. This win not only eliminates a formidable opponent but also sets up a highly anticipated semifinal battle, raising the stakes for the remaining local teams. The intensity of these games underscores the competitive depth within Section 1, where no margin for error exists once the postseason begins.
Meanwhile, Section 9 schools concluded their regular seasons with a mix of competitive contests and final statements ahead of next week’s playoffs. Dover finished its campaign with a 5-3 record, setting the stage for its postseason entry. As the regular season wraps up for the majority of local teams, attention now shifts to bracket analysis and seeding implications. Coaches and fans are closely monitoring these final results to gauge momentum heading into the critical playoff weeks, where single-elimination pressure will test every squad’s composure and execution.
Source: Yahoo Sports
