Section VI Makes ‘Week Zero’ Schedule Official

Courtesy of MATT SPIELMAN and the Jamestown Post Journal

Section VI confirmed “Week Zero” opponents for high school football teams Monday evening.

Jamestown has added a home league game at Strider Field on Friday, Sept. 4 against Class A1 opponent West Seneca West.

“I think the big thing is it’s another opportunity to compete for a sport that has a very long offseason,” Red Raiders coach Tom Langworthy said. “I think it’s far better for the players and New York State football to compete more, and allow our players to showcase their talents more.”

Also on that Friday night, Class B1 Dunkirk will host nonleague Tonawanda, a Class C North team.

“I love having an extra football game. I think seven games is too short of a season. Us and New York have tried to catch up with other states’ schedules and it’s a good thing we’re getting this extra game,” Dunkirk head coach Mike Sarratori said Monday night. “Would I prefer it at the end of the season? Yes. Would I prefer to start our preseason earlier? Yes. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but as long as it’s a nonleague game and we’re all on equal footing it’s great. It’s going to be a huge chore getting everyone up to speed in two weeks, but it will be a challenge for everyone.”

Class D Portville will also travel to Eden/North Collins, now a Class C Central school, on that Friday evening.

On Saturday afternoon, Class C South Gowanda/Pine Valley will visit nonleague Lake Shore, a Class B2 school, at noon and Class D Silver Creek/Forestville will visit nonleague JFK, a Class C Central program, at 1:30 p.m.

Then, Class C South Fredonia will visit Riverside Field for a 2 p.m. nonleague matchup with Class B1 Burgard/Buffalo Arts.

WNYAthletics.com - Full Week Zero Schedule

“Personally, I didn’t really care much for scrimmages because we didn’t want to show everything we had in those games. But the kids want to play regular-season games and so do we, that’s the positive,” Fredonia head coach Greg Sherlock said. “There isn’t going to be a lot of practice time. We’re going to only have two weeks to prepare for the game, the kids can’t miss a practice before the game or they won’t be able to play. I’m excited about having a game, but I wish we would have more time.”