But in comparison with Section Three power Cooperstown, it's no contest. The Redskins, coming off a 1-7 season, will take an 8-0 record into a 4 p.m. Class C semifinal Saturday against General Brown (7-1) at Rome Free Academy.

Coach Steve Pugliese said several factors have led to the team's resurgence:

• The Redskins were in most of their games last season, including tight losses to Weedsport, Herkimer and Ilion, all of which fielded strong programs.

"Almost every game, we were there right to the end," Pugliese said.

• Though last season was difficult, several players came up two years ago as sophomores, when the Redskins went 6-3.

"A lot of these guys know what it takes to win," Pugliese said. "Last year, I had a thin team, but this year I have leaders like (running backs) Brad Hill and Nate Smith."

• Pugliese said the linemen showed up and many others took part in volunteer practices that began in early June.

"A lot of these kids have been working since June 1," he said. "They've come a long ways. That's what it takes to go from worst to first."

General Brown will present Cooperstown stiffest test to date, Pugliese said.

"They're the quickest team we've faced yet," he said. "They've got a good quarterback and two good running backs. We're going to have our hands full. I don't think they've faced a team as physical as us. We're going to have to grind it out."

The Delhi tandem collaborated five times for 82 yards in the Bulldogs' 42-14 victory over visiting Greene in a Section Four Class C quarterfinal Saturday.

Barnes, Clark's favorite target this season, and his family moved from Erie, Pa., to Delhi in July. Barnes' father, a college professor, took a position at Delhi Tech, which prompted the move.

"The chemistry between us has been great," said Barnes, who has caught 27 passes from Clark. "I had been talking to him on line through instant messenger before I even got here and he seemed like a great kid.

"As soon as got up here, he showed he was a great leader out there," he continued. "He throws the ball right where it needs to be and tells me right where to run my routes."

Barnes received high praise Saturday from Greene coach Lynne Simmons, who told Barnes he has a future beyond high school.

"Mr. Barnes runs a very disciplined pass route, has great height, great hands and speed," Simmons said. "He has the whole package. We're all impressed with him. It's hard to believe he's just a junior."

Well, high school reporters along with high school officials, only have one chance to look at a play.

There are no replays. Yours truly had been blocked out on Peworchik's 31-yard reception.

The next night, a local television ran the play twice and it early revealed that Peworchik did not catch the ball.

Elmira Notre Dame (6-2) went on to score on the drive and then held off a late B-G/A rally. The Crusaders will play Oneonta at 5 p.m. Friday at Binghamton Alumni Stadium in a Section Four Class B semifinal.

B-G/A (5-3), which was eliminated from the playoff picture with the loss, closes the season Saturday at Whitney Point.

He was especially proud of one effort from running back Bobby Colvin. With Unatego holding a one-touchdown lead, Leahy said Colvin ran over one player and stiff-armed another on a run that took Unatego inside Candor's 5. It led to Justin Harris' 1-yard scoring run.

"That was his best run of the year," Leahy said of Colvin, who rushed for 59 yards on four carries.

The Spartans have won seven consecutive games since a season-opening loss to Whitney Point.

They'll conclude the season at home Friday against Sherburne-Earlville. The winner will take the Division IX title.

Both teams run primarily a double-wing offense, looking to get outside. The Yellowjackets appear to have more speed and a better passing attack than the Crusaders, but Elmira ND, with fullback Pat Waite, may have a better inside running game. Waite rushed for 74 yards on 18 carries between the tackles against a physical B-G/A defense.

Playing on fast artificial surface field at Binghamton should play in the favor of the Yellowjackets.

• Delhi's 2 p.m. game Saturday at Binghamton Alumni Stadium against Lansing is a rematch of last year's Section Four Class C semifinal that the Bulldogs won, 19-15.

A year ago, the game was played cold, windy conditions at Whitney Point and Delhi needed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to pull out the victory.

"We've seen Lansing twice and they're a solid team," Delhi coach Dave Kelly said after Saturday's victory over Greene. "They don't make some of the mistakes we made today. They don't just give things away like we do."

• Walton, coming off a 38-0 quarterfinal victory over Newark Valley last Saturday, will play Seton Catholic Central at 5 p.m. Saturday at Binghamton Alumni Stadium.

The Warriors defeated the Saints, 36-22, during the season in a game that wasn't decided until the fourth quarter.

Rob Centorani covers high school football for The Daily Star.