Breakdown, predictions for General Brown vs. Adirondack in Class C football finals

Syracuse, NY — After two weeks of Section III playoffs, we’re down to two football teams in Class C.

>> Class C bracket

Here’s everything you need to know about the Section III Class C title game:

Well 2 General Brown (7-2) vs. Well 4 Adirondack (9-1)

When, where: Noon, Sunday, Nov. 12, at the JMA Wireless Dome

Regular-season meeting: General Brown, 12-6

Recent history: The Lions have won four of the past five meetings dating back to 2012.

Path to the final: General Brown defeated No. 7 Solvay, 35-6, and No. 3 Skaneateles, 39-14. Adirondack beat No. 5 Bishop Ludden, 50-35, and upset No. 1 Cazenovia, 34-27.

Playoff heroes: General Brown’s Aiden McManaman (281 passing yards, 93 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns), Camden Thomas (159 rushing yards, 73 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns), Douglas Jarvie (132 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns), Ryan Chamberlain ( 122 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 11 tackles, 1 interception); Adirondack’s John Hennessey (77 passing yards, 305 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, 11 tackles, 1 interception touchdown return), Issac Croneiser (102 rushing yards, 1 touchdown), Wyatt Kratzenberg (13 tackles)

Predictions

Phil Blackwell, sports editor of the Eagle Newspapers: Adirondack 20, General Brown 14. To say that Adirondack shocked state No. 1-ranked Cazenovia was too strong a term. The Wildcats are really good, and its lone blemish came against the same General Brown side it will now try to get even with. That 12-6 game in early October was in far different conditions than they’ll find in the Dome. It’s a tough decision: Does the LIons’ big-game experience overcome what Adirondack brings to the table with John Hennessey and friends? If they can score on Cazenovia’s defense, the Wildcats can solve General Brown, too.

Rocco Carbone, freelance sports photographer: General Brown 20, Adirondack 12. General Brown won a close game with Adirondack back in October. General Brown returns to the Dome looking to repeat as champions. Quarterback Aiden McManaman will be the key for the Lions as he manages the offense.

Kenny Lacy Jr., high school sports reporter for syracuse.com: General Brown 22, Adirondack 16. Beating a good team twice in one season is no small task, but I believe the Lions are up for the challenge. General Brown is the defending Section Class C champion and made it all the way to the state title game before losing. I think the Lions have been determined to get back to that game and will do what it takes to win another section championship.

James McClendon, high school sports reporter/editor for syracuse.com: Adirondack 35, General Brown 28. I was very impressed with the way Adirondack played again against state-ranked No. 1 Cazenovia in the Class C semifinals, and I think they will rid that momentum against defending sectional champion General Brown this weekend. The Wildcats have already proven they can hang with the Lions after they lost a tight game during the regular season. They held General Brown to just 12 points, their lowest-scoring output of the season.

Brennan Miller, sports director for WUTR/WFXV/WPNY: Adirondack 19, General Brown 8. Talk about a slugfest. Two teams that play a physical, nose-to-the-grindstone style of football, and if their regular season 12-6 game wasn’t an indication of that, I don’t know what is. In Week 5, these two combined for 480 rushing yards and 18 passing yards. That’s awesome. Adirondack was upset in the 2022 playoffs and wasn’t able to get to the Dome, but in 2023 they’ve already earned that opportunity and can pay it off with a title.

Pat Spadafore, high school sports producer for syracuse.com: Adirondack 27, General Brown 21. The Wildcats have faced some tough competition to get the championship and facing the defending champion Lions will be no different. But the gritty Adirondack team will gut out another win and a title.

Consensus: Adirondack 4-2

Contact Kenny Lacy Jr. anytime: E-mail | Twitter