Class AA football full of surprises
Commentary
MATT KRUEGER Sports Reporter
Who would have thought five weeks into the 2007 season the division leaders in Section VI Class AA football would be Kenmore West and Lancaster? Certainly not I.

Heck, even the coaches for those two teams didn't think they'd be the front-runners this deep in the season. But that's exactly what we're looking at this year. The Blue Devils and the Redskins are making people green with envy.

Both teams have rolled off four wins in a row, following embarrassing Week One losses. Kenmore West rebounded from a 41-3 loss to Frontier at home to beat Niagara Falls, Williamsville North and Lockport on the road and Niagara Wheatfield at home. Lancaster bounced back from a 34-21 loss to Class A Sweet Home to upset Clarence and Frontier and take down Jamestown and West Seneca West.

I think it's safe to say both teams have earned respect this year. Kenmore West has done it with a stifling defense that has given up just 21 points in the past four games. Lancaster has used its small, young roster of players to win games late when their opponents are tired.

And things can get even better for both teams this week, as both teams can clinch division titles with victories this week. But that won't be easy. Kenmore West (4-1 overall, 4-0 in AA North) faces perennial powerhouse North Tonawanda Saturday, while Lancaster hosts three-time defending Class AA champ Orchard Park Friday. North Tonawanda and Orchard Park have been the two best football programs in Section VI the past five years, combining for eight appearances in the championship game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. They've played each other three times.

Heading into the season North Tonawanda and Orchard Park were the clear favorites to win their respective divisions. And they still might. North Tonawanda is 3-0 in AA North and has outscored its opponents, 160-92, this year. Orchard Park has annihilated everyone in its path to stay undefeated by outscoring its opponents, 175-49.

Both of those games should be great contests this weekend, along with these other big games:

St. Mary's of Lancaster at Cardinal O'Hara A rematch of last year's Monsignor Martin Association League A championship game, this contest has shaped up to be the game of the year among Catholic schools. St. Mary's, under new head coach Dennis Gilbert, has taken to the new offensive scheme well and scored 133 points in five games. O'Hara, the two-time defending League A champ, has obliterated the competition to post five wins by a combined score of 186-7. This is probably a foreshadow to the title game at The Ralph.

Lackawanna at Depew

The Depew Wildcats (4-1, 4-0) can clinch the Class B North title with a win over the Steelers at home.

Cheektowaga at Maryvale

The Maryvale Flyers (4-1, 3-1) can take over second place in Class A South with a win over the archrival Cheektowaga Warriors (5-0, 4-0) Saturday in the annual Maroon Madness rivalry. Cheektowaga is looking to keep pace with Iroquois (5-0, 4-0).

St. Joe's at Timon/St. Jude

The MMA League AA schedule begins with the Marauders (1-4) and Tigers (3-2).

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com