Breakdown, predictions for Christian Brothers Academy vs. Cicero-North Syracuse in Class AA football finals

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

>> How to watch: Time, TV channel

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

No. 1 Christian Brothers Academy (10-0) vs. No. 1 Christian Brothers Academy (10-0) No. 2 Cicero-North Syracuse (9-1)

When, where: 6 pm, Sunday, Nov. 12, at the JMA Wireless Dome

Regular-season meetings: CBA, 34-18

Recent history: C-NS has won three of the past five meetings dating back to 2018, including last year’s Class AA championship game.

Path to the end: CBA defeated No. 8 Henninger, 59-12, and No. 4 Liverpool, 53-7. C-NS beat No. 7 Rome Free Academy, 56-24, and No. 3 Baldwinsville, 32-14.

Playoff heroes: CBA’s Jamier Handford (99 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns), Quentin Lewis (155 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns), Isaiah Coleman (127 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns); C-NS’ Jaxon Razmovski (412 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns), Leonzo Zimmerman (310 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns), Davine Bennett (152 receiving yards, 1 touchdown), Marcus Reed II (12 tackles, 1 sack )

Predictions

Phil Blackwell, sports editor of the Eagle Newspapers: CBA 34, Cicero-North Syracuse 27. Yes, it’s tempting fate to go against the Northstars in a sectional final given the past five have gone to C-NS. However, the Brothers’ ceiling has remained higher this fall, and it found another dominant player in Jamier Handford, who demonstrated it on both sides of the ball the first time these two teams met. He might make the difference here, too, even if I suspect Jaxon Razmovski might have a big night as well.

Rocco Carbone, freelance sports photographer: Cicero-North Syracuse 25, CBA 22. This was the matchup we knew all along. Just like last year, CBA won the regular season game and C-NS won the sectional title. This year, C-NS finds a way to win another title. Experience goes to the Northstars. C-NS quarterback Jaxon Razmovski has thrown for 1,667 yards with 25 touchdowns and 317 rushing yards to make him a double threat. CBA’s Jamier Handford has picked up the scoring pace as Syair Torrence has been injured.

Kenny Lacy Jr., high school sports reporter for syracuse.com: CBA 35, Cicero-North Syracuse 31. How do you pick against a team that has won five straight regional championships? That is a good question for sure. But streaks are sometimes meant to be broken, and when the team you’re facing is as talented as this year’s CBA team, that streak could end. Both teams are loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball, but I think the Brothers do just enough to end the Northstars’ reign atop Class AA.

James McClendon, high school sports reporter/editor for syracuse.com: CBA 42, Cicero-North Syracuse 7. I am taking CBA to avenge a loss they suffered to Cicero-North Syracuse in last year’s title game. The Brothers have been the best team in Section III, and I think when it’s all said and done, they will have the Class AA crown on their heads.

Brennan Miller, sports director for WUTR/WFXV/WPNY: CBA 34, Cicero-North Syracuse 26. In what was one of the most anticipated games all year, the Brothers got the best of the Northstars in the regular season, and even though it’s hard to beat a team twice in a year, I think that they do it again. In Class D, I talk about Dolgeville’s championship pedigree helping them to a title. Well, C-NS’ is even greater, and while that should get them closer to whatever lofty offensive total CBA puts on the board, I don’t think that they’ll be able to match it. Brothers end the reign of the Northstars in a one-score contest.

Pat Spadafore, high school sports producer for syracuse.com: Cicero-North Syracuse 45, CBA 35. I think both teams will utilize their high-scoring offenses in this run-and-gun game The Northstars will overcome the many weapons that CBA brings to the field and repeat as champions.

Consensus: CBA 4-2

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