Averill Park seeks revenge against Somers in Regionals

AVERILL PARK, NY (NEWS10) -- The Averill Park football team made history Saturday, winning the program's first ever section title. Now they head to the state tournament for the second year in a row, against a familiar foe.

After their 20-6 win over Burnt Hills to win the Class A title, the Warriors get the reward of playing an 11-0 Somers team. Averill Park played the Tuskers at Mahopac High School last year when the Warriors made the tournament as an at-large bid after losing the section title. Somers won that game 31-7. This year, the two teams play here at Shenendehowa High School, the site of Averill Park's section title win.

The Warriors believe this year, with both the experience from last season and the momentum they're currently riding, they're in a much better place.

"It's something we've seen, we've had the opportunity to be in this position last year, albeit from an at-large," said Averill Park head coach Zach Gobel. "We've been through this process before. This is not something that's new. Coming off a win, coming off the first ever sectional championship is certainly something that's going to bring our emotions to a much better level than they were coming off the loss last year. In addition to that, being able to play in a facility that we played in just last week and kind of know the lay of the land and what's going on is going to going to help us out."

"They're a very good team," said senior running back and linebacker Drew Canaday. "We played them last year, so we definitely want to get a little revenge. Last year after the sectional loss, it was pretty rough to kind of get back and get our heads right. I think this year we're definitely in the right spot. I think mentally we're in the right spot."

The Warriors will take on the Tuskers Friday at Shenendehowa High School at 7:30 PM.