The Section 2 Class B playoffs start Friday night.
Glens Falls, a program that won its first state title in Syracuse a decade ago and followed up with another championship in 2018, is attempting to win a third straight Class B sectional crown. The Black Bears advanced to the state semifinals in both 2024 and 2025.
Along with Glens Falls, Averill Park earned a top seed.
Here is a closer look at the season to date and what to look forward to in the 2026 Class B sectionals.
Quarterfinal matchups
- South No. 4 Lansingburgh (4-4) at North No. 1 Glens Falls (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
- North No. 3 Gloversville (2-6) at South No. 2 Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
- North No. 4 Scotia-Glenville (1-7) at South No. 1 Averill Park (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
- South No. 3 La Salle (4-4) at North No. 2 Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Things to know
Easily one of the most exciting contests from the regular season happened in Week 5 when Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo held off Averill Park 21-20 in overtime. The Sabres preserved the lead by stopping the Golden Knights on a 2-point conversion try to prevail at home. If each squad wins this week, the two teams will meet again Nov. 6 in the semifinals at Averill Park. … Playing in Class A, La Salle won once in 2025 during Mark Galuski's first season as head coach. The Cadets will look add another win to their four-win season in Class B on Friday with a quarterfinal contest at Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo. … Johnny Jones rushed for four touchdowns in Week 8, highlighted by his final score in overtime, as Ravena-Coeym
ans-Selkirk locked up a No. 2 seed with a 35-28 win over Lansingburgh.
Player to watch
Glens Falls senior quarterback Chase McTague is enjoying an incredible season in leading the state's No. 4 ranked squad. Not only does McTague lead the Black Bears in rushing with 71 carries for 705 yards and 14 touchdowns, the senior standout also has connected on 51 of 68 passes for 894 yards and 15 touchdowns. During the two games Glens Falls was pushed in the regular season, McTague delivered great second-half showings in wins against Pleasantville (20-3) and Schuylerville (34-26).
How did James Allen do?
From my preseason predictions, I ended up with seven teams correct. I ended up correctly selecting Glens Falls (North) and Averill Park (South) at the top of the division standings.
Prediction time
While there have been several quality seasons turned in, the one team that has delivered weekly has been Glens Falls. The Black Bears have outscored the six Class B teams they have faced by a combined 259-90 margin - and even that is a bit misleading, as the bulk of the points allowed came after the starters were off the field. Senior guard Richie Marcellus has returned from injury to bolster the offense, too. I believe the same two teams from 2025 meet again in the Super Bowl with Glens Falls winning the title once again over Averill Park.
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There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Breaking down the 2026 Section 2 Class B football playoffs.