Christian Brothers Academy football takes step toward 3rd straight state crown with regional win

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Christian Brothers Academy football team went deep into its offensive toolbox Saturday night to race past Section IV’s Elmira 42-7 in a Class AA state playoff regional game at Vestal.

Six different players danced into the end zone to keep the Brothers (11-0) on track to capture their third straight state championship. CBA, ranked No. 1 in the state, advances to the state semis at 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Cicero-North Syracuse.

Only one other Section III team has ever earned three consecutive state titles: Mike Hart-led Onondaga from 2001-03.

The Express (6-5) actually made a game of it by pulling within 14-7 midway through the third before the Brothers snapped back to rip off four touchdowns in a row and extended their winning streak to 39 games.

Khalen Reese, Gradyn Dixon, Austin Ariola and Isaiah Coleman rushed for scores and Javon Edenfield and Keian McRae grabbed touchdown passes for CBA.

The Brothers beat Elmira 63-12 in the first round of the states last year and the rematch started with similar vibes. CBA put up the first two scores of the game to grab a 14-0 lead at half before Elmira cut the deficit on an 18-yard run by Zachary Conklin in the third.

That merely seemed to annoy the Brothers, who then proceeded to end the drama almost immediately.

Dixon found Edenfield for a 34-yard connection to change the scoreboard to 21-7 after three.

The Brothers needed just 15 seconds to strike in the fourth, on a 53-yard jaunt by Ariola. Two minutes later, Coleman ran 11 yards for the score that made it 35-7. McRae closed the scoring on a 20-yard TD catch with 4:33 left.

Overall, CBA has outscored its foes 449-86 this season, including 124-20 in three postseason contests.