BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Week 4 high school football slate kicked off Thursday night, with highlights including Pioneer improving to 4-0 and taking command of the Class B-2 division with a 26-14 win against previously unbeaten South Park in a matchup of top-ranked small schools, along with Niagara Falls gaining a hard-fought 26-20 win against non-league neighbor Niagara Wheatfield.
The latest installment in Western New York's most storied rivalry is among our games to watch this weekend.
2 p.m. Saturday
The 101st meeting in this series is the first local game of the season for Canisius, ranked among the top four in WNY after three road games against top competition in Ohio and Pennsylvania. ... St. Joe's, ranked No. 8 among local large schools, had a bye after beating No. 10 Jamestown, one of the Marauders more impressive results in recent years. ... Canisius has won nine in a row and 19 of the past 20 matchups with St. Joe's to lake a 49-48-3 lead in the rivalry. Five of the past eight wins have been shutouts. St. Joe's kept the score close into the third quarter the last time the teams met on Kenmore Avenue.... Canisius sophomore RB Elijah Kimble has rushed for 291 yards and scored six touchdowns through the first three games. ... WR Jahyden Clark received Connolly Cup nomination after catching eight passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, and returning a punt for another score last week. ... Saturday's game will be streamed by WNY Athletics.
7 p.m. Friday at All-High Stadium
The three-time defending Class AA champion Tigers are tied for the No. 1 spot in the local poll, set to face their first divisional test of the season after a couple blowout wins. ... Bennett WR E'Ryan Lawrence got Connolly Cup nod for gaining 115 yards with a TD, and a strong defensive performance that included an interception, in 44-0 win vs. Niagara Falls. ... Chase Bonta, Dominic Gonzalez and Cole Bloomquist each ran for two TDs last week as the Red and Green bounced back from first loss with 58-10 drubbing of Lockport. ... Bennett won last year's game 44-22. ... Stream available on NFHS Network.
7 p.m. Friday
This game very well could determine who gets the top seed in the Class D playoffs. ... Carter Brink caught two long touchdowns from Tate Catanese as CSP, ranked sixth among local small schools, beat Gowanda 42-12 in Week 3. ... Isaac Towne passed for 304 yards and four TDs in F/E's 41-13 win against Wilson. ... CSP came back in the second half to win last year's game 23-17. ... Game will be televised by WNED with radio broadcast on WBFO.
7 p.m. Friday
Two of three remaining unbeaten teams in Class C North division, trying to keep pace with Alden. ... Mac Capen accounted for 252 yards and 4 TDs last week as No. 5 small school Newfane shutout Roy-Hart 47-0 ... Coy Patterson threw four TD passes in Akron's 41-14 non-league win over Maritime. ... Newfane won 26-7 last season.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.