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St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Bernard: Division-Deciding Rivalry

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 7:41 GMT by syracuse.com

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Section III High‑School Football Schedule – Dec 3, 2025

The Syracuse Daily News’ high‑school‑sports beat released its complete Section III schedule for Sunday, December 3 – a day that sees a mix of regular‑season showdown, playoff‑qualifying contests, and one‑off “showpiece” games that will shape the state’s final standings. The schedule, published under the “Section III” banner of the New York State Public Schools Athletic Association, lists 12 matchups that bring together some of the region’s most competitive programs.

1. Overview of the Day’s Action

Venue and Timing
All games kick off between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., with the first game (St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Bernard) slated for 1:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Stadium on the Aquinas campus. The day’s events will be held at five different fields: the St. Thomas Aquinas campus, the St. Bernard football field, the Syracuse University football field (used by Syracuse‑East), the Central Valley’s newly‑renovated stadium, and the high‑school‑only Field of Dreams in East Syracuse.

Play‑off Stakes
Seven of the 12 games have playoff implications. In the Northeast‑Division (Section III), the matchups between the #1‑ranked Syracuse‑East and the #4‑ranked St. Bernard, and between the #2‑ranked St. Thomas Aquinas and the #3‑ranked East‑Syracuse, are direct contenders for the top‑four playoff berth. Additionally, the #5‑ranked St. Catherine vs. #8‑ranked Central Valley game will be a must‑win for Central Valley to keep their chance alive.

Pre‑Game Coverage
Readers looking for more in‑depth analysis can click on each team’s name to view their individual profile pages – which include season‑by‑season records, player statistics, and last‑month press releases. For instance, a link to the “Syracuse‑East vs. St. Bernard: Play‑off Preview” article highlights the defensive matchup between Syracuse‑East’s top defensive back, Jamal Harper (4th‑year senior, 12 interceptions), and St. Bernard’s star corner, Carlos Mendoza (3rd‑year junior, 7 interceptions). The article also quotes Syracuse‑East coach Mark “Mick” D'Angelo about the team’s resilience after a narrow loss to Albany that season.

2. Individual Game Summaries

St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Bernard – This rivalry game has been a perennial “tiebreaker” for the division. Both teams have finished the regular season with identical 7–1 records, forcing a head‑to‑head decider for the top playoff spot. The game is expected to be a defensive battle, as the two squads have been praised for their stout rush‑defenses (Aquinas allows only 3.2 yards per carry; Bernad 2.9). Coach D'Angelo is optimistic that his “Iron Curtain” defense will stifle Bernad’s aerial attack.

East Syracuse vs. St. Thomas Aquinas – East Syracuse’s head coach, Lisa M. Thompson, is looking to make a statement with a win against the state’s #2‑ranked team. East Syracuse’s offense has shown a balanced attack in the past week, and the game will be a litmus test for whether the team can beat a top‑tier defense. Thompson says, “We’re ready for a tough test; we’ve prepared for it all season.”

Central Valley vs. St. Catherine – Central Valley’s coach, Brian L. Hargrove, has highlighted the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage, especially against St. Catherine’s strong run game. St. Catherine’s quarterback, Kevin O’Malley, is a dual‑threat, with 1,200 passing yards and 900 rushing yards this season. Hargrove stresses that Central Valley’s “plow‑through” style will be necessary to keep the ball moving.

Syracuse‑East vs. St. Catherine – Syracuse‑East’s #1 ranking means this home‑field showdown carries weight for both teams. Syracuse‑East’s offensive line is a major talking point; they have allowed just 1.9 sacks per game. The game will test whether St. Catherine’s defensive coordinator can shut down Syracuse‑East’s “spread‑back” offense.

3. Contextual Links and Additional Resources

Each team’s name in the schedule links to a dedicated profile page. These pages provide the following:

• Season record – Updated every Sunday, showing wins, losses, and streaks.
• Player stats – Passing, rushing, receiving, and defensive categories.
• Recent game summaries – Highlights and box scores.
• Coaching staff bios – Background on each coach, with a particular focus on the impact of new hires.
• Press releases – Official statements from the school’s athletic department.

Additionally, the article includes a sidebar that lists links to the Section III playoff bracket, the New York State Athletic Association (NYSAIA) rules, and a “How to Follow Live Games” guide that outlines the various streaming and radio options available to fans.

The “Play‑off Preview” articles, like the one for Syracuse‑East vs. St. Bernard, go into greater depth about the matchups, analyzing key players and strategies. These previews are typically written by the Daily News’ senior sports columnist, Michael G. Hart, who provides nuanced commentary on how the games will influence the upcoming playoff matchups.

4. What Fans Should Watch For

1. The Division‑Deciding Rivalry – St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Bernard will likely be the day’s headline. The outcome will determine whether Syracuse‑East or St. Thomas Aquinas advances to the top‑four playoff positions.

2. The Playoff‑Qualifying Showdowns – Central Valley’s win over St. Catherine could push Central Valley into the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Similarly, East Syracuse’s victory over St. Thomas Aquinas would move them into a favorable playoff seed.

3. Key Players – Keep an eye on senior quarterback Ethan Ruiz (St. Thomas Aquinas), who is currently ranked #4 in the state for passing efficiency, and on Syracuse‑East’s defensive stalwart Jamal Harper, who has earned all‑state honors.

4. Coaching Tactics – Each coach has a distinct approach: Syracuse‑East’s “balanced attack” vs. St. Bernard’s “high‑pressure defense” vs. Central Valley’s “plow‑through” strategy. The day’s games will provide a masterclass in how different philosophies play out on the field.

5. Looking Ahead

As the state approaches the final weeks of the football season, the outcomes of these games will ripple across the entire Section III landscape. Teams that secure the top‑four playoff spots will have the advantage of home‑field in the quarter‑finals, while others will need to rely on the momentum built in these last‑minute battles. The Daily News will provide live commentary and post‑game analyses, so fans should keep an eye on the “High‑School Sports” section for updates throughout Sunday afternoon and evening.

In sum, the Dec 3 Section III schedule delivers an action‑packed day that not only showcases high‑school football’s talent and spirit but also sets the stage for the state’s playoff drama. Whether you’re a lifelong Syracuse‑East supporter, a Central Valley fan looking to secure a berth, or just a sports enthusiast eager to witness the climax of the season, the games scheduled for Sunday will not disappoint.