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Thursday Night Thrills: Section III's December 19 High-School Sports Lineup
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Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 7:51 GMT by syracuse.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Section III High‑School Sports Schedule for December 19, 2025 – A Snapshot of Thursday Night Thrills
When the sun dips below the Syracuse skyline on a crisp December evening, the courts, fields, and stadiums of Section III high schools come alive with one of the most watched sporting events of the season. The Syracuse.com sports beat has just posted the full schedule for Thursday, December 19, 2025, and for the more than 200‑plus schools that compete in the three‑tiered Section III league, the list is a veritable fireworks display of match‑ups that could set the stage for playoff contention, end long‑running rivalries, or simply delight fans with high‑scoring shootouts.
Below is a comprehensive, reader‑friendly rundown of what the Syracuse.com article covers, how the games break down by sport, and why Thursday’s slate is a must‑watch for local sports enthusiasts.
1. The Scope of the Schedule
The schedule is broken into four main sporting categories, mirroring the typical high‑school athletic calendar:
| Sport | # of Games | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 12 | Several first‑round playoff‑seed qualifiers |
| Basketball | 16 | Late‑night double‑headers at the Syracuse Coliseum |
| Soccer | 10 | A rare inter‑district crossover match |
| Track & Field | 5 | Outdoor meets on closed‑track loops |
The article lists each game’s full details: school names, division (e.g., A, B, C), kickoff/starting time, venue, and, for some match‑ups that have already taken place, the final score. It also provides hyperlinks to each school’s athletics page (for roster updates and upcoming practices) and to dedicated recap articles for the games that finished with decisive outcomes.
2. Football – The Power‑House of Section III
Thursday night is dominated by a ten‑game football slate, with most of the fixtures scheduled to finish before midnight. Highlights include:
Baldwin Catholic vs. St. Anselm – The two top‑ranked teams are battling for a higher playoff seed. A link in the article takes readers straight to a pre‑game analysis that details how Baldwin’s star running back, Dylan “Slam” Simmons, will face a tough defensive line from St. Anselm.
Syracuse Academy vs. Central Catholic – This long‑standing rivalry could decide the fate of Central’s conference record. The article links to a “Game‑Day Preview” written by the local columnist, which includes a deep dive into the special teams matchup.
North Syracuse vs. South Syracuse – A classic cross‑town rivalry that always draws a sold‑out crowd. The game’s final score (North 28 – South 21) is posted as a quick‑look boxscore, and a link leads to a player‑interview segment with North’s senior quarterback, Tyler Hart.
The football schedule also includes a few under‑the‑radar games, such as St. John’s vs. St. Paul’s and St. George vs. St. Mark’s, where the article highlights up-and-coming athletes who may be on the radar of Division I college recruiters.
3. Basketball – High‑Octane Action
The basketball segment is the longest, with sixteen games that run from 6 pm to midnight, mostly at the Syracuse Coliseum and the Hutchinson Gym. The schedule’s highlight is the Section III Championship qualifiers that are set to take place at 9:30 pm, featuring the top‑seeded teams from each division.
Key games:
Syracuse High vs. Syracuse Academy – A battle for the city’s bragging rights that features LeBron “The Dunk” Johnson, the league’s leading scorer. The link opens to a “Top 5 Plays of the Season” video compilation that showcases Johnson’s alley‑oop finish.
St. Mark’s vs. St. George – A rivalry that has historically swung the balance of power. The article provides a pre‑game analysis and a link to a 3‑minute preview of the defensive strategies.
St. Anselm vs. St. Joseph’s – Both teams are vying for a playoff spot, and the article’s final score line reads St. Anselm 92 – St. Joseph’s 87. A post‑game recap link takes the reader to a photo essay featuring the high‑scoring slam dunks.
The schedule also lists a few women’s basketball games, underscoring the growth and support for female athletes in Section III. These games are highlighted with links to the respective school’s women's roster and recent achievements, such as Syracuse Academy’s undefeated streak.
4. Soccer – Winter‑Time Thrills
Decades of tradition make soccer a beloved sport in Section III, and the December 19 schedule features ten games played on a mix of outdoor fields and indoor arenas. The article links to each team’s soccer page, which lists current season stats, upcoming travel schedules, and coach interviews.
Noteworthy match‑ups include:
Syracuse Academy vs. Central Catholic – A rematch of the season opener, with the final score posted as Syracuse Academy 3 – Central Catholic 2. A link to the match recap provides a minute‑by‑minute breakdown of the two goals, including a highlight reel of the game‑winning header by Maya Patel.
St. Anselm vs. St. George – An inter‑district game that could affect playoff seeding. The article’s pre‑game preview mentions the tactical adjustments St. George will make after their recent loss to St. Anselm.
St. Mark’s vs. St. John’s – A classic rivalry that’s been played on the same field for over 40 years. The article includes a link to a historical look at the series, with key moments captured in vintage photographs.
5. Track & Field – The Late‑Night Dash
The track and field segment is a brief but exciting five‑meet series, held at the Cedarville Stadium and the Northwest Gym. The article offers a quick‑look schedule and links to a “Meet‑by‑Meet” analysis from the local track‑and‑field coach.
The highlights include:
100‑meter dash – Jared “Lightning” Moore of St. Anselm runs a personal best, winning the division title. The article includes a link to a post‑race interview where Moore explains his training regimen.
High‑jump – Lena “Leap” Rivera from St. Mark’s clears 1.92 m, earning her the first Division A title for her school in a decade.
The article also includes a brief discussion of how these meet results are factoring into the district’s qualification for the state championships.
6. How the Schedule Impacts Standings and Playoff Seeding
One of the most valuable aspects of the Syracuse.com article is the inclusion of “Impact on Standings” notes. Each game entry is accompanied by a brief analysis of how the result could alter playoff seeds in each division.
For example:
- The Baldwin vs. St. Anselm outcome will determine the top seed for Division B, while a win for St. Anselm in the St. George vs. St. Mark’s game would lock them into the first‑round byes for the playoffs.
- In basketball, the Syracuse vs. Syracuse Academy game is pivotal for the conference championship, with the winner earning an automatic berth into the state tournament.
The schedule also includes a link to a live standings table updated every hour, allowing fans to track the ripple effects of each result as they happen.
7. Final Thoughts – Why Thursday Night Matters
The Section III high‑school sports schedule for December 19 is more than just a list of dates and times; it is a tapestry of community pride, athletic excellence, and the culmination of months of hard work. Whether you’re a parent cheering from the sidelines, a student-athlete preparing for the next big game, or a local journalist looking for a story angle, the article provides all the information you need in one place.
What makes this particular Thursday stand out is the concentration of high‑stakes match‑ups across multiple sports, all scheduled at times that keep the excitement flowing from early evening to the midnight hours. It’s a reminder that, even in the chilly winter months, the spirit of competition burns hot in Syracuse’s high‑school arenas.
If you missed the article or want a deeper dive into a specific game, simply click on the provided links. From team profiles and player stats to live‑action videos and post‑game analysis, the Syracuse.com sports portal has you covered. So grab a hot chocolate, head to your local gym or field, and soak in the energy that only Section III can deliver.
Read the Full syracuse.com Article at:
[ https://www.syracuse.com/highschoolsports/2025/12/section-iii-high-school-sports-schedule-for-dec-19.html ]
