Dangerous 4-Seed: Le Roy/Cal-Mum Football Could Be the Sleeper Pick in Class C
Written by Pete Zehler on October 28, 2025
It’s been an up-and-down regular season for the Le Roy/Cal-Mum Rivals, who enter the Class C sectional playoffs with a 5-3 record and the No. 4 seed. The Rivals have shown they can compete with the best — and sometimes struggle with teams below them — making them one of the biggest wild cards in this year’s tournament.
Season Breakdown
The Rivals’ year has been defined by close games and inconsistency. They played top-seeded Alexander/Pembroke tough, staying within striking distance until a few late-game miscues on snaps proved costly. They also went toe-to-toe with Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw in rainy conditions, ultimately falling short by just two points.
However, the team also suffered one of Section V’s biggest upsets of the season in Week 3, falling 21-18 to a 2-6 Hornell/Arkport-Canaseraga team after struggling to finish promising drives. The Rivals also had a slow start against Wellsville before pulling away late for a 30-13 win in Week 6. That mix of flashes of dominance and frustrating lapses has left fans wondering which version of the team will show up in the postseason.
First-Round Matchup
The Rivals will host No. 5 seed Wellsville/Genesee Valley-Belfast in the first round of sectionals. The two teams are familiar with each other after their Week 6 meeting — a game that was just 15-13 entering the fourth quarter before the Rivals pulled away.
Wellsville brings a disciplined defense and a strong running game, but Le Roy/Cal-Mum enters as the favorite. If the Rivals can finish off drives and contain Wellsville’s rushing attack, they should be in good position to advance to the semifinals.
Key Players
Offensively, the Rivals lean heavily on junior quarterback Brady McClurg, one of Section V’s top passers this season. McClurg has thrown for 1,011 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His favorite targets include tight end Dillon Alcott (340 yards, 5 TDs), slot receiver Connor Elmore (20 receptions, 169 yards), and wideout Donovan Gaillard (271 yards, 4 TDs).
The rushing attack found new life late in the season after sophomore Brennan Weber was called up from JV. In three games, Weber has totaled 229 yards and three touchdowns, adding a physical spark to the offense. Fullback Cameron Riggi has anchored the ground game all year with 408 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, Riggi, Alcott, Michael Fortuna, Joey Reschke, Carter Page, Colton Halladay, and Thomas Crissy have led a strong front that’s held up well against several high-powered offenses.
Prediction
Expect a competitive rematch with Wellsville, but the Rivals’ offensive balance and improving run game should carry them to a win and a spot in the semifinals — likely against top-seeded Alexander/Pembroke.
Prediction – Wellsville/GV/Belfast 14 @ Le Roy/Cal-Mum 28
The Defenders handed Le Roy/Cal-Mum a 40-27 loss in the regular season, but the Rivals moved the ball better than any other opponent Alexander/Pembroke faced all year. With Weber now in the backfield and Coach Mike Humphrey’s proven ability to gameplan, Le Roy/Cal-Mum could be the biggest threat to the unbeaten Defenders in Class C.
If they manage to pull off the upset, the Rivals would have a real chance to capture the sectional title against either East Rochester/Gananda who they defeated 33-19 or Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw who they’ve shown they can play with.
