On this year's Halloween Weekend, the Section 2 football playoffs will begin for teams competing in Class B and C. The following week, sectional play starts with semifinal contests in Class AA and A.
Depending on which of the five classifications teams play in, two or three regular-season contests remain before sectional play begins.
Here is a closer look at where the playoff races stand in each classification.
Class AA
- Clinched: None.
- In the hunt: Barring a collapse by the top contenders, the four playoff teams among the nine squads competing in this classification should be Christian Brothers Academy, Saratoga Springs, Shaker and Shenendehowa.
- Eliminated: Schenectady (0-6 overall, 0-5 Class AA).
- What to know: CBA (6-0 overall, 5-0 Class AA) is ranked No. 3 in the state and hosts Schenectady (0-6, 0-5) this week, while Saratoga Springs (5-1, 4-1) takes on Colonie (2-4, 2-4) at home and Shaker (5-1, 4-1) plays at Albany (3-3, 2-3). If the Brothers, Blue Streaks and Blue Bison win this week, they lock up playoff berths. Shenendehowa (4-2, 4-2) plays Class A opponent Queensbury on Friday and needs one win in its final two games to secure a playoff spot. If Shen loses both, it could set up a tie for the No. 4 slot among two or three teams.
Class A
- Clinched: None.
- In the hunt: Ballston Spa, Bethlehem, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Columbia, Mohonasen, Queensbury, Troy.
- Eliminated: Amsterdam (1-5, 1-5), South Glens Falls (0-6, 0-5).
- What to know: As in Class AA this season, Class A won't have divisional play this fall. The nine teams will play each other to determine the four playoff teams. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (6-0, 5-0) is ranked No. 13 in the state poll and hosts Columbia (4-2, 4-2) Saturday at noon. A Spartans win would put them in the driver's seat for the No. 1 spot. The rest of the playoff picture is a bit muddled after the past two weeks' results. A Columbia loss on Saturday would be its third straight defeat and would improve Mohonasen's (3-3, 3-2) and Ballston Spa's chances. This week, Mohonasen hosts Amsterdam, and Ballston Spa (2-4, 2-3) hosts South Glens Falls. Ballston Spa's biggest test comes in a Week 8 contest against Troy (4-2, 4-1), ranked No. 30, who entertains Bethlehem (2-4, 1-4) on Friday.
Class B North
- Clinched:
Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Glens Falls - In the hunt:
Cohoes, Gloversville, Scotia-Glenville - Eliminated:
None - What to know:
Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo (5-1, 3-0) and Glens Falls (6-0, 2-0) stand atop the race in this five-team division for four playoff spots. Glens Falls hosts Gloversville (2-4, 1-1) Friday and then takes on Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo at home Week 8 to determine the division champion. Scotia-Glenville (0-6, 0-2) and Cohoes (1-5, 0-3) play Friday. A Cohoes loss would eliminate the Tigers, as it is their final division game. A Tartans win would keep them alive for the No. 3 seed, with a Week 8 contest upcoming vs. Gloversville.
Class B South
- Clinched:
Averill Park - In the hunt:
- Eliminated:
None - What to know:
The six teams in the South play divisional contests in Weeks 7 and 8 to determine the four playoff positions – although the top spots are virtually assured. Averill Park (5-1, 3-0) leads the South Division standings, with remaining contests at Lansingburgh (3-3, 2-1) and at home vs. La Salle (3-3, 2-1). Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (4-2, 2-1) can lock a playoff berth Friday at home vs. Green Tech (0-6, 0-3). La Salle can clinch if it beats Chatham/Ichabod Crane (2-4, 0-3) at home Friday.
Class C East
- Clinched:
None - In the hunt:
- Eliminated:
- What to know:
The top four teams in the division land a playoff berth in this six-team configuration. Schuylerville (5-1, 3-0), winners of the 2025 and 2024 Class C sectional titles, moved closer to the top spot once again after producing a 56-13 road win Saturday at Voorheesville (4-2, 2-1). Hoosick Falls/Tamarac (4-2, 2-1) is seeking a quarterfinal home game, with home contests remaining against Granville/Whitehall (1-5, 0-3) and Voorheesville. Mechanicville (2-4, 1-2) has the inside track for the division's No. 4 seed thanks to its 38-6 win over Watervliet (1-5, 1-2).
Class C West
- Clinched: Cobleskill-Richmondville, Fonda-Fultonville, Hudson, Johnstown.
- In the hunt: None.
- Eliminated: Coxsackie-Athens.
- What to know: The last-place squad, Coxsackie-Athens, forfeited the rest of its 2026 schedule because of low player numbers, locking up playoff spots for the other four teams in the division. Cobleskill-Richmondville (5-1, 3-0) will win the division title Friday if the Bulldogs beat Fonda-Fultonville (4-2, 1-1). The only other divisional game remains next week, with Fonda-Fultonville hosting Hudson (4-2, 2-1). Johnstown (4-2, 1-2) plays Canajoharie/Fort Plain this week and gets a bye next week with a forfeit win over Coxsackie-Athens.
Class D
- Clinched: Canajoharie/Fort Plain, Greenwich.
- In the hunt: None.
- Eliminated: None.
- What to know: Only two teams are competing in this classification. Greenwich (5-1, 1-0), ranked No. 6 in the state, already owns a 60-6 win against Canajoharie/Fort Plain (3-3, 0-1). The two teams will meet again for the sectional title Nov. 13 at Colonie High School.
Subscribe
There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Section 2 football playoff tracker: Where every class stands as postseason approaches.