Ben Birnell

Jai Phillips, left, blocks for Keygan Newman during a drill at a recent practice at D'Alessandro Stadium in Utica. Both are among about 17 seniors on the Proctor football team

In 2026, the Adirondack football has 10 seniors, which includes quarterback/safety Ryan McGrath, running back defensive back Bryce Weiler and offensive guard/defensive lineman Jesse Dragan. There are about six returning starters on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats. The team is looking to improve on 2025's 2-6 record.

The New Hartford football has a mix of returning players after winning the Section III title in the fall of 2025. However, Jim Kramer stepped away as head coach. And the Spartans will have to replace some offensive firepower in 2026.

Mount Markham finished 2-7 during the 2025 season. The Mustangs have a new coach this season in Mike Snow. He replaces Loren Winegard, who had led the program since 2011.

The Sauquoit Valley football team has moved back to the 11-man level after playing the last five seasons at 8-man. The Red Hawks have a new head coach in Jason Alexander. He noted the team has playing experience in moving up in competition for the 2026 Section III football season.

Whitesboro football coach Curtis Schmidt said he found out the team's Week 1 trip to Syracuse to play Nottingham High School was not happening Friday morning and the teams wouldn't meet. The game was scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday in Syracuse. "We weren't given much information other than the game was cancelled," Schmidt said Friday afternoon. "We don't really know why." Because of the late change, Whitesboro couldn't find another opponent for Week 1. The team's next game is Week 2 vs. visiting Corcoran at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

In Year 2 of a rebuilding plan for the Westmoreland/Oriskany football team, there's some more experience as well as better depth for the team heading into 2026. With standouts such as Dylan Williams and Owen Smith and a total of 12 seniors, the Bulldogs are pushing for more progress in Section III's Class D in 2026.

The 2026 Section III football season is kicking off this week and area fields around the Mohawk Valley will be packed as teams begin a quest for supremacy in the sport.

Utica Notre Dame's D'Marco Santiago tries to evade a New Hartford player during a a Section III football game Friday, Sept. 4 at Don Edick Field in New Hartford. Santiago

The New Hartford football team opened the Keith Kempney era with a lopsided win over visiting Utica Notre Dame on Friday. Evan Demkowitch opened the second half with a kickoff return for a touchdown and Niko Martinez had three second-half scores to help New Hartford earn the home victory. See more Section III highlights involving Utica-Rome area teams.