Football coach wins 200th, postseason nearing in some sports

James Johnson, Marquel Slaughter and Bob Chavez
·3 min read

Hello high school sports fans in Section V.

Are you rubbing your hands with glee, or at least excited about how the seasons in the greater Rochester region are playing out? We are.

Marquel Slaughter and James Johnson, staff writers at the Democrat and Chronicle, plus Messenger Post sports editor Bob Chavez are talking about the upsets and strong performances from girls tennis to football. They also share what's happening away from games and matches.

Rich Lipani wins 200th game

Hilton High School football coach, Rich Lipani, goes over practice expectations during the first day of official practice.
Hilton High School football coach, Rich Lipani, goes over practice expectations during the first day of official practice.

The Hilton football team's Week 3 win marked a milestone for Rich Lipani.

The Cadets' 34-12 win over Churchville-Chili was Lipani's 200th career win. Now in his 37th season coaching — 34 at Hilton — Lipani has moved into the top five of Section V's career coaching wins list.

Robert Lowry lifted Lipani to his noteworthy win, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown, and catching two interceptions against the Saints.

"Great players get you wins, coaches maybe help a little bit," Lipani said to his team during his postgame speech.

Girls golf postseason week or two away

Mercy’s Julia Zigrossi watches her tee shot on the 18th hole during the Section V Girls Golf Championships at Irondequoit Country Club, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
Mercy’s Julia Zigrossi watches her tee shot on the 18th hole during the Section V Girls Golf Championships at Irondequoit Country Club, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.

Believe it or not, the Section V girls golf season is at the turn.

The postseason is less than a month away.

Two of the three leagues, the Private-Parochial and Finger Lakes on October 4 at Shadow Lake, hold qualifiers for the Section V Championships. Monroe County's qualifier is October 11 at Monroe.

The Section V Championships are Oct. 13 and Oct. 15 at Webster Golf Club. Tee times both rounds are 9 a.m.

Julia Zigrossi, a senior at Our Lady of Mercy, has been the top golfer this season. Zigrossi, who has committed to play at James Madison University in Virginia, was the 2020 and 2021 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year.

Like father, like son at Pittsford

Pittsford quarterback Caleb Lewis (16) throws downfield as Victor defense starts to pressure from all sides during their Section V matchup Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 at Pittsford Sutherland High School.
Pittsford quarterback Caleb Lewis (16) throws downfield as Victor defense starts to pressure from all sides during their Section V matchup Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 at Pittsford Sutherland High School.

No doubt, hard work and dedication are behind the success of Pittsford quarterback Caleb Lewis. But as the old farmers will tell you, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Caleb's father is Todd Lewis, a 1987 graduate of Canandaigua who passed for 1,139 yards and eight touchdowns in leading the Braves to a 6-2-1 record and a Section V playoff berth in 1986. Lewis went on to play at St. John Fisher College and if his name doesn't ring a bell, it's because he had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Billy Scharr, the QB who was one of the most highly recruited football players in Section V history. Scharr graduated Canandaigua in 1986 and went on to play at Syracuse.

Todd Lewis has a great seat at games to watch his son shine, too. He's on the Pittsford staff as coach of the quarterbacks and an offensive assistant with the Panthers.

'Duel in the Pool' swimming strong

It started five years ago and it’s stronger than ever today. The fifth annual Duel in the Pool was contested on Saturday in Bath, putting more than 150 swimmers and divers in the water with teams from the Livingston County Athletic Conference against the Finger Lakes League.

There were 12 events this year and while the rivalry is intense, it’s also friendly because the big goal for the meet is to raise funds and awareness for charity. This year, the designated charity was Wreaths Across America.

The organization that helps provide wreaths for the grave sites of military veterans was presented with a check for $2,625 at the conclusion of Saturday’s meet. The money, raised through canvas bag sales, admissions and donations, will provide 175 wreaths for headstones at the Bath National Cemetery.

Until next time, keep up on Section V's sports scene by going to our high school page.

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JAMESJ@Gannett.com

MSLAUGHTER1@Gannett.com

RCHAVEZ@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Football coach wins 200th, postseason nearing in some sports