New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Section 4 football divisional representatives, head coaches, and key players met this past week to discuss changes to the upcoming 2026-2027 season.
Section 4’s Head Chair Jeff Paske stressed the league’s decision to limit players who defy the uniform code. Previous incidents between officials and players will have this season’s athletes refrain from shortening their uniforms, specifically by keeping “everything below the knee covered,” Paske said.
Other key points of emphasis include:
The annual pre-season meeting officially ushered in the new season, which begins Monday, August 17. Several players from Section 4 teams paid homage to what was accomplished last season while expressing a desire to start this season on a completely “clean slate.”
“I just think we can’t get complacent,” said Tioga senior James Howie. “We won a state championship last year, but that doesn’t mean anything for this year, and we need to keep working hard.” Last year’s New York State Class D champions, Tioga enters the season hoping to repeat.
On the other side of the coin are the Binghamton Patriots, who went 0-10 in 2025. Head coach Vaughn Labor is looking to use the upcoming season as a fresh start, focusing on building the team with each game.
“We’ve been constantly trying to harp on that positive mindset, positive touches, being good teammates,” Labor said. “You’re the ones that have to have each other’s back, and I think if we get that, I think that that’s going to help get us over some of these difficult humps that we’re going to see.”
Section 4 football teams will continue to prepare for their opening matchups, beginning September 4 and 5.
2026 Section 4 Varsity Football Week 1 Schedule
Game schedule for Class AA, A, B, C and D varsity football teams in Week 1:
Game times are subject to change.
Week 1 | Sept. 4-5
Corning at Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.
Elmira at Liverpool, 6 p.m.
Ithaca at Spencer-Van Etten/Candor, 7 p.m.
Horseheads at Rochester Aquinas, 7 p.m.
Union-Endicott at Utica Proctor, 1:30 p.m.
Vestal at Rome Free Academy, 7 p.m.
Binghamton vs. Chenango Valley, 1:30 p.m.
Johnson City at Henninger, 1 p.m.
Maine-Endwell at Webster Thomas, 4 p.m.
Owego vs. Chenango Forks, 7 p.m.
Norwich vs. Cazenovia, 7 p.m.
Waverly vs. Port Jervis, 6 p.m.
Susquehanna Valley at Schuyler, 6 p.m.
Whitney Point vs. Holland Patent, 7 p.m.
Windsor at Skaneatles, 6 p.m.
B-G/Harpursville/Afton vs. Newark Valley, 1:30 p.m.
Deposit at Trumansburg, 7 p.m.
Delhi at Tioga, 7 p.m.
Greene/Oxford at Oneonta, 6 p.m.
Sidney vs. Groton, 7 p.m.
Walton/Downsville at Liberty, 1:30 p.m.
8-Man | Week 1
Teams: Dryden, Elmira Notre Dame, Lansing, Moravia, Newfield, Thomas A. Edison, Unadilla Valley, Unatego/Franklin/GMU
Dryden vs. Moravia, 7 p.m.
Elmira Notre Dame vs. Thomas A. Edison, 7 p.m.
Lansing at Unadilla Valley, 7 p.m.
Newfield at Sherburne-Earlville, 7 p.m.
Unatego/Franklin/GMU vs. South Lewis, 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Section 4 football teams discuss new agenda for the 2026-2027 season
Reporting by Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
