Football State Championships Set to Return to the JMA Wireless Dome for the 30th Consecutive Year

This Championship Preview Presented by Upstate NY Hotel Marketing Association

11/28/2023 12:01:34 PM

By: Joe Schmidt, Fall '23 Intern

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is set to host the 2023 Football State Finals on Saturday, December 2nd & Sunday, December 3rd at the JMA Wireless Dome (Section III) in Syracuse, New York. The JMA Wireless Dome, formerly known as the Carrier Dome, has been the only host of this event every year NYSPHSAA has conducted a football state tournament since 1993.

“We are honored to host the best of the best in New York State in five classes,” said Gary Vanderzee, NYSPHSAA Football State Coordinator. “This is the culminating event and ultimate goal of every high school football program in the state. There will be some great football in a great venue and we’re excited to kickoff this Saturday.”

The event will see all five classes of competition from Class AA to Class D with the first game kicking off on Saturday, December 2nd at noon for the Class D championship.  

The 2023 Class AA State Championship will be CBA Syracuse (Section III) taking on Carmel (Section I). Both teams are looking to win their second State Championship in three years. The winner of last year’s Class AA championship was Bennett (Section VI).

The Class A State Championship sees Somers (Section I) defending its 2022 State Championship against Whitesboro (Section III). In Class B, 2022 State Champion Maine-Endwell (Section IV) is looking to win its 3rd straight championship taking on Rye (Section I).  The Class C State Championship boasts Waverly (Section IV) taking on Fonda-Fultonville (Section 2), which makes their very first state finals appearance. Tioga (Section IV) is hoping to defend its 2022 state title as Class D Champions. They take on Stillwater (Section 2).

Finals tickets may be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster or on-site at the ticket window (credit card only). The JMA Wireless Dome is a cashless venue, including the box office and all concession areas. Ticket prices are $12 per person (including all fees) for each day of the competition. The event will be streamed on the NFHS Network, the official broadcasting partner of the NYSPHSAA State Championships. For the game schedule, visit the NYSPHSAA football landing page at www.nysphsaa.org.