When Friday night lights meets the big stage in Western New York, there's a heightened sense of excitement in the air. The emotions are higher, the crowd is louder and the stakes have never been greater.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen knows the feeling.
"You feel everyone in your section is watching, everyone in Western New York is watching," Andreessen said.
This week, thousands of families and community members will once again descend on Orchard Park, NY for the annual Section VI High School Football playoffs. For high school football players in Western New York, it's a moment you dream about at the start of every season.
"That's your goal at the beginning of the year. You have the big media day before where you get to meet the other team captains from Section VI," Andreessen said. "It's just a great experience, from being in the locker room to being on the field."
Before the first kickoff of the Section VI playoffs, players and coaches get a taste of the spotlight. Every year on the Tuesday before championship weekend, Highmark Stadium hosts Section VI Media Day — a long-running tradition where reporters, photographers, and broadcasters meet with coaches and team captains from every finalist.
Players swap jerseys for polos, pose for photos, and talk about the road that brought them there. For many, it's the first time they've sat behind a microphone or answered questions under the bright lights of the Bills' press room. It's also a chance to meet their counterparts — the same captains they'll line up against a few days later.
The Buffalo Bills hosted varsity high school football players and coaches from Section VI for a Media Day at Highmark Stadium. Teams went though a variety of photo activations, media Q&A, and visited the team locker room with lockers representing each high school team.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
2025 Section VI High School Football Media Day, August 12, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
What started as a small gathering decades ago has grown into one of the signature events of the week, setting the tone for the games ahead and giving each team a true "big-time" sendoff.
"For the high school players, it's the marquee event of the year," said Ken Stoldt, a member of the Section VI Football Committee and the committee's former chairman.
Using an NFL venue for sectional finals turns the postseason high school football experience into something bigger than the usual Friday night lights: varsity athletes swap their familiar high school stadiums for broad sight lines, pro-style turf, and large-scale video boards. The annual arrangement is hosted by the region's governing body, Section VI, which administers interscholastic athletics across Western New York.
However, this year carries extra significance: 2025 marks the final year that Section VI will hold its high school football sectional finals at the current Highmark Stadium. That makes this season's playoffs a kind of farewell celebration of the intersection between small-town high school rivalries and the grandeur of a pro stadium.
The connection goes deep: the first annual sectional football championship games under Section VI's governance were held in 1979. From that year forward, the format grew to include multiple class finals all gathering at Highmark Stadium over a compact weekend schedule.
"It just never gets old to be down on that field and see the kids walking down that tunnel to go to the field," Stoldt said. "The look in the look in their eyes, and how excited they are for that time out there. That's why we do this and it's been a huge success."
Since its inception, Orchard Park HS holds the record for most victories (15) and most playoff appearances (23). Sweet Home HS holds the longest consecutive playoff appearances record, stretching 10 years from 2005-2014.
For the first time, Section VI introduced a preseason media day at Highmark Stadium giving players a professional-style experience before a single game was played. Select athletes from each school suited up in full uniform for a photoshoot. The new event was designed to highlight team captains, showcase community pride, and build anticipation heading into the season.
Between media days, games under the lights and tension-filled playoff drama, the memories of Section VI football at Highmark Stadium will live on for years to come, even when the games shift to another site.
Andreessen helped guide Lancaster to a Section VI AA Championship in 2016, a memory he still holds onto even now as a Buffalo Bill.
"It was the first time Lancaster got a section championship in a long time," Andreessen said. "That was definitely special."
There are countless high school football players like Andreessen who will always remember their time at Highmark Stadium.
