FORECAST:
1. South Park
2. Starpoint
3. Williamsville South
4. West Seneca East
5. Grand Island
6. Sweet Home
7. Kenmore East
8. Amherst
SOUTH PARK SPARKS
Tim Delaney returns 14 players and the team will compete for league and sectional titles. Anchor of the offense will be senior RB Clarence Thomas. He’s an All-WNY candidate and should rush for 1000 yards. Other key players will be Brandon Brown, Mykell Hepburn, Sam Adgate, Marquan Fluett, Keith Jackson and Dylan Farner. Key to the season will be the play of the QB. They host the Vikings in the opener and Amherst in week 2. Delaney has a 62-40-0 record in 11 years. The JV team was undefeated in 2018.
Head Coach: Tim Delaney (62-40-0) 11 years
Assistant Coaches: Kevin Eldridge, Bobby Dickerson, Eric Clark, Terrance Brooks, Bill Lovelock, Larry Gaspirini, Mike Keighorn
2018 Varsity Record: 5-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 8. Defense is 4.
Key Players: Clarence Thomas, Brandan Brown, Sam Adgate, Marquan Fluett, Deon Burnett, Mykell Hepburn, Keith Jackson, Dylan Farner
Key Losses: Elijah Lewis, Dabeyon Humphrey, Jayon Renfro
2018 JV Record: 8-0-0
STARPOINT SPARTANS
Spartans are 16-3 in the past 2 seasons and JV are 13-2-1. They return 18 players including 5 starters on both sides of the ball. They have All-WNY candidates in Joe Carlson, Aidan Davis, Riley Simpson and Jake Dean. Other key players include Dave Meyer, Carson Marcus, Cole Harrington and Nate Lee. They play Kenmore West in week 1 and host the Billies in week 2. Key to the season will be the play of QB and line. They should be in the playoffs. Al Cavagnaro needs 5 wins to reach the exclusive 100-win club.
Head Coach: Al Cavagnaro (95-82-0) 19 years
Assistant Coaches: Tim Racey, Nate Buetel, Paul Mulvey, Justin Baugman
2018 Varsity Record: 7-2-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Joe Carlson, Riley Simpson, Jake Brooks, Dave Meyer, Aidan Davis, Jake Dean, Cole Harrington, Nate Lee, Carson Marcus
Key Losses: Aaron Chase, Matt Spina, Max Bowden, Justin Mott, Jake Argo
2018 JV Record: 6-1-1
WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH SPARTANS
Spartans return 5 starters on both sides of the ball and will compete for a playoff berth. They open with McKinley and Niagara Wheatfield. Key players include Scott Hopkins, Elijah Carney, Evan Brophy, Jake Bruno, Z’aire Leonard, David Bass and Max Obie. They return 18 players. Mike Mammoliti has achieved a 15-3 record in the past 2 seasons. Key to the season will be the play of QB. Hopkins is one of the most versatile players in WNY. They should be in the playoffs.
Head Coach: Mike Mammoliti (83-79-0) 18 years
Assistant Coaches: Rob Luders, Brandon Sanders, Steve Nappo, Paul Palizay
2018 Varsity Record: 6-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Scott Hopkins, Jake Bruno, Max Obie, Z’aire Leonard, Evan Brophy, David Bass, Elijah Carney, Nick Tantillo, John Eggleston
Key Losses: Dylan Kelly, Joe Nusall, Dylan Mann
2018 JV Record: unknown
WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH BILLIES
The Billies look to rebound from last year’s 3 win season. They return 6 starters on offense and 8 on defense. They have All-WNY candidates in AJ Urbaniak, R-Son Stone, X’Zavion Galarza and Jeremy Matute. Other key players include Jeremy Turner, Jon Clifford, Mike Masecchia and Ethan Tong. They host Sweet Home in the opener and travel to Starpoint in week 2. They return 24 players from last year’s squad. Key to the season will be the play of QB. The JV team won 3 games in the past 2 years. They will compete for a playoff berth.
Head Coach: Kraig Kurzanski (131-91-1) 24 years
Assistant Coaches: Kevin Lester Jr., Chris Glenn, Chris Heim
2018 Varsity Record: 3-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 8.
Key Players: Jeremy Matute, Mike Masecchia, Jon Clifford, AJ Urbaniak, Zach Sutton, Nic Arminan, R-Son Stone, Jeremy Turner, Ethan Tong, Caleb Kruzicki, Vinny Campana
Key Losses: Joe Battaglia, Will Lacey, Jemelle Jones
2018 JV Record: 2-7
WEST SENECA EAST TROJANS
Tojans had a dream 2018 season with a 11-2-0 record and runner-up in the Class A State Championship. They return 15 players. They open at Amherst and host Sweet Home in week 2. Key players are Devare Mathis who will provide the offensive spark and Colin Wiley and Cam Cacciotti who will anchor the line. Other key players include Tyshawn Thomas, Chase Pirro and Brady Frys. They will compete for a league title.
Head Coach: Jim Maurino (85-62-0) 15 years
Assistant Coaches: Mark Kawalec, Scott Ackerman, Ryan Colbert, Sam Sebastian, Jason Overton
2018 Varsity Record: 11-2-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Devare Mathis, Tyshawn Thomas, Colin Wiley, Brady Frys, Cam Cacciotti, Chase Pirro
Key Losses: Nick Hamme, Jesse Pfeiffer, Anthony Bullis, Shaun Dolac
GRAND ISLAND VIKINGS
Vikings are 13-4 in varsity and 14-2 in JV in the past 2 seasons. They will compete for a playoff berth. Dean Santorio has a 108-59-0 record in 18 years at the helm. Assistants Steve Steck and Mike Stauffer have been with Dean for 18 years. They have All-WNY candidates in Ben Moskala and Blake Bielec. Other key players include Jack Dlugokinski, Tyler Figliola, Dominic Granza and Matt Newbould. They return 15 players and talent from the 7-1 JV squad will help varsity. They have a tough matchup in week 1 with South Park. Key to the season will be the play of the QB.
Head Coach: Dean Santorio (108-59-0) 18 years
Assistant Coaches: Steve Steck, Mike Stauffer
2018 Varsity Record: 7-2-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 4, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Blake Bielec, Jack Dlugokinski, Ben Moskala, Tyler Figiola, Dominic Granza, Matt Newbold
Key Losses: Cam Sionko, Jeremiah Wilkes, Kenny Yockey, Justin Gorrell
2018 JV Record: 7-1-0
SWEET HOME PANTHERS
Jeremy Zimmer returns 16 players including 7 starters on both sides of the ball. Tyrell Laws, Isaiah Killian, Brady Lock and Tim Thomas will provide the offensive spark while Darrius Carter, Jimmy Griffo and Jeremiah White will anchor the defense. They open at the Billies and will be facing the Trojans in week 2. Key to the season will be the play of the line. JVs have co-head coaches in Rich Lowe and Jon Campolo.
Head Coach: Jeremy Zimmer (0-8-0) 1 year
Assistant Coaches: Rich Lowe, Cory Mitchum, Steve Phillips, Jon Campolo
2018 Varsity Record: 0-8-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Brady Lock, Isaiah Killian, Darrius Carter, Tim Thomas, Jimmy Griffo, Tyrel Laws, Jeremiah White, Marcus Hunt
Key Losses: Rob Giancarlo, Ryan Marcil, Keith Murphy
2018 JV Record: 2-6-0
KENMORE EAST BULLDOGS
Pat Veltri returns 8 starters on both sides of the ball. They return 13 players. They host Starpoint in week 1 and play the Vikings in week 2. Key players include Dominic Ferguson, Joe Crimi, Luke Mack, Emery Lange, Millard Ellis and Nestor Hernandez. They should improve.
Head Coach: Pat Veltri (5-30-0) 4 years
Assistant Coaches: Brian Hillman, Kevin Meyer, Keith Brophy, Bill Hineman, Jeff Martian, John Nessandra
2018 Varsity Record: 2-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 8, Defense is 8.
Key Players: Joe Crimi, Luke Mack, Dom Ferguson, Emery Lange, Millard Ellis, Kyle Marsha, Mike Haynes, Dalton Gaughn, Nestor Hernandez, Jake Coburn, Jamaron Robertson
Key Losses: D’Anzo Young, Logan Jonathan
2018 JV Record: 1-7-0
AMHERST TIGERS
Tigers return 5 offensive and 4 defensive starters form last year’s 4-4 squad. The JV team was 2-6 in 2018. They have All-WNY candidates in St. Joe’s transfer Ron McCarley and lineman Ryan Bitka who is also an excellent wrestler. Other key players include Rashawn Allen, Eric Freeman and Nick Tiberi. Key to the season will be the play of QB. They open with the Trojans and Sparks in 2 tough match ups. They return 12 starters. McCarley runs a 4.5 forty. They need to win the battle of turnovers.
Head Coach: Jason Beckman (18-62-0) 9 years
Assistant Coaches: Rob Close, Garrett Kensy, Mark Kensy, Pete Battaglia, Steve Hart
2018 Varsity Record: 4-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Ryan Bitka, Rashawn Allen, Ron McCarley, Eric Freeman
Key Losses: Joe Byrne, Ja’kye Womack, D’Shaun Barefield
2018 JV Record: 2-6-0
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Tyrell Laws, Sweet Home
QB – Mykell Hepburn, South Park
RB – Riley Simpson, Starpoint
RB – Isaiah Killian, Sweet Home
RB – Clarence Thomas, South Park
RB – Devare Mathis, West Seneca East
TE – Marquan Fluett, South Park
WR – X’zavion Galarza, Williamsville South
WR – Joe Carlson, Starpoint
OL – AJ Urbaniak, Williamsville South
OL – Jimmy Griffo, Sweet Home
OL – Sam Adgate, South Park
OL – Colin Wiley, West Seneca East
OL – Joe Crimi, Kenmore East
OL – Brady Lick, Sweet Home
K – Kyle Marsha, Kenmore East
RS – Brandon Brown, South Park
Defense
DL – Dave Meyer, Starpoint
DL – Cam Cacciotti, West Seneca East
LB – Keith Jackson, South Park
LB – Jeremy Turner, Williamsville South
LB – Aidan Davis, Starpoint
LB – Dominic Furguson, Kenmore East
LB – Jake Dean, Starpoint
LB – Darrius Carter, Sweet Home
DB – Jeremy Matute, Williamsville South
DB – Nate Lee, Starpoint
DB – Millard Ellis, Kenmore East
DB – Ron McCarley, Amherst
DB – R-Son Stone, Williamsville South
