FORECAST:
1. Williamsville North
2. Lancaster
3. Clarence
4. Orchard Park
5. Hutch-Tech
6. Bennett
7. Niagara Falls
8. Lockport
Offensive Players of the Year:
Joe Nusall, Williamsville North
Jack Sharp, Orchard Park
Malik Brooks, Lockport
Jack Putney, Clarence
Defensive Players of the Year:
Scott Becht, Williamsville North
Dylan Kelly, Williamsville North
Jon Stevens, Clarence
Emmanuel Geegba, Hutch-Tech
Linemen of the Year:
Alex Westcott, Orchard Park
Josh Walter, Williamsville North
Max Anderson, Hutch-Tech
Unsung Players of the Year:
Conor Mahoney, Lancaster
Michael Pataky, Orchard Park
Semja Clemons, Bennett
Underclassmen of the Year:
Jack Sharp, Orchard Park
Joseph Dixon, Niagara Falls
Mason Davis, Clarence
Scott Hopkins, Williamsville North
Zach Norton, Clarence
Strongest Player: Dylan Kelly, Williamsville North
Fastest Player: Malik Brooks, Lockport
Top Scholar Athlete: Jon Stevens, Clarence
Most Versatile Athletes: Jack Putney, Jon Stevens, Dylan Kelly
WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH SPARTANS
Mike Mammoliti returns 15 starters from last year’s 9-1 team. Spartans will compete for league and sectional titles. They had 16 players graduate from the 2017 team. Offense to be sparked by Joe Nusall, Dylan Kelly, Scott Hopkins, and Mike Cabra. Line to be anchored by Greg Poland, Nick Maniscalco, and Josh Walter. Defense to be led by Kelly, Scott Becht, Hopkins, and Jayden Rynkiewicz. The Spartans open with Williamsville East and Clarence in the first 2 games. They added Elijah Carney who was a transfer from Kenmore West. Key to the season will be to avoid turnovers and penalties. Nusall and Kelly form one of the top passing combinations in Western New York. The loss of Jake Orlando to an ACL injury is a tough one for the Spartans.
Head Coach: Mike Mammolili (77-76-0, 17 years)
Assistant Coaches: Ron Luders, Paul Palizay, Brandon Sanders, Steve Nappo, Dan Kelly
2017 Varsity Record: 9-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 8. Defense is 7.
Key Players: Dylan Kelly, Joe Nusall, Scott Hopkins, Scott Becht, Nick Maniscalco, Jayden Rynkiewicz, Greg Poland, Josh Walter, Elijah Carney, Mike Cabra
Key Losses: Eddie Bianco, Cameron Walter, Nicholas Hutson, Brett Isler, Vinny Catanzaro
2017 JV Record: 4-3-0
LANCASTER LEGENDS
The Legends have dominated opponents in the past 2 seasons with a 22-2 record including 2 sectional titles and runner-up in the state championship. Eric Rupp returns 4 on offense and 3 on defense. Key players will be Brian Martin, Coner Mahoney, David Gaca, Nick Meara, and Dominic Chiarmonte. They will compete for league and sectional titles. JVs are 16-2 in the past 2 years. Jason Mansell and Gianiuca Fuicinitti will be competing for QB position. They open with Lockport and will play at Orchard Park in week 8. Legends are 28-5 for the past 3 years. Key to the season will be the play of the QB and line. 26 seniors graduated from the 2017 season.
Head Coach: Eric Rupp (22-2-0, 2 years)
Assistant Coaches: Dave Mansell, Brian Wild, Sean Bruso, Scott Guenther
2017 Varsity Record: 12-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 4, Defense is 3.
Key Players: Conor Mahony, David Gaca, Nick Meara, Brian Martin, Shawn Davis, Dominic Chiarmonte
Key Losses: Joe Andreessen, Ryan Mansell, Max Giordano, Andrew Hersey, Benjamin Mazur, Brett Betow, Kyle Backert
2017 JV Record: 8-1-0
CLARENCE RED DEVILS
Paul Burgio returns 7 starters on both sides of the ball led by All-WNY candidates Jon Stevens, Jack Putney, and Zach Norton. They should provide the offensive spark while Stevens, Ryan Culhane, Mason Davis, and Slade Murphy will lead the defense. Jacob Sweeney, Jacob Joerger, and Anthony Sweeney will anchor the line. Putney and Stevens will form one of the top passing combinations. JVs are 15-2-1 in the past 2 seasons. The Red Devils will be competing for league and sectional championships. They open with Kenmore West and have tough matchups in week 2 hosting Williamsville North. Key to the season will be play of line and defense. Red Devils had 20 players from last year’s team graduate
Head Coach: Paul Burgio (6-3-0, 1 year)
Assistant Coaches: Brendan Brady, Tim Myslinski, Brian Maley, Kurt Diesfeld, Frank Payne, Derek Kise, Jeff Barrett, Doug Rifenburg, Bo Izydorczak, Mark Kensy
2017 Varsity Record: 6-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Jack Putney, Jon Stephens, Mason Davis, Zach Norton, Ryan Culhane, Slade Murphy, Quinten Burke, Jacob Sweeney, Anthony Sweeney, Casey Esch, Jacob Joerger
Key Losses: Yianni Hallios, Jacob Reger, Brendon Cimerman, Ahmad Holloway
2017 JV Record: 7-0-1
ORCHARD PARK QUAKERS
Quakers look to rebound from a rare losing season. Craig Dana takes over the helm from Gene Tundo. Offense can be explosive with junior QB Jack Sharp, Mike Pataky, and Archie Bartolotti. Line will be anchored by Alex Westcott, Kobe York, and Matt Wagner. Defense will be led by Andrew Relosky, Pataky and Westcott. Talent from last year’s 7-1 JV team will help this year’s squad. Graduated 22 players from the 2017 team. They open with McKinley and Niagara Falls and host Lancaster in week 8. Key to the season will be the play of the line. They will compete for league and sectional titles. Michael Pataky and Andrew Relosky led the Quakers’ defense in 2017 with 46 and 40 tackles.
Head Coach: Craig Dana (first year)
Assistant Coaches: Chuck Senn, Mike Cieslik, Todd Ellman, Scott Sullivan
2017 Varsity Record: 4-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Jack Sharp, Mike Pataky, Alex Westcott, Archie Bartolotti, Andrew Relosky, Matt Wagner, Kobe York, Brendan Kearns, Ben Domagalsk, Brad Bauer, Bradley Flower, Jonathan Lander, Steven Kulikowsky, Jacob Strycharz, Jordan Prince, Louis Irizarry, Jordan Prince
Key Losses: Nic Bruce, Brian Strybel, Dylan Bieler, Ryne Dietz, Noah Bieler
2017 JV Record: 7-1-0
HUTCH-TECH ENGINEERS
Nick Todaro takes over at head coach from Chris Gelsomino. Returns 16 starters from the 2017 team led by All-WNY candidates Max Anderson, Emmanual Geegba, Michael Woodruff, Anthony Whitfield, Diran Jones, and David Bradshaw. 15 players graduated from last year’s squad. Line will be anchored by Max Anderson, Mazion Bates, and Michael Woodruff. Key to the season will be the play of the QB. They open at Williamsville South and play Lancaster in week 2. They will compete for a playoff berth.
Head Coach: Nick Todaro (4-6-0, 1 year)
Assistant Coaches: Tom Jost, Eric Clark
2017 Varsity Record: 4-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 9, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Mazion Bates, Emmanuel Geegba, Michael Woodruff, David Bradshaw, Anthony Whitfield, Darion Jones, Max Anderson, Otis Houston, Jayden Robinson, Xavion Baines
Key Losses: Rodney Bailey, Josh Horton
2017 JV Record: 6-3-0
BENNETT TIGERS
Tigers look to improve on 4-4 record. They only had 9 players graduate from the 2017 team. Key players include Semja Clemons who is a candidate for 1000 yards rushing, Justin Campbell, Jordan Fayson, Austin Grimes, and Aaron Smith. They host St. Joe’s in week 1 and Lockport in week 2. They will be competitive and compete for a playoff berth. D’Jae Perry who transferred from St. Mary’s will help Steve McDuffie’s squad.
Head Coach: Steve McDuffie (41-24-0, 7 years)
Assistant Coaches: Teddy McDuffie, Aaron Young, Alejandro Overton, Landrey Mack, Arthur Jordan
2017 Varsity Record: 4-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Justin Campbell, Jordan Fayson, Austin Grimes, Aaron Smith, Semja Clemons, D’Jae Perry
Key Losses: Joel Richards, Brandon Barksdale, Donovan Queeno
NIAGARA FALLS WOLVERWINES
Wolverines look to improve on last year’s record. Sophomore Joseph Dixon takes over at QB while other key players include Moran Montgomery, Willie “The Jet” MacDougal, Marcus Wilkins, and Jamel Oliver. 23 players graduated from the 2017 team and Don Bass only returns 4 starters. He has a young team. They have tough matchups in the first 2 weeks with South Park and Orchard Park and could struggle this season.
Head Coach: Don Bass (37-49-0, 10 years)
Assistant Coaches: Jon Robins, Doug Howard, Charlie Ashker, Eric Dixon, Rich Posey, Mannie Lewis
2017 Varsity Record: 4-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 2, Defense is 2.
Key Players: Willie MacDougal, Moran Montgomery, Jamel Oliver, Brandon Bivins, Marcus Wilkins, Kalem Chappell, Sishaun Miller, Mike Jones, Joseph Dixon
Key Losses: Rodney Barnes, Syveon Ralands, Syquan Ralands, Rashad Greene, David Morgan
2017 JV Record: 5-3
LOCKPORT LIONS
Lions look to get back in the win column after last year’s winless season. They have an Al-WNY candidate and a track star in Malik Brooks. Other key players include Josh Cooper, AJ Hill, Santino Drake, Jon Anthony Perez and Cullen Snyder. 21 players graduated from the 2017 team. Key to the season will be the play of the QB and line. They have a tough matchup in week 1 at Lancaster and play Bennett in week 2. It’s tough schedule for the Lions. They could struggle again this season. Brooks is an outstanding athlete and is a candidate for 1000 yards rushing. Matt Vermette has resigned as head coach and Trait Smith is the new coach.
Head Coach: Trait Smith (first year)
Assistant Coaches: Dan Barrancotta, Greg Wilson
2017 Varsity Record: 0-8-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Josh Cooper, Malik Brooks, Cullen Snyder, Jon Anthony Perez, Santino Drake, Nilo Haney, AJ Hill
Key Losses: Xavier Barber, Jason Robillard, Issac Drake
2017 JV Record: 2-6-0
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Jack Putney, Clarence
QB – Jack Sharp, Orchard Park
QB – Joe Nusall, Williamsville North
RB – Michael Pataky, Orchard Park
RB – Semja Clemons, Bennett
RB – Zach Norton, Clarence
TE – Brian Martin, Lancaster
WR – Dylan Kelly, Williamsville North
WR – Archie Bartolotti, Orchard Park
OL – Max Anderson, Hutch-Tech
OL – Josh Walter, Williamsville North
OL – David Gaca, Lancaster
OL – Nick Maniscalco, Williamsville North
OL – Jaden Rynkiewicz, Williamsville North
U – Andrew Relosky, Orchard Park
RS – Mason Davis, Clarence
RS – Cullen Snyder, Lockport
RS – Anthony Whitfield, Hutch-Tech
Defense
DL – Alex Westcott, Orchard Park
DL – Greg Poland, Williamsville North
DL – Conor Mahony, Lancaster
DL – Ryan Culhane, Clarence
DL – Dominic Chiarmonte, Lancaster
LB – Scott Becht, Williamsville North
LB – Emmanuel Geegba, Hutch-Tech
LB – Mike Cabra, Williamsville North
LB – Scott Hopkins, Williamsville North
LB – Mason Davis, Clarence
DB – Jon Stephens, Clarence
DB – Malik Brooks, Lockport
DB – Moran Montgomery, Niagara Falls
DB – Jordan Fayson, Bennett
DB – Shawn Davis, Lancaster
RS – Nick Meara, Lancaster
RS – Santino Drake, Lockport
RS – Willie McDouglad, Niagara Falls