Chris Winkler's 2012 High School Football Preview

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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2012 Preseason Top 10 Football Games of 2012 all-county team

Peter Trathen (No. 54) will anchor the Southwestern defense this season. Can the Trojans defense be as good as last year's sectional championship squad? Key returnees Jesia Hogue, Andy Greenlee and others will have a say in that. (Photo by Bryan Bucklin)

QB- Jake Pilling, Sr., Southwestern RB- Zeddie Williams, Sr., Silver Creek RB- Oliver Simpson, Sr., Maple Grove RB- Devone Adelgren, Sr., Frewsburg RB- Da’Quan Hollingsworth, Jr., Jamestown WR- Weston Ley, Jr., Fredonia TE- Mike Watson, Sr., Jamestown OL- Cortland Haines, Sr., Jamestown OL- Lee Wascher, Sr., Maple Grove OL- Nick Nocek, Sr., Fredonia OL- Jon Czech, Sr., Jamestown OL- Anthony Pezzulo, Sr., Chautauqua Lake K- Tanner Hoose, Jr., Southwestern DL- Dan Lictus, Sr., Clymer DL- Jon Scroxton, Sr., Maple Grove DL- Trevor Interline, Sr., Sherman LB- Peter Trathen, Sr., Southwestern LB- Zach Buckley, Sr., Fredonia LB- Zack Kubera, Sr., Cassadaga Valley LB- Chandler Baker, Soph., Chautauqua Lake LB- Zach Torain, Sr., Dunkirk LB- Alec Blose, Sr., Panama

1. Orchard Park at Jamestown, Week 6 (Oct. 5) It might just be one of the biggest games of all-time down here if both teams come into play at 5-0 — and they just might with looking at the schedules. If that were to happen, Orchard Park might be the No. 1 team in the state and Jamestown would be in the top 10. The AA South regular season crown would also be on the line.

2. Maple Grove at Silver Creek, Week 1 (Aug. 31)

DB- Jeff Tampe, Sr., Maple Grove DB- Devon Cameron, Sr., Falconer Maybe it’s because it’s the first DB- Mike Okerlund, Sr., Westfield game of the season, but with the P- Robbie Stearns, Sr., Frewsburg probable top two teams in Class D going at it, you can’t ask for much Honorable Mentions: more. Especially since it’s defendQB - Dennis Drew ing sectional champion Maple (Jamestown-Sr.), Andrew Grove’s toughest road game, this is Graham (Sherman-QB), absolutely a must see.

RB - Jordan Boughton (Cass.

Valley-Sr.), Robbie Benson (Panama-Sr.), Jake Wiggers (Clymer-Jr.), Nate Maines (Forestville-Sr.), Anthony Morales (Silver Creek-Sr.) Salamanca handed the Trojans WR/TE - Ryan Schutte their first regular season loss since (Southwestern-Sr.), Jon 2007 last year. You can be sure Coe (Westfield-Sr.), Zach Southwestern wants a bit of revenge Klisiewicz (Silver Creek-Sr.) on the Warriors. And just to add OL - Andrew Pezzulo to the flavor, the winner probably (Chautauqua Lake-Sr.), Domonic Hitchcock (Dunkirk- wins C South. It did last year.

Jr.) Jacob Wilcox (Pine Valley-Jr.), Jake Swan (Maple Grove-Sr.) DL - Zach Haller (FrewsburgSoph.), Jacob Toy (ShermanFredonia won C North last year by Jr.), Tyson Brown (Silver Creek-Sr.), Sawyer Eggleston defeating the Eagles on the road.

But, Cleve Hill went further in (Panama-Sr.) the playoffs, advancing all the way LB - Jesia Hogue to the championship and almost (Southwestern-Sr.), Jude Gardner (Fredonia-Sr.), Conner taking out Southwestern. Winner Anderson (Jametown-Sr.) Tom could win C North, but both of Heiser (Clymer-Sr.), Cody Haller these teams are capable of winning (Frewsburg-Sr.), Sherman the sectional title.

Williams (Silver Creek-Soph.)

DB - Jeremiah Russin (Chautauqua Lake-Sr.), Andy Greenlee (SouthwesternSr.), Kevin Burns (DunkirkSr.), Zach Panebianco Show some love down in DD. (Jamestown-Soph.), Michael These are probably the two best Isula (Pine Valley-Jr.)

3. Salamanca at Southwestern, Week 4 (Sept. 21)

4. Cleveland Hill at Fredonia, Week 5 (Sept. 28)

5. Panama at Clymer, Week 5 (Sept. 29)

returning teams with Chautauqua Lake moving on up to D ball. Winner might have leg up on regular season crown.

6. Silver Creek at Randolph, Week 2 (Sept. 7) The reward for Silver Creek after potential beating defending champ Maple Grove is a road date with Randolph. If this isn’t the hardest start to the season anyone has ever seen, please let me know.

7. Clymer at Sherman, Week 1 (Sept. 1) Sherman is my favorite sleeper among of all these leagues to surprise people and win a sectional title. They can prove it emphatically on opening weekend with arguably league favorite Clymer.

8. Dunkirk at Fredonia, Week 7 (Oct. 12) The rivalry might not have the

luster it once had, but it’s still one of the best in the county and one of the longest in the entire country — since 1901. Dunkirk hasn’t won since 1998, but new head coach Rob Genco will get his first crack at Fredonia.

9. Frewsburg at Maple Grove, Week 7 (Oct. 12) Rematch of last year’s Class D sectional championship. It’s also senior night for the Red Dragons, who might also be looking to lock up the regular season crown. Frewsburg, a darkhorse, could also still be alive for the top spot.

10. Jamestown at Clarence, Week 7 (Oct. 13) Coming off the game with Orchard Park, and on the last day of the regular season, Jamestown will know if they have a shot at the division crown. But don’t overlook Clarence, who has a winnable home schedule and could climb back to the top in 2012.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

2012 Predicted Order of Finish

North Div Kenmore West 5-0 Niagara Falls 4-1 Lockport 3-2 Niagara Wheatfield* 2-3 Hutch Tech 1-4 Riverside 0-5

AA South 1. Jamestown 2. Orchard Park 3. Clarence 4. Frontier 5. Lancaster 6. West Seneca West

* N-W moved to Class A

Playoff Results

AA North 1. Niagara Falls 2. Lockport 3. Kenmore West 4. Hutch Tech 5. Riverside 2012 playoff format: Top four seeds from each division qualify. Teams crossover in opening round.

Championship game: Ralph Wilson Stadium — 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3.

Race to the Ralph: Last Sectional Final Clarence: 2010 (*2010) Frontier: 1984 (*1984) Hutch Tech: Never Jamestown: 2011 (*2000) Kenmore West: 1996 Lancaster: 2009 (*1999) Lockport: 2003 (*2003) Niagara Falls: Never Orchard Park: 2011 (*2011) Riverside: Never West Seneca West: Never *Last Sectional Title

2011 Standings South Orchard Park Jamestown Clarence Lancaster Frontier West Seneca West

All 7-2 5-4 4-4 2-6 2-7 0-9

Div 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

All 12-0 8-2 5-3 4-5 4-5 3-6

First Round (1S) Orchard Park 55, (4N) Niagara Wheatfield 0 (2S) Jamestown 10, (3N) Lockport 6 (1N) Kenmore West 29, (4S) Lancaster 28 (2N) Niagara Falls 20, (3S) Clarence 7 Semifinals (1S) Orchard Park 49, (2N) Niagara Falls 14 (2S) Jamestown 33, (1N) Kenmore West 7 Championship (1S) Orchard Park 30, (2S) Jamestown 10

Quotes Jamestown head coach Tom Langworthy on AA South: “I think our league is very competitive and every single team in our league is going to be good. Orchard Park, obviously. Clarence is very tough and well coached.

Frontier has an undefeated JV team from last year coming up. West Seneca West is getting better. And Lancaster, under the leadership of Len Janklewicz, he’s left his imprint on the program. And now he’s got a guy from his staff taking over that’s going to continue that legacy.”

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Class AA Preview AA South 1. Jamestown — You can call it a homer pick all you like, but the Red Raiders have closed the gap a little bit and get Orchard Park at home which will determine the league title. Sure Jamestown has to make road trips to Lancaster, Frontier and Clarence and while they might lose one of them, I don’t think they lose two. So, by favor of a tiebreak, I think the Red Raiders claim the top seed in AA South.

2. Orchard Park — That’s not necessarily saying the defending AA State Champs aren’t the best team in the league.

But, ask any team in the league and they’ll say making the hour-plus bus trip to Jamestown on a Friday night is the toughest thing to do.

The Quakers are still going to be tough to beat and behind lineman Mike Senn, they’re still better than Jamestown in the trenches.

It’s probably a different story on neutral turf, say Ralph Wilson Stadium, but I think that Week 6 game has the makings of an upset.

3. Clarence — Hard to get a good read on the Red Devils because a year after a section championship, they got crushed by Orchard Park and Jamestown and lost a bit of a clunker to Niagara Falls in the first round of the playoffs (even though it was on the road). Now, the real promising thing is Clarence gets both Orchard Park and Jamestown at

Senior wide receiver and cornerback Austin Goltz returns this season for the defending New York State Class AA football champion Orchard Park Quakers. Orchard Park visits Jamestown in Week 6 on Oct. 5 with a division crown possibly on the line. (Photo by James Goller/OrchardParkSports.com)

home (and Frontier) and has an easy road slate.

We saw what they did in 2010 with this schedule and if they’re that much better, they could beat Jamestown to end the year, forcing a three-way tie for first place.

4. Frontier — They were hit pretty hard by graduation and don’t have a ton of returning experience, but are bringing up plenty of pieces from last year’s 9-0 JV team and coupled with a probable down year from Lancaster calls for Frontier to make the playoffs.

5. Lancaster — No more Len Janklewicz on the sidelines for Lancaster, as the 29-year veteran coach stepped down at the end of last season.

A member of his staff, Chris Dickson takes over for a team that lost a ton of seniors. Nobody returns fewer starters in AA football and with a road game against Frontier likely deciding the final playoff spot, I’d give the edge to the Falcons.

6. West Seneca West — They’re improving, but it’s hard to predict much more than this out of the Indians. They haven’t won more than three games since 2006 and although that might change this year after the postseason, I think West falls short of making the playoffs.

AA North 1. Niagara Falls — Led

by the return of first team all-league quarterback Ricky Bailey and the super quick K’Shwan Sistrunk, the Falls are my vote to win the division title. Granted, they don’t return as many players as Lockport, but Bailey alone gives them the edge in my opinion.

2. Lockport — I got to see these guys give Jamestown all they could handle in the first round of the playoffs last year, but some Lockport people in the press box were already excited for next season. A solid returning core and just a ton of depth, relatively speaking, might have Lockport winning the division.

3. Kenmore West — They won a down division last year, but also lost a lot of talent. That’s not to say the Blue Devils can’t go and repeat, but it will much tougher than last year with improvements from Niagara Falls and Lockport. Season opener in Jamestown should tell us a lot.

4. Hutch Tech — An inner city school combined with da Vinci and Emerson, the Engineers host Riverside in Week 6, which will likely determine the fourth and final playoff spot.

5. Riverside — The Frontiers (combined with Buffalo Arts, City Honors, MST Seneca, OTC Middle College and Lafayette) went winless in 2011. But, with Niagara Wheatfield leaving for A ball, they’re in contention for a playoff spot.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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Jamestown Red Raiders

Expectations are rather high for the Jamestown Red Raiders in 2012. A year removed from an 8-2 season, in which the only team Facts two losses came to eventual Class: AA South state champion Orchard Coach: Tom Langworthy Park, Jamestown has every reason to think they’ll be 11 Record: 8-2 (4-1) even better this fall.

11 Finish: Lost in AA Final And it’s even hard to fathKey Returning Players: OL/DL om that. In Jamestown’s Cortland Haines (Sr.), OL/DL eight wins last year, they John Czech (Sr.), QB Dennis outscored opponents Drew IV (Sr.), RB/LB Daquan Hollingsworth (Jr.), LB Mike 299-60, which included Watson (Sr.), LB Conner blowout wins over tradiAnderson, (Sr.), WR /DB Zack tional powers Clarence Panebianco (Soph.).

(40-13) and Lancaster (4714). They even went into Kenmore West in the AA 2012 Schedule semifinals and crushed the Blue Devils 33-7.

Wk. Date Opponent But as most coaches will 1 8/31 Kenmore West tell you, last year is in the (AA) 2 9/8 @ Niagara Falls past. Still, a trio of soon-tobe three-year starters gives (AA) the Red Raiders as good of 3 9/14 @ Lancaster* a returning cast as anyone.

4 9/21 West Seneca “I think we have a lot of West* potential,” head coach 5 9/28 @ Frontier* Tom Langworthy said.

6 10/5 Orchard Park* “It’s different from last year’s group. Every year is 7 10/13 @ Clarence* a new group and it’s really exciting for the players and coaches because it’s a 2011 Season new beginning… I expect Wk. result Opponent us to play our usual style 1 W 28-7 Niagara Falls of physical, tough, hardnosed football.”

2 L 31-14 @ Orchard Park* Part of the expectation level falls on one of the 3 W 49-0 @ NiagaraWheatfield top returning players in all 4 W 40-7 @ West Seneca of Western New York in lineman Cortland Haines.

West* Haines was just one of three 5 W 47-14 Lancaster* underclassmen on the Buf6 W 52-6 Frontier* falo News’ All-WNY first 7 W 40-13 Clarence* team and was also a third team all-state selection. sectional Quarter Finals He’ll anchor the defense as W 10-6 Lockport a nose tackle and play either Sectional Semi Finals center or tackle on offense.

W 33-7 @ Kenmore West “Cortland is extremely Sectional Finals tough, hard-nosed, very L 30-10 Orchard Park strong,” Langworthy said. * League Game “And he’s a good leader.

Other kids take their cue from him so he’s great to have around. He sets the tempo for our group.”

Haines will be a nice person to build around considering last year’s nemesis Orchard Park was simply much bigger than Jamestown in the trenches.

Finding the right pieces to put around Haines might be the difference between a sectional championship or not. And that’s where another member of that trio, John Czech comes in.

“With Cortland and John there, they certainly anchor the line for us,” Langworthy said. “They have a lot of games under their belt and we have some young guys who I think are pretty talented too. If we keep getting better every day, I think we’re going to have a pretty good line up front — and I like what I see right now.”

The final member, who may be the most important, is quarterback Dennis Drew IV. While Jamestown has never been known to throw the ball all over the field, Drew is a virtual coach on the field at this point and will have plenty of opportunities to throw the ball.

“Dennis has a lot of games under his belt and a lot of experience — and that’s important,” Langworthy said.

“He knows exactly what we’re doing and has good command of the offense.

“And between Cortland, John and Dennis, we have three three-year starters who we all took up as sophomores,” he continued.

“And this is their last go at it as seniors. We’re excited for them but more for excited for the entire team.”

You might be thinking just how is Jamestown going to replace Spencer DeCinque, their star running back and special teams extraordinaire. J.B. Maisonet, Jake Dwaileebe and Ben Whitney were every bit as important as well.

Of most note is junior Daquan Hollingsworth.

Hollingsworth had a fantastic season as a linebacker last year, but was buried on the depth chart offensively. He’ll start at running back and is poised for a breakout season.

“He’s a special player,” Langworthy said. “He’s able to make some guys miss and is extremely quick.”

Other guys to keep an eye out for are seniors Mike Watson and Conner Anderson along with sophomore Zack Panebianco.

Watson and Anderson are two of the key athletes at the linebacker position.

With Haines and Czech up front, it will be their duty to make the tackles and all the plays at the mid-level. And Panebianco, who started a playoff game at quarterback and started on Jamestown’s

basketball team last year, can do a bit of everything on offense and will play cornerback on defense.

“Zack’s going to play receiver for us,” Langworthy said. “But he can play running back. He obviously has quarterback experience. But the thing about Zack is he has it. He’s always around the ball. He has great instincts and is range is very deceiving.”

Jamestown opens the year with back-to-back non-league games with Kenmore West and Niagara Falls out of AA North. Then, they head into league play with five straight to end the year.

“Every single week is going to be a grind,” Langworthy said. “Every week will be a dogfight but that’s the beauty of AA’s.

It’s tough football and you can’t take any week off.”

But, there’s no looking ahead, not even at Orchard Park who pays Jamestown a visit in Week 6 that might just end up deciding who wins the division.

“Our next game is our most important,” Langworthy said. “And that’s our first game right now. Kenmore West is a tough team and we were able to go up there and get a win last year in an important playoff game and I’m sure — 100 percent positive — they they’re going to try and come down here and get one back, espe-

cially to start the season.”

At least on paper, Jamestown looks to have all the right tools to make a deep run this season, but Langworthy’s goals are the same as they always are.

“Our goal right now is to get better every day,” he said. “But our seasons goals are to go undefeated at home, get back to Ralph Wilson Stadium, and win a sectional championship. All of those are realistic goals.”

Outlook: In Class AA last year, there was Orchard Park, then there was Jamestown, and then there was everyone else. This year, with OP coming back down a bit, the Red Raiders might be in business, especially considering they host the Quakers this season in Week 6.

But, while that might be the deciding factor in that game, Jamestown still has to deal with a tough road league slate that includes improved Clarence. Road games with Frontier and Lancaster are no picnic, either.

If Daquan Hollingsworth can be a reliable back, they’re good. If he’s great, Jamestown is probably very good. The defense should be just as good if not better than last year and with enough weapons at skill positions on the rest of the offense, there’s no reason to think Jamestown won’t be better than last year’s sectional runner-up squad.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

2012 Predicted Order of Finish B South 1. Olean 2. Pioneer 3. Eden 4. Springville 5. Dunkirk 6. East Aurora 2012 playoff format: Top eight teams across three divisions qualify. Next four play for consolation.

Championship game: Ralph Wilson Stadium — 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3.

Race to the Ralph: Last Sectional Final Alden: 2011 (*2011) Albion: 2002 (*1987) Amherst: 1993 (*1993) Barker/Roy-Hart: 1985 Burgard: Never Cheektowaga: 2009 (*2009) Depew: 2011 (*2007) Dunkirk: Never East: Never East Aurora: 2007 Eden: 2009 (*2003) Lackawanna: 2010 (*2008) Lew-Port: 2004 (*1982) Maryvale: 2006 (*1985) Medina: 1988 (*1988) Newfane: Never Olean: 2004 (*2002) Pioneer: 2001 (*2001) Springville: 1997 (*1995) Tonawanda: 1999 *Last Sectional Title

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Class B Preview

2011 Standings South Pioneer Eden Olean Springville Dunkirk East Aurora

Div 5-0 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-3 0-5

All 8-1 6-3 4-4 5-4 2-6 0-7

East Alden Depew Albion Medina Newfane East

Div 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

All 10-1 8-2 6-3 3-6 3-6 2-7

West Cheektowaga Lackawanna Maryvale Tonawanda Burgard Lew-Port

Div 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

All 7-2 6-3 3-6 4-5 1-5 1-7

Playoff Results First Round (1) Cheektowaga 43, (8) Albion 18 (4) Depew 14, (5) Lackawanna 0 (3) Pioneer 42, (6) Eden 0 (2) Alden 42, (7) Olean 6 Semifinals (4) Depew 14, (1) Cheektowaga 7 (2) Alden 21, (3) Pioneer 0 Championship (2) Alden 12, (4) Depew 0

B South 1. Pioneer — The Panthers do lose quite a bit of talent, including 1,000-yard backs Corey Vail and Nate Woodruff, which was essentially their entire offense. But, for those doubting Pioneer coming into 2012, beware. Their ridiculously good defense is still somewhat in tact.

Amazingly, they had four straight shutouts and also held teams under 10 points in seven of their nine games. I don’t think they’re going to go away all that easily this year and see them winning the division even though they have to go to Olean.

2. Olean — The Huskies are the fun pick to win the division with a ton of returning talent, but they were waxed by Pioneer last year and only won four games — with only Springville being over .500. Not to say they can’t win the division, but the talent gap between Pioneer and everyone was else was pretty big last year. Quarterback Pat Scholla is one of the better-kept secrets around WNY and is poised for a huge season.

3. Eden — I imagine any Eden fan would say what about us? They actually beat Olean on the road last year and buried opponents in three of their final four games last season. But the Raiders lost a ton to graduation and should be simply aiming to get back into the playoffs, which in Class B, is one of the toughest leagues to do so in all of Section VI. 4. Springville — They’re

Dunkirk's Zach Torain (No. 15) is one of the top returning players for the Marauders and all of Class B South. They lost to East High School (Buffalo) in last year's bowl game, which will be led by linebacker Shyheim Buchanan (No. 55). (Photo by Al Gens/Dunkirk Athletic Department)

on the rise and could play the role of spoiler for somebody’s playoff chances. Divisions simply can’t send four to the playoffs in Class B and while I don’t think Springville will get there this year, they are certainly getting closer. They have a good amount coming back led by running back Chris Phinney. They have Eden and Pioneer at home early and end the year at Olean, which will almost assuredly have playoff implications on the line.

5. Dunkirk — First year head coach Rob Genco has his work cut out for him. The Marauders lost a lot of talent from last year’s two-win team including running back Eddie Marshall and quarterback Mike Donaldson. Dunkirk has also never made it to the sectional championship to play at Ralph Wilson Stadium — one of the few in WNY — but there’s no arguing the amount of athletes the school has. They could surprise a few people if they come together. Se-

nior quarterback Kevin Burns should do just fine taking over full time and running back/linebacker Zach Torain could have a huge season.

6. East Aurora — The Blue Devils are on the rise, but time will tell if they’re ready to make the jump this season. Running back and linebacker Drew Horton is one the better all-around players in the league and could make a huge impact for this team in 2012. Their first four games are in league play with the Week 3 game in Dunkirk a huge game for two teams looking to avoid the basement.

Elsewhere around Class B: Now 20 teams deep, there isn’t a league in Section VI where a smaller percentage of teams make the playoffs. A fourth place finish in any other league guarantees a playoff spot, but in Class B it probably leaves you on the outside looking in. And with the quality of teams around, finish-

ing in the top eight — let alone the top half of a division — can be difficult. Just ask Dunkirk, who’s had a difficult time of reaching .500.

The big dogs across Class B are Alden, Cheektowaga and Depew.

Last year, fourth-seeded Depew upset (use that world mildly there) topseeded Cheektowaga in the semi’s. But, all three were widely considered to be among the best small schools in the entire state.

Cheektowaga’s running back Marquel Jackson should be the talk of the league. He ran for 1,037 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior last year and almost seems like a certainty for the All-WNY team this year barring an injury. With him in the backfield, Cheektowaga has to be considered the favorite again in the West Division.

But, Burgard and Lackawanna should have a lot to say about that. Burgard, usually a solid team year-in and year-out limped to a 2-7 record last year but should be much improved in 2012.

Lackawanna’s Shaquille Brooks is one of the best receivers in WNY. In the East Division, traditional power Alden is the favorite to win it all. The back-to-back sectional champions are led by quarterback Brian Stoldt who threw for 615 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

But Depew gave them a run for their money in both contests last year, losing 14-13 in the regular season and 12-0 in the Class B championship.

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A changing of the guard is on at Dunkirk High School. New head coach Rob Genco is taking over the football program as team Facts the Marauders continue Class: B South to try and improve a proCoach: Rob Genco gram that has seen coach after coach struggle at 11 Record: 2-6 (2-3) getting a team to .500.

11 Finish: Lost Consolation Bowl But Genco has a pretty Key Returning Players: RB/LB good grasp on winning.

Zach Torain (Sr.), QB/DB Kevin He was hired away from Silver Creek where he’s Burns (Sr.), OL/DL Dominic Hitchcock (Jr.), RB/LB Edwin been an assistant coach Gomez (Sr.) on their football and lacrosse teams, which have been extremely successful, and the head men’s basketball coach, guid2012 Schedule ing the 2011-12 Black Wk. Date Opponent Knights to the sectional 1 8/31 @ Pioneer* championship game where a buzzer-beating 2 9/8 @ Olean* jumper from Zeddie Wil3 9/15 East Aurora* liams rimmed out that 4 9/21 Eden* would have sent Silver 5 9/28 @ Cheektowaga Creek to Rochester.

(B-W) You can expect the ex6 10/6 Springville* tremely energetic coach to make his presence felt 7 10/12 @ Fredonia (C-N) immediately and have Marauders improving in the upcoming years.

But his first task is this season. And it’s a season 2011 Season that has plenty of holes to Wk. result Opponent fill after losing a variety of 1 L 35-14 Silver Creek two-to-three year players 2 W 12-7 @ Eden* in Eddie Marshall, Kevin 3 W 25-0 @ East Aurora* Holmes, Kyle Utegg, Julian Richmond and Mike 4 L 13-7 Pioneer* Donaldson among many 5 L 27-21 Olean* other quality seniors that 6 L 32-20 @ Springville* have since graduated.

7 L 33-20 Fredonia But last year was an injury-plagued year for Consolation Bowl Dunkirk. After starting L 16-0 East 2-1 with a pair of league wins over Eden and East * League Game Aurora, the Marauders were on top the division and were thinking playoffs. Then the wheels fell off starting with a tight loss to Pioneer (13-7), which just happened to go undefeated and lose in

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Dunkirk Marauders

the sectional semifinals to eventual class champion Alden.

A four-game losing streak ensued to end the season, but Dunkirk was in every single game and just couldn’t capitalize in key moments of the game.

Genco’s fiery attitude could change that. And he’s got a good core of returnees to help the Marauders begin to move their way into the upper echelon of Class B. Zach Torain will take over full time at running back, replacing Marshall.

Torain is a hard-nosed back who will also anchor the defense at linebacker.

He ran for 139 yards in limited duty but should be the main guy in the

backfield this year.

Joining him in the backfield will be quarterback Kevin Burns. Burns had a productive season last year, throwing for 530 yards and eight touchdowns, but loses his every single player he completed a pass to. Receivers Holmes, Donaldson and Clayton Cieslewicz were all valuable targets, as was tight end Utegg.

But Burns has a quality arm, who was also valuable on the Dunkirk baseball team and is a good enough of an athlete to run for yardage as well. He ran for 85 yards last season.

Filling in holes out wide is the biggest question mark. Returning seniors

Devin Donaldson and Ryan Ruiz have experience and are two of the players to keep an eye out for. They’re both lightingquick and it will be interesting to see how Genco uses both of them.

Genco does have one player he can rely on without much worry.

Junior linemen Dominic Hitchcock is a budding star who had a terrific season last year as just a sophomore. The mammoth tackle is one of the top linemen in all of Class B and will be a force to be reckoned with over the next two years.

Seniors up front most notably include Alex Crowell and Alex Williams, two guys with size that should help Dunkirk

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shore up the trenches.

They have plenty of other options of returning players as well.

The schedule is a bit unforgiving, especially to start, but it could help Dunkirk prepare for the rest of their season. They open on the road against Pioneer and Olean, two teams that will be in the demanding playoff hunt in Class B. But from there, home games with East Aurora and Eden are winnable.

They won both of those games on the road last year and are two teams Dunkirk will be battling for to try and squeeze into the playoffs.

Non-league road games against Cheektowaga and Fredonia are two of the top small school teams in the entire county that could both win sectional titles. There might not be a more difficult schedule in the entire county.

OUTLOOK: Dunkirk has the ability to take the next step, but have four really tough road games that are tough to win no matter what kind of team you have. This year will be a success if Dunkirk can improve on last year’s win total and if they can finally beat their archrival Fredonia for the first time since 1998.

Look for Torain to have a big season and potentially be a first team all-league selection. With him and Burns in the backfield, Dunkirk certainly does not have a shortage of talent. Hitchcock up front has the potential to be an All-WNY selection, and it bodes well for Dunkirk going forward.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

2012 Predicted Order of Finish

South Div All Salamanca 6-0 6-2 Southwestern 5-1 11-1 Westfield 4-2 4-4 Cassadaga Valley 2-4 2-6 Allegany-Limestone 2-4 4-5 Catt/LV** 2-4 4-5 Falconer 0-6 2-6 * Lafayette joined Riverside in Class AA. ** Catt/LV moved to Class D

Class C North 1. Fredonia 2. Akron 3. Cleveland Hill 4. Wilson 5. JFK 6. Gowanda Class C South 1. Southwestern 2. Salamanca 3. Allegany-Limestone 4. Westfield-Brocton 5. Cassadaga Valley 6. Falconer

Playoff Results

2012 Playoff Format: Top four seeds from each division qualify. Teams crossover in opening round.

Championship Game: Ralph Wilson Stadium — 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3.

Race to the Ralph: Last Sectional Final Akron: Never Allegany-Limestone: 1988 (*1988) Cassadaga Valley: 2005 Cleveland Hill: 2011 (*2007) Falconer: 2007 (*2006) Fredonia: 2010 (*2010) Gowanda: 2002 (*2002) JFK: 1986 (*1986) Salamanca: 2001 (*2001) Southwestern: 2011 (*2011) Westfield/Brocton: 1995 Wilson: 1990 *Last Sectional Title

2011 Standings North Fredonia Cleveland Hill JFK Akron Gowanda Wilson Lafayette*

Div 5-0 4-1 2-3 2-3 1-4 1-4 1-4

All 8-1 8-2 5-4 5-4 2-7 1-7 1-7

First Round (4N) Akron 20, (1S) Salamanca 2 (2S) Southwestern 41, (3N) JFK 14 (1N) Fredonia 42, (4S) Cassadaga Valley 6 (2N) Cleveland Hill 30, (3S) Westfield 6 Semifinals (2S) Southwestern 27, (1N) Fredonia 24 (OT) (2N) Cleveland Hill 28, (4N) Akron 21 Championship (2S) Southwestern 10, (2N) Cleveland Hill 0

Quotes Fredonia coach Bob Ball: “I can’t think of a team in our division that is down. Gowanda, Wilson, they all have guys back.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the division champion doesn’t go undefeated. I look at Akron as one of the frontrunners because they have their quarterback back.”

Southwestern coach Jay Sirianni: “There’s good teams up there too. Cleveland Hill, they’re always really good. And Fredonia, they’re going to have weapons back. It’s a good league — C North and C South. Salamanca returns a lot,” Sirianni continued.

“All the other teams are good.

They play tough football.”

Westfield coach Bob North: “Obviously, Southwestern, that’s been one of the best teams in the county for the last dozen years.”

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Class C Preview C North 1. Fredonia — Head coach Bob Ball has turned this program around to where anything else besides a division championship would be a surprise.

While the Hillbillies have some question marks on both sides of the line, Gowanda and Cleve Hill were the only teams to keep them within 10, and neither was within one score. They probably have too many weapons to be contained.

2. Akron — They hit their stride late in the year and even led Cleve Hill 14-0 after one quarter in the sectional semifinals. With quarterback Austin Mietz returning and linebacker Connor Ladd, the Tigers have enough talent to make a run. They get Fredonia, Cleve Hill and JFK at home, too. One of the bigger sleeper teams in WNY. 3. Cleveland Hill — Tough to move the Golden Eagles down here after pushing Southwestern for the championship last year. But, they have a lot of tough games on the road (Fredonia and Akron) and lose quarterback Daryl Spencer.

Key returnees Brandon Thomas and Jonathan Thomas at the forefront do give them a ton of talent to lean on.

4. Wilson — The Lakemen were just 2-7 last year and had a 0-6 campaign in the jayvees, but they’re a much improved squad. Quarterback Tim Walch is well known by rival coaches and could push Wilson into a play-

Fredonia and Southwestern have the won the last four Class C titles. Pictured here during last year's semifinal at Dunkirk High School, the Trojans beat Fredonia in overtime. Senior Peter Trathen (No. 54, making tackle) will captain Southwestern this year as they look at a shot to repeat in Class C. (Photo by Bryan Bucklin/Southwestern Athletic Department)

off spot.

5. JFK — It shows the depth of this league with JFK possibly not making the playoffs, but I think the Bears are the odd team out. They pushed Fredonia in the opener last year, a game Ball said was much closer than the final indicated. Lineman Khaliq Satcher is one of the best in the league.

6. Gowanda — In another year, Gowanda could be pretty tough, but some growing pains might still be on the horizon for the Panthers. It sounds like they’ll have a freshman quarterback leading the offense, but don’t be surprised if they give teams a tough time.

C South 1. Southwestern — A year after not winning the division, you have to imagine the Trojans will be that much hungrier to get back on top. Make no mistake about it, they’re

still the team most opponents will circle on the schedule, but with Salamanca at home, you have to like Southwestern to take the division crown.

2. Salamanca — They lost a ton of starters on both sides of the ball and also lost head coach Jason Marsh. But, they did beat Southwestern by two scores and return quarterback Tanner John who should be an all-league first team selection. That Week 4 game with Southwestern looms large.

3. Allegany-Limestone — They might be the most improved team throughout the entire league and should certainly get back into the playoff mix this season. They also have one of the better lines in the league, but open at Westfield, a game that will go a long way in determining these last two playoff spots.

4. Westfield — All coaches will preach the next game is the

most important, but for Westfield, that game with Allegany-Limestone is the biggest all year.

Coach Bob North talked about how had they not won last year’s opener against the Gators, the season wouldn’t have gone nearly as well. Same might go for 2012.

5. Cassadaga Valley — The Cougars have every right to say they’re a playoff team coming into the season and it would be no shock if they finished as high as third.

Running back Jordan Boughton might be the best in the league and he’ll get a bulk of carries again this season.

6. Falconer — New head coach Dan Krenzer has his work cut out for him, but the Falcons could be better in 2012 with a changing of the guard.

Biggest loss is running back Nathan Sharp, but they have a large amount of guys coming back with experience.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Cassadaga Valley Cougars

Injuries. They happen at each school, but limiting them is a goal for Cougars head coach Nick Spitzer in 2012. team Facts A year after being decimated by the injury bug, Class: C South Cassadaga Valley is going Coach: Nick Spitzer to switch things up on of11 Record: 2-6 (2-4) fense, heading to a more 11 Finish: Lost in C Quarterfinal finesse-style triple option, while ditching the runKey Returning Players: RB/ straight-at-you style in DB Jordan Boughton (Sr.), hopes of less collisions.

LB Zack Kubera (Sr.), OL/DL Brady Simpson (Sr.), OL/DL “Injuries kill you at a David Carlson (Sr.), OL/DL small school,” Spitzer Brenden Winder (Sr.) said. “Only so many guys can go around. All of the injuries last year made us switch. With the triple 2012 Schedule option, it opens things up a little more and we’re Wk. Date Opponent 1 8/31 Pine Valley (DD) hoping it cuts down on the amount of guys that 2 9/7 @ Salamanca* get hurt.”

3 9/15 Falconer* With the type of bruising 4 9/22 Alleganyfootball that Cassadaga Limestone* Valley plays defensively, 5 9/29 Westfield/ they simply were beating Brocton* themselves up even more 6 10/5 @ Southwestern* by playing smash-mouth 7 10/13 @ Clymer (DD) offensive football. The equation is simple really.

Fewer collisions, fewer injuries.

That new offense will 2011 Season likely be led by quarterWk. result Opponent back Jordan Crabtree, a speedy junior that will 1 W 34-28 @ Catt/Little Valley* step to the varsity level for the first time. Spitzer 2 L 27-6 Randolph thinks he’s the perfect fit 3 W 14-0 @ Westfield/ for the job with what he Brocton* can bring to the table.

4 L 8-6 @ Allegany“He’s fast, he’s smart, Limestone* he’s the guy for the job,” 5 L 12-0 Southwestern* Spitzer said. “He just has 6 L 37-13 Salamanca* to learn how to make the 7 W 49-20 @ Falconer* right read. But it’s really his to lose.” sectional Quarter Finals L 42-6 @ Fredonia A reliable pair of hands will be there for Crabtree to hand it off to, though. * League Game Senior Jordan Boughton, who ran for 450 yards and four touchdowns despite playing second

fiddle to Michael Lanphere last year. Fullback Charles Clutter got a bulk of carries too, but he’s also gone. And with the triple option offense, there will be plenty of carries to go around, but Boughton’s the main guy in the backfield.

“Any time you get a guy like that into open space,” Spitzer said. “He can score some points. But it’s a new offense, so we’ll see what happens.”

Most of the key returnees are on the line, which has had little difficulty switching over into new blocking schemes in their final year. Seniors Brady Simpson, Brenden Winder and David Carlson anchor one of the better lines in the league and give the Cougars plenty of experience up front.

“It’s a different blocking scheme, but it’s not difficult or at least it shouldn’t be,” Spitzer said laughing. “But they’re fine. They’re doing a good job with it so far.

“But the offense is much more systematic,” Spitzer continued. “It creates more space… The guys have been working hard.

It’s all about making good decisions on the field and

getting to the right place in an efficient manner.”

Defensively, senior linebacker Zack Kubera is one of the best around the area. He led the team in tackles and forced fumbles and has a shot at being an All-WNY selection. Cassadaga’s defense will be as good as Kubera can make them.

“He’s our middle backer,” Spitzer said. “The captain on the defensive side of the ball. He just has a great nose for the ball.

Sure tackler. Very dedicated. Great leader. He’ll be a tough guy to replace.”

At times Cassadaga’s Valley was fantastic last year. In a three-game league stretch that almost decided their season, the Cougars lost to Westfield 14-0, Allegany-Limestone 8-6 and Southwestern 12-0. Of course, the offense let them down, but that’s an area the Cougars could be much better at.

The defense, which was let down on numerous occasions could be just as strong in 2012. Kubera leads the way that will also be solid in the trenches. In the secondary, they’ll have to replace some pieces, but for the most part, they

should be OK. Looking for more ball control on offense could be the key in the defense’s resurgence.

But Spitzer said he’d have a better grip on the offense after their scrimmage with Chautauqua Lake (which was after printing). “[Chautauqua Lake head coach] Dan Greco has been a defensive coordinator forever,” he said. “So we’re looking to see what he’s going to do against us because other teams will probably follow that. We just don’t know what kind of defenses we’re going to see.”

With Catt/Little Valley dropping down to Class D, the Class C South schedule now consists of just five games. One of those new non-league games this year will be in the opener against DD foe Pine Valley.

After that, they’ll head right into league play for five straight against C South teams. The middle three are the most important. They’re all at home and are against the three bottom teams in the league that figure to be fighting for the last two playoff spots along with

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Cassadaga Valley.

“Each week presents a new challenge,” Spitzer said. “In the last two years it’s been very competitive.

I haven’t run into a soft team thinking we could just have our way and win the game.”

It will probably take two wins out of those three games to get into the playoffs. Road contests with Salamanca and Southwestern aren’t easy to say the least.

“Improve upon last year and make the playoffs that’s our No. 1 goal,” Spitzer said. “We’ll go from there.

“But we a have a bunch of very hard working guys,” he continued. “They do what you ask them to do.

No ego’s — and that will kill you.”

Outlook: After Southwestern and Salamanca, things get a bit murky in C South. Falconer is in a bit of re-tool mode with a first year head coach, but Westfield was a quality team last year and Allegany-Limestone is on the rise. The good news is Cassadaga Valley has those games at home.

It will be interesting to see how the triple option works for Cassadaga Valley. New offenses can be tough to stop, but can also be tough to operate for the team running it.

It probably goes without saying, but if teams don’t learn how to stop it, this team could be a dark horse to factor into the division race. For now, until we see it, I see them battling it out with Westfield for the fourth and final playoff spot out of C South.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

It’s a new direction for Falconer in 2012. But certainly a familiar one.

With head coach Dan Krenzer returning to the team Facts sidelines after a threeClass: C South year hiatus, Falconer Coach: Dan Krenzer is looking to get back to their winning ways 11 Record: 2-6 (0-6) that catapulted them to 11 Finish: Won Consolation sectional championship Bowl back in 2006 and another Key Returning Players: RB/DB championship appearJacob Youngberg (Sr.), QB/DB ance in the following Devon Cameron (Sr.), OL/DL year.

Don Williamson (Sr.) But it’s a difficult road back and one that will likely start this year by finding some building 2012 Schedule blocks in a loaded group Wk. Date Opponent of underclassmen. Fal1 8/31 Southwestern* coner has 17 juniors on the roster, some of whom 2 9/7 Panama (DD) help put together last 3 9/15 @ Cassadaga year’s 4-4 record down Valley* in the jayvee’s. It’s a big 4 9/21 @ Westfield/ enough of a roster which Brocton* means the Falcons won’t 5 9/28 @ Franklinville have to carry as many (DD) sophomores as they did 6 10/5 @ Salamanca* last year.

7 10/12 AlleganyBut for Falconer to Limestone* improve on last year’s 2-6 varsity record, they’ll need more consistency everywhere and better line play to make for 2011 Season some of their skill playWk. result Opponent ers.

1 L 35-12 @ Southwestern* The first is senior Devon 2 L 33-18 Salamanca* Cameron. The dual3 L 19-6 @ Alleganythreat quarterback threw Limestone* for 448 yards and ran for 244 additional yards.

4 W 34-0 Lafayette He’s the team’s leading 5 L 28-14 @ Catt/Little returnee in both categoValley* ries and figures to have 6 L 31-14 Westfield/ a massive role in the Brocton* offense and should figure 7 L 49-20 Cassadaga in largely if Falconer can Valley* surpass last year’s win Consolation Bowl total.

W 12-6 Lafayette Cameron is also one of the keys defensively for * League Game the Falcons and is one of the better defensive backs in the league. He had one interception last

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Falconer Falcons

year.

Also back at the skill positions and looking to have a much bigger year is junior Jacob Youngberg. Little used as a sophomore, Youngberg ran for 187 yards and two touchdowns and is probably the team’s top tailback since losing Nate Sharp to graduation.

Sharp is the biggest loss for Falconer, though. He ran for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns, both of which were near the top of the C South leaderboard. He was also a force defensively.

While Youngberg will asked to fill some of the void, Falconer will need to find some other pieces as well. One of those could be sophomore Jacob Penhollow, who will see varsity action for the first time and might be the only sophomore on the roster. Krenzer also has a large group of juniors and seniors that give Falconer some depth. If there’s one position the Falcons have a ton of guys, it’s the backfield/secondary.

They’re not the biggest passing team in the league, but junior Kyle Petersen might break out a little bit this year.

Petersen sparingly saw action offensively, but showed some prowess defensively by intercepting a team-high three interceptions while recovering two fumbles.

His role will be much bigger this season.

Finally fellow junior Jimmy MacDonald should play some tight end this year and possibly get into the passing game. A

massive target, MacDonald is listed at 6-feet-4, 220 pounds, and should be one of the keys to the Falconer defense.

Which brings us to the offensive and defensive lines, where Falconer needs to improve the most to make the next step into C South contention.

They have a good one in senior Dan Williamson, who will be they guy anchoring both sides of the line, likely on the inside.

Fellow seniors Christian Boutelle (6-0, 260) and Javen Newman (5-11, 265) have good size and should help out as well.

As is, Falconer has just nine listed offensive and defensive linemen and might be rotating guys in and out considering all of the new faces.

Falconer opens up with cross-town rival Southwestern. The rivalry dates back to 1927 with Southwestern holding a 43-34-9 edge. But Krenzer is well familiar with it and was the last Falconer coach to beat Southwestern.

Then, Falconer hosts Panama in a non-league game in Week 2. In Weeks 3 and 4, Falconer is on the road against Cassadaga Valley and Westfield, respectively, which will be Falconer’s best shot at their first league win since 2010.

It also could get the Falcons into the playoff hunt.

OUTLOOK: What Falconer needs to do this year is begin to set the groundwork for the future. They have 17 juniors on the roster and just about

2012 Falconer Football Roster No. 4 5 11 12 13 17 21 24 28 29 34 36 42 44 48 51 54 55 56 57 58 69 74 77

Name Tyler Walker Kyle Ross Kyle Petersen Devon Cameron Jimmy MacDonald Cody Dustin Nathan Burnett Mitch Carter Tizzapoura Rissel Jacob Penhollow Brandon Muntz Kylee Blake Anthony DeMaio Jimmy Schwab Jacob Youngberg Dan Willamson Walter Conkright Christian Boutelle Tony Kubis Cory Cardone Cole Stuart Jacob Stimson Javen Newman Tyler Blair

Pos. RB, DE E, DB E, DB QB, DB E, LB RB, DB E, DB E, DB E, DB RB, LB RB, DB RB, DB RB, DB E, DL RB, LB OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL

Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Teams without photos did not take one in time for publication

all of them should see a good amount of playing time considering they only have 24 guys listed on the roster as a whole.

If they can gain some momentum by winning a few games, they could be a seriously dangerous team next year with all of those guys coming back and such a big senior class.

Part of that success though, will be determined by this year’s seniors. Cameron will be the key to offense. Filling holes at linebacker is the key on defense. Either way, you have to expect Falconer to be more competitive in 2012 and that should equate to a league win or two.

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The Fredonia football program has come a long way in such a short period of time under Bob Ball. Take for example team Facts the fact Fredonia lost Class: C North just one game last year Coach: Bob Ball but largely viewed it as a disappointment. Not that 11 Record: 8-1 (5-0) they didn’t accomplish 11 Finish: Lost in C Semifinal much, but after starting Key Returning Players: RB/ 8-0, the season came to LB Zach Buckley (Sr.), OL/DL a crashing end in the Nick Nocek (Sr.), RB/LB Jude Class C semifinals against Gardner (Sr.), QB/DB Weston Ley (Jr.) RB/LB Tyler Cassidy Southwestern, in which Fredonia lost to their new (Sr.), QB/LB Trent Thompson archrivals in overtime.

(Sr.) “Any time you don’t meet your expectations for the season, it’s motivating,” Ball said. “Just as 2012 Schedule I’m sure it was motivatWk. Date Opponent ing for Southwestern 1 8/31 JFK* the year before. But it’s definitely motivated us 2 9/7 @ AlleganyLimestone (C-S) for this year and we were very disappointed last 3 9/14 @ Wilson* season.”

4 9/21 Gowanda* That’s a long way from 5 9/28 Cleve Hill* winning one game a year 6 10/5 @ Akron* in back-to-back seasons less then a decade ago.

7 10/12 Dunkirk (B-W) But, yes this is the new Fredonia and the Hillbillies return a bulk of key players from last year’s 2011 Season squad and look to have Wk. result Opponent the feel of a team capable 1 W 29-14 @ JFK* of making another deep run.

2 W (forfeit) Lafayette 3 W 35-7 @ Wilson* “We’ve got some speed, but I wish we had a little 4 W 37-28 Gowanda* more size,” Ball admitted.

5 W 26-16 @ Cleve Hill* “But speed can overcome 6 W 27-7 Akron* that and we’re upbeat 7 W 33-20 @ Dunkirk right now.” sectional Quarter Finals Zach Buckley and Jude W 42-6 Cassadaga Gardner are some of the Valley two key returnees at skill positions. Buckley split Sectional Semi Finals time with Dylan Cassidy L 27-24 Southwestern (who has graduated) last year at running back * League Game and it might be Buckley’s turn to breakout.

But, Jude Gardner and Tyler Cassidy make for

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Fredonia Hillbillies

an explosive backfield that gives Ball plenty of options of where to hand the ball.

“Zach’s coming back for his third year at running back and that’s something to build on there,” Ball said. “Jude has a lot of speed too.”

Also back in the fold is deep threat Weston Ley who seemed to break a long touchdown reception just about every single game. He caught just 12 passes, but astoundingly, nine of them went for touchdowns.

This year, he’s going to battle it out for the starting quarterback job with senior Trent Thompson to see who will replace Connor Farnham, a first team all league selection last year.

“Between Weston and Trent, they’re two really good athletes,” Ball said.

“And competition brings out the best. But whether we do different things with each guy or just go with one, we’ll figure it out before the year starts. But I’ve got two of our top athletes on the team competing at that position and I think that leaves us in good shape there.”

Speaking of quarterbacks, Shane Smith’s

younger brother Cody has transferred into the program and will add speed to an already immensely fast team.

They’ll have no shortage of athletes around the field, but the question becomes if and how Ball will utilize all of them?

“We’ve got a lot of those skill-type positions,” Ball said. “You know the 160, 165-pound guys that you want to get into the open field.”

But as the coach hit on earlier, while Fredonia has gobs of speed, they don’t have a lot of options up front. Senior Nick Nocek is first and foremost amongst that group. Nocek was a first team all-league selection last year and could be the team’s most important player in terms of value.

Fredonia can ill-afford to lose him this year at any point in the season.

But, plugging guys in has been Fredonia’s specialty.

They’ve figured out to win games on a yearly basis and that’s one prime reason why Fredonia is still one of the teams to beat in Class C. “Once you get the ball rolling and you get teams that start winning, you find the recipe and the nucleus for success,” Ball

said. “That’s how you build on things. I’m sure the Southwestern guys would tell you they were down last year, but finals of the state, when you’re down, that’s not a bad year.”

And with at least seven wins in four of their last five years, Ball has clearly done a good job of finding out who needs to go where. Again, Fredonia loses a bunch of quality players, but don’t expect them to fall from their perch so easily.

“Good programs that win year after year after year just keep plugging them in,” Ball said.

“That’s what I told these guys. We have the leaders here, but who’s going to step up and be the next guy.”

The schedule is still a bit of an unknown considering Fredonia’s move to C North, but now in their second year, Ball said he’s a little more comfortable with those teams.

“But they know a lot more about us too,” he said. “And I can’t think of a team in our division who I think is down. It’s going to be a tough year as far as that goes.”

But Fredonia is still the most legitimate favorite

11

in the division. Beyond that, is — you guessed it — Southwestern, who eliminated Fredonia last year. The year before, Fredonia eliminated the Trojans, which broke their 38-game winning streak that spanned four seasons.

“There’s still a lot of football this year,” Ball said.

“But down the road, I’m sure for us to get where we want to go, we’re going to have to go through Southwestern at some point. And between the two of us, whoever moves on, we’re going to have a pretty good representation of Class C.” Outlook: Fredonia’s first trip through Class C wasn’t as easy as it might have seemed. JFK and Cleve Hill gave Fredonia all they could handle in road games and even Gowanda stuck around in Fredonia. But, had Southwestern not had one of the better kickers around the whole state, Fredonia might have at least been playing for another sectional title and taken another run at states.

So, they have to be considered the team to beat, at least in C North. Interestingly, they challenge themselves with a C-South team in Allegany-Limestone who is much improved since last season. That game could tell us a lot about the two divisions come playoff time.

Still, with as much speed as this team has, not getting to the Ralph would be disappointing. They have too many weapons offensively and I can’t see any team being able to match up at this point.

12

August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

team Facts Class: C South Coach: Jay Sirianni 11 Record: 11-2 (5-1) 11 Finish: Lost in State Championship Key Returning Players: QB/ DB Jake Pilling (Sr.), OL/DL Peter Trathen (Sr.), WR/DB Ryan Schutte (Sr.), WR/DB Jesia Hogue (Sr.), WR/DB Andy Greenlee (Sr.), K Tanner Hoose (Sr.).

2012 Schedule Wk. 1 2 3 4 5

Date 8/31 9/7 9/15 9/21 9/28

6 7

10/5 10/13

Opponent @ Falconer* Westfield/Brocton* @ Olean (B-S) Salamanca* @ AlleganyLimestone* Cassadaga Valley* @ Eden (B-S)

2011 Season Wk. result

Opponent

1 2

W 35-12 Falconer * W 21-14 @ Westfield/ Brocton* 3 W 24-7 Olean 4 L 21-10 @ Salamanca* 5 W 12-0 @ Cassadaga Valley* 6 W 35-6 Allegany Limestone* 7 W 24-6 Catt/Little Valley* QF W 41-14 JFK SF W 27-24 @ Fredonia F W 10-0 Cleveland Hill State Quarter Finals W 23-6 Wellsville State Semi Finals W 16-13 Waverly State Finals L 49-0 Dobbs Ferry * League Game

Something just didn’t feel right about last year’s Southwestern team. They weren’t blowing opponents away.

They were having troubles moving the ball consistently.

And — gasp — they lost a regular season game for the first time since 2007.

But lo and behold, there they were, knocking off archrival Fredonia on the road in the Class C semifinals before starting a remarkable journey all the way to the state title game before ultimately losing to Dobbs Ferry.

Gone is All-WNY Mr. Do-it-all Jake Swan who seemed to make a big play every time the Trojans needed one. So too are fellow captain Tyler Uber and Robbie Newell. Replacing those guys on and off the field might be task No. 1.

“That’s big for any school, replacing leadership,” head coach Jay Sirianni said.

“You figure out X’s and O’s and who’s going to go where, but leadership is that big thing and we’ll see how these seniors are going to lead.”

But, as Sirianni preaches often, last year is in the past.

“Really what it comes down to is this is a different team,” Sirianni said. “These seniors, this is their last chance to play football for most of them. We’re emphasizing that and asking them what is the 2012 team going to be known for — what’s their legacy going to be.”

Luckily for them, this senior class has already accomplished a fair amount in one year. While the Trojans didn’t win the C south division or state championship, they claimed the sectional title and marched all the way to the

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Southwestern Trojans

doorstep in Syracuse.

“But if they start thinking about the past and last year, that’s when you lose focus on what’s really important,” Sirianni said. “They can look back on that years down the road, but right now, it’s all about 2012.”

And as far as this season goes, Southwestern has a pretty good core of players coming back. Senior quarterback Jake Pilling started every game last year and did a fine job running the offense.

“Our philosophy has always been we’re going to do what we have to do to move the ball,” Sirianni said. “We’ll see from week to week on what we need to do, but I think we’re capable of throwing the ball and it’s nice to have that option with Jake.”

He’ll be a captain this year along with Peter Trathen and Ryan Schutte. Losing Swan might damper the offense a little bit, but Schutte’s been around this program for a few years and is more than capable of stepping in to be the go-to offensive option. Swan mostly played wide receiver, but stepped in often to take snaps or receive handoffs when needed. This year, you can expect Schutte to get a bulk of the carries and be in the running for an All-WNY nomination.

Defensively, Southwestern might be stronger than ever. Trathen anchors a unit that will also feature solid tacklers in fellow seniors Jesia Hogue and Andy Greenlee.

And that may be their biggest strength. Including thos guys, Southwestern has plenty of players left over from last year’s squad who saw a lot of the field.

Extending the season to get more game action and more practices is what will pay off in the long run, though.

“The way I look at it, is the guys that were juniors last year played in 13 games,” Sirianni said. “That’s a season and a half, they’re already halfway into their senior years. As far as experience, they’ve been battle tested.

“Now we have a lot of kids that have come up through jayvee that have not,” he continued. “But we’ve proven in the past that experience doesn’t really mean much.”

Regardless of experience, this squad might be just as talented as any of the teams Southwestern has fielded in recent years.

Another big returnee this year is first team all-state kicker Tanner Hoose, who kicked the game-winner against Fredonia in overtime in last year’s playoffs.

He adds another dimension to the Southwestern

offense that not many teams can boast.

“He gives us a threat offensively in that you don’t have to go for it when you’re inside the 30-yard line,” Sirianni said. “He’s been a difference in games for us in the past.”

How far can he go?

“We haven’t tested him yet, but as long as he makes all his extra points, I’ll be happy,” Sirianni quipped.

So what do they need to work on as they prepare for their season opener on Aug. 31?

“The X’s and O’s, those are going to come,” Sirianni said.

“It’s about putting a team together. It’s about chemistry and about how the kids get along and how they look out for one another.”

Southwestern opens at Falconer on Friday night before their home opener against Westfield the following Friday. Their big game this year is Salamanca at home, the team that handed Southwestern that regular season loss. They also play a couple of solid teams in non-league action out of Class B in Olean and Eden on the road.

“There are some good teams on our schedule,” Sirianni said. “But you have to go week to week. We start off with Falconer and that’s a big rivalry and they have a bit

of a changing of the guard down there. We have to go over there and that’s going to be interesting.”

Of course, the big thing on most people’s minds with Southwestern is another potential matchup with Fredonia. They’ve played in some instant classics over the years, including each team ending each other’s season in the past two respective years.

“If we see Fredonia, great,” Sirianni said. “If not, we’re going to play whoever is on our schedule and we’ll see how it goes.”

Outlook: At the risk of sounding like an idiot, Southwestern is still Southwestern. But the truth to that is the Trojans, who have gone to three state title games in four years, are always going to be the team to beat in C South until someone else proves they’re not.

Now Salamanca did beat Southwestern last year, but the Trojans got the last laugh by winning the sectional title — although they didn’t have to go through Salamanca, who was upset in the opening round by Akron. So, with arguably an even better team than last year’s squad, Southwestern should be aiming for an undefeated season and a spot in the Class C title game.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Westfield/Brocton Wolverines

Joining up with Brocton last year, head coach Bob North didn’t really know what to expect. After all, merging together two team Facts schools as one team isn’t Class: C South the easiest thing and Coach: Bob North the two small schools formerly of Class D were 11 Record: 4-4 (4-2) forced to move into 11 Finish: Lost in C Quarterfinal Class C. Key Returning Players: RB/ The results weren’t bad LB Mike Okerlund (Sr.), RB/ at all. Westfield went 4-2 LB Dan Ferguson (Sr.), RB/ LB Cameron Wright (Sr.), WR in league play and was John Coe (Sr.), OL/DL William the C South No. 3 seed.

Nowell (Sr.) Sure, a disappointing loss to eventual runnerup Cleve Hill ensued, but it was still an impressive year for North and the 2012 Schedule Wolverines.

Wk. Date Opponent “I think it helped last 1 8/31 Alleganyyear for us to be successLimestone* ful in that Class C be2 9/7 @ Southwestern* cause we didn’t know if we could or not,” North 3 9/15 @ Sherman/ said. “Our first run with Ripley (DD) it a few years back wasn’t 4 9/21 Falconer* good. We were a middle 5 9/29 @ Cassadaga of the pack team and I Valley* think our guys realized 6 10/5 Forestville (DD) we could play with those 7 10/12 Salamanca* guys.”

Objective No. 1 in season No. 2 is replacing a solid senior class that lost Trey North and Brent 2011 Season Morrison, among others.

Wk. result Opponent North does have a few 1 W 9-8 @ Allegany people he can rely on Limestone* and that will be impor2 L 21-14 Southwestern* tant for them to match success from last season.

3 W 14-0 Cassadaga Valley* “We have five, six guys 4 W 28-14 Catt/Little Valley* on each side of the ball 5 L 35-13 @ Salamanca* that got a ton of time last year,” North said. “Those 6 W 31-14 @ Falconer* guys now have to step up 7 L 21-0 Maple Grove and be the guy because we lost quite a few of Sectional Quarter Finals those last year. But we L 30-6 @ Cleve Hill have some kids who I think are willing to do * League Game that.”

Top amongst that list is running back Mike Okerlund, who should

be one of the key factors in replacing all of the lost yardage on offense.

Cameron Wright and Dan Ferguson give Westfield added depth in the backfield and John Coe was one of the top receivers in all of Class C last year. Dylan MacCubbin will take over at quarterback.

“We’re strong in the skill positions, and we always have been,” North said.

“We’re trying to convince kids that we’re only going to win if our line of scrimmage wins the battles.”

North seemed most confident with Wright, a senior captain that filled in nicely at fullback when Morrison was down and a guy more than capable of doing a few things for this offense.

“Cameron stepped up in the last half of the year as a kid who could run the football real well from the fullback position and he loves to block,” North said. “When he gets his carries, he runs north and south. He doesn’t try to go east and west.”

Okerlund and Ferguson were technically the team’s starting running backs last year, but Trey North and Morrison were the ones getting

most of the carries.

“This year, they’re going to get the brunt of the carries,” North said referring to his two returnees.

“Michael [Okerlund] is much bigger than he was last year, he’s been in the weight room. Hopefully he breaks some tackles and is able to use his open-field speed.

“Dan [Ferguson] is just a kid that puts his head down and runs hard,” North continued. “He doesn’t try to fake you out. He tries to run you over. And that’s going to be our style this year a little more than last year where we tried to spread things out.”

So, yes most of the skill positions are set. But as North had talked about, Westfield’s success will likely come down to what they can do on both sides of the line.

“This year, I think it’s going to be more of fullback, tailback, fullback tailback,” North said talking about his offensive gameplan. “With our quarterback running some boot legs and things like that. But once again, for us to use our strength, it’s going to rely on those guys up front.”

While Westfield seems

to have most the offense figured out, getting better defensively is a big key. They allowed slightly more than 20 points per game and let games get away from them such as Southwestern and Salamanca.

Another factor in where they’ll finish in the standings is that C South lost Catt/Little Valley to Class D, which just happened to be one of Westfield’s wins. Now with just a five-game league schedule, Westfield will need to grab wins whenever they can and get off to a hot start.

“It’s really important,” North said. “Last year, we won a real close game against Allegany-Limestone [in the opener]. If that goes the other way, who knows where our season would have been.

Its very important, but it’s week-to-week.”

The same thing goes for this year as Westfield opens with AlleganyLimestone at home before heading to Southwestern. It’s a tough start out of the gate that North is well aware of.

“It’s very important for us to at least get a split out of that,” North said.

“Because you hate to be 0-2 going into a non-

13

league game. If we win two, that’s great, I’d be as happy as can be. But obviously with Southwestern being one of the better teams in the county for the last dozen years, you hope for that first game, and it’s at our place which is good.”

Still, North is keeping modest expectations.

The program not only graduated a lot of talent, but a lot leadership too.

And with depth concerns on the lines, Westfield should be more than happy in getting to the same place they were last year.

“I think with as many guys as we graduated, we’re shooting to do about the same thing,” North said. “If we could go .500, I’d be real happy and get a playoff game, that’d be great.”

Outlook: Truthfully, Class C looks better across the board. In South division, there will be two new coaches and one less program, so projections aren’t the easiest of calls. But Westfield was a full two games better than the three-way tie for the fourth and final playoff spot. Now, one of those schools are gone, but the other two would both have to be better than Westfield this year to knock them out of the playoff picture.

They certainly appear to have enough guys who can run the ball, but they might not have enough of up front to do maximize the potential damage. Still, I think they’re a playoff team this year.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

2012 Predicted Order of Finish Class D 1. Maple Grove 2. Silver Creek 3. Randolph 4. Frewsburg 5. Chautauqua Lake * 6. Portville 7. Catt/Little Valley ** 8. I-Prep * C. Lake moves up from Class DD ** Catt/LV moves down from Class C

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Class D Preview

Playoff Results First Round (5) Portville 32, (4) Silver Creek 6 (3) Frewsburg 41, (6) I-Prep 0

Class D

1. Maple Grove — As tempted as I was to drop the Red Dragons, you have Semifinals to be look for yourself and (1) Maple Grove 28, see just how much better (5) Portville 0 they were than every(3) Frewsburg 38, one last year. Granted, (2) Randolph 24 a previous season high school football is tricky in predicting the next year, Championship but Frewsburg was the (1) Maple Grove 34, only team to come within (3) Frewsburg 26 20 points of Maple Grove.

Now they lose All-WNYers Alex Grace and John Quotes 2012 playoff format: Nickerson, but the majority of this team is back.

All eight teams qualify. Highest Silver Creek head coach Sean remaining seeds of first round Helmer: 2. Silver Creek — They’re losers play for consolation.

“It’s just like last year, except the darkhorse after a 4-4 probably better. Chautauqua season that ended with Lake coming up, who had a a very sour taste in their Championship: great year last year. I-Prep mouths with a 32-6 loss Ralph Wilson Stadium — 6 has more potential than any of to Portville at honme in p.m., Friday, Nov. 2. us. Catt/Little Valley has been the opening round of the in this league. [Head coach] playoffs. But the talent Tim [Miller] knows all of us on this team is immense.

Race to the Ralph: — knows what everybody Zeddie Williams and Last Sectional Final does. You have two coaches Catt/Little Valley: 2006 (*2006 who have won state titles. One younger brother Sherman coach has won 200 games. are two to really keep an Chautauqua Lake: 2011 We’re going to have to be eye out for. Anthony Mo(*2011) ready to play each week.” rales, Tyler Bain and Steve Frewsburg: 2011 (*1993) Marcey are another trio of I-Prep: Never weapons that Sean Helmer Chautauqua Lake head coach can boast. Line play might Maple Grove: 2011 (*2011) Dan Greco: be the biggest factor and Portville: 2007 (*2003) “We’re now going to face they’ll get a huge test with some of the best Class D Randolph: 2010 (*2009) Maple Grove at home teams in the state. Not just to open the year. Might Silver Creek: 2010 (*2010) one of them, but several.” decide the regular season *Last Sectional Title crown.

3. Randolph — The 2011 Standings always-steady Cardinals should be right in the Class D Div All thick of things again beMaple Grove 5-0 9-1 hind head coach Pat Slater, Randolph Frewsburg Silver Creek Portville I-Prep

4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

5-3 7-3 4-4 3-6 0-8

INTERESTED IN WRITING STORIES ABOUT SPORTS?

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Maple Grove defeated Frewsburg in last year’s Class D championship seen here at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Oliver Simpson (No. 21) and the departed John Nickerson were a solid 1-2 combo last year for the Red Dragons. But with Nickerson’s graduation, Simpson will spearhead the Maple Grove offense this year. (Photo by Dave Ahlstrom)

entering his 33rd season.

The offense struggled in three of their last four games, losing each, which for all intents and purposes, was their demise.

And, with only two starters back on that side of the ball, that should be Randolph’s biggest weakness. But, the defense will be just as strong as it usually is. Perhaps a sleeper if you could ever consider Randolph one.

4. Frewsburg — The Bears went into 2011 overlooked by many. With the three aforementioned schools figuring to be at the top, not many looked at Frewsburg’s senior class and saw a team that could win the league. But after picking themselves up after a heartbreaking opening game loss, the Bears put up tremendous offensive numbers and came within a touchdown of beating then-undefeated Maple Grove in the championship. They do lose a lot of talent, but it’s hard to overlook Terry Gray’s squad, especially with pos-

sible All-WNY running back Devone Adelgren back in the fold.

5. Chautauqua Lake — Something tells me the Thunderbirds won’t shy away from the increased competition that awaits them this year. The encouraging part for them is that they have their three most winnable games to start the year with two at home. And don’t forget this team isn’t exactly unfamiliar with their foes, either. They went 5-2 in league play two years ago in D ball and even beat Portville on the road in the playoffs.

6. Portville — The Panthers made the semifinals a year ago and behind head coach Gary Swetland in his 21st season, Portville can never be overlooked. But, they do lose quarterback Colt Lowe who trailed only Jim Kelly’s nephew Chad Kelly (St. Joe’s, going to Clemson) in passing yardage in WNY. Running back Zach Pilger will be the key to

offense this season.

7. Catt/Little Valley — They’re probably a bigger X-factor than Chautauqua Lake considering the Timberwolves struggled in C ball last year. Granted, C is much better than DD, but Catt/ LV was just OK last season and didn’t fare too well against this competition two years ago, either. They do get I-Prep at home, which is why I think they avoid the basement.

8. International Prep at Grover Cleveland — It was a tough transition year for the Presidents joining Class D. They went 0-8 and couldn’t really keep anyone too close in league play, but they’re certainly on the minds of rival coaches. They’ll be able to stack up athletes with any other school in the league too. Getting off to a good start to help this team’s psyche might be huge considering the winless season a year ago.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Chautauqua Lake Thunderbirds

With each new school year, Section VI — like all its counterparts in New York State — is faced with the difficult task of reclasteam Facts sifying teams. This past Class: D year, Chautauqua Lake Coach: Dan Greco had the option sticking in Class DD for football, or 11 Record: 9-0 (7-0 DD) making the move up to 11 Finish: Won DD Class D. Championship The choice for ChautauKey Returning Players: OL/ qua Lake wasn’t easy to LB Chandler Baker (Soph.), say the least. On one hand, RB/DB Jeremiah Russin (Sr.) OL/DL Anthony Pezzulo (Sr.), Class D offers the opporOL/DL Andrew Pezzulo (Sr.), tunity to play your way WR/DB Cody Thomas (Sr.). into the state tournament.

Along with it comes bigger and better competition.

In Class DD — which was re-created last year for all 2012 Schedule of the small schools in the Wk. Date Opponent Chautauqua and Catta1 8/31 @ I-Prep/Grover* raugus area — seven very similar sized programs to 2 9/7 Portville* 3 9/14 Catt/Little Valley* Chautauqua Lake reside.

But after blowing teams 4 9/21 Maple Grove* out each and every week 5 9/28 @ Frewsburg* by a combined score of 6 10/5 Randolph* 291-38 en route to a per7 10/12 @ Silver Creek* fect 9-0 season, it was time to try it out.

“I told our board of directors that Section VI’s Class 2011 Season D is probably the toughest in the state,” athletic direcWk. result Opponent tor Josh Liddell said. “It 1 W 22-6 @ Ellicottville* will be a good challenge 2 W 45-6 Franklinville* for us.”

3 W 47-0 @ Forestville* But not an impossible one.

4 W 30-6 Clymer* Chautauqua Lake is well 5 W 44-7 @ Pine Valley* familiar with the big guns of Class D. Back in 2010 6 W 27-13 @ Panama* — its last year in Class D 7 W 40-0 Sherman/ when the league featured Ripley* two divisions of eight Sectional Semi Finals teams each — the ThunW 22-0 Ellicottville derbirds went 6-3 and lost SEctional Finals in the sectional semifinal W 14-0 Clymer to Silver Creek. Along the way, they beat fellow member Portville in the * League Game playoffs and also played traditional power Maple Grove tough, losing 14-6.

But as Liddell and head coach Dan Greco noted,

Class D is strong from top to bottom. And with a full eight-team league, all seven games will be against bigger schools. No more cupcakes.

“It’s an enormous challenge for all of us,” Greco said. “The level of competition in DD was good.

But now we’re going to face some of the best Class D teams in the state. Not just one, but several. The challenge is there and the kids, we’re all looking forward to it, but it’s going to be difficult.”

Difficult certainly, but Chautauqua Lake can ease into the schedule a little bit. They open with I-Prep (Grover Cleveland in Buffalo) before back-to-back home games with Portville and Catt/Little Valley. The final four game stretch, though, is a little daunting.

In order, they’ll play defending sectional champ Maple Grove, runner-up Frewsburg, traditional power Randolph and end with Silver Creek.

But, don’t expect this team to be in awe of better competition. Some of these players were on the team two years ago and are no strangers to the powers of

Class D. “The divisions were split back then, but our only losses were to Maple Grove and Silver Creek,” Greco said. “A couple of our seniors played on that 2010 team, but the rest of them, this level of competition is going to be new to them.”

One player who isn’t used to this competition, but is more than ready for the move, is sophomore Chandler Baker. Last year, Baker compiled one of the finest seasons ever seen by a freshman in this area. He led the team with 95 tackles and earned a spot on the all-state second team for Class D (there was not a statewide Class DD).

“He had a tremendous freshman season,” Greco said. “We put him in a position where we thought he would be most successful. But he has such a great work ethic that it’s hard not to put the kid in a position to be successful.

“But he’s grown considerable,” Greco continued.

“He has worked from the day after the football season ended last year and worked for nothing but for

this upcoming season.”

But it’s not just Baker that gives this team a strong future. Greco was quick to point to fellow sophomores that will help this team a lot this year.

“We have four or five sophomores that are going to be contributors for this team,” he said. “A.J. Hulton was a big asset for us last year and will be even more so this year. Ryan Miller comes up from the jayvees as a halfback and he would have seen time at the varsity level if we weren’t so loaded there.”

But it’s not just young kids. Seniors Andrew and Anthony Pezzulo will anchor the lines with versatile Jeremiah Russin doing a bit of everything on offense.

“The Pezzulo’s have been starters since they were in ninth grade,” Greco said. “We have at least four seniors on this team that were starters or big contributors to that 2010 team that made it to the sectional semifinals.”

Certainly 2012 will be a transition year for Chautauqua Lake, but they represent an interesting

15

X-factor in Class D this year as a team that hasn’t lost since that sectional semifinal two years ago.

“All we talk about is getting better at what we do,” Greco said. “And that’s how we approach every day. There’s no looking ahead for us. We can’t afford to do that. We just get better day-by-day and see how competitive we can be against some of the best Class D competition in the state.”

Outlook: What Chautauqua Lake did last year was so impressive, it’s hard to put into words. No team came within two touchdowns of them, but at the same time, no team has the size or depth of teams that the Thunderbirds will face this year.

Which is why it’s hard to get a really good read on them. Coach Greco knows he has his work cut out for him and he’s preparing his players as much as he can.

Winning the league might not be a real possibility, but this team does have the ability to challenge everyone.

Making it more of a question mark, Catt/Little Valley is just as big of an unknown (being new to the league) and I-Prep could be much more adjusted to this league (in their second year). So, it’s hard to place these guys.

Class D is probably two tiers of four and with each of those top-tier teams coming in Chautauqua Lake’s last four games, they’ll need to get off to a good start. Keeping their trenches healthy might be the biggest factor, too.

16

August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Underrated heading into 2011, the Frewsburg Bears came within a touchdown of upsetting then-undefeated Maple Grove in the team Facts sectional championship Class: D at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Coach: Terry Gray Not bad for a team considered to be an after11 Record: 7-3 (3-2) thought in the revamped 11 Finish: Lost in D Final Class D last year.

Key Returning Players: (RB/ Sustaining that success DB) Devone Adelgren (Sr.), and replacing one of the OL/DL Jacob Caldwell (Sr.), most athletic classes in P Robbie Stearns (Sr.), OL/ Frewsburg history in the DL Tage Johnson (Jr.), OL/ DL Zach Haller (Soph.) QB/DB next big step for head Nick Munella (Sr.) coach Terry Gray.

Gone are Thad Johnson, Nick Mitchell, Preston Wiltsie, Dalton Peterson, 2012 Schedule Chad Intihar and others.

Of note, Johnson, who Wk. Date Opponent went on to play baseball 1 8/31 Randolph* at St. Bonaventure, ran 2 9/7 @ I-Prep* for 1,743 yards and 19 3 9/14 @ Portville* touchdowns. Mitchell led the team with 141 tackles 4 9/21 @ Catt/Little and 7.5 sacks. Just about Valley* everywhere, Frewsburg 5 9/28 Chautauqua is losing a cast of talLake* ented players who put up 6 10/5 Silver Creek* huge numbers.

7 10/12 @ Maple But, while Frewsburg may Grove* have been hit the hardest, graduation is nothing new to any high school coach.

And not many high 2011 Season school coaches can have a 1,000-yard rusher coming Wk. result Opponent back with an experience 1 L 27-25 @ Randolph* senior quarterback lead2 W 52-16 Nichols ing the offense. Gray has 3 W 49-26 Portville* just that in 2012.

4 W 41-6 I-Prep* Senior Devone Adelgren ran for 948 yards and 13 5 W 50-12 O’Hara touchdowns and even 6 L 28-14 @ Maple missed the season opener Grove* against Randolph. He 7 W 27-6 @ Silver Creek* averaged a ridiculous sectional Quarter Finals 14 yards per carry as a W 41-0 I-Prep second option to Johnson and appears to be more sectional Semi Finals W 38-24 @ Randolph than ready to be the main guy in the Bears backfield Sectional Finals this season. His 306-yard, L 34-26 Maple Grove four-touchdown performance against Portville * League Game

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Frewsburg Bears

ranked as one of the top performances in all of WNY last year.

Although Gray’s offense relies on versatility and deception, having Adelgren to rely on early gives Frewsburg a huge leg up on the competition. But, having senior quarterback Nick Munella leading the offense is just as important.

Munella, a captain, will take over for Wiltsie, but Frewsburg’s offense often has a few guys on the field who can — and will — throw the ball. Johnson, for example, threw almost as many passes as Wiltsie last year anyhow.

Granted, Munella rarely played last year, but did get some game experience and is well familiar with the system.

Protecting him and clearing space for Adelgren will fall on the shoulders of seniors Austin Lynn and Jacob and Pat Caldwell.

Lynn’s probably the most important returnee considering his experience. Defensively, he’s the team’s second-leading returning tackler and also had 3.5 sacks. For a team that lost a lot in its front seven or eight, Lynn should be a key cog for them in 2012.

The Caldwell’s didn’t play much on the defensive side of the ball last year, but certainly will this year.

Frewsburg loses its top six tacklers and eight of its top 12. It will be their turn to carry the torch, and with both being named captains, it speaks to how much Gray expects fro those two this year.

Then there are the Haller’s.

Cody, a senior, will play

tight end but is just as important of a piece to the line as any. It will be interesting to see how he’s used in the passing game considering Frewsburg lost 93 percent of its receptions (52 of 56) last year to graduation. Cody had two receptions and works well with Munella.

His younger brother Zach, a sophomore, is the team’s leading returning tackler and will play on both sides of the line. He’s one of the top underclassmen in Class D. Frewsburg appears to have a foundation for the offensive line and with Adelgren running the ball, scoring probably isn’t the worry. As is, Frewsburg led Class D in points scored last year, averaging 36 per game.

Only six teams in the entire state (for Class D) scored more than their 363 in 2011. While they’ll have a tough time matching those numbers, they should still be more than fine offensively.

So, defensively is where most the questions marks loom for the Bears.

Replacing a lot of surehanded tacklers is never easy, but Cody Haller and fellow senior Nick Fardink are the next in line at linebacker. Cody had 6.5 sacks from the outside position and figures to be one of the tops in the league in the category again. Fardink is a good bet to lead the team in tackles and would have been last year had it not been for being buried on the depth chart last year.

Also back for Frewsburg is Robbie Stearns, a punter who should get

2012 frewsburg Football Roster No. 3 4 8 9 11 15 17 21 28 31 32 33 37 42 47 51 54 55 58 61 62 66 68 71 77 79

Name Garrett Steele Christian Proctor Kevin Rogers Josh Nelson Nick Munella Brady Collver Robbie Stearns Bryce Peterson Jordan Ingerson Devone Adelgren Cody Haller Mike Szczublewski Dyllan Ownbey Nick Long Nick Fardink Jacob Caldwell Austin Lynn Tyler Pearson Matt Hair Steve Haag Pat Caldwell Scott Cappadonia Chris Herndon Colin Anderson Zach Haller Tage Johnson

Pos. SE, LB QB, RB, DB SE, RB, S DB, SE QB, DB QB, LB RB, SE, LB SE, RB, DB RB, DB RB, DB TE, LB RB, LB RB, LB OL, RB, LB RB, LB OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL

Yr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr.

Teams without photos did not take one in time for publication

some kicking duties this year as well. He averaged a ridiculous 42.5 yards per punt last year and a second team all-state selection because of it.

It’s rare when a team can boast that type of ability at this level and Stearns gives this team an opportunity to win the field position battle more times than not.

Outlook: You never know what to expect from Class D, but it’s hard to push Frewsburg away considering last season. Granted, they lost a lot of players, but they were the only team to keep Maple Grove even relatively close — and they almost beat them in the championship.

Most outsiders such as

myself will tell you it’s a four-team race in Class D with Maple Grove having the upper hand heading into the season. But any of these four are more than capable to win the championship. For Frewsburg to win its first sectional championship in almost 20 years (1993), they need to get their defense to prove they can get some stops when they need it late in games. Frewsburg’s offense won’t struggle or anything, but the 40-plus point barrages might not happen as often this year.

The opener with Randolph will be crucial. Four winnable games follow before the final two with Silver Creek and Maple Grove. Division title could be decided there.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

Maple Grove Red Dragons

Perhaps the most consistent program in all of Chautauqua County over the last decade, the Red Dragons are coming off team Facts another season with a Class: D sectional title and a whole Coach: Curt Fischer load of victories. A perfect season ended somewhat 11 Record: 9-1 (5-0) unexpectedly when Maple 11 Finish: Lost in State Grove lost in the far west Quarterfinal regional against LetchKey Returning Players: RB/ worth 30-14.

DB Oliver Simpson (Sr.), OL/ But still, a 9-1 season DL Jon Scroxton (Sr.), OL/DL Lee Wascher (Sr.), OL/DL Mike was just about par for Burns (Sr.), OL/DL Jake Swan the course lately for head (Sr.), RB/DB Jeff Tampe (Sr.), coach Curt Fischer who QB Aaron Germain (Sr.) enters his 21st year. In fact, over the last six years, Maple Grove is 55-7 and has gone on to play at 2012 Schedule Ralph Wilson Stadium four times, winning twice.

Wk. Date Opponent 1 8/31 @ Silver Creek* But it’s a new year in 2012, one that loses two 2 9/7 @ Catt/Little of the best players in Valley* school history in John 3 9/14 Randolph* Nickerson and Alex 4 9/21 @ Chautauqua Grace. Both All-WNYers, Lake* Nickerson finished with an astounding 147 tackles 5 9/28 I-Prep* defensively. Mostly used 6 10/5 @ Portville* as a bruising fullback on 7 10/12 Frewsburg* offense, he ran for 461 yards and nine scores.

Meanwhile, Grace turned in one of the most ef2011 Season ficient seasons out of a quarterback seen in reWk. result Opponent cent memory, completing 1 W 36-0 Portville* 65 percent of his passes 2 W 38-12 @ I-Prep* while finishing with 3 W 49-0 Nichols 1,181 yards passing and 14 touchdowns versus 4 W 34-14 Silver Creek* just four interceptions.

5 W 36-6 @ Randolph* He also intercepted three 6 W 28-14 Frewsburg* passes on defense.

7 W 21-0 @ Westfield/ Other valuable pieces Brocton such as receiver Skyler Sectional Semi Finals Liddell, linebacker Matt W 28-0 Portville Fowler and kicker Jason Pembridge will also be Sectional Finals tough to replace.

W 34-26 Frewsburg But that’s the nature of the State Quarter Finals L 30-14 Letchworth game for every school, and for Maple Grove, it’s become tradition to do so. * League Game

Photo by Dave Ahlstrom/Maple Grove Athletics)

Key among the returnees is senior running back Oliver Simpson. Simpson led the team with 882 yards despite splitting carries with Nickerson, and averaged nearly 10 yards per carry. He’ll have a strong workload this season and is a huge factor into their success this season.

Replacing Grace meanwhile will be an even bigger factor. Aaron Germain is the guy, but he doesn’t have much varsity experience. Fellow senior Chris Jones could also possibly play the position, but his versatility will be needed elsewhere on the offense.

The good news is, Ger-

main will have one of the best running backs in the league to hand the ball off to. The even better news is he’ll have one of the best lines in front of him when he does drop to back pass.

That unit is led by guard Jon Scroxton. The senior finished third in the team in tackles and also did a wonderful job anchoring the offensive line. He’ll be joined by returning starters Lee Wascher and Jake Swan who should both be in the running for first team all-league selections along with Scroxton.

Adding to the embarrassment of riches are seniors Mike Burns and Matt Golombek, which gives Maple Grove hands down

the best line in the entire county and maybe even Western New York. Burns was second on the team with five sacks.

The biggest X-factor, at least offensively will be Jeff Tampe. He’s already a standout defensively after finishing second on the team in tackles with 70.

But offensively, he largely went unused. He actually caught more passes (five) than he received carries (two), but Tampe might be used in the backfield along side Simpson. Finding enough depth and balance offensively is always a struggle for coaches early in the season and will see what Fischer decides to do with him.

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Schedule wise, it doesn’t get more important than their opening game at Silver Creek. Maple Grove has been dealt the difficult league schedule with four road games versus three home games, but the first one with the Black Knights could go a long way in determining the regular season crown. Now, since all eight teams make the playoffs, you might think that game isn’t necessarily important. But, playoff seeding is and each team wants to avoid playing on the road at all times.

Plus, a loss in that game would likely boost Silver Creek’s ego considering they suffered one of their worst years in recent memory last season.

Besides that, the schedule isn’t too bad. They get Randolph and Frewsburg at home and you’d be hard pressed to see Maple Grove losing any of their other road games.

Outlook: This league actually tends to have more skilled players than linemen and with Maple Grove’s ridiculously good line, you have to like them to be able to be in position to repeat last year’s success. I can only see them losing that opening game with Silver Creek and even if they do, I think they’ll be fine going forward.

Keeping Oliver Simpson healthy is a key. Finding offensive balance is another one. But for the most part, they’re pretty sound heading into the season at least. Anything less than a trip to the sectional championship would be a major surprise to me.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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Silver Creek Black Knights

team Facts Class: D Coach: Sean Helmer 11 Record: 4-4 (2-3) 11 Finish: Lost in D Quarterfinal Key Returning Players: RB/ LB Zeddie Williams (Sr.), RB/ LB Anthony Morales (Sr.), OL/ DL Tyson Brown (Sr.), RB/DB Tyler Bain (Sr.), WR/DB Zack Klisiewicz (Sr.), WR/CB Steve Marcey (Sr.)

2012 Schedule Wk. 1 2 3 4 5

Date 8/31 9/7 9/15 9/21 9/28

6 7

10/5 10/12

Opponent Maple Grove* @ Randolph* @ I-Prep* Portville* @ Catt/Little Valley* @ Frewsburg Chautauqua Lake*

2011 Season Wk. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

result W 35-14 W 41-28 L 40-21 L 34-14

Opponent @ Dunkirk @ Portville* Randolph* @ Maple Grove* W 27-6 I-Prep* W 20-14 St. Mary's W 27-6 Frewsburg*

Sectional Quarter Finals L 32-6 Portville * League Game

It was a rude welcoming to the new Class D for Silver Creek last year. One year after going 11-1 with a sectional championship, the Black Knights limped through an injury-plagued season and finished 4-4 with a disappointing loss to Portville in the first round of the playoffs.

With a strong returning core of players, though, their stay at the bottom might be short lived.

“This group that we have this year is probably more athletic than we’ve ever had,” head coach Sean Helmer said. “So I think it really balances us. There’s a lot of athletes offensively and defensively and that just makes it more difficult to defend.”

Perhaps most important in the fold is three-sport star senior Zeddie Williams.

A top recruit nation-wide for lacrosse, Williams’ pure athleticism makes him one of the tougher player to tackle that most teams will find. Williams was a first team all-state selection despite — by most accounts — not having as good of a year as he could have. He’ll play some fullback and is also one of the key pieces defensively as a linebacker.

“He’s an amazing kid,” Helmer said. “Besides being a Division 1 athlete, he’s a great kid and does the all right things. I think this year will be more of a fun year for him once he makes a decision on where he’s going to college and it will be a bit of a relief for him because he can just play. But you get lucky to be able to work with a kid like him.”

But Silver Creek’s promising season rests on a lot more than just Zeddie this year. Senior running backs

Anthony Morales and Tyler Bain give the Black Knights arguably the deepest backfield in the county and senior wide receivers Steve Marcey and Zack Klisiewicz is just as good of a 1-2 combo out wide.

Even Zeddie’s younger brother Sherman, a sophomore, will likely step in to an already crowded backfield and contribute.

“Morales got hurt for us last year and he was a starter,” Helmer said. “Sherman will be the fullback and Zeddie will move around.

Zack’s a three-year starter and we’ll move him a little bit. And Marcey I think is going to have a great year.

We have legitimate five or six athletes who can play for anybody. If we can fill in around those guys, we’ll be smiling.”

The line may have been hit the most, though. The biggest shoes to fill — literally and figuratively — will be captains Andrew Stockman and Kevin Rocque who manned both sides of the line for the Black Knight. And if Silver Creek is going to have a good year, they’ll have to get solid line play.

Two big solutions to that are returning seniors Tyson Brown and Steve Quinn, who have caught Helmer’s eye early on in practice.

“I think Brown has had a great couple of days,” Helmer said midway through the first week of practice.

“He’s a three-year varsity kid and really will be looking to come into his own on the offensive line. Him and Steve Quinn to try to lead that group.”

Silver Creek also lost quarterback and safety John Jimerson, another quality

leader of the program for the past few years.

“It’s amazing,” Helmer said. “If you have a ton of ability and no leadership, you just don’t win as many games as you should… the guys that we lost last year had been in our program since seventh grade. You never replace them and you hope that some of the younger guys learned some things from them.”

The biggest worry for Helmer, though, was depth he said. While Silver Creek may have a stable of skill position players, it certainly has some question marks at quarterback and on the line.

Even with the athletes they have, those questions can’t go unanswered.

“The thing you always have to worry about with Class D football is depth,” Helmer said. “And most of us have very little experience with depth players. So a lot of times, you worry about injuries. Other than that, it’s the unknown.”

And of course, Class D might be harder than ever. One year after most coaches admitted it was the toughest D in the state, the league somehow got even harder. The league moved up to eight teams — thus removing any non-league games from the schedule — by adding 9-0 Chautauqua Lake from DD and 4-5 Catt/Little Valley from C, who won the Chuck Funke consolation bracket up in C’s.

“I think it’s just like last year, except probably better,” Helmer said. “You don’t have a rest period with non-league. It’s probably the best league in the state. You have to be ready

2012 silver creek Football Roster No. 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 13 18 20 21 23 28 30 50 52 54 55 56 58 60 62 64 65 70 72 79

Name Bryce Plecker Sherman Williams Andrew Gorka Zed Williams Kaine Kettle Frank Wolfe Nick Iskra Jacob Lewis Phillip Jones Tyler Bain Zach Klisiewicz Steven Marcey Craig Gilbert Anthony Morales Mike Miller Guy Capitano Tony Strong Chris Gowan Tyson Brown Marvin Curry David Page Tim Manning Nate Jones Kyle Smith Trenton Love Tyler Tulipane Steven Quinn

Pos. SE FB QB HB HB HB QB SE SE HB SE SE FB HB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL

Yr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

Teams without photos did not take one in time for publication

to play and the good thing is, our kids know that.”

But don’t feel sorry for them or anybody else in Class D. Helmer and his team welcomes the challenge.

“I want our kids to want beat the best,” he said. “I don’t want them to want to just know they don’t have to work hard. I think that helps build character and I think those are life lessons. Anything worth doing, you do right.”

Outlook: There’s a lot to like about Silver Creek this year and there’s no doubt they’ll be much better than last year’s 4-4 team.

But how much better?

Just as you mention with any high school football team, but if Silver Creek is healthy

this year, they should be able to push Maple Grove for a league title. Of course that means the league favorite will be decided in Week 1, with Maple Grove visiting Silver Creek on the opening day of the season. But, matching up with the much larger Red Dragons is an obvious concern.

Silver Creek can probably boast the best athlete in the group with Zeddie Williams. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least bit to see Zeddie have a monstrous offensive season that pushed him near 1,500 yards. If he does that, Silver Creek might just be the team to beat in Class D this year. Either way, I think they’re ticketed for Ralph Wilson Stadium.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

2012 Predicted Order of Finish Class DD 1. Clymer 1. Panama 1. Sherman 4. Ellicottville 5. Franklinville 6. Pine Valley 7. Forestville 2012 playoff format: Top four seeds qualify. Bottom three play for consolation.

Championship: Ralph Wilson Stadium — 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3.

Race to the Ralph: Last Sectional Final Clymer: 2011 (*2002) Ellicottville: 2005 (*1991) Forestville: Never Franklinville: 1992 (*1992) Panama: 1984 (*1981) Pine Valley: 1998 (*1995) Sherman/Ripley: Never *Last Sectional Title

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Class DD Preview

2011 Standings Class D Div All Chaut Lake* 7-0 9-0 Panama 5-2 5-3 Clymer 4-3 5-4 Ellicottville 4-3 4-4 Sherman 4-3 6-3 Franklinville 3-4 4-5 Forestville 1-6 1-7 Pine Valley 0-7 0-8 * Chaut Lake moved up to Class D

Playoff Results Semifinals (1) Chautauqua Lake 22, (4) Ellicottville 0 (3) Clymer 38, (2) Panama 6 Championship (1) Chautauqua Lake 14, (3) Clymer 0

Quotes Pine Valley coach Chris Buczek: “I like to think it’s more wide open without Chautauqua Lake, but I can’t believe Clymer isn’t the talk of the town. Dan Lictus, he’s just a big human being. But the toughest thing about him is he’s a great athlete. He’s not just some slug out there. With him, he’s the separation and is why they have to be No. 1. But Sherman is a tough bunch of kids. Panama has tough athletic kids. It’s a good league.”

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Class DD 1. Clymer — Perhaps it’s a copout, but Class DD is wide open and extremely tight at the top. With the top three teams trading home and road games against each other, a threeway tie for the division crown is possible. The tiebreaker would be point differential and since I think Clymer might have the edge overall, we’ll give them the tiebreak. They lose some talent, most notably Ryan Phelps who ran for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. While replacing him won’t be easy, lineman Dan Lictus can pave the way better than anyone and Jake Wiggers looks like the next guy in line to take the carries.

1. Panama —It’s just as fair to give Panama the top spot, but overall, I think Lictus is the difference maker for Clymer. The Panthers were the clearcut second best team in the regular season, but lost in that semifinal to the Pirates. Losing Nick Lenart and Tyler and Andrea Marsh are tough to handle, but they’re deserving of this nod. Also had the best JV team in the league last year. Should come in handy in 2012.

1. Sherman — While the other two may have come down a little, Sherman is on the way up and is the dark horse in 2012. They have just as good of a line as anyone and have a stellar young quarterback in junior Andrew Graham.

They have one of the bigger teams in the league as well. The home game with Clymer to open the season is the biggest game on the

The Forestville seniors Cody Jackson, Nate Maines, Adam Pleva and Robert Hooper look to rectify last year's disappointing 1-7 season in their final years at Forestville. (Scott Hazelton/Forestville Athletic Department)

league schedule and might just turn things upside down in a hurry.

4. Ellicottville — The Eagles won a tiebreak over Sherman for the fourth and final spot last year and should have enough to return to the playoffs. It’s hard to necessarily count them out of the league race as well and is certainly more than capable of beating anyone in this league.

5. Franklinville — The Panthers could have made the playoffs last season had they beat Clymer on the final game of the year, but lost 34-0 to the Pirates

to dump them under .500. Returning first team all-league lineman Carl Ratzel will anchor both sides and ensures that they can match up with the top teams of the league.

6. Pine Valley — The Panthers were an interesting case last year. They had a solid 2010 campaign, going 4-4 and really beating up on all opponents (outscoring Franklinville, Forestville and Ellicottville 125-0) that would join them in DD in 2011. But, they struggled mightily, going 0-8 and really falling apart after two close losses to start the year. They lose

a ton of starters on both sides of the ball as well, but have nowhere to go but up.

The Week 5 game against Forestville will be a key.

7. Forestville — The Hornets had a tough time with just about everybody in the league last year except for their lone win against Pine Valley. But they did come on at the end of the year, forcing close games and lost to Franklinville 13-12 in the consolation semifinal. Running back Nate Maines could break out and have one of the better years in the league.

If he does, Forestville could turn some heads.

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Ten years ago, Clymer claimed the sectional title behind star running back Jehuu Caulcrick.

Now in 2012, the Pirates team Facts might just have the team Class: DD to claim back the title a Coach: Marc Heiser year after falling short in the championship game.

11 Record: 5-4 (4-3) Part of the intrigue rests 11 Finish: Lost in DD Final upon seniors Dan Lictus Key Returning Players: OL/ and Tom Heiser. Lictus, DL Dan Lictus (Sr.), FB/LB Tom Heiser (Sr.), RB/DB Jake a returning all-state selection in Class D (no Wiggers (Jr.), RB/LB Connor Payne (Sr.), TE/LB Mitch statewide Class DD) is Einink (Jr.) a potential All WNY-er while anchoring the line of scrimmage for Clymer.

Heiser is a blocking fullback who helped pave 2012 Schedule the way for Ryan Phelps’ Wk. Date Opponent 1,200-yard season a year th 1 9/1 @ Sherman/ ago. l, but Ripley* But Phelps is gone and ut up. 2 9/8 Ellicottville/ so too is quarterback inst West Valley* Justin White and lone y.

3 9/14 @ Franklinville* receiving threat Adam Hor- 4 9/22 Walker. Walker caught Forestville* e with 18 of the 300 receptions Panama* in 5 9/29 for Clymer and also both @ Pine Valley* touchdowns. xcept 6 10/5 inst 7 10/13 Cassadaga That might leave a hole did Valley(C-S) in the skill positions f the for Clymer, but with all mes things considered, they lle might have the best line ion 2011 Season on both sides of the ack ball and that’s not just eak Wk. result Opponent because of Lictus. And he 1 W 46-24 at Forestville* if Clymer can get as gue. 2 L 33-22 @ Panama* good of blocking as they did last year, there’s no 3 W 42-0 Pine Valley* ds.

4 L 30-6 @ Chautauqua reason to think they can’t duplicate Phelps’ numLake* bers.

5 L 22-12 Sherman/ Option No. 1 is junior Ripley* 6 7

W 18-0 @ Ellicottville/ West Valley* W 34-0 Franklinville*

Sectional Semi Finals W 38-6 at Panama Sectional Finals L 14-0 Chautauqua Lake * League Game

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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CLYMER PIrates

Jake Wiggers, who quietly had a nice season himself, running for 654 and seven touchdowns despite being the second guy. Wiggers poured it on against Franklinville last year, going for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He seems more than capable to fill in for Phelps and solve a majority of the offensive questions for the Pirates.

But the offensive balance is the biggest question mark for Clymer, although that is probably a problem most coaches would gladly accept as it’s biggest. Junior Matt DeStevens has some experience at quarterback and is probably the next guy in, but only Heiser and Wiggers caught passes last season for Clymer. If they can manage to find a way to get production from other parts of the offense, the Pirates figure to be at the forefront fighting for a league championship.

But a lot does rely on Lictus — who led the team with 80 tackles as a nose tackle — and the line. He is probably the most dominating player in the league, but the senior class is full of interior linemen that gives head coach Marc Heiser plenty of depth. They have four guys who will see plenty of playing time

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on both sides of the line.

As luck would have it, we’ll find a whole lot out about the DD race when Clymer and Sherman square off in Sherman in Week 1. Right now, it looks like some combination of those two schools and Panama will be fighting it out for the DD championship. Clymer lost 22-12 last year when hosting Sherman, but saw their season turn around immediately after. The loss dropped them 2-3, but back-toback wins jumped them into the playoffs and another win on the road at Panama pushed them back to Ralph Wilson Stadium and into the DD championship.

The good news for Clymer is the other two big games on the schedule come at home. Ellicottville, a playoff team from a year ago, visits in Week 2, and Panama comes to town in Week 5. Clymer couldn’t figure out the Panthers early in the year last year and it cost them home field in the playoff game. But, Clymer did get the last laugh of course at the end of the year in the semifinals.

They wrap up their league schedule in Week 6 with Pine Valley. But what that means is might just make for a juicy Week 7 of scoreboard watching to see how the rest of the league plays out. With Chautauqua Lake moving up to Class D, only seven teams are left in DD. That means one team each week won’t be playing a league game and Clymer, for better or for worse, gets that distinction in the

2012 clymer Football Roster No. 2 10 11 20 21 22 23 30 31 41 42 43 51 61 62 63 64 65 66 70 71 73 74 75 80 82

Name Matt DeStevens Tom Heiser Jake Wiggers Murphy Mulkearn Brandon Moreash Garrett McAfoose Steve Svetz Adam Einink Dylan Neckers Connor Payne Mitch Einink Denton Holthouse Jeremy Bayle Rich Resta Andrew Heil Dan Lictus (C) Evan Legters Caleb Clark Justin Lyle Austin Cramer Chris Keppel Jared Heiser David Holmstrom Chris Keppel Jared Dunnewold Zach Blakeslee

Pos. QB, DB FB, LB RB, DB WR, S QB, DB RB, DB WR, CB TE, LB QB, S RB, LB TE, LB TE, DB OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL OL, NG OL, DL OL, DT OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL C, DL OL, DL OL, DL TE, DL WR, CB

Yr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr.

Teams without photos did not take one in time for publication

last week of the year.

Outlook: There are really good lines across DD, but Clymer probably have the best. What might make or break their season is how much offense they can generate outside of Wiggers. He should be more than fine taking over full time, but Sherman and Panama have quality defenses that will certainly key in on the junior running back.

However, with such a quality player in Lictus in his final season, you would have to think anything less than returning back to Ralph Wilson

Stadium would be a disappointment. Again, we don’t know exactly what to expect with DD this year with the league’s best team moving on, but there seems to be a clear-cut top three. If Clymer can come out of those games with a split and take care of business elsewhere, they’ll be in good position come playoff time.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

It should be an interesting year for the 2012 Forestville Hornets. After last year’s 1-7 finish, Forestville has a young team Facts group looking to put Class: DD something together to Coach: Scot Greenough build on in the upcoming years.

11 Record: 1-7 (1-6) Young indeed, though.

11 Finish: Lost in DD Consolation Semfinal No team may be younger as the Hornets have just Key Returning Players: RB/ DB Nate Maines (Sr.), WR/DB four seniors and four Adam Pleva (Sr.), OL/DL Cody juniors. And with just Jackson (Sr.), RB/LB Jake 23 players on the roster, Nosbisch (Jr.), QB/S Ryan 17th year head coach Forbes (Soph.)

Scot Greenough has his work cut out for him.

But the seniors they do have are nice places 2012 Schedule to start. Senior running back Nate Maines Wk. Date Opponent might be one of the best 1 8/31 @ Ellicottville/ in the league. He ran West Valley* for 546 yards and two 2 9/7 @ Franklinville* touchdowns last year 3 9/15 Panama and should see a bigger workload this year. His 4 9/22 @ Clymer* lead blocker Joe Cac5 9/29 Pine Valley* camise graduated, but 6 10/5 @ Westfield/ Maines will see addiBrocton (C-S) tional carries because of 7 10/13 Sherman/ it and gives Forestville Ripley* a chance to move the chains every time he touches the ball.

Clearing his way are se2011 Season niors Cody Jackson and Wk. result Opponent Robert Hooper. If For1 L 46-24 Clymer* estville can rely on expe2 W 28-13 @ Pine Valley* rience at one position, it is the line. Jackson and 3 L 47-0 Chautauqua Hooper, both over 6-feet Lake* and 200 pounds give 4 L 28-6 @ Sherman/ Forestville enough size Ripley* up front. Juniors Dylan 5 L 18-6 Ellicottville/ Powers and Ryan Ruia, West Valley* along with a group of 6 L 31-16 Franklinville* sophomores have seen playing time and should 7 L 20-0 @ Panama* be a better unit overall. consolation Finals Finding ways to move L 13-12 @ Franklinville the ball outside of Maines is the biggest task * League Game at hand. Junior Jake Nosbisch played quarterback but he’s listed as a running back as Greenough

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Forestville Hornets

looks to maximize use of skill players. Nosbisch threw for 300 yards, ran for 46 in minimal designed runs and combined for five touchdowns. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Nosbisch still throw the ball at times this season, but get enough carries to give opposing defenses something to worry about besides Maines.

That’s because Forestville lost its best all-around player in Nate Stott, who played a little bit of everything last year for the Hornets. He caught 10 passes for 253 yards, ran for 135 and even threw for 95 yards on 11-of-28 passing. His role looks like it could be passed on to Nosbisch, who will

become the all-purpose guy on the offense for the Hornets.

That leaves the starting quarterback role with either sophomore Ryan Forbes or freshman Brad Dillenburg, with Forbes the frontrunner. He saw some action last year under center as just a freshman and might just have the keys to the offense for the foreseeable future.

His top target is senior Adam Pleva who caught seven passes last year.

Pleva gives the team some experience outside, but is probably more important on the defensive side of the ball where he anchors the secondary.

Caleb Makush is the

tight end. He caught a pass last year, but the sophomore will be counted on for his blocking. Makush also intercepted the only pass for Forestville last year and is a nice building block for the Hornets on defense, which actually did pretty well in a handful of games last year.

Forestville kept teams at 20 points or less in half of their games and could be better this year with a solid group of linebackers of Maines, Nosbisch and Dylan Szumigala.

The Hornets open the year with Ellicottville on the road, a team they lost to 18-6 last year.

They’re back on the road in a pivotal Week 2 game with Franklinville, a

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team than finished just above Forestville in the standings and which also swept the Hornets, including a tough 13-12 loss in the consolation bowl semifinals.

Their most winnable game is at home against Pine Valley in Week 5.

Both teams are rebuilding and have pretty young squads overall that should make for an even matchup.

OUTLOOK: With such a young team, it’s hard to predict what Forestville can do this year. As I’ve mentioned throughout much of this preview, Class DD is a bit more wide open with Chautauqua Lake moving up to Class D. But, Forestville still has a roster that is noticeable younger than most other schools.

Anytime you only have eight upperclassmen, things are going to be tough.

But, the good news is Forestville will be able to get a bunch of younger guys playing time that should have them ready to turn the corner in 2013. A reasonable goal for this team would be to get to three wins and compete for the final playoff spot. With Maines, Nosbisch and Jackson, they have talent to do that. Staying healthy, though, might be more important for them than any other team. Again, they only have 23 guys and six of them are freshmen. Look for them to compete with Pine Valley and Franklinville and aim for a consolation championship.

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Building a program down at the DD level can be tough. Sustaining it can be even tougher.

But Chris Payne has team Facts the Panama Panthers Class: DD in good shape and after Coach: Chris Payne falling in the sectional semifinals last year, 11 Record: 5-3 (5-2) Panama has it’s eyes set 11 Finish: Lost in DD on taking the next step Semifinal in 2012.

Key Returning Players: RB/ That would be Ralph LB Robbie Benson (Sr.), FB/ LB Alec Blose (Sr.), QB/DE Wilson Stadium for the Sawyer Eggleston (Sr.), OL/ sectional title, where DL Tanner Propheter (Sr.), OL/ Panama hasn’t played DL Tony Paternini (Sr.), OL/DL since 1984 and hasn’t Devine Ireland (Sr.) won since 1981. Things looked to be on last year when Panama finished 5-2 in league play and had to win a home game 2012 Schedule against Clymer to earn a Wk. Date Opponent trip to the Ralph.

1 9/1 Franklinville* But the Panthers lost.

2 9/7 @ Falconer(C-S) You can count that 3 9/15 @ Forestville* among things that will fuel this squad this sea4 9/22 Sherman/ son. Add to it, defendRipley* ing champ Chautauqua 5 9/29 @ Clymer* Lake has moved on to 6 10/6 Ellicottvile/ Class D, leaving DD West Valley* wide open.

7 10/12 @ Pine Valley* The optimism is rooted with key returnees and captains Robbie Benson, Alec Blose and Tony 2011 Season Paterniti, three key Wk. result Opponent members of last year’s 1 W 16-14 @ Sherman/ squad.

Ripley* Benson ran for 510 2 W 33-22 Clymer* yards and four touchdowns last year as the 3 L 36-28 @ Ellicottville/ West Valley* Panthers had a threeheaded backfield along 4 W 27-0 Pine Valley* with Blose and the 5 6

7

W 28-7 @ Franklinville* L 27-13 Chautauqua Lake* W 20-0 Forestville*

Sectional Finals L 38-6 Clymer * League Game

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

23

panama Panthers

since-graduated Tyler Marsh. Benson might be the best running back in the league and is poised for a breakout season.

Blose, though, should have an increased workload as well, even if it’s not from out of the backfield. He ran for 320 yards and three touchdowns, but also caught 12 passes for 240 yards and four more touchdowns. He’s the team’s top returning passing threat and with his ability to block, he has to be considered one of the best tight ends in the area.

But figuring out who will throw to him is one of Panama’s top’s offensive concerns. Nick Lenart was the quarterback for the last three seasons for the Panthers.

As one of the finest athletes to come through the school, Lenart took the basketball program to new heights last year while breaking the school’s scoring record and had a fine season throwing the ball too, going for 811 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be missed on and off the field.

But senior Sawyer Eggleston is a nice guy to have around. With Lenart in the way, Eggleston never got a chance offensively, but

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has been a valuable weapon on defense and was seventh on the team in tackles last year. He also had four sacks. He’ll be the guy this year with Bryce Payne waiting in the wings. Payne helped the jayvees last year to a 7-1 record, by far the best among the Class DD teams that have a jayvee squad.

Then there’s Paterniti, who has a group of fellow seniors to help clear the way on the offensive line. Tanner Propheter and Devin Ireland will all be called upon to replace much of the leadership and ability that has left last year’s line, most notably Hunter Waller who led the team with 106 tackles as a linebacker and was a key cog at the guard position on offense. Propheter had two sacks last year.

Helping out at linebacker this year to replace Waller are a few guys.

Blose will be the guy inside with junior Steven Enlow and senior Kelvin Eddy likely seeing increased playing time on the outside.

Eddy was also on kickoff duties last year and averaged more than 40 yards per kick, along with a touchback, last season.

In terms of Class DD, Clymer and Sherman are the top two teams to be worried about if Panama wants to win a division crown. The Panthers finished with the best regular season record last year among teams returning to the league and getting re-

2012 Falconer Football Roster No. 2 3 5 8 10 11 13 17 20 21 22 23 27 29 34 50 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 66 67 71

Name Kelvin Eddy Sawyer Eggleston Bryce Payne Eric Schutt Greg Delahoy Ricky Eddy David O’Dell Troy Franklin Nick Fardink Nick Kirby Rob Benson (C) Dylan Bergman Kyle Saxton Steven Enlow Alec Blose (C) Skylar Saxton Ryan Lank Dustin Smouse Tanner Propheter Tony Paterniti (C) Thomas Hoch Micheal Shreve Wyatt Jackson Jacob Short Josh McIntire Devin Ireland

Pos. RB, OLB QB, DE QB, DB WR, DB QB, FS WR, OLB TE, DE RB, DB RB, DB DB, WR RB, DB RB, SS RB, OLB FB, OLB TE, ILB G, DL WR, DB G, DE T, DE G, ILB TE, MLB OT, DL FB, DE G, DL OT, DT C, DL

Yr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Teams without photos did not take one in time for publication

venge on Clymer might be the top thing on their list. They also lost to Ellicottville last year in the regular season, but get the Eagles at home this year. They’ll play at Falconer in their lone non-league game.

OUTLOOK: Based on last year’s results alone, Panama or Clymer have to be considering the preseason favorites. But in the world of high school football, last year’s results usually mean nothing. What Panama does have is a solid enough of a returning cast coming

back and the strongest jayvee squad coming up.

For that reason alone, they’re going to be tough to beat.

But there’s very little separating them and the other top teams in this league. I’m not sure if the regular season will tell us enough, but look for Panama to at least be in the four-team playoff for the league title.

Until then, your guess is as good as mine. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Panama end it’s long drought without a league title.

24

August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

team Facts Class: DD Coach: Chris Buczek 11 Record: 0-8 (0-7) 11 Finish: Lost in DD Consolation Semfinal Key Returning Players: RB/ LB Josh Kilburn (Sr.), OL/ DL Jacob Wilcox (Jr.), RB/ LB Dakota Ulmer (Jr.), QB/LB Daniel Weaver (Jr.) WR/DB Michael Isula (Jr.)

2012 Schedule Wk. Date 1 9/1 2

9/7

3

9/14

4 5 6 7

9/21 9/29 10/5 10/12

Opponent @ Cassadaga Valley (C-S) Sherman/ Ripley* @ Ellicottville/ West Valley* Franklinville* @ Forestville* Clymer* Panama*

2011 Season Wk. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

result L 28-14 L 28-13 L 42-0 L 27-0

Opponent @ Forestville* @ Panama* Pine Valley* @ Chautauqua Lake* L 44-7 Sherman/ Ripley* L 30-14 @ Ellicottville/ West Valley* L 28-6 Franklinville*

consolation Finals L 30-0 @ Sherman * League Game

After one of the toughest seasons in school history, Pine Valley might be the team most eager in all of Western New York to start the 2012 season. A senior laden roster kept getting hit hard hard with injuries and ended up going 0-8. And in DD, with small roster sizes, Pine Valley was playing freshmen and sophomores nearly all over the field by year’s end.

It showed. They were outscored 201-27 over their final six games. But, it was valuable experience for the younger guys, and as sixth-year head coach Chris Buczek said, last year is in the past.

“The coaching staff and our players, we’ve put last year behind us,” he said. “Whatever happens this year will have nothing to do with last year.

We’re not saying ‘let’s not 0-8 this year.’ The message is to be better than yesterday, not last year.”

Getting better each day is something certainly on the mind of the Panthers coach. After starting off competing in their first two games, the wheels fell off for Pine Valley.

You can credit injuries for part of that, but Buczek thought his team simply didn’t improve much as the year progressed.

“We didn’t get better each day last year,” he said. “From the last game compared to the first, there just wasn’t much change.”

With as young of a squad as they have this year, you can expect that to change.

Pine Valley has a large group of underclassmen

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pine valley panthers

playing all over the field ready to expand on what they learned last year.

“The hardest thing about being young is the inexperience,” Buczek said.

“But everyone is about ready to go. Everyone is enthusiastic to get better.

The younger guys are ready to play.”

What they’ll rely on is team unity. While Buczek said his team isn’t going to be as big or fast as anyone, they’ll be on par with the league with both. But coming together as a team can be a big X-factor.

“We’re a real close-knit bunch of guys,” he said.

“They lean on each other, help each other out. The more experienced guys will often help the younger guys before I even get a chance to do it.”

As the struggle is with all DD schools, fielding enough guys can be difficult. It’s no different for Pine Valley who has a combined jayvee/varsity roster of 38. Simulating game situations is a tough task.

“I wish we had 10 more

guys,” Buczek said. “We have a limited amount of players and we’re teaching guys how to block without anybody on the other side.”

Part of what Pine Valley can lean on is senior running back Josh Kilburn. He hurt an ankle in Week 2 and missed a few games. When he came back, he hurt his other ankle. Keeping him healthy is a big factor this season for the Panthers, and if he is, they’re that much better.

Protecting him and providing him with open lanes is the question mark. Pine Valley was decimated with injuries last year and with a young line coming back, providing stability up front is something that needs to be worked on.

“Josh has the potential to be one of the better running backs in the league,” Buczek said. “How well our young line can block for him is the deal.

Because when gets out in the open, he can do a lot of things.”

Kilburn is an important member of the team off

the field, too. Replacing leadership is something Pine Valley has to do considering half of its roster last year was seniors. Linemen Robert McKeever and Connor Smith were chief among that group.

Kilburn and juniors Dakota Ulmer, Jacob Wilcox and Daniel Weaver might assume those roles, but Buczek is waiting to announce captains. He said he wants to see who steps up over the last two weeks of practice.

“It’s not that hard of a process,” Buczek said referring to picking captains. “Guys separate from each other in practice and it doesn’t just have to be vocally. It’s about being excited to go out there and who runs the hardest in sprints…

When they’re walking somewhere, other people follow. You can tell.”

Pine Valley opens up the season with a nonleague game against Cassadaga Valley. Then they’ll play six straight league games. Thus, the opener would be nice to win, but

preparing for the league games is what’s most important.

“It’s the most important game of the season because it’s the first,” Buczek said. “It determines how the rest of the season goes. They’re obviously a lot bigger than us, but for us to be able to compete and say we did this or that is going to be huge for us.”

As far as Class DD goes, with Chautauqua Lake leaving, the door is open for every remaining team to stake a claim at the vacated title. But, as Buczek said, DD is a lot tougher than everyone thinks.

“People always look and say ‘oh, DD, they’re all just small schools,’” he said. “But all of these teams work hard. We’re all undersized guys working as hard as can be and that’s what makes it fun.”

Outlook: It’s a transition year for Pine Valley. They probably won’t win the league, but getting the ball rolling and getting last year out of their memories is a big step for this team in 2012.

With all of the young talent on this team, that will be here beyond 2012, putting together a stepping stone to be able to compete for a league title next year is what the goal should be.

Games with Franklinville and Forestville will the most important. The top half of this league is pretty good this year, so those two winnable games should be something the Panthers are shooting for to get in the win column.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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Sherman/Ripley Wildcats

Last year, Sherman headed into their final game of the season riding a four-game winning streak with a great shot at makteam Facts ing the DD playoffs. But a 40-0 rout at the hands Class: DD of Chautauqua Lake not Coach: Bob Krenzer only dropped them into 11 Record: 6-3 (4-3) a three-way tie for the 11 Finish: Won DD final playoff spot, it hurt Consolation their point differential so Key Returning Players: OL/ bad that it dropped the DL Trevor Interline (Sr.), Wildcats into the consoOL/DL Jacob Toy (Jr.), QB lation bracket. But what Andrew Graham (Jr.), Devin happened next is what Moorehead (Jr.) has second year head Bob Krenzer so excited for this season.

“We could have easily been 2012 Schedule so disappointed that we just laid down,” Krenzer Wk. Date Opponent said. “Instead they loved to 1 9/1 Clymer* play football and kept play2 9/7 @ Pine Valley* ing and they won what was 3 9/15 Westfield/ there for us to win.”

Brocton(C-S) Sherman steamrolled 4 9/22 @ Panama* Pine Valley and Frankl5 9/28 @ Ellicottville/ inville to finish 6-3 and West Valley* claim the Chuck Funke Memorial Class DD title.

6 10/6 Franklinville* A consolation certainly, 7 10/13 @ Forestville* but a momentum builder heading into 2012 in the same sense.

“It adds to our motiva2011 Season tion,” Krenzer said. “I’m Wk. result Opponent sure the kids think they’re 1 L 16-14 Panama* ready for the next step.”

2 L 22-13 Ellicottville/ That next step, you ask?

West Valley* “That next step is playing 3 W 22-7 @ Franklinville* at Ralph Wilson Staid4 W 28-6 Forestville* um,” Krenzer said refer5 W 22-12 @ Clymer* ring to site of the Class DD championship.”

6 W 30-14 Pine Valley* 7 L 40-0 @ Chautauqua For Sherman to do that, they’ll probably have to Lake* get out to a better start consolation Semi Finals than last year’s 0-2 run W 30-0 Pine Valley out of the gates. They consolation Finals were hurt a little bit with W 12-0 Franklinville two preseason injuries to starters that happened in non-football activities. * League Game And along with a common theme throughout this entire issue, staying

healthy is just as important for Sherman — as it is for all of the DD schools with low enrollment and turnout for football.

“Knocking on wood to make sure those things don’t happen this year” Krenzer said.

But, with last year’s injuries, younger guys were forced into action. When things finally got rolling, Sherman was a dangerous team and now has a solid group of returnees to lean on.

“We have seven starters back on offense, seven starters back on defense,” Krenzer said. “We have 38 players out here practicing. We have no reason to think that we certainly can’t be very competitive.”

Being a combined program with Ripley Central, this squad has a pretty decent amount of players in comparison with other DD schools. But that also can be a problem considering it’s tough enough to get one group of kids to come together as one team. In Krenzer’s case he has the difficult task for bringing together two.

“With the kids on the team, on the field is no problem,” Krenzer said.

“It’s great. They’re working together and working hard to win ball games and I don’t think they give a damn who’s Ripley and who’s Sherman.

“But it is very difficult,” he continued. “It’s double the work for the schools to organize. We have two buses, instead of one, to schedule. That’s the biggest difference.”

Building up the Ripley side of the program, though, has been one of the biggest assets to the emerging program at Sherman. They’ve come a long way since 2007 when they went 0-7 and didn’t score a point in their final six games.

“We’re getting more people from Ripley each year,” Krenzer said. “We have some very good players from Ripley and our entire starting defensive line could be from there. I should be very disappointed if we were ever to lose them.

It isn’t like it’s one or two players. I think right now we have 10 or 11.”

While Krenzer has been hesitant to name captains, he has been particularly impressed with Trevor Interline and Jacob Toy, two “big guys” that will anchor both sides of the line this year.

“They’re trying to bring other people along,” he said.

But, still, Krenzer maintains that the players are going to have to earn it.

“I keep telling the kids, you be a leader,” he said.

“I’m just watching to see who the leaders are. And

they’re going to be captains. It ain’t going to be a popularity contest.”

Interline was a first team all-league selection last year and was only one of eight underclassmen to earn the praise. His skillset on defense is particularly good, as he helped anchor the league’s second best defense last year. Outside of the Chautauqua Lake game — who has moved on to Class D — Sherman allowed just 10.6 points per game.

The big returnee at the skill positions is junior quarterback Andrew Graham, who had a solid season last year throwing for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. Graham also ran for 273 yards and five touchdowns and is probably the preseason pick to be the league’s first team quarterback this season.

Wide receiver Nick Moorehead was his primary target. As a sophomore last year, he caught 14 passes for 270 yards.

He’ll have a bigger role in the offense this year.

Besides that, Sherman will need to replace running back Kyle Keith and wide receiver and Nick Alday.

“Returning starters,” Krenzer said referring to his team’s biggest strength. “When I first started here, we only had 28 players that year.

Hell we went to practice some days and we didn’t even have two full units.

It’s good to have seven returning starters.

“But the key in the small schools is staying healthy,” Krenzer said. “If you stay healthy, you’re going to be in it. And not just us — everybody else. But nobody ever stays totally healthy and then you need a little bit of luck. But hard work brings a little bit of luck for some reason.”

Outlook: There’s no other way to put it other than saying Class DD is wide open. It was Chautauqua Lake and then everybody else last season.

But, Sherman was one of those teams in the upper tier of that ‘everybody else’ group. They were tied with Panama for the fewest losses when everything was said and done and now the Wildcats should be poised for a shot at the title.

The home game with Clymer to open the season might end up determining who wins the league and with that game coming at home, Sherman has a lot of reason to be hopeful. But road games with Ellicottville and Panama could be roadblocks.

Andrew Graham has the potential to be the best player in this league, and if he is, look out for the Wildcats.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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“An Eclectic Mix of Knowledge and Expertise” SUNY Fredonia traces its roots to the Fredonia Academy, officially opened in 1826 in “Chautauqua Co., N.Y., one of the best educational sites in the Country.” * To honor the university’s beginnings, Lifelong Learning and Special Programs has launched a 21st century Fredonia Academy. * Taken from an early Fredonia Academy ad

Colors of Chautauqua 2012 Get away for fun and learning to Chautauqua County for the Colors of Chautauqua learning festival.

As part of this, SUNY Fredonia is proud to offer:

Pilates and Stress Relief

Gain knowledge and experience in basic movement techniques that promote overall health and well-being.

Trainers: Professors Helen Myers and Sam Kenney Dates: Saturday, October 6 and 20; 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: Dods Hall, SUNY Fredonia $35 per person, per session (includes Pilates rings) Fee:

Tea and Poetry at the President’s House

Join SUNY Fredonia's newly appointed President for a morning of readings and discussion of the poetry of autumn.

Trainer: Dr. Virginia Schaefer Horvath Date: Saturday, October 13; 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: President's House, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $15 per person (includes light refreshments and a tour of the 1855 home)

Spinning Yarn on a Wheel

Experienced spinners will choose a quality eece and turn it into yarn.

Trainer: Ryan Laurie Date: Saturday, October 20; 10 a.m.-Noon Location: Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $59 (includes eece - participants must provide their own spinning wheels)

Defensive Driving

Reduce up to four points from your New York State driving record and save on liability and collision insurance.

Days: Classes meet in an all-day Saturday or two-evening format Dates: September 15, September 17/19, October 13, October 23/25, November 10, November 26/28, and December 8 Location: Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $35 per person

�e Amish Experience: Tour and Lunch

Tour the countryside, meet members of the Old Order Amish community, and partake in an Amish-style lunch.

Trainer: Carol Lorenc Date: Saturday, October 6; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Location: Tour starts at Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $59 per person (includes transportation and lunch)

Spinning Yarn on a Drop Spindle

Learn a few basics on the differences in eece options, choosing a quality eece, and how to turn eece into yarn.

Trainer: Date: Location: Fee:

Ryan Laurie Saturday, October 13; 10 a.m.-noon Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia $59 (includes drop spindles and eece)

�e Amish Experience: Holiday Shopping in Amish Country

Tour the Old Order Amish community, shop for unique handcrafted gifts and foodstuffs, and partake in an Amish-style lunch.

Trainer: Date: Location: Fee:

Carol Lorenc Saturday, November 10; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Tour starts at Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia $59 per person (includes transportation and lunch)

Lifelong Learning and Special Programs

716.673.3177

To learn more and to register, visit

www.fredonia.edu/lifelong

Pre-registration and payment are required for all workshops. We reserve the right to change rooms, instructors, times, dates, fees or cancel courses when necessary.

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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2012 Football Schedule WEEK ONE Friday, August 31 Kenmore West at Jamestown, 7 p.m.

Dunkirk at Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Allegany-Limestone at Westfield/Brocton, 7:30 p.m.

Southwestern at Falconer, 7:30 p.m.

JFK at Fredonia, 7:30 p.m.

Forestville at Ellicottville/ West Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Maple Grove at Silver Creek, 7 p.m.

Randolph at Frewsburg, 7 p.m.

Chautauqua Lake vs. I-Prep/ Grover at Wiley, 3 p.m.

Saturday, September 1 Franklinville at Panama, 1:30 p.m.

Pine Valley at Cassadaga Valley, 1:30 p.m.

Clymer at Sherman/Ripley, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK TWO Friday, Sept. 7 Fredonia at AlleganyLimestone, 7:30 p.m.

Cassadaga Valley at Salamanca (at Veterans Park), 7:30 p.m.

Panama at Falconer, 7:30 p.m.

Westfield/Brocton at Southwestern, 7:30 p.m.

Sherman/Ripley at Pine Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Forestville at Franklinville, 7:30 p.m.

Silver Creek at Randolph, 7 p.m.

Maple Grove at Cattaraugus/ Little Valley, 7 p.m.

Portville at Chautauqua Lake, 7 p.m.

Frewsburg vs. I-Prep/Grover at Riverside, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 8 Jamestown at Niagara Falls,

2 p.m.

Dunkirk at Olean, 7:30 p.m.

Ellicottville/West Valley at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK THREE Friday, Sept. 14 Jamestown at Lancaster, 7:30 p.m.

Fredonia at Wilson, 7 p.m.

Clymer at Franklinville, 7:30 p.m.

Pine Valley at Ellicottville/ West Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Frewsburg at Portville, 7 p.m.

Randolph at Maple Grove, 7 p.m.

Cattaraugus/Little Valley at Chautauqua Lake, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 15

East Aurora at Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.

Southwestern at Olean, 7:30 p.m.

Westfield/Brocton at Sherman/Ripley, 1:30 p.m.

Silver Creek vs. I-Prep/ Grover at Wiley, 12:30 p.m.

Falconer at Cassadaga Valley, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK FOUR Friday, Sept. 21 West Seneca West at Jamestown, 7 p.m.

Eden at Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.

Falconer at Westfield/ Brocton, 7:30 p.m.

Salamanca at Southwestern, 7:30 p.m Gowanda at Fredonia, 7:30 p.m.

Franklinville at Pine Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Portville at Silver Creek, 7 p.m.

Frewsburg at Cattaraugus/ Little Valley, 7 p.m.

Maple Grove at Chautauqua Lake, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22 Allegany-Limestone at Cassadaga Valley, 1:30 p.m.

Forestville at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.

Sherman/Ripley at Panama, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK FIVE Friday, Sept. 28 Jamestown at Frontier, 7:30 p.m.

Dunkirk at Cheektowaga, 7 p.m.

Southwestern at AllLimestone, 7:30 p.m.

Falconer at Franklinville, 7:30 p.m.

Cleve-Hill at Fredonia, 7:30 p.m.

Sherman/Ripley at Ellicotville/West Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Silver Creek at Cattaraugus/ Little Valley, 7 p.m.

Chautauqua Lake at Frewsburg, 7 p.m.

I-Prep/Grover at Maple Grove, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29 Westfield/Brocton at Cassadaga Valley, 1:30 p.m.

Panama at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.

Pine Valley at Forestville, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK SIX Friday, Oct. 5 Orchard Park at Jamestown, 7 p.m.

Cassadaga Valley at Southwestern, 7:30 p.m.

Falconer at Salamanca (Veterans Park), 7:30 p.m.

Forestville vs. Westfield/ Brocton at Brocton, 7:30 p.m.

Fredonia at Akron, 7 p.m.

Clymer at Pine Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Silver Creek at Frewsburg, 7 p.m.

Maple Grove at Portville, 7 p.m.

Randolph at Chautauqua Lake, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6 Springville at Dunkirk, 2 p.m.

Ellicottville/West Valley at Panama, 1:30 p.m.

Franklinville at Sherman/ Ripley, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK SEVEN Friday, Oct. 12 Dunkirk at Fredonia, 7:30 p.m.

Allegany-Limestone at Falconer, 7:30 p.m.

Salamanca at Westfield/ Brocton, 7:30 p.m.

Panama at Pine Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Chautauqua Lake at Silver Creek, 7 p.m.

Frewsburg at Maple Grove, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13 Jamestown at Clarence, 2 p.m.

Southwestern at Eden, 2 p.m.

Cassadaga Valley at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.

Sherman/Ripley at Forestville, 1:30 p.m.

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Outfit Your Winning Team Uniforms for all Sports

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August 30, 2012 Edition – Football Preview – C

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