2023 Football Preview

The shift to 8-man football: different format, same game

A-L, B-R & Wellsville set to play smaller game this fall

By SPENCER BATES

As more school districts make the shift to eight-man football, coaches have made it clear that while it may be a different format, it is still the same game.

Allegany-Limestone, Bolivar-Richburg and Wellsville are among the local programs that have made the shift to eightman football as opposed to the normal 11-man game. The main reason behind the transition is the level of interest by prospective players. The decline of interest in high school football can be traced back to a few reasons according to new Wellsville coach Tim Keenan.

“I don’t know if kids just got sick of dealing with it or what, but coming out of COVID and the 2021 season, a lot of kids just weren’t sure what was going on,” he said. “I think that really hindered the numbers. And then there hasn’t been much success since.”

Even with the drop down to eight-man football, the lack of numbers in programs still comes with its struggles. Steve Smith, coach of B-R, said that one thing they found difficult with the new format was the lack of ability to rotate players due to low numbers.

“Rotating kids was really difficult for not only our team but for other teams in Section 5,” he

said. “There were a few teams that did have numbers and did have that ability to move kids in and out offense or defense. So what we tried to do was just look for series or situations where we can get some kids off the field, get them a little break and get them back in … So yeah, you just focus on making sure your kids are in shape and when they start to get a little tired, a gas, get them off the field.”

With too few Section 6 teams playing eight-man to hold its own league, A-L and Frewsburg are playing in Section 5 this season.

Compared to the standard format of football, there are a number of things that are different, such as a narrower field, and — in what Keenan describes as one of the most challenging aspects for the players — the expectation to play in different positions than they may be used to.

“I think the biggest difference is that it’s more challenging for certain positions, particularly the offensive linemen and cornerbacks,” he said. “When you’re playing 11-man, traditionally you’ve got different body types that are playing tackle (and others that are playing) guard and center … So I think for the linemen, particularly the guards, it’s much more difficult because they have to play essentially two positions, they have to play

guard and tackle. Corners, at the high school level, are your small quick guys that you’re expecting to strictly cover routes for the most part. In eight-man, they kind of have to dump as pass coverage guys, but also set the edge like an outside linebacker. That’s a tough ask for a lot of guys in that sort of frame range.”

With the added difficulty on defense, the opportunity opens up for “bigger plays more frequently” according to Smith. He added the mental aspect of not being discouraged by giving up big plays is another transition he and his program had to make in their first season in the eightman format.

“I think the expectation on defense of shutting out a team or shutting down a team (has changed), you just kind of roll with the punches,” Smith said. “There were some weeks that we got into real shootouts where it was just whoever could score the most points (would win). We just had to let go of that mindset of shut a team out or shut a team down and (instead), not get discouraged when a big play happens and teams score points because we know that offensively we certainly have the

Times Herald file photo Bolivar-Richburg’s Parker Worth (9) and Wellsville’s JJ Howard (10) go up for a pass intended for Howard in a Section 5 8-Man football game Sept. 9, 2022.

same ability.”

Keenan has been with the Wellsville football program since they dropped down to the eight-man league in 2021, but this will be his first season as head coach. He described his excitement for the upcoming season and said how the new experience with the format has reinvigorated interest in football and how he anticipates this will be Wellsville’s last year in the eight-man league.

“I’m really excited for our crew, because last year we were taking our lumps, starting five freshmen, but now those five freshmen are seasoned sophomores with a year of experience,” Keenan said. “As a result of that, we’ve got some other kids in the upper classes that decided, ‘Well, hey, I’ll come back to football now, because it looks like things are a little more promising and there’s a change in regime.’ So I’m actually

anticipating this will be our last year of eight-man.”

Seeing the leadership that his younger players have taken on in the program, Kennan believed to be a key contributor to the fact that the number of seventh graders signing up to play football has doubled in the last year. So while the program may have had to drop down for a few seasons, the excitement and clear pathways to leadership positions that come with the eight-man league, he believes is “going to replenish the program for years to come.”

One thing that does not change with the format is the goals and expectations that coaches have for players. Whether it be Smith’s hope to see his team “compete every week” or Kennan’s desire for “a winning record in the regular season (and) … to host a sectional game,” coaches and players still want to win and chase glory all the same.

Alfred State predicted to finish third in ECFC

The Alfred State Pioneers football team looks to kick off the 2023 season and to continue building on what has been steady improvement in the team’s recent success. The Pioneers achieved five overall and three Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) wins last year.

In the preseason poll, voted on by the league’s five head coaches, the Pioneer team is predicted to finish 3rd overall this season. Alfred State and Vermont State University Castleton (VTSU Castleton) each received 15 points in the poll, behind defending champ Gallaudet with 18 points and Anna Maria College with 16.

2022 Pioneer Season Review

Record: 5-5

ECFC Record: 3-3

Offensive Spotlights

Jake Palmer, the All-ECFC and All-Region halfback who racked up over 1000 yards in 2022, will look to build upon a successful college career. Palmer led the ECFC in touchdowns, with 15 over 201 carries last campaign. Clay Hughes has been named a captain for the Pioneers this season. The Junior Offensive Lineman will lead the Pioneer offense and powerful run-game throughout the year.

Defensive Spotlights

Rylie Van Fleet, the senior safety returns for the 2023 season. As a thirdyear captain for Alfred State, Van Fleet will lead the Pioneer defense, coming off an All-ECFC campaign in 2022. Van Fleet tallied 24 solo

tackles and 3 interceptions in ECFC play last season. Silas Eganlauf will also be returning this season and has also been named a team captain for 2023. Egenlauf had a First Team All-ECFC season from the linebacker position last season. He tallied 21 solo tackles and had six tackles for a loss last season.

Schedule Overview

• Season Opener @ Misericordia (Sat., Sep. 2, 1 p.m.)

• Home Opener: vs. Husson (Sat., Sep. 16, 12 p.m.)

• Conference Opener: vs. Lyon (Sat., Oct. 7, 12 p.m.)

The Pioneers have a ten-game slate, with five of them to be played at Pioneer Stadium. They open with back-to-back road games. Heading to Misericordia to open on Sept. 2 and Rochester (N.Y.) under the lights on Sept. 9. Then the Pioneers will host Husson for a game on Sept. 16 for their home opener. Homecoming is set for October 14, against ECFC rival Anna Maria at 12 p.m. The last game of the regular season is slated to be at Dean on Nov. 11.

Pioneers Home Games

• Sept. 16 vs. Husson 12 p.m.

• Sept. 23 vs. Hilbert 1 p.m.

• Sept. 24 vs. Defiance 12 p.m.

• Oct. 7 vs. :Lyon 12 p.m.

• Oct. 14 vs. Anna Maria 12 p.m. (Homecoming)

• Nov. 4 vs. Vermont State Castleton 12 p.m.

ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE GATORS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/2 – 1 p.m. – at Holley

9/9 – 7 p.m. – Red Jacket

9/14 – 7 p.m. – at Wellsville

9/23 – 7 p.m. – C.G. Finney/Northstar

9/29 – 7 p.m. – at Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at Pembroke

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Frewsburg

Marcus Grove (2nd year, 5-5)

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RB/LBKevinEdwards-HardySr.6-3195lb.

OL/DLDevonBishSr.5-11165lb.

TE/DLSamEatonSr.6-2200lb.

QUICK HITS

The Gators make their debut in 8-man competition in Year 2 under coach Marcus Grove. They will play a host of Section 5 schools, including Wellsville, with Frewsburg their only Section 6 foe. A-L returns five starters and six other letterwinners from a team that showed flashes of success in 2022. Key returnees include quarterback/defensive back Michael Frederick, the school’s all-time passing yards leader, running back/linebacker Kevin Edwards-Hardy, and linemen Devon Bish, Sam Eaton, and Mason Herbert. Grove has a roster of more than 20 with strong participation at the modified level.

2022 IN REVIEW

A-L finished 5-5 with an upset victory at Olean High to close the regular season. The Gators started the year 0-3 before winning five of their next six. They earned a Section 6, Class C consolation playoff victory over Alden before losing 40-16 at Akron. Frederick threw for 1,648 yards, A-L’s single-season record, and led the team with 447 yards, and seven TDs on the ground. Edwards-Hardy added 321 yards and three scores rushing while chipping in 15 catches for 215 yards and two more touchdowns. He also had 61 tackles, two sacks, and an interception on defense.

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RB/DBDylanSchultzSo.5-10160lb.

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RB/WRBrianSpragueSo.5-8150lb.

Michael Frederick Kevin EdwardsHardy Sam Eaton

Portville/C-R merger has Panthers eager to compete in C South

By SAM WILSON

In the modern landscape of high school football, there are seemingly two paths available for small schools in the event of a numbers crunch.

Some schools have chosen to — on a temporary basis in the best-case scenario — drop down to eight-man football. This year alone, three Big 30 schools will field teams in Section 5’s 8-Man league: Bolivar-Richburg, Wellsville and (joining from Section 6) Allegany-Limestone.

On the other side of the numbers issue, some schools join forces to build a healthier 11-man program.

Franklinville/Ellicottville will play its 10th year of its current football merger agreement this fall. It’s been a remarkably consistent decade for the Titans, making the Section 6 Class D championship game eight of the last nine years, including two title victories.

Elsewhere in the Big 30, Portville embarks on its first football merger, having accepted students from both Cuba-Rushford and Hinsdale (who previously played together in Cuba) to form Portville/Cuba-Rushford.

The team will still look like it did for many years in Portville — wearing the Panthers’ uniforms — albeit with a deeper roster this time. Under the first-year terms of the

merger, the team will keep Portville uniforms, rather than ordering new ones, to avoid unnecessary costs.

Cuba-Rushford will have one home game, serving as the school’s Homecoming and Senior Night, in Week 3 against Silver Creek/Forestville. As Portville is the host school, the team will play in Section 6 in the Class C South division. The Panthers were already set to move up from Class D before the merger.

The merger came together in late winter, with players meeting for workouts or unofficial practices. Sixth-year Portville coach Josh Brooks brought the Panthers “earn your stripe” program to both C-R and Hinsdale for offseason training.

The offseason sessions also served as a chance for new teammates to bond.

“I think they had an understanding of who each other were before this,” Brooks said. “We’re not that far away. It seems like it because we are Section 5 and Section 6, but really it’s just 20 minutes up the road. Everyone’s playing their position that they’ve played previously and everyone kind of has an understanding and that’s kind of pushing each other but in a good

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG WOLVERINES

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Frewsburg

9/8 – 7 p.m. – at Wellsville

9/14 – 7 p.m. – Pembroke

9/22 – 7 p.m. – Cal.-Mum./Byron-Bergen

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Red Jacket 10/6 – Bye

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Holley

10/21 – 1 p.m. – at C.G. Finney/Northstar

QUICK HITS

With seven returning starters, the Wolverines hope to build on a strong first year in 8-man competition. Although B-R lost three-time Big 30 all-star Trent Sibble and talented running back Ethan Coleman to transfer (C-R), it brings back three-year starters Caden Allen at quarterback/ linebacker and Zach Mitchell at offensive line and linebacker. Both Allen and Mitchell were Section 5 8-man all-stars last season. Coach Steve Smith will lean on the experience of 10 seniors on his roster of 19. With 12 lettermen total back, the Wolverines figure to compete with the likes of Pembroke and Red Jacket for the Section 5 title.

2022 IN REVIEW

B-R started 5-0 in its 8-man debut, with an impressive opening win that ended Red Jacket’s 16game winning streak. With a youthful roster, the Wolverines faltered over the final five games due to injuries and tougher competition. Still, they finished 6-4 with a quarterfinal playoff victory over Holley and ended the year with a loss to eventual Section 5 champ Pembroke in the semifinals.

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“The Area’s Best Kept Secret”

Caden Allen Zach Mitchell Trevor Pforter

Steve Smith (9th year, 38-31)

Portville/C-R merger

ness to learn new systems or termi-

“Certain kids are learning different things and a whole new system essentially, but they’ve been nothing but ears and ready to learn and eady to work,” Brooks said. “So that’s made things easier.

“Logistically there’s a lot of meetings trying to get everything figured out, travel, things like that, cheerleading. There’s so many other things that go into this than just showing up at practice and games. There’s going to be other challenges that present (themselves) throughout this year and years coming, but we’ll take it one step at a time. Our No. 1 goal is just to do the best thing for all the kids.”

look at where the rest of the Big 30 will play this fall:

Salamanca will be among the teams competing with Portville/C-R for the Section 6 Class

C South division, along with consistent contenders Fredonia and Southwestern. Allegany-Limestone, which played in C South last fall, opted to play eight-man football due to low numbers.

Two-time defending sectional champion Randolph will try to continue its reign in Class D after graduating a trio of twotime Big 30 All-Stars, including back-to-back Player of the Year Xander Hind. Meanwhile, F/E is looking to get over the hump after back-to-back finals losses to the Cardinals.

Coming off its own sectional final trip to Highmark Stadium, Pioneer looks poised to compete in Class B again with a trio of returning Big 30 All-Stars. The Panthers play in the B1 division, while Olean, looking to return to the playoffs after finishing just

short last year, plays in B3.

• Pennsylvania’s District 9 will continue its “Region” format for a second year. Last year, Port Allegany rode a 7-0 Region 2 record to postseason success, winning the D9 Class A title. The Gators graduated their “big three” trio of Drew Evens, Noah Archer and Blaine Moses, but retained an imposing line, including Big 30 All-Stars Miska Young and Carson Neely.

Region 2 also includes Ridgway and Smethport, both looking to bounce back after going 2-5 and 0-7 in league last year, respectively. Bradford (0-7 last year) returns to Region 1.

Region 3 co-champions Coudersport and Cameron County look to contend there again after both going 4-1 last year, as will Otto-Eldred and Elk County Catholic, who tied for third.

BRADFORD OWLS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. – Punxsutawney

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Coudersport

9/8 – 7 p.m. – Otto-Eldred

9/15 – 7 p.m. – at DuBois

9/22 – 7 p.m. – at Central Clarion

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Moniteau

10/6 – 7 p.m. – Brookville

10/13 – 7 p.m. – at St. Marys

10/20 – 7 p.m. – at Karns City

10/27 – 7 p.m. – Kane

QUICK HITS

After three consecutive seasons without a win, Bradford is looking to turn the tide as their rebuilding process enters year number three. Led on offense by their mobile man in the pocket, junior Talan Reese, the Owls are hoping his development and ability to threaten opposing defenses both on the ground and in the air will lead to some points on the board and wins on the record. The Owls have also been adding to their strength and physicality up front over the offseason, a weakness that stifled their run games in years past. The Owls will have two home games in their first three games, opening against Punxsy before playing Otto-Eldred in Week 3.

2022 IN REVIEW

Last season produced a 0-10 record for the third time in as many years. Starting with a confidence crushing 56-0 loss to Punxsutawney, the Owls continued to struggle to stop opposing offenses, allowing large leads to take them out of the game early. The silver lining of the season was middle linebacker Lukas Luktash, who tallied a team-high 54 tackles while racking up 689 yards and five touchdowns as a wide receiver. His efforts were rewarded with the Owls’ lone Big 30 All-Star selection.

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Talan Reese AJ Gleason Evan Whitmore

Jeff Puglio (14th year, 44-82)

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

QUICK HITS

In 2021, Cameron County made the District 9 playoffs. In 2022, it won a share of the D-9 Region III title while beating winning programs Otto-Eldred and Elk County Catholic. Now, the Red Raiders will look to build on that foundation, and they have every reason to be optimistic. Cam. Co. returns eight two-way starters, including fourth-year starting QB Maddox Baughman and four of five starters on the lines, highlighted by league all-stars Jesop Farabaugh, Landon Ferren and Nick Streich. It also welcomes back senior RB Lathan Reed, who rushed for a team-best 673 yards and six TDs in 2021 but missed most of last season with an injury, and sophomore RB Malakai Zucal, who’s already seasoned after being thrust into that role out of necessity last fall. In just the last two years, the Red Raiders matched their entire win total (9) from the 2014-20 campaigns. They’ll look to win a playoff game after being picked to finish second in Region III by pafootballnews.com.

2022 IN REVIEW

A year after going 5-5 and reaching the postseason, CC dipped back below .500 (4-6) and fell short of that mark in 2022, but rallied valiantly to give itself a chance. After starting the year 0-5, the Red Raiders ripped off four-straight wins to put itself squarely into the playoff picture entering Week 10, but a season-ending 35-0 loss to Brockway dashed those hopes. Still, in Year 1 in a new alignment, Cameron County tied with Coudersport (at 4-1 each) for the Region 3 championship.

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Maddox Baughman Landon Ferren Jesop Farabaugh

Ryan Neyman (5th year, 9-27)

New coaches arrive at four Big 30 schools

— Duprey the new dean of Big 30 coaches with Miller’s retirement —

By JEFF MADIGAN

A total of four “fresh” coaches will take over their school’s varsity football team this fall – two on the New York side, two in Pennsylvania.

Matt Minnekine (Cattaraugus-Little Valley), Tim Pearson (Elk County Catholic), Keaton Rounsville (Kane) and Tim Keenan (Wellsville) have already made or will make their head coaching debuts aiming to maintain or improve the level of success their teams have seen in recent years.

Minnekine replaces longtime coach Tim Miller at Cattaraugus-Little Valley. Minnekine, who is also the school’s athletic director, has been the team’s defensive coordinator and also coaches basketball at the school.

The Timberwolves struggled on both sides of the ball last year in finishing 0-8 (five shutout losses). It was a rough season for Cattaraugus-Little Valley, who routinely allowed 40-plus points while scoring just 14 points combined in its first seven games before putting up 34 in a season-ending loss to Franklinville/Ellicottville.

Minnekine coached football at Archbishop Walsh in 1999, though that was the year the school dropped to JV only due to numbers problems.

Miller coached the team for 28 seasons, including the pre-merger days at

Cattaraugus. With Miller’s retirement, the new longest-tenured Big 30 coach is Jim Duprey at Pioneer, entering his 22nd year with the club. Duprey earned his 100th career win during the Panthers’ 8-3 season in 2022.

The Timberwolves begin their season with a non-league game at Portville/Cuba-Rushford on Friday.

Tim Keenan takes over for Bob McMorris at Wellsville. Keenan has been an assistant coach in the program for two years and was present when the school went from 11-man football to 8-man.

The Lions struggled in their second season with the 8-man game in a 1-7 campaign. They did get a 30-6 win over Mynderse late in the season.

Keenan is an assistant professor of biomaterials engineering at Alfred University during the day.

The Lions begin their season Saturday with a league game at C.G. Finney/Northstar Christian.

Tim Pearson assumes the leadership role at Elk County Catholic after just one season which saw Tony Gerg back in charge. Unlike some of the other schools, the Crusaders had a relatively strong season a year ago in a 7-2 finish. It was the first winning campaign for the team in some time, though the team started 5-0 and stumbled in losing two of their final four games.

Pearson, a United States Air Force retiree, was named head coach in

December and wants to create both a passionate and a disciplined team.

Pearson can rely on a handful of returning starters, like running back Noah Cherry who surpassed 1,000 yards a season ago.

Elk County Catholic began its season on Friday, a 35-22 loss against Otto-Eldred and will host Moniteau on Thursday.

Lastly, Keaton Rounsville takes over for his former coach Todd Silfies at Kane. Rounsville played for Silfies (he won Big 30 Lineman of the Year in 2016) and then coached alongside him for the last few seasons mainly working their linebackers and in the trenches with the offensive and defensive lines.

Kane finished 3-7 a year ago but did win its final two games to finish the season with some momentum heading into this season.

“I’ve always wanted to be a head football coach,” Rounsville told The Olean Times Herald. “To be able to do it in Kane, where I graduated from, is obviously something that I hold near and dear to my heart.”

A handful of impact players have since graduated from Kane but that doesn’t lower expectations at a school once routinely finding itself in the PIAA quarterfinals.

Kane opened its season with a 42-0 loss against Brockway and will continue its season Friday at Punxsutawney.

The Best of the Big 30

THE TH’S LIST OF TOP RETURNING PLAYERS IN 2023

By J.P. BUTLER

It isn’t rare for the area to be returning so many Big 30 all-stars.

That figure has hovered above five and reached as many as nine last year as more and more underclassmen have proven themselves from a younger age. Heading into the 2023 season, that number sits at seven.

It is rare, however, for one team to be bringing back not one or two, but THREE all-stars. And yet, it’s now happened two years in a row.

A year ago, Randolph had three such members back, including reigning Big 30 Player of the Year Xander Hind. Behind that trio, the Cardinals were every bit the force they were expected to be, forging an unbeaten regular season, winning a sectional title and reaching the New York State Final Four.

This year, Pioneer is in the same position. The Panthers return three all-stars -- seniors Luke Matheis (a Lineman of the Year nominee) and Dalton Giboo and junior Sam Platt -from a team that reached the Section 6 Class B championship game last year and is expected to be a top contender again this fall

Will Pioneer’s story mirror that of Randolph’s? That remains to be seen. For now, though, that group gives us a good start on our list of top returning local players for 2023. Following is the 11th iteration of that piece, in which the top 15, as usual, are presented in a basketball-style first-, second- and third-team format.

FIRST TEAM

Luke Matheis

senior, OL-DL, Pioneer

The next in a long list of standout Pioneer linemen, Matheis was a force on both sides as a junior.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder was “the leader of our O-line,” totaling 15 pancake blocks while surrendering no sacks, committing just one penalty and serving as the primary blocker from his tackle position … even on runs to the other side. Defensively, he recorded 38 tackles through nine games, including six for loss, and two sacks while consistently taking on double teams that freed up linebackers. Behind Matheis, now a fourthyear starter, the Panthers allowed just 60 points (6.7 per game) through the first round of the playoffs.

Miska Young senior, OL-DE, Port Allegany

Young, like Matheis, enters 2023 having already established himself as one of the best overall linemen in the area.

A year ago, Young was named both the District 9 Region 2 Offensive AND Defensive Lineman of the Year. He, according to coach Justin Bienkowski, “was a major reason we rushed for 2,110 yards as a team,” compiling 17 pancake blocks along the way. Defensively, he recorded 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks while “setting the edge against every offense.”

With Young paving the way, the Gators won both a league and district title last fall while advancing all the way to the PIAA state semifinals.

Dalton Giboo

senior, RB-LB/S, Pioneer Giboo, alongside Matheis, helped lead the Panthers to an 8-3 mark and a trip to Highmark Stadium last fall.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder was a jack-of-all trades, running for 558 yards and six touchdowns on 94 carries (through the first 9 games) while racking up 60 tackles and a fumble recovery on defense and adding 196 yards on nine kickoff returns and a punt return TD.

Giboo was versatile, playing middle linebacker in run situations while moving back to safety on passing downs and calling the Panthers’ defensive looks. He also received two Connolly Cup nominations and was a First Team Class B1 all-star on defense.

Tayoni Galante

senior, TE-LB, Salamanca

Galante enjoyed a breakout junior campaign, becoming a multi-faceted two-way starter while helping Salamanca to a share of the Section 6 Class C South title and into the playoff semifinals.

Galante rushed 19 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns while catching 21 passes for 364 yards and two more scores. Defensively, he notched 55 tackles (2 for loss), two picks and two fumble recoveries. Said Warriors coach Chad Bartoszek, “Tay is becoming a top player in the Big 30 with big plays on both sides of the ball and is used in a number of different ways on each side.”

Sam Platt

junior, DE, Pioneer

One of three sophomores to make the Big 30 All-Star Team last fall, Platt was named the Section 6 Class B1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in just his second varsity season.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder was a “dominant force,” according to coach Jim Duprey, compiling 70 tackles (13 for loss), five sacks, three forced fumbles, 12 quarterback pressures and

an impressive 12 pass knock downs/ tips.

Behind him, the Panthers surrendered a touchdown or fewer in seven of 11 games, including four shutouts. His ability to disrupt both running and passing plays “was staggering,” Duprey said.

SECOND TEAM

Manning Splain

junior, WR-CB, Otto-Eldred Splain was a primary reason that Otto-Eldred had (and continues to have) one of the Big 30’s most high-powered offenses.

Arguably the area’s top returning receiver, he totaled 45 receptions, fifth-most in District 9 Class A, for 747 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall, keying a potent O-E offense that averaged over 34 points per game while chipping in four interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense. One of three wideouts to earn District 9 Region 3 all-star honors, he helped the Terrors to a winning record at 6-4.

Carson Neely

junior, OL-DL, Port Allegany Neely was the other half of Port’s big 1-2 linemen punch, making both the District 9 and Big 30 All-Star teams alongside Young.

Though the Gators’ line across the board was formidable, it began with Young and Neely. The 6-foot-1, 255-pound guard recorded 41 tackles, two sacks and an interception while “consistently taking on doubleand triple-team blocks.” He helped clear the way for Port’s star-studded backfield trio and will

COUDERSPORT FALCONS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. – Keystone

9/1 – 7 p.m. – Bradford High

9/8 – 7 p.m. – at Brockway

9/15 – 7 p.m. – at Smethport

9/22 – 7 p.m. – Cameron County

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Elk County Catholic

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at Otto-Eldred

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Sheffield

10/20 – 7 p.m. – at Bucktail

10/26 – 7 p.m. – Cowanesque Valley

QUICK HITS

In Year 3 under coach Frank Brown, the Falcons are expected to continue to make an upward trajectory. They finished 4-5 in 2021 and 6-4 last year, including 4-1 in league play. With a strong cast of 11 returning starters, Coudy is the odds-on-favorite to repeat as District 9, Region 3 champions. The team brings back four district all-stars, including running back Ethan Ott, wide receiver Jackson Moss, linebacker Viggo Brown, and placekicker Dylan Howard. Gavyn Ayers also returns for a third year as starting quarterback. A question mark is along the offensive line, where only two starters return. Brockway, Keystone, and Port Allegany stand in the way of the Falcons advancing further in the district playoffs.

2022 IN REVIEW

Coudy went 6-3 in the regular season to earn a playoff meeting at Brockway. Its year came to an end with a 62-6 loss in that game. The Falcons also fell to Brockway in the regular season to go with losses to Keystone and Otto-Eldrded – their only defeat in District 9, Region 3 play. Winning its league was a big step for Coudy in Brown’s second year. The team was led by departing seniors Xander Brown, D-9’s co-defensive MVP, and Kyle Dunn, the district’s defensive lineman of the year. John Wright filled in for Ayers at quarterback after he was lost to an injury for the season in Week 4.

RB/LBEthanOttJr.5-10170lb.

WR/LBViggoBrownSr.5-9155lb.

WR/DBJacksonMossJr.6-0160lb.

WR/DBDylanHowardSr.5-10165lb.

QB/LBGavynAyersSr.6-3230lb.

OL/DECalDunnJr.6-1185lb.

WR/LBLTMyersSr.6-0185lb.

RB/DEOwenDeutschlanderSr.6-0170lb.

OL/DLJamesLillerSr.5-11250lb.

RB/LBJohnWrightJr.5-11185lb.

OL/DLHunterWoodard-FurmanJr.5-9255lb.

Ethan Ott Viggo Brown Jackson Moss

Frank Brown

(3rd year, 10-9) (9th year overall, 34-46)

Best of the Big 30

Class D semifinals last fall while also earning first-team Class D honors on offense.

Maverick Adams senior, RB-DE, Randolph

Adams is perhaps the top returning player from a powerhouse Randolph team that went 11-1 en route to the state semifinals last fall.

Also one of the team’s few returning starters, Adams posted 37 tackles and a pair of sacks while serving as a key cog on a defense that surrendered two or fewer scores in eight of 12 games last year.

Adams, despite largely playing in the shadow of Xander Hind, Ryan Carpenter and Jaiden Huntington, was also hugely valuable to the Cardinals, making the league all-star team on defense.

THIRD TEAM

Matthew Davis

senior, RB-LB, St. Marys

Davis made the District 9 Region 1 all-star team as both a running back and a linebacker in 2022.

The Dutch’s leading rusher each of the last two seasons, he ran for 643 yards and four TDs on 81 carries last season while registering 68 tackles, including 18 for loss, a sack and two interceptions on defense.

Noah Cherry

do so again this fall for the new wave of Peyton Stiles, Aiden Bliss and Tristan Kiser.

Hunter Smith senior, RB/LB

Franklinville/Ellicottville

Though Smith wasn’t one of Franklinville/Ellicottville’s three Big 30 all-stars in 2022, he was still described by coach Jason Marsh as “pound for pound our best football player.”

A 5-foot-10, 165-pounder, Smith ran for 477 yards and 10 touchdowns on 67 carries through the team’s first 10 games in a platoon role last fall while posting a team-leading 45 tackles (34 solo), one interception and one fumble recovery.

Behind Smith’s contributions, the Titans finished second in Section 6 Class D and reached the sectional title game for the fourth-straight year.

Kaedon Holcomb senior, RB-LB/S

Portville/Cuba-Rushford

After a breakout sophomore year in which he scored nine rushing TDs and was named first-team all-league defense, Holcomb took another step despite being slowed by injuries as a junior.

Holcomb carried 135 times for 822 yards and 12 touchdowns while battling a sprained ankle as the Panthers’ featured back. And while the injury forced him to sit on defense, he still helped Portville to a 6-2 regular season mark and a spot in the

senior, RB-S, Elk County Catholic Cherry was one of the most productive offensive players in the Big 30 last year, running for 1,110 rushing yards on 166 carries (in 9 games) while piling up a head-turning 21 rushing TDs.

He also threw two touchdown passes, had 53 tackles defensively and made 15-of-23 extra points.

Times Herald file photo

Salamanca tight end Tayoni Galante (87) is swarmed by Cleveland Hill defenders after a catch in a Section 6 Class C quarterfinal football game in Salamanca.

Best of the Big 30

Caden Allen

senior, QB-LB/DE, Bolivar-Richburg

A four-year starter, Allen has been a fixture in the B-R lineup from the pandemic-altered 2020 season, through a playoff campaign in ‘21, through the program’s transition to 8-man football last fall.

A year ago, he logged 65 tackles (8 for loss) and three sacks and earned a Section 5 8-man Defensive Player of the Week honor.

Andrew Schenfield

senior, QB, Otto-Eldred

One of the area’s top returning

quarterbacks, Schenfield was the architect of O-E’s high-scoring offense, racking up 2,188 passing yards (7th in the state, 1st in District 9 Class A) and 28 touchdowns to just nine picks. He was the only signal-caller to earn D-9 Region 3 all-star accolades.

Michael Frederick senior, QB-DB, Allegany-Limestone

One of the area’s top breakout players last fall, Frederick went 108for-197 passing for 1,500 yards and 10 TDs while also rushing 82 times for 363 yards and seven scores through A-L’s first nine games.

A two-time Connolly Cup nominee, he threw for 341 yards and four TDs while rushing for 82 yards and another score in a Bowl win over Alden.

HONORABLE MENTION

Dane Anderson (sr., WR-DB, Kane), Gavin Ayers (sr., QB-LB, Coudersport), Johnny Bandy (sr., OL-DL, St. Marys), Cody Barton (sr., OL-DE, Portville/CubaRushford*), Viggo Brown (sr., WR/ RB-LB, Coudersport), Braxton Caldwell (sr., OT-DE, Otto-Eldred), Kevin Edwards-Hardy (sr., RB-

LB, Allegany-Limestone), Hayden Emley (sr., OL-LB, Portville/CubaRushford), Jesop Farabaugh (sr., OL-DL, Cameron County), Landon Ferren (jr., OL-DL, Cameron County), Lucas Grunewald (sr., G/FB-LB, Elk County Catholic), Logan Halladay (sr., LB, Pioneer), Maddox Isaac (jr., QB-DB, Salamanca), Ryan Isenberg (sr., WR/RB-LB/S, Olean), Cameron Larkin (sr., QB/S, Ridgway), Joe Mest (so., QB-DB, Olean), Zachary Mitchell (sr., OL-LB, Bolivar-Richburg), Arlen Newark (sr., WR-CB, Salamanca), Noah Shenk (sr., WR-DB, Franklinville/Ellicottville), Peyton Stiles (sr., RB-LB, Port Allegany).

ELK CO. CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

–at Sheffield

9/22 – 7 p.m. – Otto-Eldred

9/29 – 7 p.m. – at Coudersport 10/6 – 7 p.m. – Bucktail 10/13 – 7 p.m. – at Cameron County 10/20 – 7 p.m. – Sheffield

QUICK HITS

With a new head coach in Tim Pearson at the helm, the Elk County Catholic football team is starting their season in the midst of a cultural reset. Drawing from his experience in the Air Force, Pearson will ingrain discipline into every aspect of the team to get them “where they need to be.” The Crusaders return several key players to their roster, including running back Noah Cherry, who carried the ball for over 1,000 yards for the Crusaders. Cherry will be joined by a budding fellow running back in Frankie Smith, who tallied over 400 yards in his freshman year.

2022 IN REVIEW

The Crusaders racked up a 7-2 record a season ago to close out the Tony Gerg era, who stepped down as head coach after 14 years. In his last season, Gerg also won the Coach of the Year Award in Region 3 of the District 9 football league. The Crusaders started out of the gates with six straight victories that started with a nail-bitting 3530 victory over Otto-Eldred at home. Throughout the rest of the season, that would be the most points allowed by an opposing team, averaging just over 11 opponent points in the following nine games, while scoring an average of 27 in that same time frame.

QB/CBCharlieGeciSR.5-10165lb.

RB/SNoahCherrySR.5-10160lb.

TE/DEShawnGeciSR.5-10170lb.

OT/DEAlexGahrSR.6-4250lb.

C/LBThomasGilmoreSR.5-10170lb.

G/FB/LBLucasGrunenwaldSR.5-10180lb.

OG/DTEthanOttJR.5-9225lb.

RB/SFrankieSmithSO.5-8160lb.

RB/OLBPercyMacDonaldSR.5-9160lb.

RB/WR/LBJoeToncichJR.6-1175lb.

OT/DTPatrickFosterSR.5-11250lb.

Charlie Geci Noah Cherry Frankie Smith

Tim Pearson (1 year, 0-0)

FRANKLINVILLE/ELLICOTTVILLE TITANS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Salamanca

9/8 - 7 p.m. - Silver Creek/Forestville at Franklinville

9/15 - 7 p.m. - at Gowanda

9/22 - 7 p.m. - Wilson, at Ellicottville

9/29 - 7 p.m. - at Randolph

10/6 - 7 p.m. - Cattaraugus-Little Valley, at Franklinville

10/14 - 7 p.m. - at JFK

10/20 - 7 p.m. - Clymer/Sherman/Panama, at Ellicottville

Jason Marsh (5th year, 30-8 14th total, 70-47)

RB/DB Beau Bielecki Sr. 5-9165 lb.

RB/LB Hunter Smith Sr. 5-10165 lb.

WR/DB Noah Shenk Sr. 5-10155 lb.

RB/LB Jacob Dahlke Sr. 5-10175 lb.

QUICK HITS

The Titans remain one of the dominant football forces in the area. However, this season they will have to look for success without the presence of quarterback and Big 30 All-Star standout Giancarlo Nuzzo. In the last two seasons the Titans have come to face Randolph in the sectional final and were bested by them both times. The second place league finishers will look to leapfrog the Cardinals and add to their two sectional titles in the last nine years. One aspect that will help them reach this goal is the return of the Titans entire running back corps from last season, led by Beau Bielecki, Hunter Smith and Jacob Dahlke.

2022 IN REVIEW

The Titans’ previous season got off to an impressive start as they put up over 35 points in their first two games, both wins over Saint Mary’s and Wilson. They tasted their first bit of defeat against Randolph in their third game of the season, falling 28-12. A similar scoreline to the one that would end their season. The rest of the regular season only featured one other loss and a number of huge wins. Including their high-scoring 62-34 win over Cattaraugus-Little Valley and a shutout victory over Gowanda/Pine Valley. Their 7-3 league record saw the Titans finish in second place in the league, only behind the undefeated Cardinals who would yet again come to haunt them. Another year ended in the sectional final for the Titans as they were defeated 30-14.

OT/DT Hayden CallahanSr. 6-4250 lb.

TE/DE Owen Chudy Sr. 6-2180 lb.

OT/DT Isaiah Ploetz Sr. 5-11180 lb.

QB/LB Isaac Towne Jr. 6-0180 lb.

RB/DE Billy Slavinski Jr. 6-0205 lb.

C/DT Christopher CalarcoSr. 6-0245 lb.

RB/LB David HermanSr. 5-8165 lb.

Beau Bielecki Hunter Smith Noah Shenk

Big 30 teams took it a step further last fall

RANDOLPH REPEATS, PORT A POWERS TO D-9 CLASS A TITLE

By J.P. BUTLER

By any measure, Big 30 football teams finished the 2021 season in collectively strong fashion.

That’s especially compared to some of the lean years of the 2010s.

Consider: seven of the 10 traditional New York squads reached the playoffs, with two (Randolph and Franklinville/Ellicottville) advancing to play each other for the Section 6 Class D title. And though only five of 11 teams qualified for the postseason in Pennsylvania, four made it to either the district semifinals or championship game.

In 2022, however, the goal was different.

Given the volume of talent that a number of these teams had back — particularly in the cases of Randolph and Port Allegany — and considering the capable reinforcements, winning pedigree and playoff-proven coaches each had in place, the overarching objective was essentially to “one-up” itself in October and November.

And that, indeed, wound up

becoming the local theme of the 2022 playoffs:

“One step further.”

AFTER GOING one-and-done in ‘21, Portville, Salamanca and Pioneer all played at least one more game last fall. Portville, upon advancing straight to the semis due to opt outs and losing to Randolph in ‘21, hammered Frewsburg before bowing to F/E in the ‘22 semis; Salamanca, a year after being upset in a home quarterfinal by Lackawanna, handled Cleveland Hill before dropping a road semifinal rematch with the

Steelers; and Pioneer, after being dispatched by WNY Maritime Charter in the ‘21 quarters, downed both Albion and Maryvale to reach its first Section 6 Class B title game since 2018, where it battled powerhouse Iroquois before falling, 18-7.

RANDOLPH and F/E?

Oh, they took what has almost become their rightful place in the Class D championship at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, meeting there for the second-straight season and the fourth time since 2014. In the end, the Titans played for the ‘D’ crown for the eighth time in the last nine years and the Cardinals, with their 30-14 triumph, secured their fifth sectional title since 2012.

But even they, for as strong as they’d already been, broke new ground.

The Cardinals, after losing to Oakfield-Alabama/Elma in the ‘21 Far West Regional — with just about every key player back from a 10-1 team — made good on their plans for revenge, downing O-A/E, 42-26, in that same game last fall before succumbing to Tioga in the NYS Class D Final Four

And though they fell short of their ultimate goal, their season could only be viewed as a success. Indeed, Randolph expected to go further in ‘22 and managed to do that despite

incredibly high preseason pressure and having a target on its back each night out, making the state semifinals for the first time since 2012-14, when it captured three-straight state crowns.

F/E, meanwhile, may have lost in the ‘D’ title contest for the second year in a row, but its progress came in the form of closing the gap with the Cardinals, going from a 26-0 loss in 2021 to a more competitive 30-14 defeat last fall, and giving itself a springboard of confidence heading into 2023.

IN THE end, traditional NY teams took part in 15 playoff games a year ago after appearing in nine in 2021. Five teams made it as far as the semifinals after just three did the previous season, and three played for a sectional title — all numbers that were better than the average over the previous 10-plus years.

And that level of success permeated into other areas on the blue side of the border.

Allegany-Limestone, for instance, came up just shy of the playoffs in Year 1 under Marcus Grove, but rallied from an 0-3 start to finish 4-4 and crushed Alden in a Class C Funke Bowl semifinal before bowing to Akron in the championship game. And Bolivar-Richburg, in its inaugural campaign in the 8-man ranks, went 5-3 en route to the No. 3 seed in its postseason bracket, besting Holley in the quarterfinals while being ousted by Pembroke in the semis.

Counting A-L and B-R, both of which will compete in the 8-man league this fall, that’s seven NY teams that either played for, or were within one game of reaching, a championship contest.

TOP TO bottom, it was a solid showing.

Bradford Era file photo Port Allegany’s Nick Wilfong (8) celebrates with teammates during the District 9 football championship against Brockway on Nov. 18 at Parkway Field in Bradford, Pa.

Big 30 teams

The same could be said about Pennsylvania … or at least might have been said.

Port Allegany, like Randolph, fulfilled what seemed to be its destiny after returning almost every major contributor from a good team in ‘21. After fizzling out against Redbank Valley in the District 9 Class A semifinals, the Gators not only broke through with their first district title in 10 years, beating Brockway 21-14, but topped Reynolds in the PIAA playoffs and came within a shootout loss to Union of reaching the state championship game.

By year ’s end, two squads from the red side had advanced to a district title game (St. Marys was the other, falling to Clearfield in the Class AAA contest). And though only three squads qualified for the playoffs, that number could have been five or six, but Elk County Catholic (8-2) and Otto-Eldred (6-4), with winning re-

cords, and Cameron County (4-6), the D-9 Region 3 co-champion, opted out due to low numbers and injuries.

Following is a look at how every Big 30 playoff qualifier fared last fall:

Allegany-Limestone

• Alden, W, 44-13, Sec. 6 Class C Bowl semifinals

• Akron, L, 40-16, Sec. 6 Class C Bowl championship

Bolivar-Richburg

• Holley, W, 26-22, 8-man quarterfinals

• Pembroke, L, 40-18, 8-man semifinals

Coudersport

• Brockway, L, 62-6, D-9 Class A quarterfinals

Franklinville/Ellicottville

• Gowanda/Pine Valley, W, 35-14, Sec. 6 Class D quarterfinals

• Portville, W, 49-3, Sec. 6 Class D semifinals

• Randolph, L, 30-14, Sec. 6 Class D championship

CATTARAUGUS-LITTLE VALLEY TIMBERWOLVES

Olean

• Iroquois, L, 52-7, Sec. 6 Class B quarterfinals

Pioneer

• Albion, W, 7-6, Sec. 6 Class B quarterfinals

• Maryvale, W, 31-14, Sec. 6 Class B semifinals

• Iroquois, L, 18-7, Sec. 6 Class B championship

Port Allegany

• Bye

• Keystone, W, 18-6, D-9 Class A semifinals

• Brockway, W, 21-14, D-9 Class A championship

• Reynolds, W, 42-8, PIAA Class A quarterfinals

• Union, L, 46-36, PIAA Class A semifinals

Portville

• Frewsburg, W, 49-14, Sec. 6 Class D quarterfinals

• Franklinville/Ellicottville, L, 49-3, Sec. 6 Class D semifinals

Randolph

• Bye

• Clymer/Sherman/Panama, W, 37-7, Sec. 6 Class D semifinals

• Franklinville/Ellicottville, W, 30-14, Sec. 6 Class championship

• Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, W, 42-26, Far West Regional

• Tioga, L, 41-34, NYS Class D Final Four

Salamanca

• Cleveland Hill, W, 51-20, Sec. 6 Class C quarterfinals

• Lackawanna, L, 24-6, Sec. 6 Class semifinals

St. Marys

• Punxsutawney, W, 12-7, D-9 Class AAA semifinals

• Clearfield, L, 13-7, D-9 Class AAA championship

Wellsville

• Pembroke, L, 49-22, 8-man quarterfinals

Times Herald file photo Randolph tight end Jaiden Huntington (87) lifts running back Xander Hind (37) in celebration after a touchdown in the Section 6 Class D football championship at Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

CATTARAUGUS-LITTLE VALLEY TIMBERWOLVES

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 - 7 p.m. - at Portville

9/7 - 7 p.m. - at Gowanda Pine Valley

9/15 - 7 p.m. - Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/ Brocton

9/22 - 7 p.m. - at Randolph

9/29 - 7 p.m. - Clymer/Sherman/Panama

10/6 - 7 p.m. - at Franklinville/Ellicottville

10/13 - 7 p.m. - Wilson

10/20 - 7 p.m. - Cardinal O’Hara

QUICK HITS

Last season was one to forget for the Timberwolves as they finished the season without a win to their name. A loss off the field was that of long-serving head coach Tim Miller, who stepped down after 28 seasons at the helm of CLV’s program. His successor will be the Timberwolves’ defensive coordinator Matt Minnekine, who has plans to transition his team into a more modern style of play. This offseason, Minnekine has put an emphasis on the fundamentals for his young squad and aims to open up the offense and use speed as their biggest asset. Their first test under the new leadership will come against Portville away from home.

2022 IN REVIEW

While new head coach Minnekine was able to take some positives away from last season, on paper, the Wolves stumbled their way to an 0-8 record. The offense failed to produce and in their first seven games, they scored a combined 14 points. The defensive side of the game struggled as well as they lost by an average of just over 40 points per game. However, there was some hope at the end of last season as they were able to put up 34 points in a loss to Franklinville/Ellicottville. Following the conclusion of last season, head coach Tim Miller stepped down as head coach and now Minnekine will look to right the ship with his youthful squad and relevant tactics.

OL/LBPerrySnyderSr.5-10190lb.

QB/DBD.J.SzataJr.5-11160lb.

QB/DBMattBenzelSr.6-0160lb.

OL/DLChaseMarshallJr.5-8190lb.

RB/DBJosiahLenahanJr.5-10150lb.

WR/DBBraydenYoungSr.5-8165lb.

WR/DBJamesHinesJr.5-4120lb.

OL/DLWalkerJanoraJr.5-10180lb.

OL/DLJustinSillsJr.5-8185lb.

OL/DLThomasBoninSr.5-10160lb.

OL/DLNoahFullerJr.5-7215lb.

Perry Snyder D.J. Szata Matt Benzel

Matt Minnekine (1st year, 0-0)

C-R grad Frank transfers to D-I Akron for 5th year

Pioneer’s Rigerman ranked highly among D-II tight ends

By SAM WILSON

A Cuba-Rushford graduate has taken an unexpected path to Division I football after four years at Hobart College.

Ben Frank, a 2019 C-R grad, transferred for his fifth year of collegiate eligibility to the University of Akron. Now listed at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, Frank played offensive line at Hobart, appearing in 23 games over four years including all 11 as a junior, when he made the All-Liberty League second team. That standout junior year saw Hobart rank third in the nation (Division III) in fewest sacks allowed,

10th in fewest tackles for loss allowed and 20th in rushing offense and the o-line did not allow a sack in seven of 11 games.

Last year, Frank played nine games as a senior. An environmental studies major at Akron, Frank twice earned Liberty League All-Academic Honors. Frank was a threeyear varsity starter at C-R and a Big 30 All-Star.

Frank, a native of Cuba, joined an Akron program that plays in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), including facing the University at Buffalo on Sept. 30 in Akron.

A former Big 30 Player of the Year, Pioneer’s Mike

Rigerman, is entering his senior year at the University of Findlay.

Rigerman, listed at 6-foot2, 260 pounds, plays tight end at Findlay, having started every game for the last two years.

Rigerman’s 2022 season produced 37 catches for 478 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, a season after posting similar numbers (40 for 493 and six touchdowns) in 2021. Those 2022 numbers led G-MAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference) tight ends in receptions and receiving yards and he earned firstteam all-G-MAC honors.

The Arcade native who

was a high school state champion wrestler, Rigerman began this season on the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List as one of the top four DII tight ends.

The Big 30’s most dominant small school of the last two years, Randolph, produced three new college players this fall. Big 30 Player of the Year Xander Hind committed to Mount Union while his fellow two-time Big 30 All-Star teammates Jaiden Huntington and Ryan Carpenter are set to continue their careers at Lock Haven and Buffalo State, respective-

Cuba-Rushford graduate Ben Frank joined the University of Akron football team after four years at Hobart College.

QUICK HITS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/26 – 1:30 p.m. – Brockway 9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Punxsutawney 9/8 – 7 p.m. – at St. Marys 9/15 – 7 p.m. – Ridgway

9/22 – 7 p.m. – Union-AC Valley

9/30 – 1:30 p.m. – at Port Allegany 10/7 – 1:30 p.m. – at Redbank Valley

– 7 p.m. – Keystone

– 7 p.m. – Smethport

– 7 p.m. – at Bradford

Keaton Rounsville (1st year, 0-0)

A new era begins for the Wolves this fall with young Kane graduate Keaton Rounsville stepping into the top job to lead the team. Rounsville, a former standout lineman in high school who played college ball at Clarion, replaces his high school coach, Todd Silfies. The squad has nine returning starters, but only two of them seniors: wide receiver/defensive back Dane Anderson and running back/linebacker Reece Bechakas. Among the juniors, Kyle Zook returns at quarterback and Sam West at running back. Kane will get an early test out of the way with Brockway, which beat the Wolves 28-25 last year, in the opening week.

2022 IN REVIEW

Kane endured an up and down 2022 season, finishing the year 3-7. The Wolves started slow at 0-3 (losing to Brockway, Punxsutawney and St. Marys) before a rivalry win at Ridgway in Week 4, 48-27. But the next week started another losing streak with consecutive losses to UnionAC Valley, Port Allegany, Redbank Valley and Keystone. The Wolves earned some confidence to enter the offseason by defeating their last two opponents. Kane won at Smethport, 36-12, and beat Bradford 35-27 in the finale.

WR/DBDaneAndersonSr.6-0160lb.

OL/DLCameronSeveranceJr.6-2290lb.

RB/LBSamWestJr.5-7190lb.

QB/DBKyleZookJr.6-0150lb.

OL/DLIsaiahSmithSoph.5-10205lb.

TE/LBKaneScharbaJr.6-0205lb.

RB/LBReeceBechakasSr.5-11165lb.

OL/DLWilliamCostanzoJr.6-1220lb.

WR/DBLeviWilsonJr.5-5155lb.

OL/DLJohnLorenzoJr.6-2285lb.

TE/DEConnorBrownSr.6-1215lb.

Cameron Severance Sam West Kyle Zook

College Big 30 players

ly. The Cardinals lead Big 30 teams in reported college players this fall at four as Andrew Bernard is set to play his fifth year at Mercyhurst on the offensive line.

The full list of Big 30 area players in college football this fall:

• Bradford: Donny Pattison (Thiel, senior TE)

• Cameron County: Brevin Lewis (Midway University, Ky.)

• Coudersport: Gabe Conyer (Mansfield), Vedder Conyer (Mansfield)

University of Findlay Athletics

Findlay tight end Mike Rigerman gives a stiff-arm to a Tiffin defender during a game last fall. Rigerman, a Pioneer graduate, was the Great Midwest Athletic Conference first-team all-conference tight end.

• Cuba-Rushford: Ben Frank (University of Akron, redshirt senior OL)

• Franklinville/Ellicottville: Giancarlo Nuzzo (Saint Anselm College, freshman QB)

• Pioneer: Walker Bekiel (Alfred University, freshman WR), Mike Rigerman (Findlay University, senior TE)

• Randolph: Andrew Bernard (Mercyhurst, graduate student, offensive line), Ryan Carpenter (Buffalo State, freshman), Xander Hind (Mount Union, freshman), Jaiden Huntington (Lock Haven, freshman)

• Ridgway: Dominic Allegretto (Geneva College, sophomore, defensive back)

• St. Marys: Colton Swanson (Misericordia, sophomore, offensive line), Eli Rippey (Lycoming, freshman, linebacker)

• Wellsville: Alex Perkins (Alfred University, sophomore WR), Connor Ferguson (Alfred University, sophomore TE)

This year’s Penn State football team plans to leave the program better than they found it

By JON SAUBER Centre Daily Times (TNS)

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s become a common refrain in college athletics for players to talk about leaving a program better than they found it. Sometimes it can feel like lip service to culminate a career that didn’t live up to expectations but still saw growth .

This time it feels like a legitimate refrain from the group of Penn State football players that can depart after the 2023 season ends.

The Nittany Lions have seen turbulent times over the past three seasons.

But it’s hard to argue they’re on anything but the upswing entering the year — thanks in large part to a group of players who stayed the course during a difficult stretch and built a culture that can sustain even when they’re gone.

Penn State went 11-11 across 2020 and 2021, the two years when many of the team’s older contributors were waiting in the wings for their opportunity to shine. The program rebounded well with an 11-2 mark last year — matching the record from 2019 — and is now poised to make a run at its first College Football Playoff berth since it began in 2014.

Redshirt senior defensive end Adisa Isaac enrolled in 2019 and played in every 2020 game before missing 2021 due to a torn Achilles. He’s one of the team’s current leaders and said during last month’s Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis that the little things are a big part of making sure the next group of leaders and starters are able to keep the momentum rolling after the current leadership departs.

“When situations happen, espe-

Penn State head coach James Franklin poses with captains (from left) safety Keaton Ellis, linebacker Dominic DeLuca, offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu, tight end Theo Johnson, defensive end Adisa Isaac and wide receiver Malick Meiga during team photo day on Aug. 19.

OLEAN HUSKIES

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Falconer/Cass Val/Map Grove

9/8 – 7 p.m. – Depew

9/15 – 7 p.m. – Alden

9/22 – 7 p.m. – East Aurora/Holland

9/29 – 7 p.m. – at Tonawanda

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at Springville

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Lackawanna

10/21 – 2 p.m. – at WNY Maritime/Tapestry

QUICK HITS

A perennial playoff team, Olean will aim for its first postseason victory since 2019 under coach Phil Vecchio. The Huskies have the pieces in place to improve on back-to-back 4-5 seasons. Returning are sophomore quarterback Joe Mest, who put together a strong freshman campaign, the versatile Ryan Isenberg, fellow linebackers Manoah Miketish and Noah Gallo, and lineman Aaron Vincent. Though OHS has a slim roster, Vecchio noted that the 2016 team that went unbeaten in the regular season had just 22 players. The Huskies move from Section 6, Class B-2 to B-3, where it will face a handful of unknown opponents that include Alden, Depew, Tonawanda, Lackawanna, and Western New York Maritime.

2022 IN REVIEW

Olean produced an up and down season that resulted in a 4-5 mark and first-round playoff exit for the second straight year. The Huskies lost their last three games, including a 52-7 postseason setback at Iroquois. OHS started the year with consecutive road wins and also scored an impressive victory over Cheektowaga at home. Mest threw for 1,057 yards and 13 TDs while Isenberg added four touchdows and led the defense with 69 tackles. A key part of Olean’s success was the play of graduating senior and Big 30 all-star Cade Anastasia.

RB/LBRyanIsenbergSr.6-1165lb.

QB/DBJoeMestSo.6-2180lb.

RB/LBNoahGalloJr.5-7155lb.

OL/DLAaronVincentSr.5-11195lb.

LBManoahMiketishJr.6-0185lb.

OL/DLGabeMilliganSr.6-5200lb.

RB/DBIsaiahSmithSr.6-1175lb.

OL/LBBrysenRiehleSr.5-11195lb.

KAlexLindermanSr.6-1175lb.

DEAmmarShaikhJr.6-0190lb.

OL/DLJaydenMarvinJr.5-10215lb.

Ryan Isenberg Joe Mest Noah Gallo

Phil Vecchio (8th year, 34-25)

cially in practice and stuff, (I) just use those experiences to make a coaching point,” Isaac said. “If I see a guy slacking off, I’ll tie that back into something I saw him do the other day that can lead to bad habits. I try to nip all the bad habits in the bud early. Stop all that from the jump so that way they know the standard. I try to keep a high standard in the room, as far as the way

we work, the way we carry ourselves, how we practice, how we run to the ball, all the little details.”

Nittany Lions stepping up to lead Isaac is one of several players stepping into a void left behind by previous players who led vocally. The questions about who would fill those empty spaces were common after the 2022 season ended. Players like

Ji’Ayir Brown, Sean Clifford and PJ Mustipher were a part of the group that helped oversee the turnaround following the tumultuous 2020-2021 stretch.

They established what needed to be done, leaving it to this collection of leaders to carry that on.

Those players were vocal in what they wanted and how a program should be maintained from a culture standpoint. That starts at the team level but carries down to each position group.

Junior Olumuyiwa Fashanu began his career with the 2020 season — the year that did not count toward eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic — and is now the best player on the team. He has young players learning from him like second year tackle Drew Shelton, who is fighting for a starting spot, and J’ven Williams, who enrolled this offseason as a highly-touted freshman.

Fashanu’s goal is to make sure the

offensive line is in a better position than when he enrolled.

“When I got there my freshman year, the culture was a lot different than it is now,” he said. “I think that just is attributed to the guys in the room right now. ... All of us. Being mentors for the younger guys. Not only on the field, but off the field too. Just the way how we act. Our O-line room is extremely healthy right now. We’re all super tight with each other. We all hang out with each other all the time outside the facility.”

He made clear that it wasn’t that he wasn’t happy with the offensive line room when he arrived. Rather, it was about his personality and how he handled when he had an inquiry.

“When I was a freshman it was probably due to the person that I am,” Fashanu said. “I’m very introverted. If I had questions, more often than not I just wouldn’t ask them. This year

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

QUICK HITS

OTTO-ELDRED TERRORS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. — Elk County Catholic

9/1 — 7 p.m. — Sheffield

9/8 — 7 p.m. — at Bradford

9/15 — 7 p.m. — Bucktail

9/22 — 7 p.m. — at Elk County Catholic

9/30 — 1:30 p.m. — at Sheffield

10/6 — 7 p.m. — Coudersport

10/13 — 7 p.m. — at Bucktail

10/20 — 7 p.m. — Cameron County

10/27 — 7 p.m. — at Port Allegany

Troy Cook (6th year, 21-27)

After a rough finish, which was compounded by a rash of injuries in 2022, Otto-Eldred will look to not only return to where it was at the height of last season, but exceed it. And there’s reason to believe the Terrors could do just that. Coach Troy Cook welcomes back nine full-time starters and 12 players who started at least one game last fall, including now-senior quarterback Andrew Schenfield, the only signal-caller to earn District 9 Region III all-star honors in ‘22 after throwing for 2,188 yards and 28 TDs. O-E also has back Schenfield’s top two targets in D-9 all-star Manning Splain (45 receptions, 10 TDs) and Shene Thomas (30 catches, nine TDs), anchor lineman Braxton Caldwell and RB/S Hunter App. The Terrors, who averaged 34 points per game last year, figure to be high-powered again in ‘23 and will look to use that to improve upon a fourth-place finish in last year’s District 9 Region III. O-E began on the right note by downing ECC in Week 0.

2022 IN REVIEW

O-E turned in its best regular season since claiming the old AML North title in 2017, going 6-4 with wins over playoff-bound Coudersport and Class AAAA Bradford. The Terrors got off to a fast start, sitting 3-1 and 6-2. Back-to-back losses to Cameron County (in OT) and Port Allegany dampened the end of the year, though, and with a slew of injuries, O-E was forced to opt out of the playoffs, thereby missing for the fourth-straight year, a streak it’ll look to end in 2023.

OT/DEBraxtonCaldwellSr.,6-5200lb.

QBAndrewSchenfieldSr.,6-2220lb.

OG/LBAbramAustinSr.,5-11190lb.

C/DTTylerMcElhattanSr.,5-11245lb.

WR/CBManningSplainJr.,6-0185lb.

RB/SHunterAppJr.,5-8165lb.

WR/SDavidSchenfieldJr.,6-2180lb.

OG/DTJakobHernandezJr.,5-10235lb.

OG/LBJerimiahFordJr.,5-10205lb.

OT/DTCharlieMinardJr.,6-3240lb.

WR/CBSheneThomasJr.,6-2165lb.

Braxton Caldwell Andrew Schenfield Manning Splain

PIONEER PANTHERS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Kenmore East

9/9 — 2 p.m. — at Southpark*

9/15 — 7 p.m. — Cheektowaga

9/22 — 7 p.m. — at Health Sciences/Global

9/29 — 7 p.m. — West Seneca East

10/6 — 7 p.m. — at Williamsville South

10/13 — 7 p.m. — Amherst

10/19 — 7 p.m. — Springville

* at All-High Stadium

QUICK HITS

A year ago, Pioneer was coming off one of the biggest graduation hits of the Jim Duprey era. In 2023, they have a wealth of talent back. Oh, the Panthers suffered a couple of key departures, including Big 30 all-star Kyle Stover, but return 28 letterwinners, highlighted by THREE other Big 30 all-stars in defensive end Sam Platt, two-way tackle Luke Matheis and RB Dalton Giboo, plus quarterback Gavin Schwab, who made key strides as a sophomore starter and figures to take another step this season. Pioneer remains in the largest Class B alignment (B1), but will face almost all new league foes, as most from last year have dropped to B2, including league champ Iroquois, with the likes of Southpark and Williamsville South taking their place. Duprey (22nd year) is now the longest-tenured Big 30 coach with the retirement of Catt-Little Valley’s Tim Miller. Pioneer will undoubtedly be looking to reach its second-straight ‘B’ title game and third since 2018.

2022 IN REVIEW

Pioneer, despite significant graduation losses, had designs on remaining one of the top teams in Class B, and went out and did that, going 6-2 en route to a second-place league finish (8-3 overall) while reaching the Sec. 6 Class B title game. The Panthers lost only to B superpower Iroquois (27-6) and Albion (22-16) in the regular year, but gave Iroquois all it could handle in the championship rematch, falling 18-7. Pioneer was spurred by a defense that surrendered just 9.6 points per game.

DESamPlattJr.,6-4210lb.

OGGavinHaleySr.,5-10225lb.

CJimmySteppeSr.,6-4280lb.

OTNateButtsSr.,5-10255lb.

OT/DTLukeMatheisSr.,6-3255lb.

TE/LBKarterGibooJr.,6-3200lb.

QBGavinSchwabJr.,6-1180lb.

RB/SDaltonGibooSr.,5-10175lb.

FB/LBNateBullSr.,6-1195lb.

MLBLoganHalladaySr.,5-9195lb.

DTTyRichardsonJr.,6-3295lb.

Sam Platt Luke Matheis Dalton Giboo

Jim Duprey (22nd year, 102-80)

PORT ALLEGANY GATORS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. – Ridgway

9/1 — 7 p.m. — at Central Clarion

9/8 — 7 p.m. — Smethport

9/15 — 7 p.m. — at Cameron County

9/22 — 7 p.m. — at Brockway

9/30 — 1:30 p.m. — Kane

10/7 — 1:30 p.m. — Union/A-C Valley

10/13 — 7 p.m. — at Redbank Valley

10/20 — 7 p.m. — Keystone

10/27 — 7 p.m. — Otto-Eldred

QUICK HITS

Port Allegany lost the “Big 3” —quarterback Drew Evens and running backs Noah Archer and Blaine Moses — from its district title-winning team in 2022. But there are five key reasons to believe the Gators will be back in the mix for a D-9 Region II title: the return of its entire starting line on both sides, including Miska Young, the reigning Region II Offensive AND Defensive Lineman of the Year, Carson Neely, a state wrestling semifinalist, and Juuso Young. Peyton Stiles, a key contributor in the slot the last two seasons, will slide into the featured back role for his senior year. The Gators will plug three sophomores into the backfield positions vacated by the “Big 3”: Nick Wilfong at QB, Tristan Kiser on the wing and Aiden Bliss at fullback. With what was already one of the top lines in the area poised to take another step, Port, despite its losses, was still picked to finish second in Region II by pafootballnews.com.

2022 IN REVIEW

After starting a rebuild in 2019 with a freshman-laden lineup and getting better each season thereafter, Port fulfilled what had seemed its destiny last fall (and then some), turning in an unbeaten (8-0) league campaign en route to a Region II title, beating Brockway for the D-9 Class A championship and winning a PIAA playoff game before falling to eventual state runner-up Union in the PIAA semifinals. The Gators finished 12-2 while claiming their first D-9 crown in a decade.

RB/LBPeytonStilesSr.,5-11175lb.

CLeviWilfongSr.,6-0225lb.

RG/DEMiskaYoungSr.,6-3240lb.

RT/DEBraylonBUttonSr.,6-4215lb.

LT/DTJuusoYoungJr.,6-2230lb.

LG/DTCarsonNeelyJr.,6-1255lb.

RB/LBAidenBlissSo.,6-1190lb.

RB/LBTristanKiserSo.,5-7155lb.

QB/DBNickWilfongSo.,5-7140lb.

DLAustinFreerSr.,6-1290lb.

OL/DLKoleKiskoSr.,6-4215lb.

Peyton Stiles Miska Young Carson Neely

Justin Bienkowski (8th year, 32-37)

PORTVILLE/CUBA-RUSHFORD PANTHERS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – Cattaraugus-Little Valley

9/8 – 7 p.m. - at Southwestern

9/15 – 7 p.m. – Silver Creek/Forestville, at Cuba-Rushford

9/22 – 7 p.m. – at Fredonia

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Chautauqua Lake/West./Broct.

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at Falconer/Cass. Valley/M.G.

10/13 – 7 p.m. – at Randolph 10/20 – 7 p.m. – Salamanca

QUICK HITS

A new era in Portville and Cuba-Rushford begins with the merger of neighboring schools’ football programs. As the host school, Portville welcomed C-R and Hinsdale students to its program. Portville will hold the majority of home games and the team will play a Section 6 schedule. Portville/C-R moved up into the Section 6 Class C South division this fall. Returning Portville quarterback Luke Petryszak and tailback Kaedon Holcomb will look to pace the offense, while Cody Barton, Lucious Young and Nik Manroe lead the lines. Sixth year coach Josh Brooks leads a deep coaching staff that includes Jarrod Bell, who coached the Rebels last fall.

2022 IN REVIEW

Portville had another winning season under Brooks, as the Panthers started the season 3-0 en route to a 7-3 overall campaign. The Panthers started the year with a Rocking Chair Rivalry game victory over Allegany-Limestone in Week 1, 27-6, then beat Frewsburg and Wilson. Franklinville/Ellicottville tripped up the Panthers in a 16-8 overtime contest in Week 4. Portville on three straight — beating CSP, CLV and Gowanda — before falling to Randolph in the regular season finale. Portville beat Frewsburg in the Section 6 Class D first round before losing at F/E, 49-3, in the semifinals. Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale went 1-6 last year, with its lone victory over South Seneca/ Romulus in Week 4.

OL/DECodyBartonSr.6-2215lb.

WR/CBHenrySchwartzSr.5-11185lb.

G/LBKadinPierceJr.5-11185lb.

WR/CBBrentonAhrensJr.5-8175lb.

QB/CBEliSleggsJr.6-1165lb.

QB/SLukePetryszakSr.6-2200lb.

RB/LBKaedonHolcombSr.5-7165lb.

OL/DLLuciousYoungSr.6-0200lb.

OL/DLNikManroeSr.6-4210lb.

OL/DLHaydenEmleySr.5-10220lb.

RB/SLandenSchappacheerJr.5-10160lb.

Luke Petryszak Kaedon Holcomb Cody Barton

Josh Brooks (6th year, 26-17)

Penn State

and especially last year, (I’ve) tried to make the younger guys feel as comfortable as possible in that room and just to get them to open up when they needed to. At the end of the day, as a freshman, the biggest thing you need are older guys that can lead you on the right path and to answer any questions that you have.”

Looking toward an important season

Sometimes the culture can take care of the leadership on its own. Cultures tend to be better when a team is winning more and have a proclivity to fracture with added frequency when teams are losing.

That should help keep things rolling in a positive direction as the Nittany Lions look to build off their 11-win 2022 season. And sometimes focusing on doing the right things on your own can help improve a culture.

Leading by example can be just as important in creating good habits as being vociferous.

One of the Nittany Lion captains, Keaton Ellis, is focusing on all of those little things as he spends his first year as a captain alongside Fashanu and linebacker Dom DeLuca.

“That’s part of being a captain and being a leader on this team,” Ellis said. “... Just making sure that what I’m doing is putting the team in the best position to win. I’m just excited for the opportunity. I wanted to come back, not only for myself, but for the team. And I really think we have something

special and I’m just really excited for the season.”

Those captains and older players like Isaac are heading toward an important season in modern Penn State history. This is the final year of the four-team playoff field before it expands to 12 in 2024. Yes, the Nittany Lions are primed to make it consistently once it does expand. But making it this year would establish a much higher standard for the next group of Penn State teams to follow.

And it’s on the veterans to make sure they leave the program better than they found it.

RANDOLPH CARDINALS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/2 – 7 p.m. – at Fredonia

9/8 - 7 p.m. – Clymer/Sherman/Panama

9/16 - 2 p.m. - at Bishop Timon

9/22 - 7 p.m. – Cattaraugus-Little Valley

9/29 - 7 p.m. – Franklinville/Ellicottville

10/6 - 7 p.m. – at Wilson 10/13 - 7 p.m. – Portville 10/20 - 7 p.m. – at Gowanda Pine Valley

QUICK HITS

It is impossible to look at the Cardinals season without mentioning the loss of a number of their stars and starters from last season. Those seniors helped lead Randolph all the way to the state semifinal where they were handed their first and only loss of the season by reigning, and now back-to-back Class D state champions, Tioga. Even with the losses of those seniors, the Cardinals still have 36 players on the roster this year with 24 returners. While they may not be as battle tested as previous years’ squads, 11th year coach Brent Brown is embracing the challenge as they set their sight at another sectional title, at the least.

2022 IN REVIEW

Last season, the Cardinals were undefeated all the way through to the state semifinals where they were bested by Tioga in a high-scoring 41-34 loss. In just about every game leading up to that matchup, Randolph was dominant. Senior quarterback Carson Conley passed for 586 yards and secured 11 touchdowns on the season through the air. However, it was star running back Xander Hind that acted as the focal point for the Cardinals’ offense. Hind Rushed for an absurd 2,328 yards on 265 attempts, scoring 30 touchdowns in the process. Hind finsihed with over 2,000 more rushing yards than the next highest totaling running back on the team. Hind leaves a large hole in Randolph’s production line that they will look to fill by other means this season.

RB/STristanFarnhamSr.6-0170lb.

OL/DEElialBryanSr.5-11225lb.

WR/DBTalonRowlandSr.6-1165lb.

RB/LBMaverickAdamsSr.6-1200lb.

OL/DLJacobDexterSr.6-1210lb.

WR/DBMasonGarmanSr.6-0190lb.

TE/DLNateHahnJr.6-1210lb.

KGriffinNelsonJr.5-11165lb.

RB/DEWyattWeaverJr.5-9160lb.

TE/DEDavidRootSr.6-0185lb.

RB/DEMichaelBohallSr.5-9170lb.

Elial Bryan Tristan Farnham Maverick Adams

Brent Brown (11th year, 70-28)

RANDOLPH CARDINALS

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RIDGWAY ELKERS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

Mark Heindl (16 year, 85-72)

QB/SCameronLarkinSR.6-0175lb.

RB/LBJacksonKilpeckSR.6-0170lb.

WR/CBNickAielloSR.5-9145lb.

RB/LBEricHoffmanSR.5-11182lb.

QUICK HITS

After missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years, Ridgway is ready to make another postseason push. Rejoined by a core of 13 letter winners, the Elkers now have some experience under their belt which will hopefully lead to a winning season. Highlighting their squad will be quarterback Cameron Larkin, who threw for 1,016 yards, 113 per game on average, and nine touchdowns. Larkin was also the Elkers second best rusher, tallying 261 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. Also returning is the majority of the team’s defense, including Jackson Kilpeck, Eli Perez, Eric Hoffman, Rocco Delhunty and Buddy Handley, all who recorded more than 40 individual tackles in 2022.

2022 IN REVIEW

The Elkers stumbled out of the gates a season ago and never really found their footing, sinking to a 2-8 record overall. Opening the season with five straight losses, including three where they failed to score more than six points, the Elkers sole wins of the year came in back-to-back succession, beating Keystone 26-20 and Smethport 42-6, the most points the Elkers would score all year.

RB/DERoccoDelhuntyJR.6-1205lb.

OL/DLAlexMerrittSR.6-4215lb.

OL/LBSamLewisJR.5-10173lb.

OL/DLHunterViglioneJR.5-10240lb.

OL/DLBradyHeindlSR.5-6250lb.

TE/LBMichaelGergJR.5-11192lb.

OL/DLNickyMyersSR.6-1265lb.

Cameron Larkin Jackson Kilpeck Nick Aiello

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SALAMANCA WARRIORS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/1 – 7 p.m. – Franklinville/Ellicottville

9/8 - 7 p.m. - at Chautauqua Lake

9/16 - 7 p.m. - Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/ Maple Grove

9/22 - 7 p.m. - at Silver Creek

9/29 - 7 p.m. - Fredonia

10/7 - 1:30 p.m. - at Clymer/Sherman/ Panama

10/13 - 7 p.m. - Southwestern

10/20 - 7 p.m. - at Portville

QUICK HITS

The most obvious difference between last year’s squad and this year’s is the absence of Jesse Stahlman who led the Warriors with 824 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns last season. Other notable losses include Big 30 All-Star Jaxon Tarr and all-league receiver Jason McGraw, the latter racking up over 200 yards on only six receptions. Fifth year coach Chad Bartoszek is looking to junior quarterback Maddox Isaac to lead the offense for a second straight year. Salamanca kicks off their season with a non-league heavyweight matchup against the Franklinville/Ellicottville Titans before their first league game away from home at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton.

2022 IN REVIEW

Salamanca took another step towards a trip to Highmark Stadium. The Warriors finished first in the league and made an appearance in the sectional semifinal where they fell to a strong Lackawanna side 24-6. Unfortunately for the Warriors, star player Jesse Stahlman came down with an injury in their last regular season game which led to Salamanca needing to find other avenues for scoring. The offense during the regular season was high-octane with each of their wins coming by an average of over 29 points. Highlights included a 40-30 win against second place league finishers Fredonia, the final regular season game against Silver Creek/Forestville where the Warriors shut out the Black Knights 40-0 and their home 51-20 playoff win over Cleveland Hill.

QB/DB Maddox Isaac Jr.5-10160lb.

TE/LBTayoniGalanteSr.6-1190lb.

WR/DBCarmineHoagSr.6-1180lb.

WR/DBCoryHolleranJr.5-9160lb.

RB/CBJoshuaAumanSr.5-11180lb.

WR/CBArlenNewarkSr.5-9155lb.

C/LBCameronMcgrawSr.5-10175lb.

OL/DLCarsonMohrSr.5-11185lb.

OL/DLDekkynKrantzSr.5-10190lb.

OL/DLKeeganHardySr.6-2225lb.

OL/LBCamdenFarmerSr.5-10175lb.

Maddox Isaac Tayoni Galante Carmine Hoag

Chad Bartoszek (5th year, 22-13, 11th total, 63-29)

SMETHPORT HUBBERS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. – Redbank Valley

9/1 – 7 p.m. – at Cameron County

9/8 – 7 p.m. – at Port Allegany

9/15 – 7 p.m. – Coudersport

9/22 – 7 p.m. – at Keystone

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Brockway

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at Ridgway

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Union-AC Valley

10/20– 7 p.m. – at Kane

QUICK HITS

Smethport is hoping for a bounce-back year in the second year for head coach Joel Lent. Once again the Hubbers are competing in the challenging District 9 Region 2, starting with a home game against Redbank Valley before a pair of trips to Big 30 foes, Cameron County (non-league) and Port Allegany before facing Coudersport at home. Seniors Logan Hurlburt, Ryan Mason and Cole Szuba lead this squad as returning starters, rejoined by junior Boe Kirkman and sophomore Jonah Ganoe. Smethport hopes to get back in the playoff picture after missing the postseason for the first time in four years last fall.

2022 IN REVIEW

Coming off an 8-3 2021 campaign, a rebuilding Smethport endured some growing pains in 2022. The Hubbers finished the year 1-8. Smethport lost at Redbank 53-8 in its opener but grabbed a non-league win the following week, beating Cameron County 22-6. But the Hubbers did not win again, suffering Region 2 losses to Port Allegany, Coudersport, Keystone, Brockway, Ridgway, Union-AC Valley and Kane.

LG/DTLoganHurlburtSr.5-8202lb.

RB/SRyanMasonSr.6-1168lb.

LT/DTColeSzubaSr.5-9235lb.

RB/DEBoeKirkmanJr.6-0191lb.

RB/LBJonahGanoeSoph.5-10146lb.

WR/DBDeagenMendellSr.5-8133lb.

RT/LBBennettHarrisSr.6-1214lb.

WR/DBGavinMcCabeSr.5-6141lb.

QB/SBrenttonMcDowellSr.5-10196lb.

WR/DBChristianRoethermelSr.5-9128lb.

OT/DTCarterVandermarkJr.5-9231lb.

Cole Szuba Logan Hurlburt Ryan Mason

Joel Lent (2nd year, 1-8)

AJ Epenesa ‘dialed in’ after breakout 2022 season

By MATT KAMP Edwardsville Intelligencer, Ill. (TNS)

BUFFALO — AJ Epenesa is entering his fourth season with the Buffalo Bills.

It’s also a contract year for Epenesa, the 6-6, 265-pound defensive end who was drafted in the second round with the 54th overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Iowa.

Epenesa, a 2017 graduate of Edwardsville High School, isn’t letting the last year of his contract take away from his focus on the field as the Bills prepare for their NFL season opener against the New York Jets on September 11.

“It’s always kind of lingering because I want to be able to stay here and play football in Buffalo. The reality of it is that this is a business,” Epenesa said. “I’m just trying to keep my mind straight and eyes forward and put my nose to the grindstone and just work. That’s been my mindset all camp.”

That work has been noticed by Buffalo coach Sean McDermott.

“(Epenesa’s) dialed in. He’s a pivotal piece to our success this year,” McDermott said. “You could tell in the spring he had put a lot of work in ... in terms of in the weight room prior to coming back to Buffalo for the OTA period. He looks like he’s in a good spot and continues to grow every practice.”

Epenesa is coming off his most productive season for the Bills, who went 13-3 and won the AFC East before losing 27-10 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round.

In 15 games, including two starts, in 2022, Epenesa finished with 6.5 sacks with 16 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He set career highs in all the categories.

“Towards the end of last year, I can confidently say I was taking another step in my game and progress

a little bit,” Epenesa said. “This year, this camp has been all about taking more steps and playing with more confidence and swagger. I’m trying to get my level of productivity up and make more plays in the backfield and ironing out my responsibilities.”

For his three-year career, Epenesa has nine sacks, 44 tackles and 23 quarterback hits in 43 games.

Epenesa credited his breakout last season to playing with more confidence.

“Confidence in myself, my rush, body weight and strength. Having that overwhelming level of confidence to be able to push your way

through a rush or run game. That mind game is a majority part of the sport,” Epenesa said.

Helping Epenesa make that push was playing at a more ideal weight.

In his senior season at Iowa, Epenesa weighed around 280 pounds. By the time his rookie season rolled around with the Bills, he was down to nearly 245 pounds. He finished his rookie season with one sack, 14 tackles and four quarterback hits in 14 games.

Epenesa spent much of his second season with the Bills around 250 pounds. That season, he had 1.5 sacks, 14 tackles and nine quarterback

hits in 14 games.

Last year, Epenesa was able to play at around 265 pounds.

“There was a huge change,” Epenesa said of a 20-pound change in playing weight from his rookie season. “That changes the style of play or the amount of push I have behind my punch. That was a huge change.

“I have found that happy medium. I’m at a pretty good weight around 265 and maintaining. I feel like it’s made me a little

Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TN

Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive ends Boogie Basham (55) and AJ Epenesa (57) in the first half of the NFL wild-card football game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 15, 2023.

bit stronger. I went through a good offseason.”

Epenesa said he’s taking on more of a role with his nutrition.

“I’m trying to be more active in my nutrition and keeping my body healthy to have the confidence to go out there, fly around and make plays,” Epenesa said.

Over the offseason, Buffalo signed defensive end Leonard Floyd, who has 47.5 sacks in his seven-year career, including at least nine in each

of his previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

Floyd adds to a defensive front that already includes Von Miller, DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham and Epenesa. Miller is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season against Detroit.

“I’m a huge believer in that competition breeds excellence,” Epenesa said. “The more competition you have around you, it pushes you to be

greater. Iron sharpens iron.”

Despite going through an intense rehab from the torn ACL, Miller has remained a mentor.

“It’s great to have him around. He has so much advice and so much to give back with his skillset, talent and knowledge,” Epenesa said.

And if Miller isn’t around, Epenesa said there are plenty of others he can lean on for advice if needed.

“When I have a question and Von (Miller) isn’t out there or the more

experienced guys, I’ll ask them because they’ve been around the block a couple of times and have been there before. It’s always good to be able to learn things from the vets,” Epenesa said.

Epenesa is one of three former Edwardsville Tigers currently in the NFL. Kicker Riley Patterson is with the Detroit Lions and defensive back Craig James is with the New York Jets. EHS has the most active NFL players among Illinois high schools.

ST. MARYS FLYING DUTCHMEN

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

8/25 – 7 p.m. – at Moniteau

8/31 – 7 p.m. – at Ridgway

9/8 – 7 p.m. – Kane

9/15 – 7 p.m. – Karns City

9/22 – 7 p.m. – at Punxsutawney

9/29 – 7 p.m. – Brookville

10/6 – 7 p.m. – at DuBois

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Bradford

10/20 – 7 p.m. – Clarion Area

QUICK HITS

The Dutchmen are entering a transitional phase this season, after losing their star studded senior class of 18. However, on the flip side of the coin, they are welcoming back 15 returning players, as well as a large younger class. Part of this youthful infusing is Cameron Coudriet, who will be promoted from junior varsity to varsity and the third incarnation of Coudriet quarterbacks. While the Dutchmen will be experimenting with who their main receivers will be, their run game is predetermined, choosing to hand off to Matthew Davis, who totaled 689 yards a season ago.

2022 IN REVIEW

In 2022, the Dutchmen came within four quarters of earning their first District 9 Championship banner. After cruising to a 7-4 record and averaging 28 points a night, St. Marys made it to the finals against Clearfield, eventually losing 13-7 in a weather-battered last game. Despite walking away without a trophy or title, the Dutchmen were able to hang their hats on having two players selected as Big 30 All-Stars in quarterback Charlie Coudriet and defensive lineman Alex Lukaschunis. Coudriet collected over 2,000 yards while connecting on 53 percent of his passes in 2022. Lukaschunis led the Dutchmen’s defense with 53 tackles, 27 of which were resulted in loss of yardage.

QB/DBCameronCoudrietSO.6-0167lb.

WR/DBBraydenAstiSR.5-9159lb.

RB/LBMatthewDavisSR.5-9180lb.

WR/LBTristanDilleySR.5-11190lb.

WR/DBBryceMattiuzSR.5-10162lb.

WR/DLMasonSheeleySR.6-2190lb.

RB/LBGrantJinJR.5-11168lb.

WR/DBBenPaulJR.5-11165lb.

WR/DBJacksonVollmerJR.5-10168lb.

OL/DLJohnnyBandySR.6-1205lb.

WR/LBAndrewFieldSO.6-0170lb.

Ben Paul Andrew Field Bryce Mattiuz

Chris Dworek (5th year, 26-14)

WELLSVILLE LIONS

COACH PLAYERS TO WATCH SCHEDULE

9/2 – 1 p.m. – at C.G. Finney/Northstar

9/8 – 7 p.m. – Bolivar-Richburg

9/14 – 7 p.m. – Allegany-Limestone

9/23 – 12 p.m. – at Red Jacket

10/6 – TBD – at Holley

10/13 – 7 p.m. – Pembroke

10/20 – 7 p.m. – Cal.-Mum./Byron-Bergen

QUICK HITS

While undergoing a coaching change and a recent uptick in roster numbers, Wellsville enters the 2023 season with a fresh energy. Coach Tim Keenan, an assistant for the last two seasons, now holds the top job with the Lions. An Alfred University professor who played football with the Saxons in his college days, Keenan aims to bring an uptempo offense to Wellsville in its third season of eight man-football. Wellsville hopes its recent increase in football turnout will allow for a return to 11-man as soon as next season, but first the Lions want to display some competitiveness this year. Quarterback Brennan Geffers leads the passing attack with receivers J.J. Howard and Jack Davis, tight end Derek Coleman and running back Sam Childs.

2022 IN REVIEW

Wellsville took a step back in its second year of eight-man football, going from 3-5 in 2021 to 1-8 last fall. The Lions got off to a slow start at 0-6 with losses for Holley, Bolivar-Richburg, C.G. Finney, C-G, Pembroke and Red Jacket before finally grabbing a win, 30-6, over Mynderse. Playing Holley and Pembroke again later in the year, Wellsville concluded the season with two straight defeats.

G/DEGabeBlackSoph.5-7185lb.

G/T/DENoahBlackSr.5-8170lb.

RB/CBSamChildsSr.6-0157lb.

G/NTBreydanCrittendenSr.5-8164lb.

TE/DEDerekColemanSoph.6-1233lb.

WR/CBJackDavisSoph.5-9139lb.

G/C/DTKaydenFinchSr.5-4231lb.

QB/SBrennanGeffersSoph.5-10142lb.

WR/SJ.J.HowardJr.6-5173lb.

RB/LBXanderOutmanSoph.5-7183lb.

RB/LBMattRitterSoph.5-10171lb.

Sam Childs Noah Black J.J. Howard

Tim Keenan (1st year, 0-0)

Steelers offense might be much more explosive than many imagined

By PAUL ZEISE Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH — Relax and take a deep breath when you think about the Steelers preseason.

Tell yourself it is only the preseason and that the games don’t really mean much for a few more weeks. Also remind yourself that the Steelers haven’t faced a defense that game planned for them or showed much in the way of blitzes or subpackages.

Now that you have done all that, dare to dream and dream big. The Steelers’ offense might not just be good — it might be excellent this year. It might not be just excellent, either. It might be explosive, unstoppable, one of the best in the NFL.

Kenny Pickett has answered just about all of the questions anyone could have had about just how good he can be. He has directed five drives this preseason, and all five have resulted in touchdowns. And while I don’t think the Steelers will average a touchdown a drive this season, I also don’t think we will see the ‘“stuck on the mud’ offense of last season.

The Steelers should average more than 20 points per game, and if they do, given what the defense is, the predictions of them being in the AFC

North race probably will come to fruition.

Matt Canada was everyone’s favorite villain last season, but it suddenly looks like he got smart. It is funny how that happens when a coordinator gets better players and more experienced players to work with. Pickett is a year older and far more experienced, and so far, it has shown.

On Thursday in Atlanta, Pickett and the offense again made it look too easy. It is almost scary how well the offense has played and how much they have dominated their opponents so far. I don’t think the Falcons are juggernauts, but they should be able to compete with other NFL teams.

Pickett led two touchdown drives Thursday and finished his preseason 13 for 15 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 158.3 rating. He looks poised, confident, calm, and in full command of the offense. He is clearly a much more mature player than he was last year.

It isn’t just Pickett, however, as the offense around him looks significantly better. And who had Connor Heyward on their bingo card as a legitimate option at halfback? Yeah, you read that right — halfback, not just fullback. Heyward has shown this preseason he has the speed, athleticism, and instincts to play that position in a pinch

or even in certain formations.

Some think it is a bad development that Dan Moore has seemingly held off Broderick Jones for the starting left tackle spot. I don’t think that is a bad thing, however, because it means Moore has improved to the point that the coaches trust him and think he is their best option.

It’s funny how competition works, isn’t it?

Jones will probably play at some point this season, but as long as Moore keeps playing well, he will have to warm his spot despite his status as the first-round pick.

I know there is some pseudo-discussion about whether Jaylen Warren or Najee Harris is the best running back on the team, but that is silly. Warren runs hard and is a tough guy who gets tough yards and has shown some bursts of speed on longer runs.

Harris is the team’s lead dog, though, and I think now that he is healthy and rested to start the season, he is going to prove it. But it doesn’t matter because both Warren and Harris are productive, and both will play a lot of snaps. The Steelers committed to building a run game, and with that rebuilt offensive line and these two running backs — three if you count Heyward — they are going to be difficult to stop.

And that’s especially true if what we’re seeing from the passing game isn’t a mirage. And there is no reason to believe it is. Again, I don’t expect the Steelers to score a touchdown every time they touch the ball, but I do expect them to average at least 23-24 points per game.

Pickett was 4 for 4 for 86 yards Thursday, but he has looked sharp every time he has dropped back to pass. He took the offseason, committed to getting bigger and stronger, and added good weight. He worked on his arm strength and clearly worked with Canada to try and master the offense.

It’s obviously going to get tougher once the regular season starts, and the Steelers still have a lot to prove. They still have to prove they can do it consistently and still have to prove they can win a shootout against the best AFC teams and quarterbacks. All of that will come, and time will tell.

All we can do is go by what we have seen, and what we have seen has been pretty impressive.

For now, relax. It is just the preseason, so try to temper your expectations … actually, nah ...

As I said before, dare to dream big.

And dare to believe this Steelers’ offense is every bit as good as they have shown to this point in the (pre) season.

(TNS)