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2018 Class A-1 Team Preview

Dick Gallagher gives his 2018 high school football team preview for the Class A-1 Division.
high school sports

FORECAST:

1. West Seneca West

2. Jamestown

3. Niagara Wheatfield

4. Kenmore West

5. Frontier

6. Hamburg

Offensive Players of the Year

Juston Johnson, West Seneca West

Francisco Rodriguez, Jamestown

Jordan Parks, Niagara Wheatfield

Joe Stewart, Kenmore West

Defensive Players of the Year

Liam Scheuer, West Seneca West

Mike Glinski, West Seneca West

Bryan Ball, West Seneca West

Noah Nixon, Niagara Wheatfield

Linemen of the Year

Liam Scheuer, West Seneca West

Noah DiBello, Kenmore West

Unsung Players of the Year

Jayden Ali, Kenmore West

Grant Moore, Jamestown

Jayden Schultz, Jamestown

Underclassmen of the Year

Mike Glinski, West Seneca West

Liam Scheuer, West Seneca West

Savon Van Sickle, Jamestown

Strongest Player: Taige White, Jamestown

Fastest Player: Savon Van Sickle, Jamestown

Top Scholar Athlete: Josh Wilson, West Seneca West

Most Versatile Athlete: Juston Johnson, West Seneca West

WEST SENECA WEST INDIANS

Mike Vastola and Indian Nation had a dream season winning the Class A state title with a 13-0 record. Return 13 starters from last year’s championship squad. Graduated 17 players from 2017 team. Have All-WNY candidates in Juston Johnson, Liam Scheuer, Mike Glinski and Bryan Ball. Glinski and Scheuer will lead the defense while John Wilson and George Newcombe will anchor the line. John Speyer and Kyle Haettich will spark the offense. Will compete for league, sectional and state titles. Host Sweet Home in opener and Kenmore West in week 2. Host Jamestown in week 5 which could decide league title. Key to season will be play of QB. Liam Scheuer and Dillon Weir will compete to see who replaces Matt Myers at QB.

Head Coach: Mike Vastola (21-10, 3 yrs)

Assistant Coaches: Dave Recor, Matt Marinaro

2017 Varsity Record: 13-0-0

Starters Returning: Offense 6 - Defense 7

Key Players: Juston Johnson, Bryan Ball, Liam Scheuer, Mike Glinski, Kyle Haetich, John Speyer, Josh Wilson, George Newcomb, David Beard, Nico Lowman, Josh Clifton

Key Losses: Matt Myers, Bradley Claycomb, Jesse Broad, Vinny Draper, Josh Karmazyn

2017 JV Record: 6-2-0

JAMESTOWN RED RAIDERS

Red Raiders return 10 starters from last year’s 5 win season. Offense could be explosive with sophomore RB Savon VanSickle, Drew Boggs and Fran Rodriguez. Defense to be anchored by Taige Jones, VanSickle, Peyton Olsen, Grant Moore and Jeff Seager. Tom Langworthy's squad moves down to Class A. Should improve this season and compete for league title. Key to season will be play of line and defense. Boggs passed for 990 yds and 8 tds while VanSickle accounted for 12 tds. Open with Hamburg. Will play at West Seneca West in week 5. 19 srs graduated from the 2017 team.

Head Coach: Tom Langworthy (60-37-0, 10 yrs)

Assistant Coaches: Dave Munella, Ryan Calkins, Richie Joly, Mike Baker. Arrick Davis, John O’Brien, Paul Baker

2017 Varsity Record: 5-4-0

Starters Returning: Offense 5 – Defense 5

Key Players: Francisco Rodriguez, Grant Moore, Gavin Bowen, Taige White, Peyton Olson, Jayden Schultz, Savon VanSickle, Drew Boggs, Elijah Rojas, Jonah Tonkin, Josh Tonkin, Jaidyn McCoy

Key Losses: Noah Turzillo, Andrew Pumford, Kanin Tanner

2017 JV Record: 3-5-0

NIAGARA WHEATFIELD FALCONS

Russ Nixon returns 14 starters led by All-WNY Candidates Jordan Parks, Tommy Beltier, Noah Nixon, Nick Scott and Jake DeWolf. Offense could be explosive with Park. Key to season will be play of line. Graduated 18 players from 2017 team. Host Lumberjacks in opener and Frontier in week 2. Will be competitive and compete for playoff berth.

Head Coach: Russ Nixon (7-6-0, 2yrs)

Assistant Coaches: Sal Pericelli, Steve Lucinski, Johnny Parks, Tom Stanley, Joe Kizska

2017 Varsity Record: 3-6-0

Starters Returning: Offense 6 – Defense 8

Key Players: Jordan Parks, Kevin Cannon, Jake DeWolf, Josh Thibeault, Nick Scott, Cody Guiliani, Tommy Peltler, Noah Nixon

Key Losses: Josh Brown, Brian Lucinski, Justin Strukney

JV Record: 0-8

KENMORE WEST BLUE DEVILS

Blue Devils look to compete for playoff berth. Offense to be led by All-WNY candidates Joe Stewart, Noah DiBello, Zach Boyes and Cam Crosier. Defense to be anchored by Stewart, Joe Harris, Ed Vona and AJ Hill. Stewart who rushed for 1038 yds in 2017 is one of the most versatile players in WNY. Have tough matchups in weeks 1 and 2 with Clarence and West Seneca West. Key to season will be play of QB and Line. 19 seniors graduated from the 2017 season.

Head Coach: John Haynes (9-9-0, 2yrs)

Assistant Coaches: Dave Idzik, Alex Perry, Matt Harris, Cory Martin, Matt Chimera, Tim Stoerr, Skip Cifa

2017 Varsity Record: 5-4-0

Starters Returning: Offense 6 – Defense 7

Key Players: Joe Stewart, Jayden Ali, Noah DiBello, Cam Crosier, William Klopp, Cam Crosier, Zach Boyes, Don Brown, Chris Schiavone, Ramon Hill, Joe Harris, Ed Vona, Santo Falsone

Key Losses: Erick Rainey, John Milks

2017 JV Record: 5-4

HAMBURG BULLDOGS

Bulldogs look to rebound from last season’s one victory. Return 6 on defense and 7 on offense. Nick Hafner, Spencer Dix and Logan Garza will anchor the defense while Jack Schinzel and John Haberman will anchor the line. Offense will be led by Hafner and Dominic Manzella. JVs were winless last year. Key to the season will be the play of the line. They host Alden in week 1 and travel to Jamestown in week 2. Bulldogs had 15 players graduate from last year’s team. They could struggle this season.

Head Coach: Jeff Tripp (6-11-0, 2 years)

Assistant Coaches: Charles Barth, Jim Kuhn

2017 Varsity Record: 1-7-0

Starters Returning: Offense 7 – Defense 6

Key Players: Spencer Dix, Nick Hafner, Logan Garza, Dominick Manzella, Zach Nyhart, Nate Capasso, John Haberman, Jack Schinzel

Key Losses: Kyle Shuttlesworth, John McCabe, Nick Impaglia

JV Record: 0-8-0

FRONTIER FALCONS

Chuch Tilley returns to WNY Football as he replaces Drew Takacs as head coach. Falcons have struggled recently winning only 2 games in the past 2 seasons. 21 players graduated from last year’s squad. Key players include Tyler Baily, Max Fleming, William Linton, Jacob Ludlow, and Jacob Stambolis. Defense needs to improve as Falcons allowed over 30 points a game. They play Lackawanna and Niagara Wheatfield in their first 2 games. Key to the season will be the play of QB and defense. They’ve moved down to Class A and Should improve.

Head Coach: Chuck Tilley

Assistant Coaches: Lee Leavell, Dave Skelleg, Joe Faciana

2017 Varsity Record: 1-7-0

Starters Returning: Offense 6 – Defense 6

Key Players: Tyler Bailey, Jacob Stamboulis, Max Fleming, William Linten, Jacob Ludow, Preston Dolan

Key Losses: Dylan Kmitch, Chris Smith, Cameron Danner, Diego Velasquez

JV Record: 2-6-0

PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE

Offense

QB – Jordan Parks, Niagara Wheatfield

QB – Drew Boggs, Kenmore West

RB – Joe Stewart, Kenmore West

RB – Savon Vansickle, Jamestown

TE – Grant Moore, Jamestown

WR – Jeff Seager, Jamestown

OL – Jaydin Ali, Kenmore West

OL – Logan Garza, Hamburg

OL – Noah DiBello, Kenmore West

OL – Josh Wilson, West Seneca West

OL – Jacob Stamboulis, Frontier

OL – Grant Moore, Jamestown

K – Josh Clifton, West Seneca West

K – Jayden Schultz, Jamestown

RS – Francisco Rodriguez, Jamestown

RS – Nick Hafner, Hamburg

Defense

DL – Liam Scheuer, West Seneca West

DL – Kevin Cannon, Niagara Wheatfield

DL – William Linton, Frontier

DL – Spencer Dix, Hamburg

LB – Mike Glinski, West Seneca West

LB - Tyler Bailey, Frontier

LB – Noah Nixon, Niagara Wheatfield

LB – Taige White, Jamestown

LB – Joe Harris, Kenmore West

DB – Bryan Ball, West Seneca West

DB – Tyler Bailey, Frontier

DB – Cam Crosier, Kenmore West

DB – Chris Schiavone, Kenmore West

DB – Kyle Haettich, West Seneca West

RS – Spencer Dix, Hamburg

RS – Nick Stott, Niagara Wheatfield

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