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