FORECAST:
1. Southwestern
2. Falconer/Cassadaga Valley
3. Franklinville/Ellicottville
4. Allegany-Limestone
5. Chautauqua Lake/Westfield
6. Randolph/Frewsburg
7. Portville
Offensive Players of the Year:
Cole Snyder, Southwestern
Alex Card, Southwestern
Connor Crabtree, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
Defensive Players of the Year:
Robbie Penhollow, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
Faizon Munir, Southwestern
Linemen of the Year:
Cooper Pannes, Southwestern
Connor Walsh, Allegany-Limestone
Andrew Bernard, Randolph/Frewsburg
Austin Babb, Portville
Unsung Players of the Year:
Brandon Watkins, Allegany-Limestone
Steve Rowland, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Clayton Rowland, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Micah Osby, Allegany-Limestone
Underclassmen of the Year:
Drew Wygren, Southwestern
Chase Johnson, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley
Connor Walsh, Allegany-Limestone
Strongest Player: Brandon Watkins, Allegany-Limestone
Fastest Player: Macadem Gadeowaltz, Silver Creek/Forestville
Top Scholar Athlete: Cole Snyder, Southwestern
Most Versatile Athletes: Cole Snyder, Southwestern
SOUTHWESTERN TROJANS
Trojans earned their 3rd trip to New Era Field playing in the Class C Championship in 4 years. They will be very competitive in 2018 and are a favorite to play in the title game again. They have an All-WNY candidate in QB Cole Snyder who accounted for 1587 yards and 18 touchdowns in leading the Trojans to a 7-3 record last year. Snyder and Alex Card will be one of the top passing combinations in Western New York. Other key players include Cooper Pannes, Faizon Munir, and Nick Everson. 9 players graduated from the 2017 squad. They host Franklinville/Ellicottville in week 1 and Randolph/Frewsburg in week 2. Their first 3 games are at home. Key to the season will be the play of the line. Snyder has committed to play football and attend Rutgers University.
Head Coach: Jehuu Caulcrick (18-10-0, 3 years)
Assistant Coaches: Mark Arnold, Aaron Emley, John Kinder, Chris Case, David Emley, jake Burkholder, Dan Martin
2017 Varsity Record: 7-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 8. Defense is 9.
Key Players: Cole Snyder, Alex Card, Nick Everson, Cooper Pannes, Faizon Munir, Seth Bennett, Chris Quinn, Drew Wygren, Zishan Munir
Key Losses: Brian Burns, Derek Miller, Vinny Certo
FALCONER/CASSADAGA VALLEY GOLDEN COUGARS
Cougars look to compete for the league title. They return 11 starters led by All-WNY candidates Connor Crabtree and Robbie Penhollow. Other key players include Chase Johnson, Colin Mower and Mack Mikula. 10 players from last year’s squad graduated. They open at Randolph/Frewsburg and host Chautauqua Lake/Westfield in week 2.
Head Coach: Jeff Smith (9-17-0, 3 years)
Assistant Coaches: Joel Sopak, Bryan Voorhies, Norm Smith, Bryan Hokanson
2017 Varsity Record: 5-4-0
Starters Returning: unknown
Key Players: Connor Crabtree, Robbie Penhollow, Chase Johnson, Colin Mower, Mack Mikula, Bryce Baglia, Jordan Dustin, Dylan Hokanson, Jordan Dustin, Adam Colon
Key Losses: Chris Dutton, Daniel Torres
FRANKLINVILLE/ELLICOTTVILLE TITANS
Titans have been a force with varsity, having a 17-4 record and JVs with a 13-2-1 record. Varsity lost in the Class D sectional championship last season and this year they move up to Class C South. They only return 5 starters. Key players include Jacob Peters, Ben Mooney, Steve Rowland, Clayton Rowland and Zach Wolfer. Talent from last year’s 6-2 JV squad will help Chad Bartoszek. They have a tough matchup in week 1 at Southwestern and will miss Brock Blecha who will play at Utica College. Bartoszek has a 38-12 record in 5 seasons. 15 players graduated from the 2017 squad. They will compete for a playoff berth.
Head Coach: Chad Bartoszek (35-14-0, 5 years)
Assistant Coaches: Mark Blecha, Chris Mendell, Scott Palmatier, Herley Butler, Jason Marsh, Reed Mitrowski
2017 Varsity Record: 9-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 2, Defense is 3.
Key Players: Jacob Peters, Ben Mooney, Steve Rowland, Clayton Rowland, Zachary Wolfer, Tyler Clear, Nik Logel
Key Losses: Brock Blecha, Austin Grinols, Walt Woodarek, Sam Erickson, Griffin Chudy
2017 JV Record: 6-2-0
ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE GATORS
Paul Furlong returns 13 starters led by All-WNY candidates Patrick Walsh and Ben Giardini. They should rebound from last year’s 2 win season. Walsh will lead the defense with his brother Connor, while Thomas Callen and Logan Klice will provide the offensive spark. They open on the road in the first 2 weeks at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield and Portville. Key to the season will be the play of the QB. 14 seniors graduated from the 2017 season.
Head Coach: Paul Furlong (31-40-0, 8 years)
Assistant Coaches: Glenn Anderson, Dave McCauley
2017 Varsity Record: 2-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Ben Giardini, Micah Osby, Pat Walsh, Tom Callen, Brandon Watkins, Logan Klice, Connor Walsh
Key Losses: Jake Lippert, Michael Nye, Roman Napolean
2017 JV Record: 2-6-0
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE/WESTFIELD THUNDERBIRDS
Curt Fischer who has won 221 games at Maple Grove takes over as head coach of the Thunderbirds. Key players include Trey Saureland, Zach Fischer, Aiden Carson and Brendon Rowe. They have moved up to Class C South. 13 players graduated from last year’s team. They will compete for a playoff berth. They host Allegany-Limestone in the opener and play the Golden Falcons in week 2.
Head Coach: Curt Fischer (221-45-0, 25 years)
Assistant Coach: BJ Monacello
2017 Varsity Record: 4-4
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Trey Saureland, Aiden Carson, Brendon Rowe, Zach Fischer
Key Losses: Devin Pope, JC McCroskey, Bryce Rowe, Jared Hepp
RANDOLPH/FREWSBURG CARDINALS
Cardinals move down to Class C South and look to improve on a 3-win season. They have an All-WNY candidate in Andrew Bernard. Other key players include Tyler Hind, Deter Miinte, and Nick Marsh who will lead the offense. Mason Pagett, Miinte and Hind will anchor the defense. Brett brown returns 7 starters as 18 graduated from last year’s squad. They have tough matchups in the first two games with the Golden Cougars and Trojans.
Head Coach: Brent Brown (35-14-0, 5 years)
Assistant Coaches: Nate Armella, Jon Peterson, Gerald Carlson, Chad Slade, Lucas Burch, Jeff Pagett
2017 Varsity Record: 3-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 3, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Andrew Bernard, Deter Miinte, Mason Pagett, Nick Marsh, Tyler Hind
Key Losses: Nick Becker, Wyatt Sluga, Tyler Marchingin
PORTVILLE PANTHERS
Josh Brooks takes over as head coach from Gary Swetland. They return 7 starters on both sides of the ball. Key players include Roland Thompson, Austin Babb, Jayden Lassister, Jared Zenner, Brandon Murray, and Hunter Griffin. Panthers have won one game in the past 2 years. They open at Panama playing CSP and host the Gators in week 2.
Head Coach: Josh Brooks (first year)
Assistant Coaches: Matt Milne, Nate Zitack, Jason Luther, Andy Studley
2017 Varsity Record: 1-7-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7
Key Players: Roland Thompson, Austin Babb, Jayden Lassister, Jared Zenner, Brandon Murray, Brad Beemer, Noah Pullins, Hunter Griffin, Matt Reisman, Brad Beemer
Key Losses: Cameron Kostadinov, Kyle Murray
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Cole Snyder, Southwestern
RB – Connor Crabtree, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
RB – Logan Klice, Allegany-Limestone
RB – Jacob Peters, Franklinville/Ellicottville
TE – Brandon Murray, Portville
WR – Alex Card, Southwestern
WR – Zach Fischer, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield
OL – Cooper Pannes, Southwestern
OL – Brandon Watkins, Allegany-Limestone
OL – Andrew Bernard, Randolph/Frewsburg
OL – Zachary Wolfer, Franklinville/Ellicottville
OL – Mason Pagett, Randolph/Frewsburg
Defense
DL – Connor Walsh, Allegany-Limestone
DL – Austin Babb, Portville
LB – Roland Thompson, Portville
LB – Ben Mooney, Franklinville/Ellicottville
LB – Robbie Penhollow, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
LB – Pat Walsh, Allegany-Limestone
LB – Deter Miinte, Randolph/Frewsburg
DB – Faizon Munir, Southwestern
DB – Tyler Hind, Randolph/Frewsburg
DB – Tyler Clear, Franklinville/Ellicottville
DB – Noah Pulins, Portville