FORECAST:
1. West Seneca West
2. Kenmore West
3. Williamsville North
4. Williamsville East
5. Hamburg
6. North Tonawanda
7. McKinley
8. Niagara Wheatfield
WEST SENECA WEST INDIANS
Indians are 22-1 in the past two seasons, including a state title in 2018. They return 2 starters on offense and 6 on defense. JVs are 11-5 in the past 2 seasons. They return 20 players. The Indians open at Kenmore West and host Hamburg in week 2. Mike Glinski will try for his 3rd consecutive first team All-WNY selection at LB. Other candidates include Liam Scheuer and Isaiah Simmons. Other key players include Jeremy Cuthbert, David Bears and Dillon Weir. Key to the season will be to have a team first mentality. They will compete for league and sectional titles. Mike Vastola has achieved a 30-11-0 record in 4 years.
Head Coach: Mike Vastola (30-10-0) 4 years
Assistant Coaches: Dave Recor, Zak Marshall
2018 Varsity Record: 9-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 2. Defense is 6.
Key Players: Mike Glinski, Liam Scheuer, Jeremy Cuthbert, David Beard, Isaiah Simmons, Dillon Weir, Julian Maloney, De’Merion Weatherspoon, Rob Young, Justin Piwowarczyk
Key Losses: Maurice Robertson, Kyle Haettich, Josh Clifton, John Speyer
2018 JV Record: 5-3
KENMORE WEST BLUE DEVILS
John Haynes returns 22 players including 6 starters on both sides of the ball. They have All-WNY candidates in QB Zac Boyes, Matt Chimera and Shawn White. Other key players include Jared Dias, Dom Brown and Eddie Vona. They host West Seneca West in week 1 and play McKinley in week 2. They will compete for a league title. Key to the season will be the play of the line.
Head Coach: John Haynes (14-13-0) 3 years
Assistant Coaches: Dave Idzik, Alex Perry, Cory Martin, Tim Stoerr
2018 Varsity Record: 4-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Zac Boyes, Jared Sias, Dom Brown, Eddie Vona, Matt Chimera, Santo Falsone, Julian Hill, Shawn White
Key Losses: Cam Crosier, Joe Stewart
2018 JV Record: unknown
WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH SPARTANS
Spartans return 5 starters on both sides of the ball and will compete for a playoff berth. They open with McKinley and Niagara Wheatfield. Key players include Scott Hopkins, Elijah Carney, Evan Brophy, Jake Bruno, Z’aire Leonard, David Bass and Max Obie. They return 18 players. Mike Mammoliti has achieved a 15-3 record in the past 2 seasons. Key to the season will be the play of QB. Hopkins is one of the most versatile players in WNY. They should be in the playoffs.
Head Coach: Mike Mammoliti (83-79-0) 18 years
Assistant Coaches: Rob Luders, Brandon Sanders, Steve Nappo, Paul Palizay
2018 Varsity Record: 6-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Scott Hopkins, Jake Bruno, Max Obie, Z’aire Leonard, Evan Brophy, David Bass, Elijah Carney, Nick Tantillo, John Eggleston
Key Losses: Dylan Kelly, Joe Nusall, Dylan Mann
2018 JV Record: unknown
WILLIAMSVILLE EAST FLAMES
The Flames will compete for a playoff berth. Mike Torrillo’s squad will be led by All-WNY candidates Cal Shifflet and Nick Arno. Other key players include Jacob Shopp, Noah Arno, Austin D’Amico, Ethan Dalton and Bryan Tustan. They open at Hamburg and host the Jacks in week 2. Key to the season will be the play of the line and QB. They return 14 starters from 2019.
Head Coach: Mike Torrillo (8-9-0) 2 years
Assistant Coaches: Dan Tryon, Rick Ruggiero, Rob Westmiller, Doug Buczak
2018 Varsity Record: 4-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Cal Shifflet, Nick Arno, Jacob Schopp, Bryan Tustan, Noah Arno, Austin D’Amico, Ethan Dalton
Key Losses: Parker Evans, Jon Moran, Ben Morakis, Colson Skorka
2018 JV Record: 5-3-0
HAMBURG BULLDOGS
Bulldogs look to improve with 13 starters returning. They will be led by All-WNY candidates Logan Garza, Spencer Dix and Geno Bruce. Other key players include Dominic Manzella, Alan Beyer, John Haberman, Mike Billi and Joe Reltebach. Strength should be the play of the line which returns all starters. They host Williamsville East in the opener and should improve. They return 19 starters. Garza, Dix and Bruce all bench 250 plus pounds.
Head Coach: Jeff Tripp (9-16-0) 3 years
Assistant Coaches: Mike McFadden, Andy Tokacs, Jim May
2018 Varsity Record: 3-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Spencer Dix, Logan Garza, Geno Bruce, John Haberman, Alan Beyer, Dominic Manzella, Tyler Siwek, Devin Collins
Key Losses: Kyle Kawalek, Jack Migliore
2018 JV Record: 5-4-0
NORTH TONAWANDA LUMBERJACKS
Lumberjacks look to rebound from a 2-win season. They have All-WNY candidates in Joe Caporicci, Cameron Holmes and Tim Osborn. Other key players include Wally Wisniewski, Chris Kinney, Elijah Grisanti-Wake and Anthony Andolini. They return 13 starters and host the Falcons in the opener. They play the Flames in week 2. JVs were win less last season. Offense needs to improve as Jacks only scored 97 points last season. Wisniewski takes over at QB. Jantzi needs 1 more victory to reach the exclusive 100 win club. They return 17 players.
Head Coach: Eric Jantzi (99-38-0) 14 years
Assistant Coaches: Rick Tomm, Chris Cook, Corey Zayatz, Erik O’Brien, Ryan Mountain, Ben Bunker
2018 Varsity Record: 2-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Tim Osborn, Joe Caporicci, Wally Wisniewski, Chris Kinney, Cameron Holmes
Key Losses: Collin Beach, Jiavante Baldon
2018 JV Record: 0-7-0
MCKINLEY MACKS
Unable to evaluate team since coach did not provide information.
NIAGARA WHEATFIELD FALCONS
Falcons return 7 starters from last year’s 6-3 team. They have All-WNY candidates in linemen Joe Ambrosia and Anthony Lucinski. Other key players include Bobby Zito and Griffin Cornwell. They open at North Tonawanda and host the Spartans in week 2. JVs are 3-13 in the past 2 seasons. Key to the season will be for the offense to put points on the board. Ambrosia and Lucinski can both bench 285 lbs and will anchor the line.
Head Coach: Russ Nixon (13-9-0) 3 years
Assistant Coaches: Sal Pericelli, Steve Weinski, Tom Stanley, Joe Kizska, Kevin Lumadue
2018 Varsity Record: 6-3-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 4, Defense is 3.
Key Players: Griffin Cornwell, Joe Ambrosia, Anthony Lucinski, Bobby Zito
Key Losses: Kevin Halford, Jordan Parks, Josh Thibeault, Jake DeWolf
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Zac Boyes, Kenmore West
QB – Wally Wisniewski, North Tonawanda
RB – Spencer Dix, Hamburg
RB – Z’aire Leonard, Williamsville North
RB – Isaiah Simmons, West Seneca West
TE – Scott Hopkins, Williamsville North
WR – Cameron Holmes, North Tonawnada
WR – Cal Shifflet, Williamsville East
OL – Santo Falsone, Kenmore East
OL – Logan Garza, Hamburg
OL – Tim Osborn, North Tonawanda
OL – Anthony Lucinski, Niagara Wheatfield
OL – Evan Brophy, Williamsville North
OL – Chris Kinney, North Tonawanda
K – Max Obie, Williamsville North
RS – Dominic Furguson, Kenmore East
RS – David Beard, West Seneca West
Defense
DL – Matt Chimera, Kenmore West
DL – Liam Scheuer, West Seneca West
DL – Geno Bruce, Hamburg
DL – Joe Ambrosia, Niagara Wheatfield
LB – Ed Vona, Kenmore West
LB – Mike Glinski, West Seneca West
LB – Jacob Shopp, Williamsville East
LB – Joe Caporicci, North Tonawanda
LB – Mike Billi, Hamburg
DB – Noah Arno, Williamsville East
P – Andy Klebaur, Niagara Wheatfield
RS – Ethan Dalton, Williamsville East