FORECAST:
1. Cheektowaga
2. Pioneer
3. East Aurora/Holland
4. Lake Shore
5. Lew-Port
CHEEKTOWAGA WARRIORS
Warriors are 19-4 varsity and 16-1 JV in the past 2 seasons. They return 4 on offense led by Jayden Dubard, Tamario Bass and Deon Burnett Jr. Defense will be anchored by Isaiah Sharpe and Des Lowe. They host WNY Maritime and Lew-Port in their first 2 games. Mike Fatta has a 59-11 record for 7 years, including 4 sectional championships. They will be in the playoffs and compete for a 5th title in the past 6 years. They will miss Keshone Beal who is playing at Alfred University. The JV team had a 8-0 record last year. Dubard is an excellent, versatile athlete.
Head Coach: Mike Fatta (59-11-0) 7 years
Assistant Coaches: Scott Zipp, Bob Mecitelli, Kyle Lackie, Nick McLean, Ed Hulton
2018 Varsity Record: 9-2-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 4. Defense is 2.
Key Players: Tamario Bass, Jayden Dubard, Isaiah Sharpe, Deon Burnett Jr., Davon Hughes, Des Lowe, Imani Reed, Kendrick Hampton Jr., Treviyon Slaughter, Quantrail Moss
Key Losses: Keshone Beal, Taivaughn Vaughn, Austin Domanowski, Paul Portorreal, Caleb Graves
2018 JV Record: 8-0-0
PIONEER PANTHERS
Panthers won 9 consecutive games before losing to Cheektowaga in the Class B sectional championship. They return 22 players including 8 starters. They have an excellent line with All-WNY candidate Denton Tilly. Other key players include Aaron Doyle, Trevor Harrington, Andrew Payne and Clay Tingue. Panthers have the most players who bench over 250lbs including Tilly and Josh Oun. Jim Duprey has 80 wins as head coach. They also have an excellent kicker in Karson Hurlburt who kicked 50 of 51 PATS in 2018. They host Burgard in week 1 and play the Huskies in week 2. They will compete for league and sectional titles.
Head Coach: Jim Duprey (80-69-0) 17 years
Assistant Coaches: John Ronan, Tom Izydorczak, Ian Wienclawski, Bill Pukalo, Frank Miga, Dave Buncy.
2018 Varsity Record: 9-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 3, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Denton Tilly, Karson Hurlburt, Tyler Ely, Tra’e Hill, Josh Oun, Aaron Doyle, Andrew Payne, Ethan Vital, Clay Tingue, Trevor Harrington, Zach Prutsman, Talon Lake, Dakota Besch
Key Losses: Mike Rigerman, Trevor Smith, Nick Rinker
2018 JV Record: 4-4-0
EAST AURORA/HOLLAND BLUE DEVILS
Blue Devils return 18 players and will be more competitive this season. They have an All-WNY candidate in Shane MacSwan. Other key players include Ryan Maloney, Jack Rogers and Connor Boss. They open at Springville and host Lake Shore in week 2. Key to the season will be play of line. MacSwan is a candidate for 1000 yards rushing and double-digit tackles in games.
Head Coach: John Swinuch (2-15-0) 2 years
Assistant Coaches: Gary Vara, Jeff Sbil, Jeremy Ling
2018 Varsity Record: 2-7-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Shane MacSwan, Ryan Maloney, Jack Rogers, Connor Boss, Lucas Juliano, TJ Marsh, Jonathan Stanizewski
Key Losses: Lucas Grad
LAKE SHORE EAGLES
Eagles look to improve in Dan Russel’s 2nd year at the helm. They return 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense. Key players are Jaruk Miller, Jordan Kosnik, Gavin Mendell, T.J. Aikin, Mike Neary, and Thomas Michael. They return 23 players. They host Eden in week 1 and play the Blue Devils in week 2. Key to the season will be the play of QB and defense. They should improve.
Head Coach: Dan Russell (2-6-0) 1 year
Assistant Coaches: Tyler Thompson, Sean Kunkel
2018 Varsity Record: 2-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Jordan Kosnik, Jaruk Miller, Gavin Mendell, T.J. Aikin, Hogaiyo John, Mike Neary, Thomas Michael
Key Losses: Jack Perry, Branden Hutchinson
2018 JV Record: unknown
LEWISTON PORTER LANCERS
Lancers return 10 players. Sam Torrie transferred to Cardinal O’Hara. Key players include Frank Previte who is a candidate for 1000 yards rushing, JP Stewart, Jon Wendt and Corey Stack. They host Medina in week 1 and have a tough match up vs the Warriors in week 2. They will miss Joe Powers.
Head Coach: Matt Bradshaw (6-12-0) 2 years
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 4-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Frank Previte, JP Stewart, Jon Wendt, Corey Stack
Key Losses: Joe Powers, Cole Murdoch
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Connor Bass, East Aurora/Holland
RB – Deon Burnett Jr., Cheektowaga
RB – Tyler Ely, Pioneer
RB – Jack Rogers, East Aurora/Holland
RB – Frank Previte, Lew-Port
TE – Thomas Michael, Lake Shore
WR – Jayden Dubard, Cheektowaga
WR – Jonah Ferrullo, East Aurora/Holland
OL – Aaron Doyle, Pioneer
OL – Tamario Bass, Cheektowaga
OL – Jaruk Miller, Lake Shore
OL – Denton Tilly, Pioneer
K – Karson Hurlburt, Pioneer
Defense
DL – Treviyon Slaughter, Cheektowaga
DL – Hogaiyo John, Lake Shore
DL – Trevor Harrington, Pioneer
DL – Evan Kingston, Iroquois
LB – Isaiah Sharpe, Cheektowaga
LB – Josh Oun, Pioneer
LB – Jordan Kosnik, Lake Shore
DB – Imani Reed, Cheektowaga
DB – Tra’e Hill, Pioneer
DB – Jon Bool, Iroquois
DB – Gavin Mendell, Lake Shore
P- Ryan Maloney, East Aurora/Holland