x
Breaking News
More () »

2019 Class B-4 Preview

Dick Gallagher gives his 2019 high school football team preview for the Class B-4 Division.
Credit: WGRZ

FORECAST:

1. Tonawanda
2. Newfane
3. Burgard
4. Eden/NC
5. Alden

TONAWANDA WARRIORS

Warriors return 17 starters and will compete for a league title. They open at Lackawanna and host Depew in week 2. They return 22 players. Joe Kelly has several All-WNY candidates in Jason Frazer, Justin Mangold, Marty Lako, Caden Herman, Mike Butsch and Robert Woolcott. Key to the season will be the play of offense. Fritzke, Woolcott and Lako bench 300 plus pounds.

Head Coach: Joe Kelly (5-21-0) 3 years
Assistant Coaches: Shawn Mangold, Angelo Sciandra, Brad Kietz, Steve Trenchard, Keenan Newman, Jared Prince
2018 Varsity Record: 3-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 9. Defense is 8.
Key Players: Jason Frazer, Caden Herman, Robert Woolcott, Mason Fritzke, Justin Mangold, Mike Butsch, Marty Lako, Dylan Herb, Colin Zientara, Colin Gallo, Zach Wood, Jaden Yanarilli, Dylan Ciery
Key Losses: Zach Braddell, Dylan Cary

NEWFANE PANTHERS

Panthers return 7 starters on offense and defense from last season’s 5-4 team. They have All-WNY candidates in Jayden Heers and Dylan Finch. Heers is a candidate for 1000 yards rushing. They open at Albion and host Alden in week 2. Key to the season will be play of the QB. They return 16 players and will compete for a playoff berth. The JV team won only 1 game in 2018.

Head Coach: Chuck Nagel (19-44-0) 7 years
Assistant Coaches: John Vosburgh, Ryan Keys, Chuck Baker
2018 Varsity Record: 5-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Jayden Heers, Josh Everett, Garrett Srock, Chance Caccamise, Dylan Finch, Mike Carmes, Nick LaRock, Zach Snow, Nik Voelker
Key Losses: Ty Casinelli, Jonah Wisniewski
2018 JV Record: 1-7-0


BURGARD BULLDOGS

Bulldogs return 5 starters on both sides of the ball led by Sincere Jefferson and QB Leon Donaldson. Other key players include Damon Virgil, Nasir Zimnerman, Marquan Gates, LaFario Ross and Brandon McNeil. They open at Pioneer and host Maryvale in week 2. Kolb has 87 wins as head coach. The JV team won 2 games last season and should compete for a playoff berth.

Head Coach: Jason Kolb (87-62-1) 17 years
Assistant Coaches: Gary Braun, Pat Ricci, Sam Harmon
2018 Varsity Record: 3-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Sincere Jefferson, Leon Donaldson, Damon Virgil, Nasir Zimnerman, LaFario Ross, Brandon McNeil, Marquan Gates, Noah Velez, Kaden Speakes
Key Losses: Antonio Norwood, Dexter Lee, Carlos Lewis
2018 JV Record: 2-6-0

EDEN RAIDERS

Rick Weber returns 17 players including 6 starters on defense and 5 on offense. They have All-WNY candidates in WR Tyler Robinson, Josh Rice and CJ Sroda. They play at the Eagles in week 1 and the Steelers in week 2. Key to the season will be the play of the line. Sroda is one of the area’s versatile players and can be explosive. They should have one of the best passing combinations with Sroda and Robinson. The JV team had a 5-2 in 2018 and will improve this year. They should compete for a playoff berth.

Head Coach: Rick Weber (3-5-0) 1 year
Assistant Coaches: Doug Reloski
2018 Varsity Record: 3-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Tyler Robinson, Josh Rice, CJ Sroda, Charlie Paszek, Brandon Hallick
Key Losses: Connor Blake
2018 JV Record: 5-2

ALDEN BULLDOGS

Bulldogs return 6 starters on both sides of the ball. Key players include Luke Bush, Justin Mason, Joe Hammer, Cole Shadle, Wayne Lavis, Joe Motz and Quinn Stoltman. They open at Depew play Newfane in week 2. 14 players return including 4 starters on offense and defense. They should improve. Key to the season will be the play of QB and defense.

Head Coach: Rob Currin (30-25-0) 6 years
Assistant Coaches: Joe Gawron, Don Snell, Dan Cornell, Mike Matecki, Kevin Haggerty
2018 Varsity Record: 1-9-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 6.
Key Players: Luke Bush, Joe Motz, Matt Boucher, Tad Lacki, Justin Mason, Joe Hammer, Cole Shadle, Wayne Lavis
Key Losses: Colin Skowronski, Zac O’Shei
2018 JV Record: 2-4-0

PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE

Offense
QB – Justin Mangold, Tonawanda
QB – Leon Donaldson, Burgard
RB – Jayden Heers, Newfane
RB – Caden Herman, Tonawanda
RB – CJ Sroda, Eden
WR – Zach Snow, Newfane
WR – Tyler Robinson, Eden
OL – Mike Carmer, Newfane
OL – Mike Butsch, Tonawanda
OL – Damon Virgil, Burgard
OL – Josh Rice, Eden
OL – Joe Hammer, Alden
OL – Robert Woolcott, Tonawanda
K – Michael Butsch, Tonawanda

Defense
DL – Dylan Fince, Newfane
DL – Marty Lako, Tonawanda
DL – Sincere Jefferson, Burgard
LB – Nasir Zimnerman, Burgard
LB – Chance Caccamise, Newfane
LB – Jason Frazer, Tonawanda
LB – Nik Voelker, Newfane
DB – Brandon Hallick, Eden
LB – LaFario Ross, Burgard
DB – Luke Bush, Alden
DB – Josh Everett, Newfane
P – Michael Butsch, Tonawanda

Before You Leave, Check This Out