FORECAST:
1. Southwestern
2. Fredonia
3. Portville
4. Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton
5. Falconer/Cassadaga Valley
6. Allegany-Limestone
7. Gowanda/Pine Valley
SOUTHWESTERN TROJANS
Trojans return 29 players from last year’s 9-1 team. Their line will be their strength with Cooper Pannes, Chris Quinn, Drew Wigren and Seth Bennett. Other key players include Zishan Munir, Gavin Dewey, Dominic Certo and Tywon Wright. Key to the season will be the play of the QB. They host Chautauqua Lake in the opener and play Portville in week 2. They will compete for league and sectional titles. They should play in their 4th consecutive title game. Jehuu Caulcrick has a 27-11 record in 4 years. They will miss Cole Snyder and Alex Card. Calvin Ricker is a transfer from Jamestown.
Head Coach: Jehuu Caulcrick (27-11-0) 4 years
Assistant Coaches: Mark Arnold, Aaron Emley, John Kinder, Dave Emley, Chris Case, Dan Martin, Jake Burkholder
2018 Varsity Record: 9-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Cooper Pannes, Drew Wigren, Chris Quinn, Zishan Munir, Dom Certo, Gaven Dewey, Charles Bailey, Seth Bennett, Tywon Wright, Conrad Thomas, Calvin Ricker, Austin Rott
Key Losses: Cole Snyder, Alex Card, Faizan Munir
FREDONIA HILLBILLIES
Hillbillies will compete for a league title. They return 15 players include All-WNY candidate Jake Skinner. Other key players include Dalton Gardner, Alex Christy, Yaniel Acevedo and Dominic Gullo. Key to the season will be for the offense to put points on the board. They host Gowanda in week 1 and play the Gators in week 2.
Head Coach: Greg Sherlock (12-5-0) 2 years
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 8-1-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Jacob Skinner, Dalton Gardner, Alex Christy, Yaniel Acevedo, Dominic Gullo
Key Losses: Joell Colon, Nate Shuart
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE THUNDERBIRDS
Thunderbirds return 22 players from last year’s team. Key players include Ryan Jafarijan, Blane Thomas, Andrew Baribeau and Hayden Backus. They will compete for a playoff berth. They play CSP in week 1 and Maple Grove in week 2. Curt Fischer decided to retire after 26 years as a head coach, winning 225 games.
Head Coach: unknown
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 4-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5. Defense is 5.
Key Players: Ryan Jafarijan, Blane Thomas, Andrew Baribeau, Hayden Backus
Key Losses: Zach Fischer, Ben Szymanowski
PORTVILLE PANTHERS
Panthers return 19 starters and look to compete for a playoff berth. They play CV/Falconer in week 1 and host the Trojans in week 2. They return 32 players this season. Key players include Jayden Lassiter, Roland Thompson, Austin Babb, Levi Garoung, Jared Zenner and Dalton Tobada. Key to the season will be the play of the QB.
Head Coach: Josh Brooks (3-6-0) 1 year
Assistant Coaches: Jason Luther, Andy Studley, Matt Milne, Nate Zitack, Dan Wenke, Obert Taylor
2018 Varsity Record: 3-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 9, Defense is 10.
Key Players: Levi Ganoung, Dalton Tobola, Roland Thompson, Austin Babb, Julian Morales, Jared Zenner, Jayden Lassister, Mike Stillman, Hunter Saltsman, Ethan Burton, Blake George, Hunter Griffin
2018 JV Record: 3-3-1
CASSADAGA VALLEY/FALCONER FALCONS
Falcons will miss leadership and play of Connor Crabtree and Robbie Penhollow. They return 17 players. Key players include Chase Johnson, Collin Mower Noah Abraham and Brock Johnson. They will compete for a playoff berth. Key to the season will be the play of QB. They host Portville in the opener and the Red Dragons in week 2.
Head Coach: Joel Sopak (4-4-0) 1 year
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 4-4-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 5, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Chase Johnson, Collin Mower, Jayden Lassiter, Noah Abram, Brock Johnson, Mack Mikula, Jon Kozkowski, Evan Phanco, Mack McKula, Trent Phillips, Collin Beichner
Key Losses: Connor Crabtree, Robbie Penhollow
ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE GATORS
Gators Return 19 players from last year’s 2 win season. Key players include Ben Giardini, Logan Klice, Connor Walsh and Griffin Klice. Key to the season will be the play of defense. They should improve this season. Paul Furlong is now at Salamanca as an assistant coach.
Head Coach: unknown
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 2-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Ben Giardini, Logan Klice, Connor Walsh, Jon Giardini, Connor Golley, Jayden Gustafson, Kyle Herbet, Griffin Klice
Key Losses: Pat Walsh, Tanner Hulse
GOWANDA PANTHERS
Sean Gabel returns 13 players with 4 starters on offense and defense. Key players include Chelton Bellinger and Eric Furlet. They open at Fredonia and host the Thunderbirds in week 2. They could struggle this season. Key for the Panthers will be the play of defense, line and QB.
Head Coach: Sean Gabel (29-71-0) 11 years
Assistant Coaches: Tony Pontillo, Bret Ebling, Bob Slisz
2018 Varsity Record: 3-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 4, Defense is 4.
Key Players: Chelton Bellinger, Eric Furlek
Key Losses: Damen Macleod, Caleb Mahoney
2018 JV Record: 1-6-0
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Tyler Hind, Randolph
RB – Jayden Lassister, Portville
RB – Tywon Wright, Southwestern
RB – Ryan Jafarian, Chautuauqua Lake
RB – Gaven Dewey, Southwestern
WR – Ben Giardini, Allegany-Limestone
WR – Dom Certo, Southwestern
OL – Chase Johnson, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
OL -Austin Babb, Portville
RS – Logan Klice, Allegany-Limestone
Defense
DL – Jared Zenner, Portville
DL – Cooper Pannes, Southwestern
DL – Collin Mower, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
DL – Chris Quinn, Southwestern
LB – Blane Thomas, Cleveland Hill
LB – Jayden Lassister, Portville
LB – Peyton Hayes, Randolph
LB – Chelton Bellinger, Gowanda/PV
LB – Roland Thompson, Portville
DB – Zishan Munir, Southwestern
DB – Noah Abram, Cassadaga Valley/Falconer
DB – Dalton Tobda, Portville
DB – Tyler Clear, Franklinville/Ellicottville