FORECAST:
1. St. Francis
2. Canisius
3. St. Joe’s
ST. FRANCIS RED RAIDERS
The Red Raiders won the league championship last year and return 7 starters on both sides of the ball. They play at Erie in week 1 and Stubenville in week 2. They return 28 players this year. They have All-WNY candidates in junior QB Jake Ritts, Xzavier Janczylik, Antonio Corsi, Eric Shon, Zach Jaworski and Matt Jaworski. Other key players include Mark Arrizza, Jack Lauer, Tom Bestpitch and Austin Hill. Key to the season will be the play of the defense. They will compete for league and playoff titles.
Head Coach: Jerry Smith (161-144-4) 30 years
Assistant Coaches: Steve Otremba, Mike Hoak, Mike Chuchla
2018 Varsity Record: 5-6-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 7, Defense is 7.
Key Players: Jake Ritts, Xzavier Janczylik, Matt Jaworski, Eric Schon, Antonio Corsi, Zach Jaworski, Mark Arrizza, Austin Hill, D’Andre Jones, Jack Lauer, Tom Bestpitch, Anthony Gomez, Shane Roberts, Noah Kunzman
Key Losses: Dawson Tyger, Reily Miller, Dan Browning
2018 JV Record: 7-1-0
CANISIUS CRUSADERS
Rich Robbins returns 25 players including All-WNY candidates Donovan Cornelius, Jake Troup and C.J. Ozolins. Their first two games this season are at Euclid in Ohio and McDowell in Pennsylvania. Key to the season will be the play of the line and defense. Rich Robbins has 67 wins in 8 years as head coach. They will compete for titles this year. They host the Marauders in week 3 and play the Red Raiders in week 8. Christian Veilleux has transferred to Potomac for his junior and senior years to continue football. In 2018, he passed for 1967 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Crusaders.
Head Coach: Rich Robbins (67-24-0) 8 years
Assistant Coaches: Brendan Barthel, Jon Miller, Dan Alexander, Jesse Back, Delano Fabor, Bryce Hopkins, Marty Glose, Matt Glose, Clint Hawkins, Paul Jackson, Mike Luchey, Alex Misterman
2018 Varsity Record: 5-5-0
Starters Returning: Offense is 6, Defense is 5.
Key Players: Donovan Cornelius, Jake Troup, C.J. Ozolins
Key Losses: Joe Jamison, James Desiderio, JT Bowland, Joel Nicholas
2018 JV Record: 1-4-2
ST. JOSEPH’S MARAUDERS
The Marauders look to rebound from a losing season. They return several quality starters led by All-WNY candidates Micah Brown, Jimmy Scott, Sam Murphy, Sam Kline and Anthony McCarley. They host McDowell and Bennett in their first 2 games. They return 20 players for the 2019 season and should compete for a title.
Head Coach: Derek Landri (14-16-0) 3 years
Assistant Coaches: unknown
2018 Varsity Record: 5-6
Starters Returning: unknown
Key Players: Micah Brown, Anthony McCarley, Jimmy Scott, Sam Murphy, Sam Kline, Justus Williams, James Carrington III, Greg Poland
Key Losses: Tyler Doty, Cole Gambino
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Offense
QB – Jake Ritts, St. Francis
QB – Micah Brown, St. Joe’s
RB – Nigel Dabney, Canisius
RB – Xzavier Janczylik, St. Francis
RB – Jimmy Scott, St. Joe’s
WR – Antonio Corsi, St. Francis
WR – Vincent Lomeo, St. Joe’s
OL – Eric Schon, St. Francis
OL – Donovan Cornelius, Canisius
OL – Jake Troup, Canisius
OL – Zach Jaworski, St. Francis
K – Mark Arrizza, St. Francis
Defense
DL – Greg Poland, St. Joe’s
SL – Eric Schon, St. Francis
DL – Jack Lauer, St. Francis
LB – Matt Jaworski, St. Francis
LB – CJ Ozolins, Canisius
LB – Sean Murphy, St. Joe’s
DB – Micah Brown, St. Joe’s
DB – Sam Kline, St. Joe’s
DB – Mark Arrizza, St. Francis
DB – Anthony McCarley, St. Joe’s
P – Sam Murphy, St. Joe’s