BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sidelines is a weekly feature for WGRZ which includes a mixture of information concerning players, coaches and teams.
The record for teams in the Msgr. Martin Association League B are 4-17. They have been outscored 551 to 175.
St. Francis is 7-1 and averaging 41 points a game.
Jake Ritts, St. Francis junior QB, has passed for 2189 yards and 24 touchdowns in 8 games this season. Last year, he set a new WNY season passing record with 3366 yards, 36 touchdowns and rushed for 6 touchdowns. What an amazing career for the Red Raider and he is only a junior.
One word for the kicking game in Western New York this season – terrible.
Surprise Teams: McKinley, WNY Maritime/Health Sciences, Sweet Home, Williamsville South, Iroquois, Depew, St. Joe’s, JFK, Franklinville/Ellicottville, Portville
Best Defenses: Southwestern, McKinley, West Seneca West, South Park, Wilson, Portville, Akron, Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Lancaster
Best Dancer: Brian Wild, Lancaster
Most State Football Championships: Randolph (5)
Best RB Duo: D’Jae Perry and Justin Campbell, Bennett
Top Scoring Team: St. Francis averages 41.5 points per game
The Strongest: Nashawn Oliver, Bennett
Shutouts: Williamsville South
Unbeaten Teams: McKinley, South Park, Wilson, Southwestern, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Jerry Smith, head football coach at St. Francis is in his 31st year starting in 1988 with a record of 168-146-4.
In September, 71 football teams started playing games. After 8 weeks, there are only 25 schools still playing.
Dean Santorio, Grand Island head coach was selected the Buffalo Bills Ad Pro Sports Coach of the Week for the Vikings comeback victory over Amherst.
The best offensive line in week 8 goes to St. Francis with Zach Jaworski, Eric Schon, Tyler Braeuner, Austin Hill and Jake Szymanski.
Comebacks of the Week: Olean over Newfane and Pioneer over Cheektowaga
Top Teams From Section V: McQuaid, Aquinas, Eastridge, Rochester East, Leroy, Notre Dame, Alexander
Grand Island, Pioneer, Lancaster, West Seneca West, Olean and Chautauqua Lake won away games to advance in the playoffs.
Sweet Home and Wiliamsville North are to be commended for their effort in almost defeating McKinley and South Park.
College Football Recruiting Night is taking place on Tuesday, December 3rd from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Pepsi Club at New Era Field. For additional information contact Len Jankiewicz at ljankiewicz@roadrunner.com.
Jim Kelly Underclassmen for Week 8 is Railey Silvis from Olean and Aidan Ostrowski from Williamsville South.
Leading Tacklers
Jared Montgomery, East Aurora/Holland – 98
Jake Skinner, Fredonia – 93
Jaden Heers, Newfane – 86
Marqwan Fluitt, South Park – 84
CJ Ozolins, Canisius – 83
Cameron Chandler, Cheektowaga – 68
Matt Jaworski, St. Francis – 64
Top Freshmen
Trey Drake, Jamestown
Rashard Perry, Bennett
Top Sophomores
Jaylen Butera, Jamestown
Isaiah Simmons, West Seneca West
Railey Silvis, Olean
Top Juniors
Jake Ritts, St. Francis
Jo Dixon, Canisius
Callum Wither, St. Joe’s
Tra’e Hill, Pioneer
Top Seniors
Denton Tiley, Pioneer
Xzavier Janczylik, St. Francis
Zac Boyes, Kenmore West
Jack Sharp, Orchard Park
Dillon Weir, West Seneca West
Gavin Kulp, Olean
Joe Carlson, Starpoint senior, is one of the most versatile players in Western New York. He has caught 36 passes for 589 yards. He has also passed for 237 yards. He has 1 touchdown rushed for 223 yards and recorded 4 interceptions turning into 2 touchdowns.
Top Offenses (Points Scored)
St. Francis – 332
South Park – 330
Southwestern – 330
Orchard Park – 299
McKinley – 279
Lancaster – 279
Jamestown – 269
Franklinville/Ellicottville – 264
Williamsville South – 263
Pioneer – 254
CSP – 245
Portville – 242
WNY Maritime/Health Sciences – 238
Top Ambassadors for WNY High School Football
Len Jankiewicz – combines Coordinator
Dennis Sarow – Connolly Cup Coordinator
Carl Kuras – Trench Trophy Coordinator
Ken Stoldt – Chairperson Section VI Football Federation
Denny Lynch – WNY Football Alliance
Miggy Rodriguez – Buffalo News Sports Reporter
Matt Palma – President, Football Officials Organization
Pete Schneider – Msgr. Martin Association
Tom Prince – WNY Athletics
Frank Wolf – WNY Athletics
First Year Coaching Records
Tom Callen, Allegany-Limestone (4-4)
Brian Davis, McKinley (8-0)
Rick Tomm, North Tonawanda (1-7)
Tyree Parker, WNY Maritime/Health Sciences (7-1)
Mark Heichberger, Springville (0-8)
Marcus Wyche, Roy-Hart (0-8)
Bryan Bongiovanni, Chautauqua Lake (4-4)
Chad Bartoszek, Salamanca (4-4)
Matt Ard, St. Mary’s (1-7)
JV Highlights
The JV football Warriors finished the season with an overall record of 6-2 after escaping Pioneer with a 24-20 victory last Wednesday night. The Warriors turned things around offensively to grab an early lead in the 2nd half. They held strong defensively to seal the win. Jalen Henlon rushed for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns while Jeremy Gray had 2 interceptions to help close out the game.