BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sidelines is a weekly feature for WGRZ which includes a mixture of information concerning players, coaches and teams.
Congratulations to Kraig Kurzanski, Williamsville head coach, for an excellent 6-3 record this season. Also he established a WNY kicking record by his team not punting at all during the season. His philosophy is to not give the opponent the ball.
Tom Repicci represents Prepstar, a recruiting service for high school student athletes. Tom does an excellent job in working with college football coaches and giving them information for the players he helps. For more information, contact thomasr@csaprepstar.com
Top Passing Combinations
Jake Ritts to Antonio Corsi, St. Francis
Jake Sharp to Peter Liberatore, Orchard Park
Jason Mansell to Shawn Davis, Lancaster
Zac Boyes to Eddie Vona, Kenmore West
Gerrit Hinsdale to Cameron Barmore, Clymer/Sherman/Panama
Carson Marcus to Joe Carlson, Starpoint
Trey Drake to Simeon Leeper, Jamestown
Railey Silvis to Gavin Kulp, Olean
Tyler Baker to Nik McMillan, Canisius
Callum Withers to Sam Kline, St. Joe’s
Mykell Helpburn to Brandon Brown, South Park
Will Girzone to Jeremy Matute, Williamsville South
Top Transfers
Tywon Wright – Southwestern from Dunkirk
Conrad Thomas – Southwestern from Dunkirk
Ron McCarley – Amherst from St. Joe’s
Aidan Ostrowski – Williamsville South from Canisius
Sam Torrie – Cardinal O’Hara from Lew-Port
Possible Regional Opponents in Week 11 For Section VI Champions
Class AA – McQuaid, Aquinas
Class A – Eastridge, Rochester East
Class B – University Prep
Class C – Leroy, Attica
Class D – Notre Dame, Alexander
Congratulations to Connor Desiderio, Maryvale senior QB, for his outstanding 4 year football career with the Flyers. He set records for total offense, total touchdowns, most wins, most starts, most passing yards in a season, most career passing yards and most career passing touchdowns. Connor was a 4-year starter at QB and will play baseball for St. Bonaventure after he graduates.
Holley defeated Maple Grove 34-28 in 8-man football. Ayden Reagle scored 4 touchdowns for Maple Grove.
Canisius will play at St. Joe’s on November 9th to determine the opponent for St. Francis in the Msgr. Martin Championship game November 16th at the University at Buffalo.
College Football Recruiting Night is Tuesday, December 3rd from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Pepsi Club at New Era Field for all senior and junior high school football players in Western New York. For additional information contact Len Jankiewicz at ljankiewicz@roadrunner.com.
Best Chain Gang: Jamestown
Best Referee: Brian Majday
Unsung Player: Niklas Logel, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Best JV Team: Hamburg
Best Ball Boys: Orchard Park and Clymer/Sherman/Panama
Most Sectional Football Title Appearances: 22, Orchard Park
Best Stat Man: Brian Anken, St. Joe’s
Most Sacks: 17, Marquan Fluitt, South Park
Best Fan: Tom Prince
Best Bands: Hamburg and Lancaster
Why are there so few schools that have rosters available for high school football games?
Best Defenses: Lancaster, West Seneca West, WNY Maritime/Health Sciences, Southwestern, Franklinville/Ellicottville, St Francis
It’s unfortunate that Justin Campbell, Bennett senior RB/LB was ejected at the quarterfinal playoff game versus Niagara Falls and as a result was not available for the Tigers’ semi-final game versus Orchard Park.
Best Student Athlete: Matt Marschner, Lancaster
The impact by WNY Athletics for Western New York student athletes is tremendous. Frank Wolf and his team should be commended for enhancing the recognition and publicity for the athletes, teams and coaches for high school sports.
It will be nice to see Len Jankiewicz, former head coach and AD at Lancaster inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame on November 7th. It’s a well-deserved recognition.
Best Athletic Director: Brian Wild, Lancaster
Surprise Teams: WNY Maritime/Health Sciences, Sweet Home, Williamsville South, Grand Island, Olean, JFK, Portville, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Steven Carlson, who starred for Jamestown and Princeton was recently added to the Cleveland Browns 53 man roster. He was with the Browns in Preseason until he was cut. Another WNY Alumnus playing professional football in the NFL, Congratulations.
Savon Van Sickle, Jamestown junior RB/LB did not play in the Lancaster game as a result of a knee injury.
Top Freshman: Trey Drake, Jamestown and Rashad Perry, Bennett
Top Sophomores:
Jaylen Butera, Jamestown
Trey Kleitz, Iroquois
Devare Mathis, West Seneca East
Top Juniors: Jake Ritts, St. Francis and Blake Nolan, Iroquois
Top Seniors:
Xzavier Janczylik, St. Francis
Jack Sharp, Orchard Park
Marquan Fluitt, South Park
Jake Skinner, Fredonia
Cooper Pannes, Southwestern
Best Linebacker Duo: Conor Mahony and Matt Marschner, Lancaster
Best Running Back Duo: D’Jae Perry and Justin Campbell, Bennett
Smash Mouth Line Backer: CJ Ozolins, Canisius
Best Lineman: Donovan Cornelius, Canisius
Most Versatile Player: Joe Carlson, Starpoint
Best Field Goal Kickers: Devin Connolly, Depew and Karson Hurlburt, Pioneer
Best Retired AD: Kevin Lester, Williamsville South
Best Program: Lancaster
Good luck to Starpoint’s Al Cavagnaro on his retirement as head football coach.
Record Breaker: Jake Ritts, St. Francis
Top Players
Jake Ritts, St. Francis
Conor Mahony, Lancaster
Zac Boyes, Kenmore West
Denton Tilly, Pioneer
Cooper Pannes, Southwestern
Cam Barmore, Clymer/Sherman/Panama
Unsung Player: Connor Desiderio, Maryvale
Top Offenses (Points Scored)
Southwestern – 379 points
St. Francis – 374 points
South Park – 366 points
Orchard Park – 320 points
Lancaster – 307 points
Top Defenses (Points Allowed)
Franklinville/Ellicottville – 46 points
Southwestern – 51 points
McKinley – 76 points
First Year Coaching Records
Tom Callen, Allegany-Limestone: 4-4
Brian Davis, McKinley: 9-0
Rick Tomm, North Tonawanda: 1-7
Tyree Parker, WNY Maritime/Health Sciences: 8-1
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