>Grand Island
Nickname: Vikings (6-4)
Coach: Dean Santorio, 10th season
Outlook: Last year's Class A finalists return Ben Tomkins, the defensive MVP last year at RWS. WR/S Nick Kellner is coming off 300 yards in receptions last year. Nate Benoit, second team All-WNY kicker, consistently drops punts inside the 10. G/DE Scott Rogers was third on the team in tackles. RB/CB Pat Gallagher is also a threat catching the ball out of the slot.
Schedule
Sept. 4 Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 Wmsv. South, 2 p.m.
Sept. 17 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m. at Riverside
Sept. 25 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
***
>Kenmore East
Nickname: Bulldogs (1-8)
Coach: Matt Chimera, 11th season
Outlook: The Bulldogs build around a threesome of returning two-way starters: OL/DE Josh Orta, QB/DB Trevor Willison and C/DT Mark Kupco. The Bulldogs will count on key contributions from senior John Alessandra (WR/S) and junior Alex Daniels (RB/LB). Sophomore linemen Jared Dolan and Joe Cole will see plenty of action on both sides of the ball. Someone had to draw Sweet Home as its opener -- it's the Bulldogs.
Schedule
Sept. 4 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 McKinley, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Niagara-Wheatfield, 2
Sept. 25 at Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 Kenmore West, 3 p.m.
Oct. 16 Grand Island, 2 p.m.
Home games at Sparky Adams Field, Parker Ave.
***
>McKinley
Nickname: Macks (4-4)
Coach: Edward Wilson, second season
Outlook: The Macks will build around returning QB Mackell Ingram. His main targets will be wideouts Tawan Dawn and Brian Cunningham. Returning to the backfield will be Desean Rutledge. "Once he gets outside, he's got pretty good speed," said Wilson. Anthony Sanders will be a three-year starter on the line and Cory Smith begins his third season at LB.
Schedule
Sept. 4 at Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
Sept. 17 Grand Island, 7 p.m. at Riverside
Sept. 24 Niagara-Wheatfield, 7 p.m. at Riverside
Oct. 2 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
Oct. 8 Starpoint, 7 p.m. at All High
Oct. 16 at St. Mary's, 2 p.m.
***
>Niagara-Wheatfield
Nickname: Falcons (1-7)
Coach: David Hack, second season
Outlook: The Falcons return their leading tackler (44) in C/DE Adam Donner, who can bench 350. He is also one of WNY's top wrestlers and a lacrosse player. One of five starters back on defense is LB Jacob Kelly. In the backfield look for junior QB junior Anthony Oliveri, RB Eddie Star and FB Max Antoine. The Falcons move down from Class AA.
Schedule
Sept. 4 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 Starpoint, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18 Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
Sept. 24 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m. at Riverside
Oct. 2 Amherst, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
***
>Starpoint
Nickname: Spartans (3-6)
Coach: Al Cavagnaro, 11th season
Outlook: QB Braden Wehrmeyer shined in passing leagues at RWS and Lockport. WR/DB Cory Regnet is the last of three brothers. RB Tyler Robinson has 408 yards in his last three games last year. OL/DL Dalton Maska is a three-year starter at center. LB Denver Kopp, a four-year starter, returns at LB along with Victor Schul and Jake Wray. The JVs were 7-1-1. Starpoint opens at home against rival Lockport.
Schedule
Sept. 4 Lockport, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18 Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
Sept. 25 Grand Island, 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
Oct. 8 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m. at All High
Oct. 16 at Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
***
>Sweet Home
Nickname: Panthers (13-0)
Coach: John Faller, 25th season
Outlook: The Panthers take a two-year, 26-game winning streak into the season. Second team All-NYS DL Mikal Coleman is one of five returning starters. Fourth-team All-WNY Ralph Neasman will be joined in the backfield by Juwan Douglas. QB/DE Jordan Johnson can make all the throws. He's got plenty of targets with K.J. Zinermon, Kyle Luchey, Tim Oaks and Nick Spidell. The Panthers play all day games. The JVs were 7-0-1 last year.
Schedule
Sept. 4 Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Wmsv. East, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.
Sept. 25 Lake Shore, 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 McKinley, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.
Oct. 16 Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.
***
>Williamsville East
Nickname: Flames (4-5)
Coach: Chris McDuffie, first season
Outlook: The Flames return last year's leading rusher, Kyle Evanetski (780-plus yards). OL/DL Todd Therrien (82) and LB Mike Wheeler were 1-2 in tackles last season. Two capable QBs are Matt Mackintosh and Trenton Miller, up from JV. WR Kyle Wistner runs good routes. Jon White returns at DB. Making his coaching debut is McDuffie, a graduate of Williamsville North (2002) and UB (2006).
Schedule
Sept. 4 McKinley, 2 p.m.
Sept. 11 Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Williamsville North, 7:30 p.m. at Williamsville South
Sept. 25 Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.
Oct. 16 Starpoint, 2 p.m.
