>Brocton
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: Terry Presto, sixth season
Outlook: The Bulldogs welcome back football after a 1-year absence. Sophomore QB Jordan Patterson is used to taking charge as he's the point guard on the basketball team. DE/OL Ryan Bonnas is another multi-sport player as he pitches on the baseball team. RB/LB Chris Sleeper will be the featured back and will share carries with Derek Head, Chris Leeper, Dan Ferguson and Justin Stoll.
Schedule
Sept. 3 Chautauqua Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Sherman/Rip, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Maple Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Panama, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Clymer, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Chautauqua Lake
Nickname: Thunderbirds (4-4)
Coach: Dan Greco, second season
Outlook: RB/LB Steve Kenny and TE/LB Cam Baker are two top seniors. They took part in Combines in Syracuse, Fairport and Shenendehowa. Kenny averaged 6.1 yards per carry last year and had 70 tackles. Baker led the team in tackles with 74. At 6-3, 290, junior tackle Nick Fisher looks to establish himself as a force. Jason McMahon and Westfield transfer Brent Morrison are both capable QBs.
Schedule
Sept. 3 at Brocton, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Panama, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Maple Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Sherman/Ripley, 7:30
***
>Clymer
Nickname: Pirates (4-4)
Coach: Marc Heiser, third season
Outlook: Junior FB/G/LB Ryan Phelps, described as a "gamer" by Heiser, can play a variety of positions. Sophomore C/DE Dan Lictus is a top lineman at 6-3, 250. "I wish I had a whole bunch more of him," said Heiser. Three-year starter Cliff Bailey will take most of the snaps as the Pirates look to throw a little more. The opener is against neighboring Sherman/Ripley.
Schedule
Sept. 4 Sherman/Ripley, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Silver Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Maple Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Panama, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Chautauqua Lake, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Brocton, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Maple Grove
Nickname: Red Dragons (9-1)
Coach: Curt Fischer, 20th season
Outlook: The defending Class D West champs return six on both sides, including three-year starter DB/E Jordan Saxton, who knows all the coverages and keeps teammates in the right spot. Alex Grace will move from WR to QB. The only two starters back on the line are David Waterman and Chris Danielson.
Schedule
Sept. 3 at Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Panama, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Brocton, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 Clymer, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Chautauqua Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Sherman/Rip, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Panama
Nickname: Panthers (5-3)
Coach: Chris Payne, 15th season
Outlook: Junior RB Cody DiDomenico was co-Offensive Player of Year in Class D West. He had 900 yards and 15 TDs. Junior QB Nick Lenart is very athletic having started on the basketball team since he was a freshman. The team's five lineman are ranked in the top eight of the class academically led by senior RT Tim Zembryski, the class valedictorian.
Schedule
Sept. 3 at Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Maple Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Chaut. Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Sherman/Ripley, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Brocton, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Sherman/Ripley
Nickname: Wildcats (3-5)
Coach: Tom Calzone, fourth season
Outlook: The Wildcats will have more speed in the backfield than in the past with Schaffer Eimers (one of eight from Ripley) and Kyle Keith. David Kelly and Cody Ryan are two quality QBs. RT/DE Cody Graczyk is a junior who brings three years of varsity experience. G/DT Nick Greiner is coming off offseason shoulder surgery.
Schedule
Sept. 4 at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Brocton, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Westfield, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Panama, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Maple Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Chaut. Lake, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Silver Creek
Nickname: Knights (6-3)
Coach: Sean Helmer, fifth season
Outlook: Third team All-NYS RB Zach Williams returns for the Black Knights, coming off a 900-plus season rushing. The Knights will also run Frank Sterlace, Andrew Lanphere and Zed Williams out of their misdirection offense. QB Cody Hehir throws a nice ball and has good speed.
Schedule
Sept. 3 Maple Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Chaut. Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Clymer, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Brocton, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Sherman/Ripley, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Panama, 7:30 p.m.
***
>Westfield
Nickname: Wolverines (1-7)
Coach: Bob North, second season
Outlook: The players who filled in for last year's injured seniors -- QB/LB Mitch Kyser (ACL) and RB/LB Elias Manzella (collarbone) -- are ready to put that experience to work for them. TB/LB/CB Alex Underwood is a three-year starter, who led the team in TDs. QB Trey North looks to be a threat both running and passing.
Schedule
Sept. 3 Panama, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Clymer, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Sherman, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Chaut. Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Brocton, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Maple Grove, 7:30 p.m.
Team-by-team capsules compiled by News high school sports reporter Mary Jo Monnin.
