> Dunkirk
Nickname: Marauders (2-6)
Coach: Rob Genco, first season
Outlook: Eddie Gomez, a three-year starter, will settle in at HB after playing a variety of positions last year. QB Kevin Burns is healthy after a ruptured spleen ended his season after four games. WR/CB Marquel Ruiz brings a lot of athleticism. Zach Torain is a returning two-way starter at LB/FB and was last year's second-leading tackler. Juan Fred and Alex Crowell are returning two-way starters on both sides of the line.
Schedule
Aug. 31 at Pioneer, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Olean, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. East Aurora, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Eden, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Cheektowaga, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Fredonia, 7:30 p.m.
> East Aurora
Nickname: Blue Devils (0-7)
Coach: Tim Wade, ninth season
Outlook: The Blue Devils like their chances with the entire backfield returning along with four down linemen. Joe Gugino and Eric Warner will carry the ball while Alec Hibit returns at QB after starting half of last year as a sophomore. Wade says the play of Hibit will be the key to their season. Junior Grant Haffenden, a T/DE (6-foot-6, 250), is a three-year starter. Junior LB/FB Drew Horton will be given more responsibility this season.
Schedule
Sept. 1 at Eden, 2 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Pioneer, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. JFK, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Olean, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Wilson, 7 p.m.
> Eden
Nickname: Raiders (6-3)
Coach: Chuck Tilley, fourth season
Outlook: Look for the Raiders to be in the thick of the race despite only having 19 players, including five seniors. RB/LB Alex Smythe is an explosive player who started last year as a sophomore. He's been on the varsity wrestling team since seventh grade. Sharing the QB duties will be Matt Bialy, Nick Sarratori and Smythe, out of the single wing. Leading a deep backfield will be junior Joe Trippi and Brady Bermingham. Jon Linst is a top LB and will handle all of the kicking duties.
Schedule
Sept. 1 vs. East Aurora, 2 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Gowanda, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 vs. Olean, 2 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Pioneer, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 vs. Southwestern, 2 p.m.
> Olean
Nickname: Huskies (4-4)
Coach: Mike Kane, 23rd season
Outlook: The Huskies are strong in the skill positions. QB Pat Scholla, who played on the Huskies' championship basketball team, is back for his third year. His main targets will be teammates who were also on the basketball team, Will Bathhurst, Max Portlow and Luke Hennessy. Scholla is being challenged by Chance Anzivine, QB of last year's undefeated JV team. Dante Tarr moves from WR to RB. Two-way tackle Dillan Kemp has looked impressive since last year's call-up for the Alden game. The line is young, led by the team's only returning starter, C/DT Anthony Candelarie.
Schedule
Aug. 31 at Bradford (Pa.), 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 vs. Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 vs. Southwestern, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. Pioneer, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Eden, 2 p.m.
Oct. 5 at East Aurora, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 vs. Springville, 6:30 p.m.
> Pioneer
Nickname: Panthers (8-1)
Coach: Jim Duprey, 11th season
Outlook: The Panthers, 16-2 the past two seasons, return nine starters as they look to repeat as Class B South champs. Leading the way is fourth team All-NYS Connor Johnson, a 6-5, 330 pound mountain of a man. "What I love about him is he's got great hustle," said Duprey. "If the play is on the opposite side of the field, he's never content to stay on his side." RB Kyle Hoffman gets his turns after waiting behind a pair of 1,000-yard rushers last year. QB Ryan Miller brings nine games of varsity experience. OL/DL Steve Andryzewski returns as a two-year starter. Darien Theriault will start at SE/DB.
Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Dunkirk, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at East Aurora, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. East, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Olean, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Springville, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Eden, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 vs. Hutch-Tech, 7 p.m.
> Springville
Nickname: Griffins (5-4)
Coach: John Sopko, fourth season
Outlook: Co-captain Bill Dickinson moves from safety to QB as the Griffins chase another season over .500. Reed Lipowicz is a skilled lineman and the Griffins' other co-captain. Expected to excel defensively out of the 4-2-5 are Dickinson, Ryan Cordona, Dave De Luca, Chris Phinney and Ethan Benz. "We have those kids who are kind of those tweeners between safeties and linebackers and we return eight of 11 starters on defense," said Sopko.
Schedule
Aug. 31 at Salamanca, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Eden, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 vs. Burgard, 1 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. East Aurora, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. Pioneer, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Dunkirk, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Olean, 6:30 p.m.
