> Grand Island

Nickname: Vikings (5-4)

Coach: Dean Santorio, 12th season

Outlook: The Vikings return approximately five players with serious varsity experience among them – FB/LB Anthony Zogaria, LB/TE Chris Connors, linemen Cole Smith, Dominic Trippi and Danny Blocho. Blocho, the younger brother of 2002 WNY Player of the Year, Mike Blocho, returns at RB/S. He fought through an ankle injury last year. Junior QB Guinton Corrao was a starting pitcher on the Vikings' Section VI championship baseball team.

Schedule

Sept. 1 vs. Kenmore East, 2 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. North Tonawanda, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Starpoint, 2 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Hutch-Tech, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Williamsville North, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. McKinley, 3 p.m.?

> Kenmore East

Nickname: Bulldogs (0-9)

Coach: Matt Chimera, 13th season

Outlook: The Bulldogs should be a much-improved team with 13 returning starters. Senior G/LB Jared Dolan will be a leader on both sides of the line. He's a three-year starter and will serve as co-captain along with C/DE Nate Weller and FB/LB Brandon Derion. Senior TE/DT Joe Cole is another solid two-way starter on the line. The team is counting on several juniors to step up, including QB Connor McMahon and RB Preston Smith. The Bulldogs' new uniforms feature a darker blue with yellow trim. Traditional game with West this year is at Sparky Adams Field.

Schedule

Sept. 1 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.

Sept. 21 at North Tonawanda, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. McKinley, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Starpoint, 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Kenmore West, 2 p.m.?

> Niagara-Wheatfield

Nickname: Falcons (2-6)

Coach: Jim Hagerty, second season

Outlook: Last year's starter at QB, senior Brendan Gilewski, improved his footwork over the offseason. Also returning to the backfield is senior RB Lucas Gravelle. The line returns a pair of seniors, two-way tackle Nick Yarussi (6-2, 275), a three-year starter, and senior G/DE Dan Miera. The secondary features returning corners Forrest Mullen and Joe Hansen. Up from the JV is junior Kaleb Kish, who is expected to contribute right away as a two-way tackle.

Schedule

Aug. 31 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Alden, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Kenmore East, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Starpoint, 2 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Grand Island, 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Williamsville North, 2 p.m.?

> McKinley

Nickname: Macks (4-5)

Coach: Ed Wilson, fourth season

Outlook: Stephon Johnson is ready to have another big year after earning All-WNY first team honors last year at DB. He returned three of his interceptions for TDs and also rushed for over 1,000 yards. Reyzon Jordan was a league all-star last year at QB who also rushed for over 1,000 yards out of the wildcat. Cliff Brown is a strong two-way lineman and one of five returnees on both sides of the ball.

Schedule

Aug. 31 vs. Niagara-Wheatfield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Williamsville North, 2 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. Canisius, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Sweet Home, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Kenmore East, 2 p.m.

Oct. 5 at North Tonawanda, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Grand Island, 3 p.m.?

> North Tonawanda

Nickname: Jacks (7-2)

Coach: Tony Truilizio, first season

Outlook: All-star DB Ian Gilhousen will also play WR and provide senior leadership. The Jacks have a lot of confidence in sophomore QB Chris Woodard, who has a fluid motion and can run the option. Tyler Durham will be the captain of the defense. Senior Leroy Goldsmith stood out in several of the summer camps. The line returns a pair of three-year starters with Jacob Clare and Chris Mellott. Tough opener against Sweet Home.

Schedule

Aug. 31 vs. Sweet Home, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Williamsville North, 2 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Kenmore East, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Tonawanda, 6 p.m.?

> Starpoint

Nickname: Spartans (5-4)

Coach: Al Cavagnaro, 13th season

Outlook: Junior RB/DB Evan Majewski is coming off a 1,400-yard season. A pair of all-league tackles are back with Zach Penman and Steve Wilde. Seven are back on offense, six on defense. Senior Andrew Rankie will get his turn at QB. "He's not flashy, but he makes plays, but with the tailback Majewski and the kids I have up front, we're pretty excited," said Cavagnaro. The Spartans will be without RB/LB R.J. Hernandez, who suffered a season-ending concussion this summer. Look for seniors Bart Mazzara, Joe Nye and John Rudes in the seconardary.

Schedule

Sept. 1 vs. Williamsville North, 2 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Lockport, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Grand Island, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. North Tonawanda, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Kenmore East, 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Sweet Home, 2 p.m.?

> Sweet Home

Nickname: Panthers (10-1)

Coach: John Faller, 27th season

Outlook: Coming off back-to-back 10-1 seasons, the Panthers return eight. QB Mike Torrillo knows the offense and can think on his feet. Senior Kahlil Humphrey will be the feature back after playing behind Jordan Johnson last year. Carter Mann leads a solid WR core. Three of five are back on the OL in Jeff Pinto, John Navarro and Christian Clayton. The Panthers suffered a loss before the season when starting center Joe Majdnik broke his arm during the four-way scrimmage, The Panthers were 6-0 in the league last year. Offense averaged 30 ppg.

Schedule

Aug. 31 at North Tonawanda, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Kenmore East, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Kenmore West, 2 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. McKinley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. Niagara-Wheatfield, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Wmsv. North, 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.?

> Williamsville North

Nickname: Spartans (3-6)

Coach: Mike Mammoliti, 12th season

Outlook: Junior Ryan Majewski returns with a season of experience at QB. One of his targets will be WR Homd Ali, who also started last year. Sophomore George Attea proved himself on the line last year after being called up. Harsdeep Mander is another two-way returning starter on the line. The Spartans have five sophomores on the varsity.

Schedule

Sept. 1 at Starpoint, 2 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. McKinley, 2 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. North Tonawanda, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Wmsv.East, 2 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. Grand Island, 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Sweet Home, 2 p.m.