Football Preview 2025

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Big 30 smaller, but still packing a lot of punch

2025 BIG 30 OVERVIEW

PORTVILLE/C-R

NOW WITH B-R; WELLSVILLE, A-L RETURN TO 11-MAN

By J.P. BUTLER

In 1995, the total stood at 30, a continuing reflection of why the Big 30 moniker had been coined in the first place. And that figure included a handful of since-departed programs, like Eisenhower, Gowanda and Youngsville.

By 2015, the number of football-playing Big 30 schools had dropped to 22 as teams had begun, in earnest, to either fold (Archbishop Walsh, Hinsdale, West Valley), merge or form cooperative agreements (Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Franklinville/ Ellicottville, Ridgway/Johnsonburg) due to numbers issues. And now?

That figure has dipped to 18. Yes, this fall, just 18 Big 30 squads will take the field for the 2025 high school football season. That was solidified after Bolivar-Richburg, which had to forfeit its final five games of last season due to low numbers and was facing the same problem this year, voted to join to the Portville/ Cuba-Rushford co-op and Sheffield

High School closed its doors for good following the 2024-25 school year.

This, of course, could be viewed as inherently … perhaps not negative, but certainly unfortunate.

It marked the third-straight year with a local casualty following the Portville/C-R merger in 2023 and the Elk County Catholic and St. Marys union in 2024. It made it so that the Big 30 is now down to just 60% of what it used to be. And it’s meant that a handful of once-proud programs, such as B-R, no longer possess their own school colors and identity … at least for the time being.

This, we know, is a sign of the times more than anything else.

Football is a physically demanding sport that requires a significant commitment. Injury concerns, and the effects of those injuries, have never been more prevalent. Over the last decade, fewer kids have been willing to make that commitment. Or run that injury risk.

Amid the “bad,” however, there’s still plenty of good -- and several positive changes -- entering 2025.

THIS YEAR, all 18 programs will play at the 11-man level after both Allegany-Limestone and Wellsville returned to the traditional ranks following two and three years, respectively, in the Section 5 8-man league (B-R had also been playing 8-man before being adopted by Portville/C-R).

Both have reported an uptick in numbers, one aided by their own ability to draw from other schools: This fall, A-L has added players from Hinsdale while Wellsville, for the second-straight year, will be partnering with former soccer-only program Genesee Valley/Belfast.

And both are excited to be playing “real football” again, with their programs intact.

“We stuck to our program,” said Marcus Grove, a former Gators player who led an 11-man A-L team in his first year as head coach in 2022 before the switch to 8-man. “Even when numbers were down, even when we had to go to 8-man, we were determined to keep our tradition alive. Football shaped who I am, and I wanted to give these kids the same opportunity.”

Said senior lineman Isaiah Fischer, “We’re excited to get back into football. It’ll be fun to get back to a real defense side instead of just offense, which is really what 8-man is.”

A-L/Hinsdale will be competing in a slightly re-shuffled Section 6 Class D that includes F/E, Cattaraugus-Little Valley (now in Year 2 under Mark Benton), Gowanda/Pine Valley, Newfane, Randolph, Silver Creek/ Forestville and Wilson.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama, meanwhile, last year’s Class D champion and a perennial state power, replaces Eden/North Collins in a loaded Class C South division that includes Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove, Portville/C-R/B-R, Salamanca, Southwestern/Frewsburg and Springville.

(That means, with C/S/P up and Class C powerhouse Southwestern absorbing Frewsburg, Class C South now features six co-opted teams, including FOUR triple co-ops and just two schools still standing on their own: Salamanca and Springville).

By returning to 11-man, A-L will also have the opportunity to renew its Rocking Chair rivalry with Portville, which had become one of the area’s

more exciting local matchups. That game will take place in Week 1 (Sept. 5) in Portville.

Following are a couple other items of note heading into the 2025 high school campaign:

Returning All-Stars

Seven players who made the Big 30 All-Star Team as underclassmen will be back this fall. That list is headlined by star Port Allegany running back Aiden Bliss, who logged an incredible 3,430 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns last fall, both District 9 records; Portville/C-R/B-R’s Aidan DeFazio, who will be making the transition from wide receiver to quarterback following the graduation of Eli Sleggs; and Olean’s Austin Miles, who caught 31 passes for 350 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.

Coaching changes

Only three head coaching changes were made in the offseason: Eric Rees, who spent one season as head coach at Smethport (where the Hubbers went 1-8), will take over at Otto-Eldred for Troy Cook, who stepped down after seven mostly successful seasons and engineering among the more high-powered offenses in the entire Big 30. Ryan Yingling, a longtime assistant, will now head up the Hubbers; and, perhaps most notably, at Randolph, Nate Armella succeeds the highly successful Brent Brown, who went 78-38 and won two state championships and four Section 6 titles since 2013.

Armella was Brown’s right-hand man with the Cardinals, serving as defensive coordinator for all 12 of Brown’s seasons in charge.

New District 9 leagues

District 9 regrouped its football-playing schools into four divisions -- from three the previous few years -- in 2025.

Region 1 will consist of Central Clarion, DuBois, Karns City, Punxsutawney and St. Marys. In Region 2 are Bradford, Brockway, Brookville, Port

Allegany and Redbank Valley. Region 3 now consists of Kane, Keystone, Moniteau, Ridgway/Johnsonburg and Union/A-C Valley.

Region 4, meanwhile, includes Bucktail, Cameron County, Coudersport, Otto-Eldred and Smethport.

YES, THE number of Big 30 teams will be lower -- and the volume of hyphens higher -- again this fall.

But as undesirable as it might be, there are two key plusses that come with what is now a necessity to merge teams: 1. It allows kids at schools with struggling numbers the opportunity to continue playing football, even if it’s for a different program. And 2., it strengthens those programs, creating a more positive experience.

And that’s what we’ve seen over the last decade.

Franklinville/Ellicottville has become a perennial contender in Section 6 Class D, winning multiple sectional titles while advancing to the championship contest in all but a few years since the merger. Ridgway/Johnsonburg has had a strong run in both District 9 play and in the postseason under Mark Heindl.

And Portville/C-R has become one of the more dominant teams in Class C, culminating with a trip to the championship game at Highmark Stadium last fall (to say nothing of how strong the likes of Olean, Pioneer, Salamanca and Port Allegany have become in recent years, especially the latter two; the Warriors and Gators both made their respective state championship games in 2024. And that has to be a rarity, if not the first such occasion in Big 30 history).

With B-R now also on board, Portville/C-R/B-R figures to have the opportunity to build a C/S/P-like level of stability and contention.

“OUR GOAL as a coaching staff is to kind of recreate a great product every year and you don’t do that by focusing on just your varsity kids,” Portville/C-R/B-R coach Josh Brooks

said. “You have to really focus on offseason work and in-season development work. One of the largest reasons we chose to bring in Bolivar and Cuba-Rushford was we can have all three programs. We’ll have a seventh and eighth grade true modified program, they’re playing against other seventh- and eighth-graders, having a whole JV team with a separate coaching staff and then having your top players, no matter what age they are, be able to play varsity and practice against varsity players every day.

“I think that really showed last year at the end of the year. We started off 1-2 but we kept getting better and better. When you’re not practicing against other good players, sometimes that really affects you Friday nights. So it’s a huge advantage for us.”

And it’s a process that has become even more seamless after uniting with Cuba-Rushford just two years ago.

“It’s not brand new to us,” Brooks went on. “The really nice part is all three of our districts are pretty close, not just on the map but our superintendents talk often, we’re close with admin teams, teachers live in the same area, kids are friends with each other. So I do think having experience with a merger, bringing in Bolivar, it’s going to make things much smoother than a few years ago when you’re just learning logistically how to organize transportation and get everything on the same page.”

ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE GATORS

Back to 11-man, A-L rebuilding rivalries and identity

By HENRY BUCHAN

ALLEGANY — For Allegany-Limestone football, the path back to traditional 11-man football has not been straightforward.

Like many rural Western New York programs, declining participation led to what seemed like a difficult choice — either try to merge with another program and consolidate talent and numbers, or risk folding the program entirely.

Head coach Marcus Grove and the Gators chose a third option.

“We stuck to our program,” said Grove, who has been on the Gators’ coaching staff for nine years, and also played for the program during his high school years. “Even when numbers were down, even when we had to go to 8-man football, we were determined to keep our tradition alive. Football shaped who I am, and I wanted to give these kids the same opportunity.”

Now, with increased numbers and renewed energy, Allegany-Limestone is back to the 11-man game, facing rivals they haven’t played in years and giving the program a chance to stabilize. The roster has grown significantly to 27 players, thanks in part to youth programs designed to keep kids engaged with football from an early age. During the offseason, the team also picked up a few players from Hinsdale in a new cooperative agreement, which further helped to make the numbers work.

Still, the team has had to adjust back to the new-old format.

“(Coach Grove) played 11-man and coached 11-man, and he’s just getting us used to a whole new scheme, a whole new playbook with 11-man,” said Gators running back Nolan Zink, referencing Grove’s experience coaching with both more and less players on the field.

Lineman Isaiah Fisher echoed the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE GATORS

mix of challenge and excitement on the defensive line that comes from a game where defenses can cover more of the field, and are overall more relevant.

“We’re excited to get back into football,” Fisher said. “It’ll be fun to get back to a real defensive side instead of just offense, which is really what eight-man is.”

Fisher also highlighted the significance of the season opener, a road rivalry bout with Portville on Sept. 5 over the coveted rocking chair.

“I definitely want us to beat Portville,” he said. “Portville’s a big game for us. We haven’t played them for a while, since we were last in 11-man. The chair game — it’s a big rivalry for us.”

The team is a blend of youth and

experience, with younger players learning from a core of returning leaders. Grove said that leadership comes in many forms.

“We’ve got a hungry junior class this year,” he said. “They’re optimistic, and they view this program as theirs for the taking. Leadership can be vocal, by play style, or quieter — setting an example. We guide it, but they shape it.”

For Grove and his players, the season is as much about growth as results. While the goal for every team in Section 6 is a playoff berth, the current focus is adjusting to the 11man game and building a foundation for the future.

In a region where high school football faces shrinking rosters and widespread program mergers, Allegany-Limestone’s return to 11man football is a story of resilience. Through declining participation, the program has maintained its identity, looking to show that perseverance, leadership and renewed support can keep tradition alive.

THE RETURNING starters:

Mathew Burnett, senior, 5-9, 160, running back/defensive back/kick returner

Dylan Schultz, senior, 5-10, 170, quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back

Nolan Zink, junior, 5-10, 165, running back/defensive back

Isaiah Fisher, junior, 5-9, 185, offensive line/defensive line

Conner Crowley, junior, 5-10, 195, offensive line/defensive line

Aidan Coulter, junior, 5-11, 175, offensive line/linebacker

Nolan O’Brien, junior, 6-2, 160, wide receiver/defensive back

ALSO LETTERING were:

Brian Sprague, senior, 5-8, 160, running back/defensive back

Cyler Weatherly, senior, 5-9, 160, wide receiver/defensive back

Caiden Ackley, senior, 5-10, 185, offensive line/defensive line

THE

PLAYERS, by position:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: Schultz, Tayden Margeson (fr., 5-9, 160), Sean Forney (soph., 6-0, 165)

Running Backs: Burnett, Zink, Jax Amore (jr., 5-8, 170), Calym Weatherly (sr., 5-8, 160), Forney, Sprague, Braeden Cowburn (jr., 5-10, 165)

Ends/Receivers: Ryan Callen (soph., 6-1, 160), O’Brien, Jack Aderman (sr., 5-10, 150), Chris Forney (sr., 5-9, 160), Brett Bergstrom (sr., 6-1, 180), Greg Peck (soph., 6-0, 170), Tevin Veno (soph., 5-10, 175), Sawyer Prince (soph., 5-10, 170), Liam See (soph., 5-10, 160), Ayden Harris (jr., 5-10, 170)

Guards/Tackles: Crowley, Coulter, Jayden Thornton (soph., 5-10, 185), Samuel Mathanakaran (6-2, 170), Veno, Ackley, Cowburn, Alex VanCuran (soph., 5-10, 170), Brett Bergstrom

Centers: Fisher, Crowley, Thornton DEFENSE

Ends: Mathanakaran, Prince, See, Veno, Bergstrom, Aderman

Guards/Tackles: Crowley, Fisher, Thornton, Ackley, VanCuran Linebackers: Coulter, Cowburn, Amore, Peck, Prince, Veno, Sprague, Fisher, Thornton, Weatherly Defensive Backs: Callen, O’Brien, Burnett, Zink, Schultz, Tayden Margeson, S. Forney, Harris Kickers: Burnett

New Look for 2025 Football Schedules thanks to intro of District 9 Central League

DISTRICT 9 REGION 2 PREVIEW

By SARA EDDY FURLONG

In new D9 league, Bradford hoping to be competitive

With 49 players on the roster this year, 12 of those returning letterwinners, Bradford coach Jeff Puglio and the Owls feel ready to take the field Friday. The focus will be on implementing new strategies.

“For us, going into any season, the goal is to be competitive. We changed

some things we are going with our offense and defense this year. We do have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football for us, but it’s going to be a lot of new for all of them,” Puglio said. “It’s been a steep learning curve but I like the way we are competing in practice right now.”

With the shakeup of District 9 leagues, the Owls’ schedule did take on a tougher look.

“They divided the district into four regions, based on size and how good or bad you are. Unfortunately for us,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

DISTRICT 9 REGION 2 PREVIEW

everybody gets stuck on the (Class) AAAA next to our name. We got put in a region where eight of our 10 opponents were playoff teams last year. Clarion and Port Allegany played in the state finals,” Puglio said. “The schedulers didn’t do us any favors. We’ve been struggling the past few years, and District 9 said, ‘Here Bradford, you get one of the most difficult schedules. We look at it as an opportunity to go out there and compete every week.”

In regard to the games as a whole, Puglio hopes to see the fun and passion that is synonymous with Friday Night Lights return.

“For us, the only other thing I would love to see for us is to get more regionalized with the schedule. Last year, we played two Class A schools — Smethport and Kane. Both were one-score games going into the final five minutes. We beat Smethport, Kane beat us,” Puglio said. “One thing about those nights, both sides of the stadium were packed. They are better

rivalries. Everyone has a lot more fun; the kids have more fun, the communities have fun and the games are better. It would be better for everyone if it got more regionalized.”

Port Allegany coming off trip to PIAA final

With 18 returning lettermen and a very successful 2024 season at their back, the Port Allegany Gators have experience on their side this year. Still, Port Allegany coach Justin Bienkowski doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

“We have a very competitive schedule. We are looking forward to starting the season away with Bradford High, which we consider our second home,” Bienkowski said. “Otherwise, we will literally take it day by day, week by week. We don’t look ahead.”

Players and coaches alike are putting in the work and ready to play.

“Our kids have put our squad in a position to be successful. They have been working — whether playing

Pictured are the returning

multiple sports or in the weight room — since January. That is why they are talked about and highly rated pre-season,” he said. “It’s all about what the kids are willing to do, and they do what we ask at 100 miles an hour.

BRADFORD OWLS

“We lost two of the best linebackers — Juuso Young and Carson Neely — to have ever walked our halls. We plan on having a nice long season together as long as the linemen can catch up to the skills.”

FRANKLINVILLE/ELLICOTTVILLE TITANS

New faces, same standard

Titans’ seniors lead young roster into new season

By HENRY BUCHAN

FRANKLINVILLE — The Franklinville/Ellicottville Titans know this year ’s road back to the playoffs, and what they hope will be another deep run, will look a little different.

With a young roster and only a handful of returning seniors, the program is counting on its new group stepping into new roles as it prepares for the stretch run in Section 6.

For senior lineman Grady Byroads, one of few returning starters, his last year holds extra meaning and intention.

“It feels weird and sad that it’s my last year,” Byroads said. “I’m hoping to go back and win for my last year — and it’s also the last year at Highmark.”

That focus had extended to the rest of the group, and created an environment where co-head coach Justin Tatlow remains optimistic for a close to entirely new lineup. He’s watched seniors pull younger players along, getting them prepared for when their moment comes.

“We graduated 19 seniors between Franklinville and Ellicottville,” Tatlow said. “But I’ve seen solid improvement all the way around. The leadership from Grady, from (defensive tackle) Landon Giles, from this senior group in general — getting the younger guys to show up, getting them to put in the work has been huge.”

The Titans willingly admit that this year’s team will need to learn

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

are the returning letterwinners for the Franklinville/Ellicottville

(from left) James Flury, Gunner Jochen, James Goff, Blake Smith. Second

Landon Learn, Tristen Hennard, Landon Giles, Brady Tatlow, Cameron Mendell. Third

Sean Howard, Lucas Swanson, Caleb Hurley, Maxx Goss, Eli Shenk, Rylan Benjamin, Sawyer Miller. Back row: Damien Cole, Aiddan Gascon, Nolan Murphy, Grady Byroads, Mason Blecha, Dominic Polino, Raiddan Wilson, Brenden MacWilliams. Missing from the photo was Jacoby Neureuther.

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FRANKLINVILLE/ELLICOTTVILLE TITANS

New faces, same standard

THE SCHEDULE:

September

6 — at Clymer/Sherman/Panama, 1:30 p.m.

12 — Newfane, 7 p.m.

18 — at Allegany-Limestone, 7 p.m.

26 — Cattaraugus-Little Valley, 7 p.m.

October

3 — at Randolph, 7 p.m.

10 — at Gowanda/Pine Valley, 7 p.m.

17 — Wilson, 7 p.m.

23 — Silver Creek/Forestville, 7 p.m.

quickly given their lack of experience, but they’ve also seen flashes from new faces with their first opportunity.

“There are a lot of guys who’ve shown they want to play,” said senior defensive lineman Mason Blecha. “Some even came up from JV with their work ethic and abilities, just showing they want it more. Nobody’s ever guaranteed a spot, you’ve got to work for it. Whether you’re returning or brand new, if you work hard, you can get there.”

For Tatlow, coaching is education. The real challenge, on top of finding effective plays, is tailoring the learning process to how every athlete, especially those who aren’t experienced with the playbook, learns best.

“It doesn’t matter what schemes or ideas you have — if they don’t

understand, they’re playing slow because they’re still thinking about their roles,” the second-year head coach said. “You’ve got to get them those valuable reps to bring them up to speed.”

What this year’s group lacks in experience, they make up for in unity within a merged program. Franklinville and Ellicottville face each other in every other sport across the high school and middle school levels, but in football they’ve been united long enough that the rivalry dissolves once helmets go on.

“In every other sport we’re against each other, but in football we’re pretty much brothers at this point,” Byroads said. “Ellicottville and Franklinville are really close. We might play against each other in other sports, but when it’s football time and we put on the same jerseys and helmets, we play for each other.”

The Titans won’t have to wait long to test that bond. They open the season against Clymer Central/ Sherman/Panama, the same program that’s had their number in recent years and their clearest measuring stick. But this time it will be a nonleague meeting, as the Wolfpack are now in Class C.

“It’s been a huge rivalry for a long time,” Blecha said. “It’s always come down to us versus CSP in the championship. Last year we lost to them in

the stadium, and the year before that we lost to them right before the stadium. So it’s definitely a big game for us.”

After CSP, the Titans will see some fresh competition. Byroads said he’s eager to line up against Newfane and Allegany-Limestone, teams he’s never faced. For him and the rest of the seniors, the goal isn’t just to make another playoff run; it’s to leave behind a program where the next wave already knows how to carry the standard.

THE RETURNING

starters:

Grady Byroads, senior, 6-2, 225, offensive line/defensive line

Landon Giles, senior, 5-9, 200, running back/linebacker

Mason Blecha, junior, 6-6, 260, offensive line/defensive line

ALSO LETTERING

were:

Aiddan Gascon, senior, 5-10, 205, offensive line/defensive line

Blake Smith, junior, 5-10, 160, running back/defensive back

Brady Tatlow, junior, 6-0, 180, quarterback/defensive back

Brenden MacWilliams, junior, 6-0, 195, tight end/linebacker

Caleb Hurley, senior, 5-11, 170, offensive line/linebacker

Eli Shenk, senior, 5-11, 170, wide receiver/defensive back

Landon Learn, senior, 5-11, 185, running back/wide receiver/defensive back

Lucas Swanson, senior, 5-9, 285, offensive line/defensive line

Nolan Murphy, senior, 6-1, 210, offensive line/linebacker

Rylan Benjamin, junior, 5-11, 160, wide receiver/quarterback/defensive back

Tristen Hennard, senior, 5-9 150, wide receiver/defensive back

THE PLAYERS, by position:

Offense

Quarterbacks: Tatlow, Benjamin

Running Backs: Cameron Mendell (sr., 5-6, 140), Learn, Smith, Giles, Raiddan Wilson (jr., 6-1, 170), Flury (sr., 5-10, 170), Reiley Freer (jr., 5-7, 160)

Ends/Receivers: Benjamin, Sawyer Miller (soph., 5-9, 145), MacWilliams, Shenk, Gunner Jochen (jr., 5-10, 155), Jacoby Neureuther (sr., 5-11, 145), James Goff (sr., 5-9, 135), Maxx Goss (jr., 6-0, 150), Hennard

Dominic Polino, junior, 6-6, 235, offensive line/defensive line

Guards/Tackles: Byroads, Gascon, Blecha, Polino, Sean Howard (sr., 6-0, 165), Hurley, Swanson, Murphy Centers: Damien Cole (sr., 6-1, 270), Howard

Defense

Ends: Byroads, Blecha, Polino, Howard, Wilson

Guards/Tackles: Cole, Swanson

Linebackers: Giles, MacWilliams, Gascon, Hurley, Learn, Murphy, Jochen, Flury, Neureuther, Freer

Defensive Backs: Benjamin, Mendell, Miller, Hennard, Smith, Tatlow, Shenk, Goff, Goss

Kickers: Mendell, Benjamin

Youthful Coudersport sees room for growth

DISTRICT 9 REGION 3 & 4 PREVIEW

By JO WANKEL

With 31 players on the roster, most of them young, Coudersport coach Frank Brown sees a lot of room for growth for the Falcons.

“We’re going to be young; we only have four seniors this year. We are pretty heavy on incoming sophomores and the freshmen class,” Brown said. “Fortunately for us, we had a lot of these letterwinners that had significant varsity time last year as sophomores. They are stepping into starting roles as juniors with a lot of varsity game experience.

“This is not the first time I’ve coached a team that was young. We will have some challenges, as we will be playing some teams full of seniors. That’s what everyone in high school football hopes they can have. But we have won in the past with younger teams. I tell players, go to work every day, make it count, and we should be fine.”

The Falcons’ schedule did get a shakeup, thanks to the introduction of new regions.

“We do have a little bit of a change this year. There’s four regions in D9, we are in Region 4 with Cameron County, Otto-Eldred, Smethport and Bucktail. We have non-league games with opponents that we have not played since I’ve been there, which has been the last four seasons,” Brown said. “We open away against Moniteau, who is new for us; we have a home and away versus Kane, also new for us, and we play Brookville, which is also new.”

CAMERON COUNTY

“I’m pretty optimistic. We returned all our skill guys from a year ago; we did lose a couple of our linemen last year that were bigger guys,” Cameron County coach Ryan

Neyman said. “We are a lot faster this year than last year, so we can do a lot of different things offensively and defensively.

“We are pretty dynamic to do a lot of different things; hopefully that will confuse a few of our opponents this year. Even though we only have 23 kids on our roster, we think as a team, this could be the year we could have that breakout season — as long as we can stay healthy.”

In regard to the teams Cameron County will face, Neyman views the schedule as an even playing field.

“Football is football. At the end of the day sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Our biggest goal is to go week in, week out focusing on who we have on our slate and get back into contention,” Neyman said.

“In the last couple years, we have been in second place for the region, so our goal is to be in contention again this year and solidify it. We just have to take it game by game.”

Returning letterwinners:

Offense: Malachi Zuchal (senior,

RB), Camden Fragale (junior, FB), Silas Pearson (senior, wide receiver), Bowden Pearsall (senior, receiver), Tailon Tucker (junior, tight end), Michael Nolder (senior, offensive tackle) Defense: Jacob Matteson (sophomore,

linebacker), Brodie Artman (sophomore, linebacker), Michael Snyder (senior, safety), Silas Pearson (senior, defensive back), Tailon Tucker (junior defensive back), Camden Fragale (junior, linebacker), Malachi Zuchal (senior, linebacker), Michael Nolder (senior noseguard).

OTTO-ELDRED

Otto-Eldred coach Eric Rees is ready for his first season as head coach for the Terrors, taking over from former coach Troy Cook, who stepped down in the offseason.

“The schedule is definitely stronger. We start with a rematch from the D9 playoffs from a year ago against Union/AC Valley, who then lost to D9 finalist Redbank Valley, whom we also have on our schedule,” Rees said. “We also have Port Allegany, the reigning D9 Champ and eventual runner-up in the state championship.”

KANE WOLVES

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DISTRICT 9 REGION 3 & 4 PREVIEW

Otto-Eldred has a slightly different schedule than the other Region 4 teams. While Smethport, Bradford, Kane and Coudersport face off with another Region 4 team twice in 2025, the Terrors have a different line-up ahead.

our schedule week in and week out.”

Key returners:

Yingling noted. “However, as a whole, our kids have a high football IQ, and we have coachable, dedicated kids.”

In regard to the introduction of four new District 9 regions, Yingling and the team are taking it in stride.

“We are the only region 4 team that only has four games with other Region 4 teams. All other teams play at least five Region 4 opponents, playing one team twice,” Rees said. “We are the only Region 4 team that plays six teams from higher regions, and the only Region 4 team that plays three teams from Region 2.

“But we are up to the task and look forward to being tested every Friday night (or Saturday afternoon). As long as we stay healthy we feel like we can play with anyone on

Shane Magee (senior, quarterback, 2024, District 9 Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year), Erik Gray (senior, OL/DL), Collin Shreve (senior, OL/DL), Michael Eaton (junior, RB/LB), Tein Caldwell (senior, TE/OLB), Dawson Welch (senior, WR/CB)

SMETHPORT

Smethport Coach Ryan Yingling feels the Hubbers are ready for their season opener in Kane.

“We are a young team, 70% of our roster is freshmen and sophomores, so we are relying heavily on the leadership and experience that our few seniors and juniors bring to the team,”

“We have been moved across regions for years,” Yingling stated. “We appreciate that it seems like they are trying their best to schedule teams our size for the majority of our schedule.”

As far as specific games that might raise concern, the Hubbers don’t have any one week that is an area of concern. The focus is on each game as it occurs and maintaining full strength.

“We only focus on the opponent we have each week,” Yingling said. “Staying healthy will be key for us this year.”

After delaying NFL dreams, Penn State’s stars chasing elusive national title

By TRAVIS JOHNSON Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The longer Penn State quarterback Drew Allar weighed his options, the more he thought how sweet it would be to bring a national championship to Happy Valley.

After No. 2 Penn State’s down-tothe-wire loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal last season, the allure of unfinished business outweighed professional prospects for the rocket-armed senior who’ll lead one of college football’s deepest and most experienced teams.

“I know how much better I want to be as a player and leave my mark on Penn State and obviously accomplish the thing that we came close to last year but came up short in,” Allar said.

He’ll be joined by 15 returning starters who won a program-best 13 games last season. Star running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and standout defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant also opted to delay their NFL careers to chase the program’s first NCAA championship since 1986.

Now in his 12th season, coach James Franklin understands the expectations of a fanbase weary of playing second-fiddle to Ohio State or Michigan year after year.

“We were a few points and a few drives away from playing for the National Championship and people were pissed,” Franklin said. “That’s what you sign up for when you come to Penn State, and so those expectations are always really high.”

That’s why Franklin signed Jim Knowles away from Ohio State after the veteran defensive coordinator helped lead the Buckeyes to last sea-

son’s championship over Oregon, the team that edged Penn State in the Big Ten finale.

“When you look at all of our personnel, not just the players, but the staff and players, it’s the best combination that we’ve had in my 12 years here,” Franklin said. “The depth, the experience, the talent is impressive.”

In the trenches

The Nittany Lions are big and deep along the offensive and defensive lines.

Sixth-year center Nick Dawkins will be flanked by guards Olaivavega Ioane and Drew Shelton while Anthony Donkoh and Nolan Rucci bookend as tackles. The group combined for

60 starts, helped generate 202 rushing yards per game and mostly kept Allar upright last season.

Meanwhile, Dennis-Sutton and Durant combined for 24 of the defense’s 119 tackles for loss and 11 1/2 of its 44 sacks.

Through the air

Second-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki wants to get more receivers involved.

Penn State’s leading wideout caught just 46 passes a year ago while star tight end Tyler Warren accounted for 106 catches. With Warren playing on Sundays now, Kotelnicki is looking for transfers Kyron Hudson (USC), Devonte Ross (Troy) and Tre-

bor Peña (Syracuse) to help veteran Liam Clifford on the outside.

Ross caught 129 balls for 1,618 yards and 14 touchdowns in three years for the Trojans. Peña had 84 of his 109 career catches for the Orange last fall and led the team with nine touchdowns.

“It’s going to be really important coming out of the first three games that we feel like we really know what we have with those three guys and how we can use them,” Franklin said.

Linebacker U

With star linebacker Abdul Carter now a New York Giant, all eyes will be on junior Tony Rojas to lead Linebacker U’s linebacker corps early. Knowles can’t wait to watch him, especially considering Rojas sat out spring practice after having shoulder surgery. Yes, he was banged up for most of his coming out season where he tied for the team lead with three interceptions, was fifth in total tackles and added a sack.

“Very impressed,” Knowles said. “He seems to have developed physically in the offseason. He’s picked things up quickly which is tough to do when you don’t get the reps on field.”

The schedule

The Nittany Lions have home games against Nevada (Aug. 30), Florida International (Sept. 6) and Villanova (Sept. 13) to start. They’re idle before hosting Oregon on Sept. 27 in a rematch of last season’s Big Ten championship game. Northwestern (Oct. 11), Indiana (Nov. 8) and Nebraska (Nov. 22) all visit Beaver Stadium while trips to UCLA (Oct. 4), Iowa (Oct. 18), Ohio State (Nov. 1), Michigan State (Nov. 15) and Rutgers (Nov. 29) await.

Salamanca, Port A led Big 30 with state championship runs

2024 BIG 30 PLAYOFF REVIEW

By ANTHONY SAMBROTTO

It was a fall to remember for two of Big 30’s most storied football programs – and one that ultimately finished just a few yards short of bringing some major hardware back to the Twin Tiers.

After dominating their way to district and sectional titles back home, Port Allegany (District 9 Class A champions) and Salamanca (Section 6 Class C winners) advanced all the way to the championship game in their respective states.

For the Warriors, their undefeated sectional season was capped off by a 40-14 thumping of Portville/Cuba-Rushford in the Class C championship game. They then won their first two state playoff games by a combined 43 points before meeting Schuylerville in the New York State Class C championship in Syracuse.

Leading for most of the second half of that game, Salamanca turned the ball over and found itself trailing after Schuylerville capitalized on the miscue and took a 26-20 lead. After driving down the field, the Warriors had two chances from the 8-yard-line to walk-off the state title with a touchdown and extra point. Salamanca’s first attempt at the end zone was an incomplete pass, and the second play – proving to

be the season finale – was a sack to end the championship run in heartbreaking fashion.

“That was a heck of a football game and it’s hard for them to wrap their brains around the suddenness of the end of a season in the state finals at the 8-yard line. It’s crushing,” Salamanca coach Chad Bartoszek told the media postgame at the time.

“You don’t get an opportunity like this very often. On one hand, this one’s going to stay with us forever but on the other hand, we were here and played in a heck of a football game. Over the course of time, hopefully they’ll appreciate it.”

Across the border in the Keystone State, Port Allegany continued its half-decade run of dominance in District 9. After an undefeated regular season, the Gators trounced rival Redbank Valley, 62-28, in the D9 Class A title game. From there, Port A dispatched Wilmington and Fort Cherry in quarterfinal and semifinal state playoff games before facing Bishop Guilfoyle in the title contest in Mechanicsburg.

And while there was no heartbreaking final play to decide that affair, the result – a 4122 defeat – was just as crushing to a Gators squad that has been so close the past few seasons.

“These kids are 26 great

2024 BIG 30 PLAYOFF REVIEW

He finished the year with 3,430 yards and 56 touchdowns – both D9 records.

Elsewhere on the Big 30 gridiron, it was a down season for other Pennsy programs. After a 7-1 regular season, Otto-Eldred lost 57-30 in its first round playoff matchup. Similarly, Ridgway/ Johnsburg and Cameron County each also fell in the first round, while programs like Bradford, Coudersport and Smethport all had losing regular season records and either did not qualify or turned down playoff invites. Sheffield, which announced last year it would close and send its students to Warren High School, finished 3-4 in its final season and did not qualify for the Class A playoffs.

up. Despite holding the Sparks to just one completion and eight yards passing, Pioneer allowed 272 yards on 42 carries on the ground. South Park running back Adam Nunes propelled the 35-21 upset, churning out 189 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries.

Following is a look at how every Big 30 playoff qualifier fared last fall:

Allegany-Limestone

Frewsburg, L, 57-22, Sec. 6 8-man championship

Cameron County Keystone, L, 42-6, District 9 Class A first round

Cattaraugus-Little Valley

Franklinville/Ellicottville, L, 44-7, Sec. 6 Class D quarterfinal

human beings for our school and our football program,” Port Allegany coach Justin Bienkowski told YDLsportsnetwork.com after the game. “They have left a lasting legacy getting to the state title game.”

Despite the loss, the championship game was highlighted by Gator running back Aiden Bliss’ 47-carry, 250-yard and three touchdown performance.

Franklinville/Ellicottville Cattaraugus-Little Valley, W, 44-7, Sec. 6 Class D quarterfinal Randolph, W, 32-6, Sec. 6 Class D semifinal

Clymer/Sherman/Panama, L, 338, Sec. 6 Class D championship

Olean

Health Sciences, L, 34-7, Sec. 6 Class B quarterfinal

Back in the Empire State, the powerhouse co-op of Franklinville/Ellicottville made its now nearly-annual trip to Highmark Stadium for the Class D championship game. The Titans dispatched Big 30 programs Cattaraugus Little Valley (44-7) and Randolph (32-6) in the first two rounds of the sectional playoffs before bowing to Clymer/Sherman/Panama 33-8 in the title game. After falling to CSP 21-6 in a regular season matchup, F/E again struggled offensively in the playoff final. The Titans turned the ball over twice and did not reach the end zone until the game’s waning moments en route to a 33-8 defeat.

Otto-Eldred Union/A-C Valley, L, 64-30, District 9 Class A first round

Pioneer

Maryvale, W, 28-12, Sec. 6 Class B quarterfinal

South Park, L, 35-21, Sec. 6 Class B semifinal

Port Allegany Keystone, W, 57-14, District 9 Class A semifinal

In Class B, both Olean and Pioneer had strong seasons to clinch playoff berths. The Huskies went 6-2 in the regular season before losing to Health Sciences, the eventual Class B champion, in the first round. Pioneer, meanwhile, was the top seed after a perfect 8-0 season. The Panthers dispatched Maryvale in the first round before getting upset on their home turf by fourth-seeded South Park in a semifinal match-

2024 BIG 30 PLAYOFF REVIEW

Redbank Valley, W, 62-28, District 9

Class A championship/PIAA first round

Wilmington, W, 38-20, PIAA Class A quarterfinal

Fort Cherry, W, 46-8, PIAA Class A semifinal

Bishop Guilfoyle, L, 41-22, PIAA Class A championship

Portville/Cuba-Rushford

Newfane, W, 34-21, Sec. 6 Class C quarterfinal

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/ Brocton, W, 32-17, Sec. 6 Class C semifinal

Salamanca, L, 40-14, Sec. 6 Class C championship

Randolph Franklinville/Ellicottville, L, 32-6, Sec. 6 Class D semifinal

Ridgway/Johnsonburg

Keystone, L, 42-21, District 9 Class A first round

Salamanca

Cleveland Hill, W, 49-12, Sec. 6 Class C quarterfinal

Medina, W, 50-7, Sec. 6 Class C semifinal

Portville/Cuba-Rushford, W, 40-14, Sec. 6 Class C championship

East Rochester/Gananda, W, 42-20, Class C Far West Regional Chenango Forks, W, 34-13, NYS Class C semifinals

Schuylerville, L, 26-20, NYS Class C championship

St. Marys/Elk County Catholic Brockway, L, 41-27, District 9 Class AAA championship

OLEAN HUSKIES

Built in the trenches: Huskies hungry for more

By HENRY BUCHAN

OLEAN — Last fall, the Olean Huskies ran out under the bright lights of a college-sized stadium at Buffalo State University for a playoff matchup, capping an impressive turnaround from a 2–6 record in 2023 to 6–2 last season.

They had started to believe, but for the moment, reality fell short.

“It was definitely surreal, but it didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” said senior quarterback Joe Mest on the team’s 34-6 defeat to Health Sciences/BASC. “So, we’re definitely chasing bigger and better things this year.”

Listening to the team, it’s clear the Huskies believe this year they return the talent and leadership to make another run. Ultimately, like all teams in Section 6, their goal is to get to Highmark Stadium to compete for a sectional championship.

Much of that belief starts with

head coach Phil Vecchio, who stresses accountability and preparation.

“My good teams, the coaches hold players accountable, and great teams, the players hold each other accountable,” Vecchio said. “And we have a team this year where they’re going to hold each other accountable. If they’re slacking on a rep, they get on it.”

Team practices started officially in early August, but the team has been hungry, looking for another shot since their season came to an abrupt end. Since January, they’ve been in the weight room, on the field together, building more team chemistry.

For Vecchio, how far the team can go will be determined in the trenches, on both the offensive and defensive lines. Vecchio knows that this year, he has a particularly strong group.

“We have three linemen — Finn Kay, Calvin Williams and Mike Ellman — who have worked their tails off over the winter,” he said. “They’ve increased their bench by 35 pounds, their deadlift, their power clean, their agility.”

He continued, “Those three guys I think are going to be the most important thing…the only times we’ve been good around here are when we had a good line. I’m optimistic that they can take the next step.”

They have Caine DeGolier, playing the throwback fullback position,

and providing a physical edge. That same physicality is demanded from their skill positions, even from players some teams wouldn’t demand it from. Vecchio referenced senior running

OLEAN HUSKIES

Huskies hungry for more

back Dominick Hirliman specifically as a player whose toughness has always stood out.

“It takes a special type of kid to play football,” Vecchio said. “Dom is as tough as nails. He’s probably 140 pounds soaking wet, but he’ll get after you. He plays hurt, he’s the ultimate team guy.”

It will also come down to Mest, now starting at quarterback for his fourth consecutive season for the Huskies, a rare accomplishment. After throwing for a career high 14 touchdowns last season, he’ll be looking to take the next step in his last year before graduating.

“It’s about getting stronger and faster and becoming more confident,” Mest said. “I’m super confident right now. Making sure every day we’re working hard and staying a cohesive unit.”

THE SCHEDULE:

For the seniors on the team, who

have now spent years trying to take the program to another level, they plan to make this year count.

“We know each other very well on and off the field,” Hirliman said. “Our senior year is a big deal. I think it’s a big deal for all of us — every single one of us in this locker room.”

For the Huskies, the combination of veteran leadership and sustained focus has created optimism heading into the new season. After last year’s taste of playoff football, Olean is ready to chase greater heights — one practice, one game at a time.

Olean kicks off a new season at Bradner Stadium on Friday, Sept. 5, against Salamanca in a non-league matchup with a Warriors team reloading after making the state Class C championship game.

THE RETURNING starters:

Finn Caya, senior, 6-3, 230, offensive line/defensive line

Caine DeGolier, senior, 6-0, 170, fullback/linebacker

Dom Hirliman, senior, 5-8, 145, running back/defensive back

Mike Ellman, senior, 5-9, 190, center/ defensive line

Joe Mest, senior, 6-3, 180, quarterback/defensive back

Austin Miles, senior, 6-0, 170, wide receiver/defensive back

Calvin Williams, senior, 5-11, 235, offensive line/defensive line

ALSO LETTERING were:

Dan Armijo, junior, 6-3, 195, offensive line/defensive end

Zack Best, senior, 6-1, 225, offensive line/defensive line

Colby Booth, sophomore, 6-1, 175, wide receiver/defensive end

Oliver Curcio, sophomore, 5-9, 160, running back/defensive back

Trey Ellis, sophomore, 5-11, 170, running back/defensive back

Zaiden France, senior, 6-0, 275, offen-

OLEAN HUSKIES

sive line/defensive line

Trenten Hanson, junior, 5-5, 170, wide receiver/linebacker

Jaiden McFaddan, junior, 5-9, 300, offensive line/defensive line

Liam Ruggles, junior, 5-9, 130, wide receiver/defensive back

Hunter Silvis, sophomore, 5-11, 160, running back/linebacker

Tyler Sullivan, sophomore, 5-11, 150, wide receiver/defensive back

Owen Tingley, junior, 5-9, 155, fullback/linebacker

THE PLAYERS, by position: Offense

Quarterbacks: Mest, Miles, Dominic

Myers (fr., 6-0, 160

Running Backs: Hirliman, DeGolier, Myers, Silvis, Tingley, Ellis, Logan Perkins (sr., 5-10, 147)

Ends/Receivers: Miles, Mykel Rivera

(sr., 6-2, 200), Adrian Bohdanowycz (sr., 5-11, 165), Sullivan, Booth, Ruggles, Hnason, Thomas Parker (soph., 5-9, 120)

Guards/Tackles: Caya, Williams, Armijo, France, Best, McFaddan, Logan Hammond (sr., 5-10, 240), Antonio Sauri (soph., 5-10, 265), Emmit Caya (soph., 5-9, 175), Amir Zayed (sr., 6-0, 243), Blake Thompson (5-8, 248)

Centers: Ellman, France, Hammond

Defense

Ends: Caya, Booth, Armijo, Rivera

Guards/Tackles: Williams, Ellman, France, Hammond, Best, McFaddan, Sauri, Zayed, Thompson

Linebackers: DeGolier, Rivera, Tingley, Curcio, Ellis, Silvis, Hanson

Defensive Backs: Miles, Hirliman, Mest, Myers, Bohdanowycz, Sullivan, Ruggles, Parker, Perkins

Kickers: Mest

PIONEER PANTHERS

PORTVILLE/CUBA-RUSHFORD/ BOLIVAR-RICHBURG PANTHERS

Reloaded Panthers kick off new era as Portville/C-R/B-R

By SAM WILSON

PORTVILLE — The task remains the same, even if some of the faces have changed, and not just due to graduation.

Josh Brooks and the coaching staff at Portville Central School will look to build a highly competitive roster building on a trip to Highmark Stadium last fall. And this fall, Portville is joined by more than its neighbors to the north, Cuba-Rushford, but also some from the East in Bolivar-Richburg. Portville welcomed C-R back in 2023 for a new football merger as the Rebels faced tough decisions with a dwindling number of students participating in the sport. Last fall, numbers became dire at B-R, with the Wolverines canceling the season in eight-man football after playing just three games.

Despite the numbers issues the districts previously had on their own, as a combined force, the new

Josh Brooks

Portville/CR/B-R team has the look of a potential small-school power. The team lists 12 players as returning starts on either side of the ball (three from the B-R eight-man team) and 34 total as returning letterwinners. Of those 34, eight are from C-R (and thus familiar with Brooks and his staff’s playbook) and seven are newcomers from last year’s B-R team.

“Our goal as a coaching staff is to kind of recreate a great product every year and you don’t do that by focus-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Pictured are the returning letterwinners for the Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg football team before the first year of a new partnership between three school districts. Front row (from left): Kevin Smith, Liam Gadley, Daniel VanBuskirk, Simon Carelton, James Gleason, Stanley Gilchrist, Sabre Herne, Peyton Carter, Hayden Schappacher. Middle row: Conner Roulo, Zach Green, Nick Carpenter, Trevor Whitsell, Logan Englehardt, Kailob Lipka, Wyatt Tyler, Ty Kosinski. Back row: Cody Hitchcock, Landon Hendryx, Demetrius Young, Ian Chamberlain, Jake Zeigler, Adam Roe, James Askey, Dylan Wenke, Kingston Loucks, Chad Knittle.

Reloaded Panthers kick off new era

THE SCHEDULE:

ing on just your varsity kids,” Brooks said. “You have to really focus on offseason work and in-season development work.”

That made merging once again to grow the program’s numbers appeal-

ing. P/C-R/B-R will have three levels of teams: varsity, junior varsity and seventh- and eighth-grade modified. Last year, P/C-R overcame a 1-2 start to finish the regular season 6-2 and rode that win streak all the way to the sectional final. And while the season ended in a stinging 40-14 loss to eventual state finalist Salamanca, it was a clear breakthrough for Brooks’ team.

“We found our identity after that Week 3 loss,” Brooks said, referring to a 34-14 loss at Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove. “We played a great Week 2 game vs. Salamanca there, kind of lost a heartbreaker (2419). And I think that next game was just kind of a letdown game. But we talked to the kids, like this is, we’ve got to make a decision here. Like, we’ve got to get going or we’re not going to make the playoffs. And they didn’t quit. They worked their butts off, things started clicking.”

Brooks continued, “We made a couple of adjustments offensively and defensively and we obviously ran the ball really well and were able to complete some big passes over the top. So I think that’s the biggest thing this year. We have to find our identity early and our league schedule is always good and it continues to get good: if you look at the C South and C North, the south is very talented. So we’ve got to get a better off to a better start than 1-2, like last year, but that experience helped.”

Last year’s team included 20 seniors who are no longer here. But plenty of experienced players remain, including key senior tight end Demetrious Young and linemen Ian Chamberlain and Ty Kosinski. All three scored over 100 in the program’s “earn your stripe” offseason points program for workouts.

“We graduated a lot of kids, but

we have a lot of core kids coming back, a lot of kids that got an invaluable experience last year, especially up front on the offensive line,” Brooks said.

“It’s nice that kids that are getting playing time are still working hard in the off season and there’s kids that want to have more playing time that still work hard.”

The focal point of P/C-R’s offense may well be its quarterback. Last year, Aidan DeFazio earned Big 30 All-Star honors at defensive back and made arguably as big an impact at wide receiver with a massive yardper catch average of 37.7 on 16 catches for 604 yards and six touchdowns. But in his fourth year as a varsity starter, DeFazio will return to the position he played on JVs: quarterback.

Reloaded Panthers kick off new era

“Back to where I think he feels really comfortable,” Brooks said of the positional change for DeFazio, who he called “a student of the game.

“But I think playing receiver the past few years is really going to help him play quarterback. He understands what we’re looking at from a defensive perspective. He’s had a good summer. He looks good throw-

ing it. He’s a dual-threat kid with his legs, too, so we’re excited.”

P/C-R/B-R has several players in contention for big playmaking roles as well, including Jake Zeigler and Adam Roe at running back and B-R’s Kingston Loucks at receiver.

Still, they have to put it all together and play with the right level of physicality once summer turns to fall.

“We’ve got to be able to block and you have to be able to tackle,” Brooks said. “The seven-on-seven stuff is great over the summer and again, we’re lifting weights, but until the pads are on, we’ve got to be physical like we normally are, but that just doesn’t happen. We have to become that physical team.”

A countdown clock in

PANTHERS

Portville’s weight room ticks away all offseason toward opening night, with a simple goal, “Beat Allegany-Limestone.” An old rivalry will resume on Sept. 5, kicking off both a new era for P/C-R/B-R and the Gators’ return to 11-man football.

“That’s been in there since January to the kickoff vs. Allegany,” Brooks said. “So we can take it one game at a time and it’ll be cool to have the Rocking Chair Rivalry back. We hope to keep it in our possession.”

A week later, the bigger challenge begins with league play. Class C South not only includes Salamanca, which will try to reload after its run to the state final, but another new merger (Southwestern/Frewsburg), the arrival of a state champion coach (Ty Harper at Chautauqua Lake/ Westfield/Brocton) and newcomers like Harper’s former team, Clymer/ Sherman/Panama, from Class D and

Springville from Class B.

“I feel like I say it every year, but I feel like I mean it more this year than ever. I think our league is really good,” Brooks said.

The P/C-R/B-R coaches include staff from all three districts, and more: former C-R head coach Jarrod Bell is assistant head coach and longtime B-R coaches George Kinnicutt and Dustin Allen join the staff as line and position coaches, respectively. Jason Luther returns as defensive coordinator with the staff also including Matt Burlingame (defensive backs), Andrew Studley (offensive and defensive lines) and Obert Taylor (special teams). And in another wrinkle, former Bradford (Pa.) offensive coordinator Nate Zitnik joins the staff as assistant OC to Brooks.

Reloaded Panthers kick off new era

THE RETURNING starters:

Aidan DeFazio, senior, 5-10, 165, quarterback/defensive back

Ty Kosinski, senior, 6-0, 250, line both ways

Adam Roe, senior, 6-3, 200, running back/defensive back

Jake Zeigler, senior, 6-3, 205, running back/linebacker

Ian Chamberlain, senior, 6-2, 270, line both ways

Demetrious Young, senior, 5-11, 190, tight end/defensive end

Kingston Loucks, senior, 6-1, 170, wide receiver/defensive back

Zach Green, senior, 5-10, 195, offensive line/defensive end

Conner Roulo, senior, 5-7, 140, kicker

James Askey, junior, 6-2, 240, line both ways

James Gleason, junior, 5-6, 130, running back/defensive back

Logan Englehardt, sophomore, 5-9, line both ways

ALSO LETTERING were:

Nick Carpenter, senior, 5-9, 185, offensive line/linebacker

Peyton Joy, senior, 6-6, 205, offensive line/defensive end

Landon Hendryx, senior, 5-10, 185, offensive line/defensive end

Kevin Smith, senior, 5-11, 145, wide receiver/defensive back

Chad Knittle, senior, 6-2, 195, line both ways

Dan VanBuskirk, senior, 5-6, 125, wide receiver/defensive back

Simon Carleton, senior, 5-5, 130, wide receiver/defensive back

Landon Rhodes, senior, 5-11, 160, running back/defensive back

Garrett Clayson, senior, 6-0, 215, line both ways

Parker Swimline, senior, 5-10, 285, line both ways

Dylan Chudy, senior, 6-1, 180, tight end/linebacker

Sabre Herne, junior, 5-9, 140, wide receiver/defensive back

Peyton Carter, junior, 5-11, 145, quarterback/defensive back

Dylan Wenke, junior, 6-1, 185, tight end/linebacker

Ethan Miller, junior, 6-1, 150, wide receiver/defensive back

Stanley Gilchrist, junior, 5-8, 170, running back/linebacker

Trevor Whitsell, junior, 5-8, 200, line both ways

Cody Hitchcock, junior, 6-2, 170, wide receiver/defensive back

Hayden Schappacher, sophomore, 5-9, 140, wide receiver/defensive back

Wyatt Tyler, sophomore, 5-9, 140, line both ways

Kailob Lipka, sophomore, 5-7, 200, line both ways

Liam Gadley, sophomore, 5-7, 165,

running back/linebacker

THE PLAYERS, by position: Offense

Quarterbacks: DeFazio, Roe, Schappacher, Carter

Running Backs: Roe, Zeigler, Loucks, Gleason, Gilchrist, Gadley, Tyler Wilson (soph., 5-9, 160), Christian Hall (soph., 5-9, 150), Rhodes

Ends/Receivers: Loucks, Schappacher, Roe, Herne, Hitchcock, Gleason, Young, Miller, Chudy, Wenke, Carleton, Van Buskirk, Parker Torrey (jr., 5-9, 150)

Guards/Tackles: Kosinski, Chamberlain, Askey, Joy, Carpenter, Hendryx, Knittle, Lipka, Whitsell

Centers: Green, W. Tyler, Englehardt, Swimline

Kickers: Conner Roulo, Roe, DeFazio

Defense

Ends: Young, Green, Joy, Hendryx, W. Tyler

Guards/Tackles: Chamberlain, Kosinski, Askey, Swimline, Clayson, Englehardt, Whitsell, Lipka

Linebackers: Zeigler, Carpenter, Gadley, Chudy, Wenke, Gilchrist, Wilson

Defensive Backs: DeFazio, Roe, Loucks, Smith, Gleason, Schappacher, Carleton, Herne, Carter, Miller, Hitchcock, Rhodes, Van Buskirk

SALAMANCA WARRIORS

With fresh faces in big roles, Salamanca reloads for ’25

By SAM WILSON

SALAMANCA — Few coaching staffs, if any, have presided over a greater football revival in the Big 30 area than the staff at Salamanca High School.

Coach Chad Bartoszek returned to his alma mater in 2019 to lead the Warriors at a time when Salamanca football was struggling. By 2023, the

Warriors had their first Section 6 Class C championship (and Far West Regional) in 2001. Last fall, they repeated in the section and went a step further, making the state championship game for only the second time in program history, losing a 26-20 heartbreaker at the goal line to Schuylerville.

And at least in terms of raw numbers — more than 90 players signed up between varsity, JV and modified — the program looks healthy coming

off of one of its strongest seasons in a storied history. But can Salamanca recapture the magic of the last two seasons, given the talent it’s lost to graduation?

The Warriors lost 12 seniors from last year’s team, including five Big 30 All-Stars, among them Big Defensive Player of the Year Cory Holleran and dynamic quarterback Maddox Isaac.

three or four years — that certainly changes things from an offensive standpoint. And then, similarly from a defensive standpoint, when you lose the guys we lost, including what would be considered the quarterback of the defense was Cory back there, a three-year starter. So I think the fun part for us is kind of that reboot here.”

“Well, I think that’s our challenge, right?” Bartoszek said of making Salamanca’s success sustainable. “I’ve been around enough football to know that it’s always going to be a little different. When you lose the group we had — and the quarterback that you’ve been for

Salamanca players participated in 7-on-7 leagues and tournaments, summer workouts (unofficial practices) and even scheduled player-led practices. But early on, this summer has required a lot more teaching and adapting.

“Last year, we were already a step ahead of the game just because we returned so much and we’d already had so much success,” Bartoszek continued.

”This year, we find ourselves in a situation where we’ve got new bodies in new positions. This is a real test to what our system is, like is it

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Salamanca reloads for ‘25

sustainable? Have we trained our young bucks enough that they can step in and play at a high level? Certainly we’re not going to match the level that last year’s group had right away. There’s no way.”

make the throws. His best ball is as good a ball as you’re gonna see. It’s just how do we maximize what he brings through the table? Versus what we did in the past with Maddox.

“How Maddox ran the ball was explosive in different (ways) to really any quarterback you’re going to see in a Big 30. So we’re not expecting Payton to fill all those shoes, but he can do most of them.”

Salamanca lists 14 players as returning letterwinners, half of them returning starters. Some will be in new positions, most prominently Payton Bradley, who played tight end as a sophomore and junior but will now step into Isaac’s role at QB. The 6-foot-5 Bradley has a strong arm and can move, but brings a different skillset than the super-speedy Isaac.

“His personality, his work ethic, his willingness to step in has been amazing for us,” Bartoszek said of Bradley. “He’s been the leader that we need, and he’s stepping into a big role. How we operate offensively will be determined soon here. I know he can make the reads,

Isaac and classmate Xavier Peters combined for more than 2,600 rushing yards, a huge chunk of production it may be impossible to truly replace. But two juniors, Quentin Brown and Conner Seeley, both had limited but effective touches as sophomores in last year’s backfield.

“Getting in a good rhythm offensively takes time and we have new faces and we have a couple lingering injuries that are gonna prevent us from being 100%,” Bartoszek said, hoping

his team will finish better than it starts on offense. “We’re hoping that we could stay competitive early, play physical, tough, disciplined Salamanca football, and stay in these games and keep us in the playoff hunt, so that when we hit full stride, we’re pretty dangerous.”

The areas Bartoszek hopes to be able to lean on are his offensive and defensive lines. Sophomore Kasen Hardy “got his feet wet big-time” as just a freshman. Evan Spruce, a junior, is a returning two-way starter. With younger or inexperienced “skill position” players, a solid line would help.

“On top of that, those JV guys got into a ton of our games because we were up by so much,” Bartoszek said, “so I think our O-line is probably the furthest along. So having said

Salamanca reloads for ‘25

that, like most programs, we spent most of the summer passing the ball, right? We’re trying to get in rhythm. It’s very hard to get in rhythm. And I still don’t think we’re there. But we’ve come a long way.”

Holleran and linebacker Zach Trietley leave huge defensive leadership roles to fill as well.

“We have so many guys that played so many snaps because of what the season went like last year,” Bartoszek said. “So we’ve got a lot of kids who are stepping into positions that they’ve played a lot of games in big places. But you’re not going to replicate what some of those guys did. So they’ve got to do it on their own, and I know Coach (Aaron) Hill, Coach (Paul) Furlong are exploring the options. Who’s gonna step in at the safety positions? We lost two really good ones.”

Salamanca opens the season at Olean, a premiere test against the Class B Huskies who went 6-2 last season. Bartoszek said he loves the matchup, both to get a historic rivalry back on the schedule, but to test his young team against the talented Huskies.

“(Olean quarterback Joe Mest) is going to step up and they’re always pretty physical,” Bartoszek said. “But it’s a non-league, it’s down the road, there’s a little bit of history there with Salamanca and Olean. I know it’s not recent, but it’s still there. And I think it’s a great way for us to start and really challenge ourselves early on. I’m

pretty excited for it.”

Then comes the true test: Class C South play. The division looks loaded, with two rivals (Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg and Southwestern/Frewsburg) adding a school through mergers. Clymer/Sherman/ Panama moves up from Class D and Springville down from Class B. And a familiar coaching opponent, former CSP coach Ty Harper, now leads Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton.

“I think it looks very difficult,” Bartoszek said. “Every week is going to be a bear. That’s not a bad thing as long as you can survive and get through some of those games. You’ve got to work your way into the playoffs.”

THE RETURNING

starters:

Kasen Hardy, sophomore, 6-2, 265, offensive line/defensive line

Easton Chudy, junior, 6-1, 175, kicker

Quinten Brown, junior, 5-11, 180, running back/linebacker

Payton Bradley, senior, 6-5, 215, quarterback/defensive back

Waylon Dowdy, senior, 5-10, 170, wide receiver/defensive back

Thomas George, senior, 5-11, 180, offensive line/linebacker

Evan Spruce Jr., senior, 6-2, 250, offensive line/defensive line

ALSO LETTERING were:

Kylan Jacobson, sophomore, 6-2, 185,

running back/linebacker

Payton Bigler, senior, 6-1, 160, wide receiver/defensive back

Landon Baker, senior, 5-11, 155, wide receiver/defensive back

Conner Seeley, junior, 5-10, 180, running back/linebacker

Adrian Taylor, senior, 5-9, 180, offensive line/linebacker

Jesse Hill, senior, 5-9, 160, running back/defensive back

Brendon Ghani, senior, 6-0, 180, wide receiver/defensive back

THE PLAYERS, by position: Offense

Quarterbacks: Bradley, Jayden Romero (soph., 5-10, 170)

Running Backs: Brown, Hill, Seeley, Jacobson, Ethan Baxter Drain (soph., 5-10, 160), Xazavier Escobar (sr., 5-9, 155)

Ends/Receivers: Ghani, Baker, Bigler, Dowdy, Gavin Elliot (sr., 5-10, 180), Dominick Hill (sr., 5-10, 160), Jazarian McDonald (sr., 5-9, 155), Ryder Jimerson (jr., 5-9, 160), Cruz Pennell (jr., 5-9, 165), Camron Bowser (soph., 5-10, 190), Remy Follman (soph., 6-2, 185)

Guards/Tackles: Hardy, Warrick John (soph., 6-2, 225), Donovan Terhune (jr., 5-11, 220), Justin Schwab (jr., 6-0, 230), George, Spruce Jr., DuMarius Jimerson (sr., 5-11, 200), Everett Atwood (jr., 6-1, 210), Cale Clousing (jr., 5-10, 190), Drake Phearsdorf (jr., 6-0, 230),

THE SCHEDULE:

September

5 — at Olean, 7 p.m.

12 — at Springville, 7 p.m.

19 — Clymer/Sherman/Panama, 7 p.m.

26 — Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/ Maple Grove, 7 p.m.

October

3 — at Portville/Cuba-Rushford/ Bolivar-Richburg, 7 p.m.

10 — Southwestern/Frewsburg, 7 p.m.

16 — Fredonia, 7 p.m.

24 — at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/ Brocton, 7 p.m.

Kaden Scott (jr., 6-0, 175), Carl Swanigan (jr., 6-5, 280),

Centers: Brock Johnson (jr., 5-9, 195), Adrian Taylor, Brayden Wilson (sr., 6-0, 180),

Kickers: Chudy

Defense

Ends: Phearsdorf, D. Jimerson, Scott, Atwood, Wilson, Elliot

Guards/Tackles: Hardy, John, Terhune, Schwab, Spruce, Clousing, Swanigan

Linebackers: Bowser, Thomas George, Seeley, Kylan Jacobson, Baxter Drain, Taylor, Johnson

Defensive Backs: Bradley, Romero, Brown, Hill, Escobar, Bigler, Dowdy, McDonald, R. Jimerson, Pennel, Follman

If Big Ben is right about Rodgers, all bets are off

By JOE STARKEY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

PITTSBURGH — I was already starting to sample the Steelers KoolAid so prevalent in these parts this summer when Ben Roethlisberger showed up with a keg of the stuff.

Did you hear him on his “Footbahlin” podcast this week, talking about Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf?

“Let me tell you this: When they get going, I’m telling you, it’s going to be something special, OK?” Roethlisberger said. “If Aaron can have the time to throw the ball, you’re going to see some crazy stuff happen.”

This, obviously, is an opinion to be respected. It’s Big Ben. It was partially his positive review of Jaxson Dart that caused me to endorse the idea of the Steelers drafting Dart and rip them for not doing so. Dart went to the Giants four picks later and is having an excellent summer.

Put it this way: If the Steelers had drafted Dart and he was 26-for-35 for 291 yards and three total touchdowns through two preseason games, as he is for the Giants, you’d be chugging Kool-Aid funnels in the streets.

But it’s not time for the next young Steelers quarterback. It’s time for another old one. And I have to at least listen to Roethlisberger, who knows a thing or two about the position.

That doesn’t mean he’s always right. He was high on Kenny Pickett, too. A lot of us have been wrong on Steelers quarterbacks the past few years (nobody more so than Mike Tomlin). Still, Roethlisberger is absolutely worth a listen. He was already

predicting the Steelers to go 11-6 when he showed up for last week’s joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was blown away by Rodgers and Metcalf.

What if he’s right?

“DK Metcalf is an absolute animal,” Roethlisberger said. “He has not had a quarterback of Aaron’s caliber. ... We haven’t seen what DK Metcalf can do on a football field. We’ve seen him make some really cool plays, but he has not had a quarterback even close to the caliber of Aaron Rodgers.”

Russell Wilson can’t feel great about that clip, but whatever. It was Metcalf’s work ethic that stood out to Roethlisberger as much as anything. At one point, he said, the offense called out for a receiver during drills and Metcalf ran in.

“You don’t see that very often,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s all in, too, [saying], ‘Man, I’m so excited to be here.’”

My initial thoughts on Rodgers were that he was too old, that his Jets stint was too disastrous, and that he’d be sort of like an aging Roethlisberger, unable to shirk defenders behind the line the way he used to and quick to get rid of the ball to avoid hits. (Not that I blamed Roethlisberger, considering he had Kendrick Green as his first line of protection.) That, plus the fact that the only quarterback to flourish in his age-42 season was Tom Brady.

I still feel that way, actually, but I’m wavering. I can’t believe Roethlisberger would get a first-hand look at Rodgers and make a bad guess as to whether he can still play at a high level.

Also, Roethlisberger threw in a caveat: the offensive line.

“Now, I’m sorry Steeler Nation. I’m apologizing for this part now: Can Aaron have enough time to throw the ball?” Roethlisberger said. “And that’s not a knock on the line. That’s just a question I’m going to ask.”

Let me translate: That’s a knock on the line. Or at least an expression of concern. And who doesn’t have concerns about Broderick Jones protecting a soon-to-be 42-year-old quarterback’s blind side? Troy Fautanu is even more untested at the other end of the line.

The running game also remains a major concern. Roethlisberger didn’t ignore that in his review. And if Rodgers doesn’t have a running game

to protect him and set up play action, trouble lurks.

“How can [the running game] not be a concern when you got rid of your thousand-yard rusher?” Roethlisberger said, referring to Najee Harris. “And you don’t have a legit stud, but maybe that’s OK.”

I hope he didn’t mean that Najee was a “legit stud” because that simply wasn’t the case. There were games in Roethlisberger’s career where he was a more explosive runner than Najee.

All of which leaves us where? We’re not going to see Rodgers in the preseason. That mystery box will be opened Sept. 7 against the Jets. All we have in the meantime is an overflowing supply of Kool-Aid.

I need a refill.

Cook signing new deal a preseason highlight for Bills

Perhaps the highlight of training camp for the Buffalo Bills wasn’t on the practice field or in a preseason game — it happened in the team’s offices.

Running back James Cook secured a big payday and a four-year deal to stay with the Bills. The deal for the fourth-year player will pay him $48 million over the four years, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press. The contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money

“Good to be back out there and play with my team,” Cook said after signing. “Just get another opportunity to do what I love to do.”

The new deal came a day after Cook ended his weeklong standoff by returning to practice; he had skipped four straight sessions and although he took part in warmups, he declined to play in Buffalo’s preseason-opener against the New York Giants on Aug. 9.

”I think we just had an understanding that we need to practice if we’re going to be able to get back to the table,” general manager Brandon Beane said, noting an emphasis was placed on getting a deal done once Cook returned to practice Aug. 12.

“There was good faith on both parts, from him and his agent, to our side.”

Cook was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing last season. His 18 touchdowns, including two receiving, doubled his combined production in his first two seasons (four TDs rushing, five receiving). And he was part of an offense that finished second in the league in averaging more than 30 points per outing.

Cook was selected by Buffalo in

the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas.

STILL QUESTIONS AT CORNERBACK

Clarity on Tre’Davious White’s injury going into the season wasn’t any better than it was after it happened Aug. 21.

The Buffalo Bills cornerback hobbled off during a practice and left on a cart, with the team declining to provide an immediate update. Bills general manager Brandon Beane did comment on the injury during a pregame interview with WIVB-TV.

“Had a little lower leg injury,” Beane said. “We’re not going to say a lot at this point. Hopefully, we’ll get him back when we can. ... He’s getting treatment. We’ll see next week what the timelines are.”

White was released by the Bills after a torn Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL in 2021 kept him out of 29 of 50 games from 2021-2023. He re-signed with the Bills in April after seven games between the Rams and Ravens last year.

He was originally supposed to be locked in a training camp battle with first-round pick Maxwell Hairston. But Hairston sprained his lateral collateral ligament on July 29 and appeared destined to begin the regular season on injured reserve.

White’s diagnosis wasn’t to be revealed until after the team cut the roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday. And Saturday’s 23-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t offer any more insight into who on the roster might be able to replace him if he’s out for an extended period of time.

Sixth-round pick Dorian Strong appeared to have emerged as the No. 3 outside cornerback, starting the game — all starters but Cole Bishop rested — and was out of the contest after one series. Strong showed promise throughout camp, but not enough to say he’s ready to be a Week 1 starter.

Dane Jackson has 28 career starts in five NFL seasons, but he struggled in his first preseason back with the Bills after one year in Carolina. Jackson played into the fourth quarter, which isn’t a good sign the Bills are comfortable with him as a starter in place of White.

Ja’Marcus Ingram has seemingly been behind Strong and Jackson on the depth chart all preseason, came in for Strong and left the game before Jackson. Still, Ingram wasn’t trusted enough to start last season. If White needs to miss extended action, the Bills might look outside the team for a replacement.

BUECHELE A FEEL-GOOD STORY IN CAMP

Shane Buechele made the most of his first opportunity to play a full game in the NFL last Saturday night in Tampa, showing 31 other teams what he can do.

Staley so intense

Buechele threw for 278 yards and one touchdown and the Bills beat the Buccaneers 23-19.

Buechele won’t get a chance in Buffalo behind reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky and Mike White. But a 25-for-30 performance — albeit against backups — could land him on the practice squad or with another organization.

Considering he sat out last year with a neck injury, Buechele was grateful to be back on the field.

“Last season was tough from the aspect of not being able to put on pads and working my way to get back, God is good,” he said.

Meanehile, since signing to the practice squad in 2023, Buechele has become Allen’s right-hand man within the team. Aside from quarterback, Buechele holds a number of roles for the NFL MVP, from friend to teammate to coach to confidant.

The two have grown close over the last year, an experience that led Buechele to settle on a coaching career once his quarterback options are exhausted.

“You can’t let your mind go there,” Buechele said. “It’s hard not to think about it, but, man, I’m going to be here until the wheels fall off and I’m hoping it’s 10 more years. … I’m just excited to see what the future holds.”

Before being an advisor to Allen, Buechele held the same role for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for two seasons. Buechele and Mahomes grew up in Texas and went to colleges in Texas, developing a relationship along the way.

Teams with a star quarterback often search for backups — specifically on the practice squad — based on how they mesh with the starter and understand their role. Practice squad quarterbacks are often highly

intelligent because they need to know their playbook and the opponent’s.

Of the 64 offensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches in the NFL, only 10 attempted a regular-season pass. Coaches don’t need to be stars, they just need to understand the game and the position they are coaching.

What really pushed Allen and Buechele closer was throwing mechanics. Allen is consistently trying to improve his throwing motion and footwork and that’s a specialty for Buechele.

“I think I see mechanics pretty well and I like watching it, too,” Buechele said. “I like watching the mechanics of throwing the football and where I can help as much as possible. He’s one of the most talented guys in the NFL at throwing the football, so he doesn’t need a lot of work, but I can help.”