Roy-Hart/Barker returns plenty of experience

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Heading Roy-Hart/Barker’s veteran group are, in front, RJ Townsend, Jackson West, Wyatt Sherman and Ireland Brady. In back are Tysen McCaa, Ronan Klug, Dan Aquilina and Anthony Adinolfe.

A good number of underclassmen got plenty of playing time for the Roy-Hart/Barker varsity football team last fall giving the Bulls plenty of experience heading into this season which begins on September 6 with a home game against Medina on Barker’s new artificial turf field.

Junior quarterback Tysen McCaa will lead the way for the Bulls large veteran contingent which also includes seniors Wyatt Sherman (RB/DE), Dan Aquilina (WR/LB), Ireland Brady (FB/LB). Jackson West (OL/DL), Caleb Alexander (OL/DL), Jacob Munn (OL/DL) and Ronan Klug (RB/LB) along with juniors Anthony Adinolfe (RB/WR/DB) and Vince Fazzio (FB/LB) and sophomores RJ Townsend (OL/DL), Carter DerSarkissian (WR/LB) and Ashton Ark (WR/DB).

“We’ve got a lot of guys back with experience,” said Coach CJ Knight of his 31 member squad. “Last year we had some key injuries so a lot of young guys played. Now they bring that experience and the confidence they built into this season.”

The Bulls went 1-5 in the C North Division and 2-7 overall last fall.

“The big thing we are stressing right now is execution” said Knight. “We have to execute a lot better than we did last year if we want to improve our record.”

The Bulls will play three of their four home games at Barker the others being October 11 against Maritime and October 5 against Franklinville/Ellicottville. The other home game will be at Middleport for Roy-Hart’s Homecoming on Thursday September 19 against Newfane.