Photo by Mike Wertman – Albion’s large group of returning regulars includes, in front, Colton Howell, Donamic Farley, Bryce Pritchard, Matt Kovaleski, Jessy Cruz and Brilliance Johnson. In back are Kirk Ellison, Ben Restivo, Ryan Grandy, Ugene Harrison, Brennan Hughes, Jonathan DePuy and Ryan Croft. Missing from the photo is Nate Moore.

With no less than eight starters returning on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball Albion is looking to keep the momentum from last fall when the Purple Eagles claimed a share of a division title for the first time in 11 years and earned a berth in the sectional playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

On offense, the Purple Eagles return quarterback Bryce Pritchard, running back Ugene Harrison, wide receivers Nate Moore and Matt Kovaleski along with linemen Kirk Ellison, Ben Restivo, Jessy Cruz and Jonathan DePuy, all seniors. Junior running back Brilliance Johnson also saw plenty of action.

Pritchard threw 8 touchdown passes, 4 to Moore, and Harrison scored 11 TDs and rushed for 905 yards.

Pritchard, Harrison and Restivo all earned first team B2 Division All-Star honors while Moore, Kovaleski and Johnson were all second team pick. Ellison, Cruz and DePuy  received Honorable Mention.

“Offensively we’re blessed to have that many returners,” said Coach Adam Krenning. “Now it comes down to execution. Hopefully we can put it all together.”

Defensively, Albion returns Moore, Ellison, Restivo and senior Brennan Hughes on the line; Harrison, Cruz and senior Donamic Farley at linebacker and Kovaleski in the secondary.

“Defense wins games for you and we’ve got a great group of returners,” said Krenning.

Albion also returns varsity experience in seniors Isaiah Callicutt (FB/LB), Ryan Grandy (OL/DL), Sam Cucehiara (OL/DL), Miles Brewer (OL/DL) and Ryan Croft (FB/LB).

The Purple Eagles are also counting on juniors Thomas Furmanski (QB/DB), Kevin Hillman (WR/DB), Deyonci Farley (FB/DE) and Michael DiCureia (FB/LB).

“The experience we have should help us a lot but it’s all in how the kids perform,” said Krenning. “We’ve got a great JV program that really prepares the kids well.”

The Purple Eagles losses to graduation included linemen Justin Stritzinger, Caleb Pettit and Tyler Kast along with fullback/linebacker Demetrius Gardner, wide receiver/defensive back JaQuess Harrison and kicker Justin Robinson,  Gardner, Harrison and Pettit all earned first team division All-Star honors.

Albion which went 4-1 to share the B2 Division crown last year (6-2 overall) will open the division season at Olean on August 31.

Schedule
August: 31 – at Olean, 7 p.m.
September: 7 – Lackawanna, 7 p.m.; 15 – Burgard, 7 p.m.; 21 – Depew, 7 p.m.; 28 – at Springville, 7 p.m.
October: 5 – Iroquois, 7 p.m.; at Medina, 7:30 p.m.

The Tuesday Women’s Late League at Hickory Ridge has a tight championship battle going. Deb Wood and Jan Palmer lead with 95.5 points.  Close behind are Linda Chrzan and Laurie Freeman with 95 points.  Cheryl Ferguson and Vicki Brawn are in third with 83 points.  Dona Hazen and her partner Karen Berlew are tied for fourth with Aleta Martin and Diane Hennekey, each with 81 points each.

Wood again led low gross with 39.  Barb Downes had low net with 37.  Wood and Mary Guzik each had a birdie.

The Men’s Wednesday League is equally as tight with Ray Daniels and Tim Hendrickson leading with 83.5 points.  Second is John Carlson and Brian Hofstra with 83 points.  Larry Palmer and Dave Rau are in thrid with 80 points.Roy Bork and Robert Wyant are in fourth with 79 points just ahead of Mark and Sam Hackenburg who have 78 points.

The Men’s Thursday Traveling League was rained out.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Barker into the upcoming soccer season is this group of veterans. In front are Sam Howes and Bailey Sutch. In back are Paige Sutch, Shelby Ewald, Kaitlyn Rounds and Rachel Parfinski. Missing from the photo are Sydnie Luckman and Dakota Leising.

With improved numbers and a good returning group, Barker is looking to rebound from last year’s 0-12 Niagara-Orleans League soccer record.

The Lady Raiders veteran contingent includes senior Shelby Ewald along with juniors Kaitlyn Rounds, Rachel Parfinski, Sam Howes, Bailey Sutch, Dakota Leising and sophomores  Paige Sutch and Sydnie Luckman. Howes will take over the key goalie position following the June graduation of Kylie Miller, who earned second team Niagara-Orleans League honors last fall.

“We have a lot of returnees and our numbers are better and it’s good to have that,” said Coach Tyler Evans. “We’ve got experience at all the positions and we hope to be able to build on that.”

Barker opens the season with a non league game at CSAT this Friday and then begins N-O competition on August 28 at home against Wilson.

Schedule
August: 24 – at CSAT, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 31 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
September: 4 – at CCA, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 19 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 22 – at Wilson, 10 a.m.; 25 – CCA, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
October: 2 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – at Akron, 10 a.m.; 10 – at Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – CSAT, 10 a.m.

Medina and Akron played to a 235-235 tie in a season opening Niagara-Orleans League golf match this morning at Dan Dee Farms.

Ian Wagner took medalist honors for Medina with a 35 as Aidan Paul added a 44 and Dylan Lonnen a 49.

Dylan Kryskowski led Akron with a 45.

In another opener, Barker defeated Newfane 278-289 at Willowbrook as Jake Harris led the Raiders with a 40.

The Albion at Roy-Hart match was postponed.  Albion next visits Barker on Friday.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Roy-Hart varsity soccer squad includes, in front, Michael Kuchey, Jose Campos, Hunter Pratt and Ethan Lindke. In back are Matt Scott, Aidan Bligh, Jacob Higgins and Jacob Fritton.

Looking to fill a number of holes caused by graduation, Roy-Hart is prepping for the upcoming boys soccer season facing a bit of a rebuilding task.

Seniors Jose Campos (midifield), Evan Dodge (defender), Jacob Fritton (defender), Jacob Higgins (midfield), Ethan Lindke (midfield) and Hunter Pratt (midfield) head Roy-Hart’s veteran group which also includes juniors Clayton Keyes (midfield), Brendan Saia (midfield), Matt Scott (midfield) and sophomore Aidan Bligh (forward. Senior Michael Kuchey also returns after not playing last year.

The Rams graduation losses include first team Niagara-Orleans League honorees Jamasen Johnson (midfield) and Andrew Srock (defender) along with second team selections Noah Kindron (forward) and Kody Hayes (goalie). Also graduated were forward Patrick Sheelar, midfielders Evan Birkenmeier, Aaron Miller, Steven Schumacher and defender Tyler Choate. Johnson scored 13 goals and Kindron 8.

“We lost some good kids but this is the most self motivated, hardest working group I’ve had,” said Coach Greg Martillotta. “They are a very cohesive group that puts in the extra time and work so we’re hoping to build momentum throughout the season.”

Roy-Hart, which went 6-4 in the league and 10-6-2 overall last fall, opens the season with a non league home game against CSAT on August 27 and then begins N-O competition at home against Albion on August 29.

Schedule
August: 27 – CSAT, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Albion, 6:30 p.m.
September: 1 – Wilson, 12 p.m.; 6 – CCA, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – Medina/Lyndonville, 12 p.m.; 12 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Albion, 7 p.m.; 27 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
October: 1 – at Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 3 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 7 p.m.; 9 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Alden, 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – This group of seven returning seniors will anchor the lineup for this season’s Holley boys varsity soccer team. In front are Brett Baxter, Kory Puente and John Mounts. In back are Will Lavender, Matt Skehan, Erik Balys and Matt Wilson.

A veteran group of seven seniors will lead the way for the Holley boys varsity soccer team this season.

That contingent includes forwards John Mounts and Matt Wilson, defenders Erik Balys, Will Lavender, Kory Puente, Matt Skehan and goalie Brett Baxter.

The Hawks also return varsity experience in juniors Kohl Morgan, Brad Kingdollar, Ryan Lang and Carson Major along with sophomores Kayden Servais, Charlie Turpyn and Nathan Nothnagle.

Newcomers looking to contribute include juniors Malachi Rowcliffe and Ethan Waldron.

“Our returning group has matured,” said Coach Dan Orbaker. “We’re faster and our skill level keeps growing.”

The Hawks losses to graduation included four year starting goalie Patrick Bower along with midfielders Matt DeSimone and Andrew Moseman.

Holley, which went 4-4-2 in Genesee Region League action and 9-6-3 overall last spring is scheduled to open the season on September 4 with a non league home game against Batavia.  The Hawks G-R opener is slated for September 6 at Pembroke.

Schedule
September: 4 – Batavia, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Pembroke, 4:30; 8 – Perry, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Batavia, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 18 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – Byron-Bergen/Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Geneseo 6:30 p.m.; 24 – Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Letchworth/Warsaw, 3:30 p.m.
October: 1 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 2 – Kendall, 6:30 p.m. 4 – at Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Byron-Bergen/Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – New Medina High golf coach Rob Dennis meets here with team captain Dylan Lonnen, left, and the Mustangs three returning starters Aidan Paul, Trevor Luthart and Ian Wagner.

The local fall high school sports season will get underway on Tuesday with a trio of Niagara-Orleans League golf matches.

Those matches will have defending champion Medina at Akron, Albion at Roy-Hart and Barker at Newfane.

Rob Dennis takes over the coaching reins at Medina which went claimed the N-O title last fall with aa 12-0 record.

The Mustangs are led by the veteran trio of juniors Ian Wagner and Trevor Luthart and eighth grader Aidan Paul as seventh grader Dylan Lonnen is the team captain.

Wagner is a two time N-O Tournament champion and a four time N-O all-League selection.

Albion, which finished in the runner-up spot last fall at 9-3, is led by the returning starting trio of juniors Patrick Ricker and Nick Perry and sophomore Andrew Caldwell.

Sophomore Matt Rowcliffe, who was the sixth man last year, also returns and the Purple Eagles are also looking to freshmen James Beach and Jacob Foote.

Contributed Photo – Medina’s Zach Blount meets here with Buffalo Bandits players and Jr. Bandits coaches Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith after helping the Jr. Bandits win the Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational on Sunday.

Medina’s Zach Blount helped the Buffalo Jr. Bandits Midget team win the Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational championship on Sunday.

Blount scored 3 goals and had a 90 percent face off average to help the Jr. Bandits defeat the host Rochester Knighthawks 8-5 in the championship game.

Blount, who will be a sophomore at Medina High in September, also scored a goal in the Jr. Bandits 10-3 semifinal win over Brady’s Bunch.

In addition to playing for the Medina High varsity team, Blount also plays for the Buffalo Lacrosse Academy and the Tonawanda Braves. He scored 20 goals for Medina this past spring.

The Invitational was played at the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex.

The Jr. Bandits will next compete in the Jr. NLL Tournament next weekend at the Toronto Rock Athletic Center and the Glen Abbey Community Center in Oakville, Ontario.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Christian Moss (15) picks up good yardage for the Medina Broncos during Saturday’s season opening victory over Oakfield-Alabama/Elba at Vets Park.

The Medina Broncos blanked Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 22-0 Saturday in a season opening Niagara Orleans Football Association (NOFA) JV Division game at Vets Park.

Christian Moss had a long touchdown run to ignite the Broncos offense.

Cole Callard also hooked up with Brody Fry for a 40 yard touchdown pass and Trevon Shine added an 18 yard TD run for the Broncos.  Shine also caught a two-point conversion pass from Callard.

On defense for the Broncos, Trenton Morley had a tackle in the end zone for a safety.

In the Varsity Division contest, the Medina Stallions lost to Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 19-0.

Broncos running back Brody Fry gets tackled after a good pickup.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Kendall varsity soccer squad include, in front, Jake Esposito, John Rath, Ryan Barrett and Nick Richardson. In back are Hunter Menze, Nate Warters, Mickey Gardner, Alec Reed and Noah Walzer. 

Last fall there were some growing pains as an underclassmen dominated Kendall boys soccer squad went 4-6 in the Genesee Region League and  6-11 overall. Now the majority of that team is back with a year’s experience under their belts giving the Eagles plenty of optimism for an improved season.

Seniors Ryan Barrett (midfield), Mickey Gardner (midfield), Hunter Menze (goalie), John Rath (defender), Alec Reed (midfield) and Nate Warters (forward) head that league veteran contingent which also includes juniors Brahayan Gonzalez (forward), Mason Kuhn (defender), Tristyn Moyer (midfield), Nick Richardson (midfield), Brian Shaw (midfield), Noah Walzer (defender) and sophomore Jake Esposito (midfield).

Warters led the Eagles in scoring last fall with 18 goals and 5 assists while Gonzalez netted 6 goals.

Also looking to contribute is sophomore midfielder Hayden VanDusen who is up from the JV ranks.

“We’re really excited about this season. We’ve got a bunch of returning boys and the season looks promising,” said Coach Rich Esposito. “We hope to get off to a good start and hopefully make some noise in the G-R and then advance deep into the sectionals.”

The Eagles open the season at home on September 1 with a non league game against Mt. Morris and then host Byron-Bergen on September 5 to begin G-R competition.

Schedule
September: 1 – Mt. Morris, 12 p.m.; 5 – Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at Albion, 10 a.m.; 18 – Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Keshequa, 6:30 p.m.; 24 – at Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.; 26 – at Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m; 29 – Pavilion/York, 11 a.m.
October: 1 – Marion, 6:30 p.m.; 2 – at Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 4 – at Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – at Northstar, 4:15 p.m.; 11 – at Avon, 4:30 p.m.