Veteran skill position players lead Albion

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Albion into the up coming season is this group of veterans. In front are John Eible, Nick Radder and Jacob Hughson. In back are Dallas Ecker, Nick Harling, Sh’kwe Rily, Javon Jones, Amari Jones, Aquil Gaffney and head coach David Skrip.

Anchored by a strong nucleus of skill position players, Albion is prepping for the September 2 B 2 Division season home opener against Falconer.

Senior quarterback Amari Jones leads that veteran group which also includes senior running backs Jacob Hughson, Sh’kwe Riley and junior running backs Josh Bovenzi and Austin Johnson along with senior receivers Javon Jones, Dallas Ecker, Nick Harling and Aqui; Gaffney.

Amari Jones passed for 863 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 252 yards and 3 TDs last year while Hughson rushed for 229 yards and 3 TDs, Riley rushed for 327 yards and 6 TDs and Javon Jones caught 28 passes for 509 yards and 6 TDs and rushed for 171 yards and 4 TDs.

Up front the Purple Eagles are looking to juniors John Eible, Nick Radder and Mason Lynch to help anchor the offensive line.

“It is a tight crew and they’ve stayed focused on football,” said Coach David Skrip. “And we have some young kids who have worked hard in the off season and I feel they will be able to step up and help us. These kids all have high expectations  for the season.”

The Purple Eagles lost 20 players to graduation including backs Jr. Morales, Jahmeek Riley and Bryce Froman; receivers Tyler Gibson, Ozzie Mators, Ellwood Hafner and Alex Hafner along with linemen Dayne Aina, Simon Ellison, Jabari Johnson, Angel Cruz and Brendan LeBaron.

Following the Falconer game Albion will also host Maryvale on Sept. 9, Dunkirk on Sept. 30 and Medina on Oct. 21.

The Purple Eagles road games will be at Olean on Sept. 16, Pioneer on Sept. 23, Cheektowaga on Oct. 7 and East Aurora on Oct. 13.

Albion went 4-1 in the division and 6-3 overall last fall.