Skip to main content

HS football previews

By Brian Hillabush

 

 

Pal-Mac (0-1) at Batavia (0-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The young man with the ball in his hands needs to have it in his hands a lot more than he did last Friday night.

Rob Williams had seven carries for just 17 yards, but is the most talented athlete on the Batavia roster, and should get a lot more touches against Palmyra-Macedon, which lost to a talented Livonia squad 14-7 last week.

Batavia coach Dan Geiger gave the ball to Anthony D'Aurizio a bunch of times in a 27-13 loss against visiting Le Roy last week, and the senior did a great job. But Williams has a proven history of putting his squad on his back and carrying them. 

He could line-up at quarterback, running back or wide receiver, but he needs to touch the ball more than seven times if the Blue Devils are going to get a first win.

If Williams gets 15 touches in the game, Batavia should run away with this one at home.

Junior quarterback Joe Canzoneri faced some pressure against a very talented Le Roy defense last week and will find this week a lot easier, so he could get the ball in the hands of Williams, Vinny Pedro or wild card Devonte Rolle. Any of those playmakers can bust out for a big play at any time.

Batavia's defense did a great job against a very talented Le Roy team, so expect a markedly better effort against a squad that has nowhere near the talent the Oatkan Knights have.

 

 

Barker (1-0) at Oakfield-Alabama (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday

 

O-A wingback Tim Smith was the best story of Week 1.

He rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns after quitting on his teammates last year, and has proven to be a solid scoring option for the Hornets.

He will get his share of carries, along with fellow runner Jason Stanley and fullback Brad Riner. Smith talked about apologizing to his teammates in Monday's Daily News, and should be a leader on the field Friday night.

If the Hornets struggle with the run - which hasn't happened since coach John Dowd walked onto the O-A campus - then the passing game will be as good as it has been since he has shown up.

A.J. Kehlenbeck has experience and Tyler Tamblin played out of his mind last week, so  tight end Noah Seward would be a great GR fantasy football choice.

Another name you might not have heard of that could rush for over 100 yards would be sophomore Matt Ososolojaikonaowaksianskowdkonwoski (however you spell or say it).

He played in the sectional tournament loss last year and was awesome. The young man nicknamed the "OZ man" has had his issues holding onto the ball, but  could be the best young talent in the league.

Barker has improved under coach Bill Bruning, but O-A will run away with this game.

 

Letchwoth (1-0) at Le Roy (1-0)

7:30 p.m.

Two of the most respected coaches in Section 5 face-off in this one.

Letchworth's Tim McMullen might not have a roster that has a ton of stars, but the indians will play hard.

Le Roy and coach Brian Moran proved in a win over Batavia last week that solid players step in and fill roles every week.

The Indians will try to slow things down, but LR quarterback Travis Fenstermaker will have a huge game.

Le Roy won't win by 30, but should win pretty big.

 

Pembroke (1-0) at Alexander (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

While quarterback David Kleckler blew up last week, watch for running back Mike Dibble. He will rush for over 150 yards and at least one TD.

Alexander will continue to get better, but playing one of the "big 3" will not lead to a win.

 

Holley (0-1) at Elba/Byron-Bergen (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Elba/B-B has too much talent.

Brandon Spurling rushed for almost 200 yards against Oakfield-Alabama last week and should be the top option this week. He comes from the Le Roy youth program and will do well.

Zach Green almost rushed for 100 yards and will provide a great support system. 

Holley gave Barker a great run, but E/B-B has too many athletes.

 

Attica (1-0) at Notre Dame (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

In what might be the game of the week in the GR, the quarterbacks are the show.

ND slinger Nick Bochicchio went 27-34 for 182 yards in the opener, meaning the Fighting Irish aren't exactly a power-running offense.

But Kevin Schildwaster and Mike Pratt can run the ball.

Attica's Brandon Rolling might be the best quarterback in the league, but Andy Ruddock might be the best running back in the league. Attica can put up a lot of points in a lot of different ways.

No other GR game will lead to more points than this one.

 

Authentically Local