WESTERN NEW YORK'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AWARD - EST. 1972
The 2026 season starts now
Know of a varsity high school football athlete who plays in Section VI or the Monsignor Martin conferences and deserves to be recognized? Let us know.
* Please submit any weekly performance stats no later than noon on the Sunday following the game.
2026 SEASON - Legends Players of the week
WEEK 6
Connor Finnegan (QB/DB-Maryvale) In a big win for the Flyers Finnegan did a bit of everything. He completed six of seven passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for another 78 yards. He even caught two passes. On the other side of the ball he recovered a fumble, had two pass breakups, blocked an extra point and made three tackles.
Dontre Hampton (RB-Bennett) Bennet remains unbeaten in Sec. VI and Hampton is a big reason. He had 20 carries foe 175 yards and three touchdowns. With 53 receiving yards he finished the game with 227 all-purpose yards.
David Janora (RB/LB-Springville) You would not know Janora never played organized football at any level prior to this season. He plays at full speed at is noticeable to even casual fans. In just one half of play he gained 159 yards on just seven carries and added a two-point conversion. His two touchdown runs covered 64 and 48 yards respectively. He also made seven tackles.
Elijah Kimble (RB-Canisius) It’s been 24 years in the making. With 263 yards on the ground Kimble set a new Western New York All-Time Rushing record. His combined 6,626 yards have surpassed Jehuu Caulcrick who ran for 6,559 yards for Clymer HS from 1999-2002.
Anthony Mantione (QB-Grand Island) With an explosive first half the Vikings remain undefeated and Mantione was responsible for most of the scoring. He threw two touchdown passes while completing six of ten passes for 158 yards. His two scoring throws covered 68 and 45 yards. On the ground he ran for 162 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carries.
Anthony Martis (QB-Williamsville East) In just over one half of play Martis led the Flames back into the win column by completing 9 of 14 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 2-point conversion.
Maddox Nedescu (WR/DB-Amherst) Helping the Tigers to their first win of the season Nedescu certainly made the most of his touches. With two receptions for 90 yards, he scored touchdowns on both of his catches. Defensively he had two interceptions including one that he returned 40 yards for a third TD.
Silas Nellis (WR/DB-Eden/North Collins) In a shootout with JFK Nellis caught eight passes for 134 yards and three TDs. From his defensive back position, he had an interception.
Tyler Piniewski (RB/LB-JFK) In a wild and exciting game that saw JFK come out on top with a last-minute score Piniewski had 32 carries for 252 yards and an impressive five touchdowns. Defensively he had two pass breakups.
Isaac Platt (RB/LB-Iroquois) In an important Class B-2 contest Platt was a difference maker. He ran for 119 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He made an even greater impact from his linebacker spot. He finished the game with 16 tackles, including two for loss of yardage.
Cal Rogers (RB/LB-Williamsville North) The Spartans remain undefeated and atop Class A-1 with their win over Orchard Park. Rogers had three catches on the evening for 74 yards. He scored on two of his receptions including the game winning touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining. He had a big game on defense
with a sack, a fumble recovery, 3 TFL and a blocked punt.
Manny Sanchez (RB-Silver Creek/Forestville) The Black Knights scored 37 unanswered points on their way to an impressive come from behind upset of Wilson. Sanchez ran 29 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns against the #10 ranked Class D school in the state.
Hayden Schappacher (RB/DB-Portville/Cuba Rushford/Bolivar Richards) Another impressive performance by Schappacher on both sides of the ball. He ran 20 times for 221 yards and scored four touchdowns. He even completed 3 of 4 pass attempts for 54 yards. He intercepted a pass, broke up a pass, recovered a fumble and made two tackles.
Scott Stowe (QB-Lockport) Although Lockport lost on the game’s final play Stowe had an outstanding effort for the Lions. He threw three touchdowns and completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 281 yards. He ran for another 77 yards and scored two 2-point conversions.
Josh Urban (RB/LB-West Seneca East) With 1st place in the division on the line Urban led the Trojans to their 5th win of the season. Carrying the ball 26 times he gained 164 yards and scored five touchdowns. He led the team with 11 total tackles. Included were four solo stops and 1 TFL.
Article & Announcements
54th Annual Connolly Cup Awards Banquet
Please join us for the Annual Awards Banquet where The Connolly Cup Committee will present the winner of the William R. Connolly Cup and recognize the top ten Finalist.
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:00pm
Location: Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant
Address: 3785 South Park Ave, Blasdell, NY 14219
Our Story
Since 1972, the Connolly Cup Committee has recognized Western New York’s top high school football players. Over more than five decades, the William R. Connolly Memorial Cup has become one of the region’s most respected honors in the sport.
The game has changed. The standard has not. Each week of the season, the Committee honors the area’s standout players. At year’s end, the ten most outstanding athletes are invited to our awards banquet, where the Connolly Cup is presented to the Most Outstanding High School Football Player in Western New York.
The award is well known. The man behind the name is less so.
William R. “Bill” Connolly devoted his life to service. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross, officiated youth and high school football, and supported families in need through his work with the United Way. When health issues ended his days as an official, he continued to serve as a volunteer trainer for the Riverside High School football team and the Riverside Athletic Club in the JFK Touch Football League.
That commitment traveled with him. During family summers in Canada, he organized a softball league for local boys. When his daughter Molly wanted to play, he started a junior co-ed league so younger children could join. In 1971, the ball field near the Connolly summer home was dedicated in his honor. Improvements in 2008 renewed that tribute.
The award itself grew out of a football argument among friends. In 1971, Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy over Cornell’s Ed Marinaro, a favorite among many fans. Members of the Riverside Athletic Club—passionate students of the game—debated the result and resolved to create a local honor for exceptional high school talent in Western New York.
After Bill’s untimely passing, the club named that award for him. Today, the William R. Connolly Memorial Cup continues that purpose: celebrating excellence on the field and carrying forward a legacy of service to young people and the community.
Copyright © 2026 Connolly Cup - All Rights Reserved.
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