2026 SEASON Players of the week

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Mason Anderson (QB/West Seneca West) Anderson completed 16 of 24 passes for 209 yards and four

touchdowns.

Zach Bridenbaker (RB-LB/Depew) A force on both sides of the ball Bridenbaker ran for 159 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Defensively he had 9 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble.

Trent Buttles (QB/St. Francis) Continuing his outstanding play Trent Buttles led the Red Raiders to a dominate win over Section VI powerhouse Bennett. He completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 51 yards and another score.

Mekhi Chaka (WR-DB/Canisius) Helping the Crusaders to an impressive opening game win over Section VI rising power Health Sciences Chaka caught eight passes for 130 yards. He also contributed on special teams with four tackles.

Luke Fleischman (LB-Special Teams/St. Francis) In a contest that St. Francis would need outstanding performances in all areas of the game Luke Fleischman led the way on defense and special teams with 14 total tackles.

Dontre Hampton (RB-LB/Bennett) Scoring all three Bennett touchdowns he ran for 175 yards on 19 carries. His 50-yard pass reception was one of many highlights in this clash (v. St. Francis) between two perennial Western New York powers. Defensively he finished with quite an impressive 12 solo tackles.

Landon Harte (QB/Cheektowaga) Showing poise and leadership Harte led the Warriors to an opening day victory completing 10 of his 21 pass attempts for 282 yards and three touchdowns.

Desmond Hughes (RB-LB/McKinley) With just six carries Hughes ran for 151 yards and one touchdown. He also had six tackles and a sack in the Macks victory.

Elijah Kimble (RB-DB/Canisius) The reigning Connolly Cup winner put on an outstanding performance against Section VI power Health Sciences charter school. With just 15 carries he ran for 238 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he contributed with an interception.

Anthony Mantione (QB-LB/Grand Island) Whether running, passing or tackling Mantione was all over the field. He completed 7 – 14 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He ran 20 times for 143 yards and another two TDs. He also had five tackles on the day.

Vincenzo Mullett (QB/St. Mary’s of Lancaster) In an extremely hard-fought loss to Holy Cross of Queens, NY Mullet turned in quite a performance. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those scores covered 68 yards and 58 yards. While carrying the ball 10 times he gained 107 yards and scored another touchdown.

Joe Santoro (RB-DB/Williamsville East Flames) Santoro helped guide the Flames to an impressive season opening win. He ran for 80 yards and caught three passes for another 29 yards. From his defensive back position, he picked up a fumble and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

Alaric Richards (RB-LB/Jamestown) Most players would be satisfied to have any one of the stat lines Richards put up Friday night. He ran the ball 29 time for 201 yards and four touchdowns. He had 193 total yards just returning kicks (while having a kick return for a touchdown wiped out due to a penalty). Defensively he made ten tackles.

Justin Teubner (RB-DL/Lancaster) In the opening game of the Dick Gallagher Kickoff Classic Teubner was a force on both sides of the ball. He gained 103 yards on just 12 carries while scoring three touchdowns. He was a constant presence in the McQuaid backfield disrupting both their running and passing games, including having made one sack.

Josh Urban (RB-LB/West Seneca East) Leading the Trojans to their season opening win Urban scored four touchdowns while gaining 209 yards on just 14 carries. He also had six tackles and helped preserve a shutout with a blocked field goal attempt.