PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 2025

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Sometimes numbers tell the story. Other times there is a story in the numbers. Bridenbaker’s performance is a little of both. With 24 carries he rushed for 297 yards and scored four TDs. With a 40-yard reception he finished with 337 yards from scrimmage. Both totals established new school records in a single game.

Facing a quality opponent in Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) Buttles completed 15 of 22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Showing he is recovered from an early season injury he ran the ball eight times and gained 63 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he had a team leading ten tackles.

In less than two quarters of play Capen gained 238 yards and scored four touchdowns on just 14 carries. He also made six tackles while helping his team remain unbeaten.

Dowdy’s touchdown reception helped Salamanca pull away from a stubborn Falconer team. Providing consistent support and making six tackles he was able to help his defense neutralize the outside run attack.

Making the most of a limited appearance Coleman scored four touchdowns on just five carries. He finished with 155 rushing yards. From his defensive back position, he made eight tackles.

In an important Class C – North matchup Dersarkissian led his team to victory. On just ten carries he ran for 127 yards and scored a touchdown. Defensively he made a critical interception while Eden was working toward a comeback. Late in the third quarter he picked off a pass at his own six-yard line ending an Eden scoring threat.

With an obvious toughness Ford picked up 109 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns leading the Macs to victory over the previously unbeaten Williamsville East.

The most recent edition of Western New York’s most storied rivalry between St. Joe’s v Canisius saw excellent performances all over the field. None better than Elijah Kimble. On the day he set the school record for all-time rushing yards his first three carries all went for long touchdowns. He finished the day with a dominating 254 yards on just 12 carries.

In a hard-fought low scoring game Hawes stood out with eight receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. Defensively he chipped in with four tackles.

Another outstanding performance in this rivalry game was turned in by the other half of Canisius’s incredible backfield. Hernandez scored four touchdowns, gained 148 yards while rushing just 11 times. Special mention should be made of the Crusaders offensive line. Against a strong defense the line led the way for 439 yards gained on the ground.

Mest threw for 299 yards as he completed 15 of his 23 attempts. Of his four touchdown passes one covered 97 yards. He also made five tackles, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

Averaging nearly 15 yards on each of his 13 carries Moss ran for 195 yards and one touchdown. His lone pass reception resulted in a 32-yard TD. He made six tackles including one for loss of yardage.

Quarantello caught three passes for 35 yards. His real impact came while playing defense. He finished the game with an incredible four interceptions; one of which he returned for a touchdown. He had a fifth take away with a fumble recovery.

An imposing presence whenever he steps on the field Valentine scored three touchdowns and gained 140 yards while carrying the ball 18 times.

As the outstanding offensive player on the field Zeigler ran for five touchdowns. He had 19 carries for 223 yards.

He ran more than he threw. With 16 carries he gained 179 yards and scored three touchdowns. He contributed four tackles (one for loss of yardage) and forced a fumble. 

Football people understand that statistics don’t always tell the full story of a player’s contribution to his team. This is one of those instances. Of course, his three passing and one rushing touchdowns were important to his team. His leadership, toughness and hard work are of equal importance. 

He gained 189 yards and scored one touchdown with 23 carries. Over 100 of those yards came after initial contact by the defense. On defense he had eight tackles and broke up two passes. 

With outstanding efficiency he completed 13 of 15 pass attempts. He threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 50 yards and three more scores. 

In one of the weekend’s most exciting games the senior linebacker stepped up when his team needed him. His eight tackles and three assists were certainly important. His 33 yard interception return in the final minute of the fourth quarter to win the game could certainly be considered the play of the night. 

He was outstanding on both offense and defense. With eight receptions he scored three touchdowns while gaining 149 yards. On the other side of the ball he had eleven solo tackles, assisted on two others with one tackle being for loss of yardage. 

All three of his touchdowns came through the air as he caught six passes for 112 yards. He chipped in with five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss of yards.  

Putting up impressive numbers he threw four touchdowns while completing 19 of 28 passes for 233 yards.

Against a Sec. V opponent he completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown. 

To date the Eagles defense has given up eight points in three games. Leading the way to a second consecutive shutout he made eleven tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss of yardage and recovered a fumble. 

Completing 20 of 29 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns is, in and of itself, enough to merit recognition. However, that does not tell the whole story of this performance. Justus Kleitz has become Western New York’s record holder with 7,700 career passing yards. The previous record was held by St. Francis’ Jerry Hickson with 7,610 yards.  

With a notable performance he made seven solo tackles. He assisted on four others and had a quarterback sack. He intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles. If that wasn’t enough, he returned one fumble for a touchdown. 

A welcomed addition, playing his first game of the season because of injuries he contributed on both sides of the ball. He ran for a touchdown while gaining 152 yards on 27 carries. Defensively, he made ten tackles. 

During a weekend with many outstanding defensive performances his was as good as anyone. He made an incredible 14 tackles and assisted on three others. He had four sacks and four tackles for loss of yardage. He also ran the ball once which resulted in a touchdown. 

Demonstrating poise and leadership while showing off a very strong arm he threw for 191 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 78 yards and scored two more touchdowns. 

The freshman quarterback continues to impress both passing and running. He completed 17 of 24 attempts for 185 yards and a touchdown. Running the ball eight times, he scored three more touchdowns.

Averaging over 9 yards per carry he gained 201 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns.

In an offensive track meet he gained 276 yards and scored four touchdowns while carrying the ball just 19 times.

Turning in a dominate performance he threw four touchdowns while completing 16 of 23 attempts for 263 yards. He also ran for another TD.

He was extremely productive scoring three touchdowns with five receptions for 83 yards.

Averaging an incredible 20 yards per carry against a top tier defense he gained 200 yards and scored two touchdowns.

He had an impressive completion percentage of 80% connecting on 16 of 20 passes for 150 yards. He threw for three touchdowns. He also added 73 rushing yards.

In a limited appearance he caused damage mainly running the ball. He had 16 carries, gained 179 yards and scored four touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass from his defensive back position.

Contributing both running and passing he threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns while completing 12 of 19 attempts. He also ran for 145 yards and another TD while carrying the ball just five times.

He impacted the game in all three phases. He caught 10 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns and caught a 2-point conversion. He kicked two extra points and also blocked a kick. Additionally, he intercepted a pass and made four tackles.

Dominating on both offense and defense he caught five passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively he made five tackles (two of which were for loss of yardage), had a sack, a forced fumble and a recovered a fumble.

The Connolly Cup Committee almost never honors a player two times in the first three weeks of a season. However, setting the New York State record with nine touchdown passes in a single game merits special recognition. Along with those nine touchdowns he completed 23 of 35 passes for 435 yards. His offensive line as well as his receivers also earned special mention.

In an important Class C-South matchup he led his team to victory by completing 17 of 25 passes for 225 yards and five touchdowns.

He threw for two touchdowns and completed 10 of 18 pass attempts for 213 yards.

With 11 receptions he gained 205 yards and scored one touchdown. He made six tackles from his defensive back position.

He ran for the ball 22 times gaining 142 yards and scored three touchdowns. From his linebacker position he made 11 tackles. One of which was a loss of yardage. 

Doing a bit of everything he ran just 11 times for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He completed an 86-yard pass for another TD and had two receptions. He made seven tackles and intercepted a pass. 

In his debut with the Red Raiders he completed 15 of 30 pass attempts for 284 yards and two touchdowns, along with a two-point conversion. He carried the ball for 57 yards and another two scores. Defensively, he had ten tackles while also intercepting a pass. 

In an abbreviated appearance he completed 12 of his 19 pass attempts for 141 yards. Running the ball 14 times, he gained 206 yards and scored four touchdowns. 

In a hard-fought contest he ran 24 times and gained 299 yards while scoring four touchdowns. He also completed 9 of 18 passes for 184 yards and another touchdown. 

Through the air he gained 122 yards while catching five passes and scored two touchdowns. He added another TD returning a kick 86 yards, Defensively, he contributed with two pass interceptions. 

In an explosive and dominate performance with just 13 rushing attempts he gained 315 yards. He scored four touchdowns and added a two-point conversion.

Turning in outstanding performances on both sides of the ball he had 19 rushing attempts while gaining 142 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Defensively he had eleven tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss of yardage. 

He scored twice running the ball while gaining 171 yards with only 12 carries. He added 48 yards with two receptions. Defensively he made nine tackles, had a sack with one tackle for loss of yardage.

He carried the ball 14 times and scored two touchdowns while gaining 107 yards and scoring three 2-point conversions. He also made four tackles and had an interception. 

Helping the Falcons to a statement victory he had 11 rushing attempts gaining 103 yards and two TDs. He also returned a kickoff 80 yards for another touchdown. 

Accounting for all of his teams’ points threw two touchdowns while completing 19 of 34 passes for 211 yards. He rushed for 64 yards, two more touchdowns and both two-point conversions. 

Leading his team to their first home victory in five years he scored three touchdowns while gaining 151 yards with 18 carries. From his linebacker position he contributed six tackles. 

He completed 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. That game winning touchdown pass came with just 23 seconds remaining in the game. 

Proving up to the task of a heavy workload he carried the ball 38 times, gained 208 yards and scored three touchdowns.