the Connolly cup winners

---

 Canisius Crusaders | Running Back | Class of 2027

Canisius running back Elijah Kimble won the 53rd William R. Connolly Memorial Cup after a junior season that placed him among the most productive rushers in Western New York history.

A Connolly Cup finalist in each of his first three seasons, Kimble became the all-time leading rusher in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association as a junior. He ranks No. 4 on Western New York’s all-time rushing list and No. 6 on the all-time touchdowns list.

In his award-winning season, Kimble ran for 1,726 yards and 23 touchdowns. His career totals stand at 5,325 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns.

 South Park Sparks | Running Back | Class of 2025

 South Park running back Adam Nunes won the 52nd William R. Connolly Memorial Cup after a senior season that ranked among the most dominant in Western New York history. He is the second Sparks player to win the award and the fourth Buffalo Public Schools honoree in a 10-year span.

Nunes set the New York State Public High School Athletic Association single-game rushing record with 593 yards against Iroquois, adding seven touchdowns in that game. Those seven scores tied for the fourth-most in a game in state history and rank second in the Western New York record book. He led South Park to a 9-2 season and a berth in the Section VI Class B final.

In his award-winning season, Nunes carried 224 times for 2,468 yards and 34 touchdowns, leading Western New York in rushing.

 Bennett Tigers | Wide Receiver | Class of 2024

Bennett Tiger's Ja’Meer Thomas won the 51st William R. Connolly Memorial Cup after a senior season that anchored one of the most successful runs in school history. He became the third Buffalo Public Schools player to win the award.

A two-way playmaker and two-time team captain, Thomas helped Bennett win the 2022 New York State Class AA championship and returned in 2023 as a Buffalo News Player of the Year and Class AA Player of the Year. He played in each of the Tigers’ 11 victories through the Class AA Far West Regional title game.

In his award-winning season, Thomas totaled 1,780 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns, with 870 yards rushing, 615 receiving, and 295 on returns. His career totals stand at nearly 4,000 all-purpose yards and 44 touchdowns.

Iroquois Chiefs | Running Back | Class of 2024

Iroquois running back Trevor Barry won the 50th William R. Connolly Memorial Cup after a junior season that made him the first Chiefs player to claim the award. He was also the fourth junior winner in 25 years.

Barry led Iroquois to an 11-1 record, a No. 7 ranking in the state Class B poll, and the program’s second Section VI championship. He set the Western New York single-season rushing touchdown record with 43, breaking the previous mark of 42, and added a receiving touchdown for 44 scores overall. His 274 points rank second in area history.

In his award-winning season, Barry rushed for 2,317 yards and added 209 receiving yards, averaging 210.5 yards and 22.8 points per game. On defense, he recorded 62 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

 Jamestown Red Raiders | Running Back & Defensive Back Class of 2022

Jamestown running back and defensive back Jaylen Butera won the 49th William R. Connolly Memorial Cup after a senior season that placed him among the most decorated players in school history.  Butera became another in Jamestown’s long line of Connolly Cup winners.

He led the Red Raiders to a 12-1 record and a berth in the New York State Class A semifinals. Along the way, Butera set Jamestown’s single-season and career rushing records with 2,337 and 4,270 yards, breaking marks previously held by 2000 Connolly Cup winner Aaron Leeper. His 45 touchdowns rank second in Western New York history behind Leeper’s record of 47. He was also named Buffalo News Player of the Year, a two-time Class A-1 Player of the Year, and MVP of the Section VI championship game.

In his award-winning season, Butera added 90 tackles, five interceptions, and 20 passes defended on the other side of the ball.

The William R. Connolly Memorial Cup was not presented this season due to the Covid Pandemic