By PAUL LIOTTI
The folks on Dewey Avenue got used to winning championships, which included a string of 8 straight. But after a two-year sectional championship ‘drought,’ AQ regained its form last year to take Class AA in convincing fashion. This year the Irish are once again favored to make a deep run in Sectionals and top the list of Section V Independents.
The list of Independent programs also grew this year: Honeoye Falls-Lima broke ranks with the Monroe County League to venture out on its own.
Here is our preview of the Independents.
AQUINAS
Class: AA
League: Independent
Coach: Derek Annechino (2nd year at Aquinas; 9-2 career)
Last year: 9-2 (Class AA Champs; lost to Lancaster in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters (Offense): 9
Returning Starters (Defense): 5
Key Returners: Caron Robinson (sr, Captain, RB/LB), Kobe McNair (sr, Captain, WR/DB), Damon Montgomery (sr, Captain, RB/LB), James Jones (sr, WR/DB), Nick Annechino (sr, Captain, OL), Ricky Todd (sr, Captain, OL/DL), Tyson Foster (jr, OL/DL), Joe Debonis (jr, Captain, TE/DL), James Waters (sr, DL), Steve Mahar (jr, TE/DE)
Top Newcomers: Tyler Szalkowski (so, QB)
Notes: Aquinas returned to the top of the heap in Section V last year, avenging a season opening loss to Pittsford with a victory over the Panthers in the AA Finals. And it would appear the Lil Irish are the team to beat again as they return 14 starters from a squad that outscored its opponents by an average margin of 38-18 in the regular season. There is a new signal caller in Szalkowski, and he his only a sophomore, but his has a lot of talent around him to ease his inexperience.
Key Game: Week 6 hosting arch-rival McQuaid. With both AQ and McQuaid in Class AA, this game will have playoff seeding implications.
BATAVIA
Class: B
League: Independent
Coach: Brennen Briggs
Last year: 5-4 (Lost to Hornell in Class B Semifinals)
Notes: Batavia opens the season with three consecutive home games, and then closes the season with 4 consecutive road games. Old Genesee Region rival Attica is back on the schedule this year.
Key Game: Week 5 on the road at Livonia, last year’s Class B sectional runner-up.
BISHOP KEARNEY
Class: C
League: Independent
Coach: Rick Gause
Last year: 3-4
Notes: Rochester Prep has joined forces with the Kings this year. Kearney will have its work cut out for it late in the year as it travels to Class B Sectional Champ Hornell in Week 5, hosts Section VI Nichols in Week 6 and then closes out the season against Class AA Leadership.
Key Game: Week 5 on the road at Livonia, last year’s Class B sectional runner-up.
UNIVERSITY PREP
Class: B
League: Independent
Coach: Kala Gause
Last year: 2-7 (1-1 in Connors & Ferris Bowl)
Key Game: Week 7 at Honeoye Falls-Lima as a playoff berth in B could be at stake.
HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA
Class: B
League: Independent
Coach: John Russ (6th season at HFL)
Last year: 4-5 (Lost to Livonia in Class B Semifinals)
Returning Starters (Offense): 6
Returning Starters (Defense): 6
Key Returners: Josh Kosciol (sr, OL/LB), Luke Kosciol (sr, OL/DL), Jon Kabes (jr, OL/DL), Derek Childs (sr, WR/DE)
Notes: There is a thought that in football an experienced offensive line leads to tremendous success. Well if this is the case, then the Cougars are in good shape as all 5 starters return from last year’s semifinalist squad. The line, anchord by the Kosciol brothers and Kabes, will have to hold its ground because the skilled positions were decimated by graduation and this year’s version of the squad will be youthful and inexperienced. HFL has also broken ranks with Monroe County League, opting to go Independent this year. This means more travel with 4 teams on their schedule outside Section V. The Cougars open the season in the Carrier Dome against East Syracuse Minoa and if the youth is served, perhaps their season will end in the Dome as well.
Key Game: Week 2 at home vs. Syracuse’s Jamesville-Dewitt under the lights.
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