MaxPreps 2013 New York preseason football Fab 5

Canisius is the top team in New York entering the 2013 season.

Photo by Mike Janes

1. Canisius (Buffalo)
Head coach: Rich Robbins
2012 finish: 11-0, won Monsignor Martin Association championship
Team preview

The attention will be on RB Qadree Ollison, a first team all-stater who’ll announce his college decision around Labor Day, and DL/TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr, a transfer from Syracuse after his father joined the Buffalo Bills coaching staff. But the arrival of all-state WR/LB Brad Zaffram from nearby Sweet Home and the presence of DB Ryan Richards will improve the likelihood of another huge season despite the presence of Interstate-90 rival Aquinas and Ohio’s Cardinal Mooney and Walsh Jesuit on the schedule.
 
"Qadree won't necessarily need to play defense for us, which will keep him fresh to run the ball and be that dominant player who can take over late in games," said assistant coach Bryce Hopkins. "Qadree is a phenomenal player, and with an amazing supporting cast, he and the team could be in store for a special season."
 
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2. St. Anthony's (Melville)
Head coach: Rich Reichert
2012 finish: 8-3, lost to Chaminade in the CHSFL championship game
Team preview

It’s out with the triple-option attack and in with the hurry-up spread for Reichert, who tired of watching his QBs get banged up and having opposing defenses in essence dictate which back should carry the ball. Junior Jordan Gowins and senior Naim Jones will take handoffs from senior QB Greg Galligan in an offense Reichert wants to snap the ball 30 percent more often than 2011-12. On defense, LB Joseph Sotomayor and DL Joseph Percival are athletic and experienced.
 
"Gowins missed time with an injury a year ago, but he has a pedigree as the younger brother of Ed Gowins (1,776 yards for Bellport in 2006)," says veteran Long Island reporter Jason Molinet of Patch.com. "Get Jones in open space and Reichert believes he’s a threat to go all the way now that he’s recovered after a series of injuries a year ago."
 
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3. Orchard Park
Head coach: Gene Tundo
2013 finish: 11-2, lost to New Rochelle in the NYSPHSAA Class AA championship game.
Team preview

For all the success the Quakers have had, including state crowns in 2008 and 2011, it’s usually been about the trenches rather than the skill positions. Last year’s line returns virtually intact. From right to left, senior linemen Kyle Brewer, Dawson Hillis, Adam Belica, Edward Losardo and Jacob Deren plus TE/H-back Jake Cullen average 6-1 and 250 pounds.

"We are very happy with the hard work and dedication to our program that the boys put in throughout the offseason," Tundo says. "There is a lot of tradition and pride at Quaker Nation."
 
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4. Aquinas Institute (Rochester)
Head coach: Chris Battaglia
2012 finish: 7-4, lost to Orchard Park in the NYSPHSAA Class AA quarterfinals
Team preview

After producing 14 all-state running backs since 1996, the Li'l Irish have installed a NASCAR fan’s dream offense — three-wide from start to finish — and placed their destiny in the hands of super sophomore QB Jake Zembiec. If FB/LB Luch Pietropaolo and TB/DB Donato Clemente go both ways, they’ll team with LB Charlie Rist, DE Al-Tron Webb and DB Alonzo Turney to give Aquinas its best defense since the 2007 state title team.

"I took flack for starting a ninth-grader at quarterback, but the smart bet was to give the ball to Billy Lombardi (now playing lacrosse at Penn State) and let the freshman mature," Battaglia says. "He's matured really nicely and he’s not your average sophomore now. … We’re going to throw a lot more."
 
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5. Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)
Head coach: Joe Casamento
2012 finish: 11-1, lost to Orchard Park in the NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinals
Team preview

The Brothers have the most potent one-two punch in Central New York with University at Buffalo recruit J.R. Zazzara (their sixth straight Division I QB), who shows a knack for extending plays, and RB Deshawn Salter (130 carries for 1,352 yards and 21 rushing TDs). The defense is led by Aaron Donalson and Keegan O'Hern, who combined for 154 tackles and 22 sacks in 2012.

"As a Class B-sized school playing in the AA conferences, we have found it easier to develop one QB than try to find five solid linemen every year," Casamento says. "Therefore we are committed to the offense and work at some sophisticated passing concepts to help us compete."

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John Moriello covered high schools in New York for Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle, and helped launch DemocrtandChronicle.com. He is also the president of the New York State Sportswriters Association. Follow him on Twitter @nysswa.