1st Team All Western New York (Large Schools)
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Last week, the announcement was made for which Student-Athletes were on the All Western New York Teams. The categories are broken up into Large Schools & Small Schools. With each section receiving a 1st Team All WNY and a 2nd…
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Continue ReadingLast week, the announcement was made for which Student-Athletes were on the All Western New York Teams. The categories are broken up into Large Schools & Small Schools. With each section receiving a 1st Team All WNY and a 2nd Team All WNY. Today, I am going to discuss the underclassmen who made 1st team All WNY (Large Schools). This is a great group of football players and I don’t see why any of them won’t make the list again next year.
Good place to start this article is with Bryce Tubin Bryce Tubin 6’2″ | 215 lbs | QB Clarence | 2025 NY , who was awarded the All WNY Offensive Player of the Year. At Quarterback, Tubin led Section VI in Completions (167), Attempts (263), Passing Yards (2,464) and came 2nd in Passing Touchdowns (23). Bryce showed off his athleticism by rushing for 287 yards and another 3 touchdowns. Tubin showed extraordinary arm strength, whether he was standing in the pocket or throwing on the run. His accuracy is magnificent but what impressed me the most is his ability to continually look downfield and find the open receiver while facing pressure from the Defense. Under Bryce Tubin Bryce Tubin 6’2″ | 215 lbs | QB Clarence | 2025 NY ‘s leadership, Clarence won the Class A Championship in Section VI (their first title since 2010). Clarence then fell one game short of the New York State Semi Finals, a feat they will look to accomplish for the first time in team history in 2024, Tubin’s Senior Year.
QB Brady Ciano Brady Ciano 6’0″ | 170 lbs | QB Orchard Park | 2025 NY ‘s 2023 stats were modest (113/198 1,719 yards and 14 TDs) in large part due to game planning as many of his games called for Orchard Park to be run heavy. But when called upon, Ciano rose to the occasion throwing for 471 Yards and 4 TDs vs #4 Sweet Home and a 3 Touchdown performance in the Class AA semi finals to the #1 ranked and eventual Section VI campions, Bennett Tigers. Brady displays great deep ball accuracy, not afraid to stretch the field and a toughness not often seen at the Quarterback position. Ciano showed his mobility by running for 333 yards and while we do want our QBs to slide to avoid contact, there is something about a QB lowering his shoulder and running over a defender that will get his offense amped up, a trait that Brady Ciano Brady Ciano 6’0″ | 170 lbs | QB Orchard Park | 2025 NY carries. Ciano is going into his senior year in 2024 and he has the poise and potential to bring a title back to Orchard Park.
Highlights
E’Ryan Lawrence E’Ryan Lawrence 6’0″ | 155 lbs | ATH Bennett | 2025 State NY ‘s 2023 campaign was overshadowed by Connolly Cup winner, Ja’Meer Thomas Ja’Meer Thomas 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR Bennett | 2024 State NY . Thomas had a great season but there is a case to be made that Lawrence contributed just as much, if not more, to Bennett’s Class AA title run. Listed as a WR, E’Ryan was more of a “Jack of All Trades”, compiling 1,128 All Purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. Although he made the All WNY team on offense, I wouldn’t be able to to discount his contributions as a defensive back, racking up 35 tackles, 3 INTs for 143 yards and a fumble recovery. Lawrence is blessed with superior quickness, a speed that hits a second gear like few can and once the ball is in the air, nobody can track it down better. Lawrence will have a great senior season. There’s not doubt he will make 1st Team All WNY again and will be in the Connolly Cup conversation, given to the best High School football player in Western New York.
One of the most versatile Defensive Line prospects in Western New York, Marcus Alnutt can lineup as a Left Defensive End or Right, as well as play Defensive Tackle. And with a 6’3 235 lb frame, he can be a prototypical Outside Linebacker. He definitely possesses the agility for it. A two-way starter for the Crusaders in 2023, Alnutt showed great endurance. At Defensive Line, he dominated. In 22 games over his 2 year Varsity career, Mason Alnutt Mason Alnutt 6’3″ | 220 lbs | DL Canisius | 2025 State NY had 80 tackles (12 for loss) and 7 Sacks. He has great hand technique and a nose for the football. Alnutt has a quick first step that makes him virtually unblockable and when he gets to the ball carrier, he is tenacious. Mason Alnutt Mason Alnutt 6’3″ | 220 lbs | DL Canisius | 2025 State NY will be a player to watch in 2024 as he and the Crusaders look to get over the hump and win the Monsignor Martin A Division Championship.
Lombardo was an overall force as a Junior, leading Section VI with 119 solo tackles (20 of which went for a loss). He also was 2nd in QB sacks with 11, 6 of which came in the first round of the playoffs when Starpoint beat Williamsville South 16-14. He even had 16 tackles and a forced fumble in their 2nd round defeat. It seems that when the stakes of the game are the highest, Lomardo raises his play. It did not matter if he lined up on the outside or on the inside, Lucas Lombardo Lucas Lombardo 5’10” | 185 lbs | LB Starpoint | 2025 State NY was a nightmare for opposing offenses. He beat blockers with his quickness as well as his superb power, bull rushing Offensive Linemen that had nearly 80 lbs on him. Lombardo has extraordinary football instincts and flawless technique when tackling ball carriers. Rarely are his tackles assisted. This will be THE player to watch as a Senior. Lucas Lombardo Lucas Lombardo 5’10” | 185 lbs | LB Starpoint | 2025 State NY may very well win Defensive Player of the Year in WNY in 2024.
Demari Clemons
Demari Clemons
The only Sophomore on this list, Clemons, a Varsity starter since his freshmen year is a true lockdown corner. He has racked up 71 tackles, 4 INTs and 17 pass breakups since joining Bennett High School in 2022. Demari Clemons can play man or zone. In man coverage, there isn’t a Wide Receiver he cannot run with. In zone, he has tremendous football intuition that makes Quarterbacks second guess throwing in his direction. When they did, Clemons’ displayed amazing closing speed and made sound tackles or was able to knock the pass down. It is intriguing to see what these next two years bring to Clemons and if he can help guide Bennett to another State title.