Western New York Rising Stars: Class C (South Division)
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These are student-athletes with at least 2 more years of High School left that are on the rise and looking to make an impact in their team’s success. These are players from Class C of Section VI. Class C is…
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Continue ReadingThese are student-athletes with at least 2 more years of High School left that are on the rise and looking to make an impact in their team’s success. These are players from Class C of Section VI. Class C is broken up into two divisions (North and South). This article will focus on the South Division.
Fairbank was the Thunderbirds leading receiver as a Sophomore with 24 receptions for 407 yards and 7 touchdowns, as well as the team’s primary kicker successfully kicking 15 extra points and 3 field goals. Carson is a crisp route runner with solid hands and is very shifty in the open field. He proved he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball as he had 1 touchdown for every 3 catches on the season. Chautauqua successfully used his speed on many jet sweeps. He also had a nose for the ball on defense, recording 4 interceptions, a fumble recovery and another touchdown. This is a young man to watch in 2024.
Brayden Gibbs
Brayden Gibbs
An honorable mention from the All Western New York team in 2023, Gibbs completed 64.5% of his passes for 1,411 yards and 13 TDs. Brayden was also recognized by the Connolly Cup committee as a two time nominee for player of the week during the 2023 season. He expresses impeccable timing with his receivers as well as being incredibly agile, he is always a threat to run with the ball. Whether standing in the pocket or on the run, his deep ball accuracy is amazing. With his junior year coming up in 2024, along with his #1 target, Carson Fairbank Carson Fairbank ATH Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton | 2026 NY returning, the Chautauqua Lake’s Offense has the capability to put up a lot of points.
Asher Olson
Asher Olson
Another honorable mention in Western New York, Asher Olson was major target for Gibbs, catching 27 passes for 316 yards and 1 touchdown. But it was defense where Olson shined brightest at Outside Linebacker, racking up 64 tackles (6 for loss) and an astonishing 5 interceptions for 161 yards and 4 touchdowns. Listed at 6’1, Olson looks a lot taller when he plays, displaying great range and superb ball handling skills. Smaller schools don’t often get much recognition from Colleges but there are plenty of dynamite athletes in these smaller institutions and Asher Olson is one of them.
Clayton Smith
Clayton Smith
Clayton Smith does not have the breakaway speed you look for in a #1 Running Back but he is a grinder, never one to go down on first contact and always moving forward. Smith was the backup RB for most of the season but was extraordinary when called upon, rushing for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns to open the season against Cardinal O’Hara. As a Linebacker, he posted 37 tackles and 1 interception. This is a player that is flying under the radar but can play football. His Junior year will tell a lot – and the work he puts in this offseason can put Western New York on notice.
Trent Houser
Trent Houser
After playing sparingly as a Freshman, Houser came in huge in 2023 leading the Thunderbirds in tackles with 71 and adding 3 sacks. A two way starter, numbers can’t signify what he meant to their Offensive Line as he dominated opposing lineman, always looking for the next player to hit and reaching the 2nd level. Trent Houser has great hand placement and is always moving his feet. I really think he will be vital to Chautauqua Lake’s success for the next two years.
Bradyn Fuller
Bradyn Fuller
Fuller is a big, physical hard-nose runner that led Falconer in rushing with almost 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns as a Sophomore. He is an exceptional receiver as Falconer also lined Bradyn at Wideout where he also excelled with fantastic route running and soft hands. He has speed that makes it difficult to cover him. In 9 games in 2023, Fuller scored a touchdown in 8 of them, including 3 multiple TD games and 6 games with 100 plus yards. Bradyn Fuller was overlooked by the All Western New York teams but if he can pick up where he left off this past season, he will sure make the All Western New York team as a Junior.
Zachary Markham
Zachary Markham
Zach Markham came in as a Freshman and made an impact right away recording 80 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 INTs, returning 2 of them for touchdowns as an Outside Linebacker. His biggest game was a 12 tackle, 2 INT (both for TDs) performance against Fredonia where Falconer won 46-40. Markham has incredible football instincts and is always around the ball to make a play. And when he gets to the ball carrier, he tackles with excellent form. This is a player to watch for the next 3 years.
Tavio Hoose Tavio Hoose DL Southwestern | 2026 NY plays with great intensity and is a playmaker at the Defensive Tackle position, posting 73 tackles (29 for loss), 8 Sacks and showing his big play ability, adding 3 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries. Hoose has a high motor that doesn’t stop. Its that kind of determination that can’t be taught and it is what separates the great ones. Another small school product that was overlooked by the All Western New York Team, Tavio Hoose Tavio Hoose DL Southwestern | 2026 NY is only going to get better.