PRZNY Team Previews: Clarence Red Devils

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (11-1)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarence had an outstanding year in 2023, winning 11 straight games and capturing the Section VI Class A title before being eliminated in the State Quarterfinals to Section V Champions, East/World of Inquiry. This was Clarence's first Section VI Championship since 2010, when they were in Class AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213071"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1e70476197"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Undoubtedly, [player_tooltip player_id='1213071' first='Bryce' last='Tubin'] is the best QB prospect in Western New York. He was the 2023 All Western New York Player of the Year and led Section VI in completions, attempts and passing yards. Tubin has durable size, excellent athletic ability and a strong arm with pinpoint accuracy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806821"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1e704761f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 17th ranked OL in NYS, [player_tooltip player_id='806821' first='Talon' last='Engasser'] has solid size to go with exceptional footwork and excellent hand technique. He has great awareness and was an essential part to Clarence's offense that averaged 370 yards per game last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213088"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1347672,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1e70476272"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1213088' first='Patrick' last='Wind'], with his crisp route running and steady hands, had an excellent Junior season with 51 catches for 701 yards and 4 touchdowns. He wasn't even Clarence's leader in yards or TDs. With Cory Cummins graduating this year, the door is wide open for Wind to put up monster numbers as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1275964"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1e704762ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2023 was [player_tooltip player_id='1275964' first='Brody' last='Kaufman']'s first season on varsity and he showed a lot of promise. Kaufman is blessed with ideal size and sound awareness. His read-and-react timing is amazing and can diagnose plays as good as anyone. His high motor and amazing closing speed is a nightmare for opposing offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1347675,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1743190' first='Ryan' last='Premielewski']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"169","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Clarence","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1e7047639f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1743190' first='Ryan' last='Premielewski'] is a prime candidate to breakout this season. Premielewski played the entire 2023 season on JV and was a force. He played LB on JV but his body frame is better suited as a Defensive Back. Either way, the loss of their top 4 tacklers last season suggests that Clarence is in need of some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Ryan is also a sensational RB and can be used in several offensive packages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Position</th><th>Player</th><th>Class</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie']</td><td>2026</td><td>Fantastic Right Tackle that is currently the 21st ranked OL in NYS</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='806814' first='Jefferson' last='Long']</td><td>2025</td><td>A two year varsity player that plays both sides of the ball as a RB &amp; DB</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='806816' first='Matthew' last='Lee']</td><td>2025</td><td>A massive presence at 6'7 350 lbs.</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1212230' first='David' last='Van Horn']</td><td>2025</td><td>Clarence leading rusher in 2023; Posted 85 yards and 4 touchdowns in their Section VI title game</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1707346' first='Jack' last='Obrien']</td><td>2026</td><td>A stud OL with phenomenal strength</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1624518' first='Kaius' last='Mattoon']</td><td>2026</td><td>Extraordinary linemen with all the tools needed to play the position</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>LB</td><td>Hayden Arrison</td><td>Saint Francis (PA)</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Cory Cummins</td><td>Lake Forrest</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Jake Mattoon</td><td>2nd on the team in tackles, led in sacks</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1347678,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Clarence-Red-Devils-Schedule.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1347678" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach: Paul Burgio</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarence will be facing mostly familiar foes this season. Two new opponents that have been added are Monroe High School in Rochester, NY and Health Sciences, a Charter school in Buffalo. Both of those teams were Class B Champions in their respective Sections (Monroe in V and Health Sciences in VI) and will be their toughest competitors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The&nbsp;</strong>Red Devils</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarence has the best Offensive Line group in Section VI. Two of their linemen ([player_tooltip player_id='806821' first='Talon' last='Engasser'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie']) are ranked in the top 25 in NYS, while Jack O'Brien &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1624518' first='Kaius' last='Mattoon'] are still relatively unknown but will put Section VI on notice this season. All 4 are Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1213071' first='Bryce' last='Tubin'] is the top rated Quarterback in Western New York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Offensive weapons that Tubin has to work with ([player_tooltip player_id='1212230' first='David' last='Van Horn'], [player_tooltip player_id='806814' first='Jefferson' last='Long'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1213088' first='Patrick' last='Wind']) are excellent athletes. I expect Clarence to put up a lot of points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their top two Linebackers last year have graduated. Hayden Arrison and Jake Mattoon combined for 269 tackles (28 for loss), 11 sacks and 6 fumble recoveries last season. That is going to be hard to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarence had a lot of success last year with sophomores and juniors leading the way so they haven't lost too many players from their championship season. With that, a target is on their back as reigning champs but I don't see many teams in Class A that will be a threat to them repeating. They will, however, have to step their game up in many respects as last season, 4 of their wins were by 7 points or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->