PRZNY Team Previews: Iroquois Redhawks

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (6-3)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning the Section VI Championship in 2022, Iroquois started 2023 running through their first three opponents scoring 154 points and allowing just 31. After a forfeit win against Lewiston-Porter, the Redhawks would alternate wins. They lost two of their next four; albeit by a total of 12 points. Although they looked good going into the playoffs, Iroquois would get shutout on the road in the first round by Pioneer; the team Iroquois beat for their Class B title a year prior.</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":["473979"],"_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-66ba8f25652f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two year varsity starter, [player_tooltip player_id='473979' first='Justus' last='Kleitz'] enters his junior season with 3,663 yards 36 TDs 9 INTs and a Section VI title under his belt. Kleitz has good arm strength and his accuracy is excellent. He has poise in the pocket and can improvise when a play breaks down. For Iroquois to get back to their championship ways, they will need Justus to have a big season.</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":["648843"],"_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":1369509,"_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-66ba8f256536f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After leading the team in tackles from the DB position as a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='648843' first='Gavin' last='Dundon'] flipped the switch and was Iroquois' second leading receiver and made All WNY honors as a Kick Returner in 2023. Gavin still had a solid defensive season but his junior year proved he is really a "jack-of-all-trades." Dundon will be a pivotal part of the Redhawks success in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345201"],"_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-66ba8f25653b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'2 205 lbs. [player_tooltip player_id='1345201' first='Timothy' last='Domino Jr'] has good size and is an essential part of the Redhawks game plan. He has great awareness and is a sound run filler as a LB. Domino also proves to be a big target in the passing game as their top TE. With the ability to line up in the slot or in tight, he is a solid route runner with excellent hands. Where his future lies after high school is still up in the air but for the next two seasons, he will have a huge impact on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735833"],"_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":"","_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-66ba8f2565410"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735833' first='Owen' last='Kent'] is an aggressive two-way lineman with excellent size. He has a long reach and blocks with tenacity. As a D-Lineman, he has a high motor and tackles with good form. Games are won and loss in the trenches and Kent is a catalyst on both sides for Iroquois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1258819"],"_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-66ba8f2565450"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no doubt [player_tooltip player_id='1258819' first='Richard' last='Donohue'] is set for a breakout season. After dominating JV in the first several weeks of his sophomore year, Donohue was brought up to varsity for the final three games. In those three games, he recovered two fumbles and proved he belongs in the upper level. Richard has been working hard this off-season and will put Class B on notice.</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><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Brady Wilkinson</td><td>2025</td><td>2023 leading rusher and 2022 Connolly Cup winner, Trevor Barry is off to New Hampshire leaving the RB position up for grabs</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='735834' first='Zach' last='Larson']</td><td>2025</td><td>A SS with solid footwork that had 70 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries as a junior</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='735835' first='Sam' last='Donovan']</td><td>2025</td><td>A good athlete that can be effective as a WR or DB</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='735840' first='Nick' last='Skutnik']</td><td>2026</td><td>2023 All-State and All-WNY selection</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1794281' first='Owen' last='Luders']</td><td>2027</td><td>An up-and-coming lineman with good size</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>RB</td><td>Trevor Barry</td><td>New Hampshire</td></tr><tr><td>WR/DE</td><td>Nate Blair</td><td>1st Team All-WNY DE, 2nd team All State WR</td></tr><tr><td>WR/LB</td><td>Bryan Edstrom</td><td>3rd Team All-State LB</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Alex Miller</td><td>All WNY Selection</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>9/6</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/amherst/amherst-central-tigers/football/">@Amherst Central*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-06-2024/football-24/amherst-central-vs-iroquois.htm?c=W3JWS9FR806TdYqqySddfQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/angola/lake-shore-eagles/football/">vsLake Shore*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-13-2024/football-24/iroquois-vs-lake-shore.htm?c=VnIuPqUq-ESjBpe5eudFug">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/19</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/south-park-sparks/football/">@South Park*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-19-2024/football-24/iroquois-vs-south-park.htm?c=KdKE7w0b0kqn87OXPgA8YA">7:05pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts/football/">vsHHSBASGC (CO-OP)*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-27-2024/football-24/health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts-vs-iroquois.htm?c=kJmMCca0WEqD38LJW5tuxw">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/yorkshire/pioneer-panthers/football/">@Pioneer*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-04-2024/football-24/iroquois-vs-pioneer.htm?c=4O_iBJfSwE29yD-_goudUA">7:05pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/10</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/cheektowaga/cheektowaga-chargers/football/">@Cheektowaga</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-10-2024/football-24/cheektowaga-vs-iroquois.htm?c=YMnyNyx2GkG_RFyEnS-IDQ">6:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/hamburg/hamburg-bulldogs/football/">vsHamburg</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-18-2024/football-24/hamburg-vs-iroquois.htm?c=0wEO5QToO0Km20ATIqgeog">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/east-aurora/east-aurora-holland-blue-devils/football/">vsEast Aurora/Holland*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-25-2024/football-24/east-aurora-holland-vs-iroquois.htm?c=HDdP1qEk1U-Pwbmu6X9OGA">7:00pm</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Robert Pitzonka (Entering his 8th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois starts the 2024 season on the road against a struggling Amherst program and a home opener versus Lake Shore. After that, they hit a three-week gauntlet of heavy hitters; starting with a road contest in Buffalo against South Park. They will then host reigning Class B champions, Health Sciences before going back on the road to face Section VI contender and the team that eliminated the Redhawks in 2023, Pioneer. Their schedule will get lighter as the season comes to a close.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The</strong> <strong>Redhawks</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excellent passing attack with [player_tooltip player_id='473979' first='Justus' last='Kleitz'] at the helm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lights out defense with [player_tooltip player_id='1345201' first='Timothy' last='Domino Jr'] at LB and Class of '26 breakout candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1258819' first='Richard' last='Donohue'] at DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid group of O-Linemen led by senior, [player_tooltip player_id='735833' first='Owen' last='Kent']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running game. In 2022, Iroquois was hitting on all cylinders. Kleitz had an excellent freshman season throwing the ball and Trevor Barry won the connolly at RB. The Redhawks went on to win the Class B championship. Last year, when the running game slipped, so did Iroquois as they won just 2 of their last 5 contests. The running game needs to be re-established this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class B is a tough, competitive division with roughly 6-7 teams that are legitimate contenders. With that being said, Iroquois is one of those programs. What separated the Redhawks from the other teams in 2023 was a dominate ground attack; something they excelled at the year before. But I will say that Iroquois has one of the better passing games in the area. Already stacked with a sound defense, if they have a balanced offense, Iroquois can make it back to the sectional championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->