PRZNY Team Previews: Williamsville North Spartans

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (4-5)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an 0-2 start, Williamsville Norths' 2023 season started to gain traction as they won 4 of their next 5 games. But a two-game losing streak, including a 1st Rd playoff defeat to Starpoint would end their season.</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":["806808"],"_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-66b798d675bad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806808' first='Ben' last='Hansen'] is an excellent Free Safety that can come down and tackle as well. He has a nose for the ball and a high football IQ. Hansen plays with intuition and has good technique. Ben will be a huge part of the Spartan's pass defense as a senior.</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":["806812"],"_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":1367209,"_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-66b798d675c1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2023 was [player_tooltip player_id='806812' first='AJ' last='Weissenburg']'s first season on varsity and he showed a lot of promise. He has a quick release and good accuracy. He is a dual threat QB with great awareness. Weissenburg is currently unranked in NYS but I expect that to change after his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806811"],"_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":1367206,"_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-66b798d675c6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806811' first='Kaedan' last='Donovan'] may be Williamsville North's most complete playmaker. He can run, catch, is effective in the return game and is a shutdown CB with superb ball handling skills. Donovan's ability to start and stop mixed with his sixth sense on the field will make him difficult to deal with in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1339489"],"_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-66b798d675cb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1339489' first='Daymario' last='Young'] will be making his varsity debut in 2024. Young is a WR/DB combo player that is also a track star. Not much is known about the incoming junior but he has done some offseason work where he has shown good movement and solid instincts. If all these attributes show when the pads come on, he will be a name to watch for this season.</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":["1364031"],"_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":1367212,"_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-66b798d675cfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I can name maybe five freshman that made an impact on varsity in Section VI last season. Although it was low key, [player_tooltip player_id='1364031' first='Cal' last='Rogers'] is one of those players. He is a strong athletic player that can play RB, DL or LB. Rogers ran for 143 yards and 1 TD while being a menace as defender, making 38 tackles and 3 sacks. Not bad as a first year player but his sophomore campaign will be his coming out party and he should be named on the All WNY and All State teams.</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>LB</td><td>Kamari Reimers</td><td>2025</td><td>A ball-hawking LB that can stuff the run as well as defend the pass</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1550863' first='Dakari' last='Norman']</td><td>2025</td><td>A fast outside backer with good technique</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Tyler Gottler</td><td>2025</td><td>A solid slot receiver that can catch the ball in traffic</td></tr><tr><td>TE/DE</td><td>Henry Ehmann</td><td>2025</td><td>A big bodied target in the pass game that will move the chains</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>Rocco Urbanaczyk</td><td>University at Buffalo</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>DJ Leonard</td><td>Franklin Pierce University</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Noah Steirheim</td><td>RPI</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Bradley Schneider</td><td>Aggressive OL, ranked 71st in NYS</td></tr><tr><td>TE</td><td>Jacob Lozo</td><td>Receiving Leader</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/lockport/lockport-lions/football/">vsLockport</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-06-2024/football-24/lockport-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=9hkpenNtCUizvI4weHX07w">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/east-amherst/williamsville-east-flames/football/">@Williamsville East</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-13-2024/football-24/williamsville-east-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=fWJQNgDYbUGF9G3IgjSiEw">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/20</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/west-seneca/west-seneca-west-warhawks/football/">@West Seneca West*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-20-2024/football-24/west-seneca-west-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=6PXltZLKsEGYzjszGTrzhA">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lockport/starpoint-spartans/football/">@Starpoint</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-27-2024/football-24/starpoint-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=Z-akK0l3L0y0pgDe85Udtw">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/hamburg/frontier-falcons/football/">vsFrontier*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-04-2024/football-24/frontier-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=izsGvUwC0UO-5KjlKyhQJQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/10</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/mckinley-macks/football/">vsMcKinley*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-10-2024/football-24/mckinley-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=jU6wAJXwJUaVp9K3wGqcIA">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/clarence/clarence-red-devils/football/">@Clarence*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-18-2024/football-24/clarence-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=ucND2IRAx0ekVoOly_5-ew">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/sanborn/niagara-wheatfield-falcons/football/">vsNiagara-Wheatfield*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-25-2024/football-24/niagara-wheatfield-vs-williamsville-north.htm?c=KjLxpLlOU0miSVdbd4jQlg">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>Paul Palizay (Entering his 4th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamsville North will begin the season at home against Lockport, looking to avenge their 28-24 defeat last season. The schedule does not get easier from there as they will be taking on Section VI favorites West Seneca West, Starpoint, McKinley and Clarence; Will North lost to 3 of those teams in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The Spartans</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several playmaking athletes including [player_tooltip player_id='806811' first='Kaedan' last='Donovan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1339489' first='Daymario' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1364031' first='Cal' last='Rogers']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid LB corps led by seniors Kamari Reimers and [player_tooltip player_id='1550863' first='Dakari' last='Norman']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An effective dual threat QB in [player_tooltip player_id='806812' first='AJ' last='Weissenburg']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Williamsville North close out games? There is no doubt the talent is there but outside of a few blowout wins, the Spartans' final four contests last season were by a margin of 6 points or less; with Will North losing three of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamsville North has a lot going for them. They have a sound air attack, several different players that can carry the ball with the loss of DJ Leonard and a very good defense. Despite their record last season, the Spartans will surprise a lot of people and put Class A on notice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->