Class of ’26: WNY OL

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best of the Best</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624518"],"_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":1250106,"_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-67cb10b892804"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not surprisingly, Mattoon was an All State and All WNY selection as a junior. He has a high motor and is fundamentally sound. Kaius displays a lot of power when drive blocking and excellent awareness to reach the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333933"],"_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-67cb10b892870"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wortkoetter made the All Catholic team but was over looked with other accolades. I started following William when he was at Wilson and there, he played like a man among boys. Now with greater competition playing at St. Francis, he is still holding down the trenches with phenomenal power. I can see him being in the Trench Trophy conversation next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-67cb10b8928b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another All State selection from Clarence, Engasser has great footwork and blocks to the whistle. The whole Red Devils OL is returning for the 2025 season and Talon will be a player to keep tabs of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747253"],"_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-67cb10b8928f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prototypical size at this level that blocks with a mean streak. McCann came into his junior year as a RT that was pretty green but he took a major step forward, helping the St. Francis offense seem unstoppable. Tim, combined with Wortkoetter, are one of the best OL tandems in WNY.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806674"],"_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-67cb10b892937"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There was a lot of pre-season hype surrounding Lee last off season and while he didn't get the post season recognition he deserved, he is still a top lineman with a big frame and strong lower body. Sky is the limit for this young man and his senior year will be a big indicator of how far his talent will take him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rising the Ranks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players heading into 2024 had a lot of hype and it was deservingly so but many of them were overlooked by post-season accolades. Nevertheless, they are players with incredible talent that could be in the Trench Trophy conversation in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie'] is the third Clarence lineman on this list. Pusloskie has extraordinary lower body strength that allows him to drive opposing defenders down field</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick Wilson is not a name that gets talked about enough. A product of Kenmore East, he is a two-way lineman that dominates the trenches with a high motor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1345230' first='Brayden' last='Snyder'] is a player I really liked heading into his junior year. He transitioned to Center at West Seneca West and showcased excellent awareness and sound technique. At 6'3 285 lbs., this is a player that cannot be missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, [player_tooltip player_id='806710' first='Gavin' last='McWhirter'] is a player that is really among the best in the area. Unfortunately, injuries hit the Orchard Park OL pretty hard, Gavin included. But in his sophomore season he was so instrumental to the Quakers success that he should bounce back stronger than ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch in 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toping this section is [player_tooltip player_id='1738254' first='Mason' last='McGloin'] from Depew. Few players at Depew get the recognition they deserve but Mason is a solid OL/DL with good size standing at 6'4 250 lbs. His future may lie on the DL but in Class B, he has also been a sensational Right Tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several underclassmen have showed a lot of potential in the JV ranks and are looking to make the jump to varsity next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1257159' first='Ben' last='Foglia-Albrecht'] from St. Joe's has the potential to be a sound OT with his long wingspan and tenacious blocking. Mitchell Shiel from Sweet Home played mostly long snapper last season but many OL from the Panthers are graduating leaving the door open for Shiel to make a name for himself. There wasn't much talk about [player_tooltip player_id='1345221' first='Rey' last='Cruz'] from lake Shore or [player_tooltip player_id='806775' first='Brandon' last='Toomey'] from Hutch-Tech but both are entering their final year of eligibility and could be breakout players depending how they progress this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->