PRZNY Team Previews: Iroquois Red Hawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, Iroquois had a solid season in 2024. However, two key divisional losses to South Park and Pioneer cost the Red Hawks a spot in the Class B playoffs. They entered the consolation bracket called the "Funke Bowl", in which they steamrolled through East Aurora and West Seneca East with a combined score of 82-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-688693f3d95c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heading into his senior season, Kleitz is already the Section VI All Time passing leader. He is a phenomenal two sport athlete and the undoubted leader of the Red Hawks. He has excellent awareness with sound fundamentals. He is the top QB prospect in WNY.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three X-Factors</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735840"],"_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-688693f3d9627"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two time All WNY and All State selection as a sophomore and junior, Skutnik was Iroquois top receiver with 86 catches for 1,286 yards and 13 TDs in 2024. Nick is a crisp route runner with soft hands and I expect him to be the top receiving target for the Red Hawks once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-688693f3d9674"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Highly ranked as an EDGE rusher (leading the team in sacks and TFLs), Donohue is so much more to the Red Hawks. He also played RB, LG and Special Teams last year. He seemingly never left the field and he made his presence known. Richard has a unique blend of speed, power and strength. He is one of the best athletes in WNY but doesn't get the credit he deserves.</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-688693f3d96ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Domino is a two way player at LB and TE that has gone essentially unnoticed the last two seasons. He has a good frame and can emerge as one of the top LB prospects in WNY this season. He is a three sport athlete that should get a lot of collegiate recognition as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707374"],"_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-688693f3d9721"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of only two freshmen that got Varsity reps for Iroquois last season, Kawaizer is a versatile Safety that can also make sound tackles in the open field. Jackson has the speed and ball technique to play Free or can come down in the box as a Strong Safety. With solid size, he should put Section VI on notice this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Names to Know</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Position</strong></td><td><strong>Player</strong></td><td><strong>Class</strong></td><td><strong>Notes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1794281' first='Owen' last='Luders']</td><td>2027</td><td>Young lineman that is quick off the ball and light on his feet</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1707378' first='Trey' last='Pfeiffer']</td><td>2028</td><td>RB/DB combo that could be in for a breakout year with the lead back position wide open</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Evan Falter</td><td>2026</td><td>Led Iroquois in tackles in 2024</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>Cam Latchford</td><td>2027</td><td>WR/DL combo that will be making his varsity debut in 2025</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>Logan Nolan</td><td>2027</td><td>Good Safety with excellent instincts that can be a ball hawk as well as come down and make a solid tackle</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Position</strong></td><td><strong>Player</strong></td><td><strong>Notes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Gavin Dundon</td><td>Alfred State</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Sam Donovan</td><td>42 rec. 763 yds 8 TDs</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Owen Kent</td><td>Leader of the OL - Trench Trophy Nominee</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Zach Larson</td><td>74 tackles and 5 INTs as a senior</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>9/5</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/grand-island/grand-island-vikings/football/">@Grand Island</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-05-2025/football-25/grand-island-vs-iroquois.htm?c=niyRwfdyVUKs9Ey042Qczw">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/11</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/depew/depew-wildcats/football/">vsDepew</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-11-2025/football-25/depew-vs-iroquois.htm?c=QpJKzKTZQkKpnnXMAPztFg">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/19</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/dunkirk/dunkirk-marauders/football/">vsDunkirk</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-19-2025/football-25/dunkirk-vs-iroquois.htm?c=4CRqMRGrkEqJV7au2nW7zA">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lackawanna/lackawanna-steelers/football/">@Lackawanna</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-27-2025/football-25/iroquois-vs-lackawanna.htm?c=lZPGt4vnIUm0PiTDT8cOFQ">2:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/3</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/cheektowaga/maryvale-flyers/football/">vsMaryvale</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-03-2025/football-25/iroquois-vs-maryvale.htm?c=FXwTzMOY-k-j_ayDhTzWfQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/10</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/albion/albion-purple-eagles/football/">@Albion*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-10-2025/football-25/albion-vs-iroquois.htm?c=j9dy1y1p1k6StD8sUCFsEA">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/17</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/olean/olean-huskies/football/">vsOlean*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-17-2025/football-25/iroquois-vs-olean.htm?c=SH_F5c19MEap933I5dpgrg">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/24</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/east-aurora/east-aurora-holland-blue-devils/football/">@East Aurora/Holland*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-24-2025/football-25/east-aurora-holland-vs-iroquois.htm?c=t_VQ1kUUEU2ZE8I44hFj0g">7:00pm</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Robert Pitzonka (Entering his 9th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every game Iroquois has in 2025 will be against Class B opponents with their toughest matchups coming against Lackawanna on 9/27 and Maryvale on 10/3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a Class B divisional realignment as South Park &amp; Pioneer (the two teams that prevented them from making the playoffs last season are not on their schedule). That, coupled with many of their players from 2024 returning could help the Red Hawks bring home a class B championship as they did in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->