PRZNY Team Previews: Orchard Park Quakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orchard Park was hit hard with the injury bug last season. Nearly every starting O-Lineman was hurt at some point throughout the year and in the last game of the season, the Quakers starting QB went down. He ended up coming back for the second round of the playoffs but he wasn't 100% and they fell to the eventual Section VI Champions, Lancaster.</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":["1263294"],"_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-687699cab0fbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meka has a monster frame and is incredibly agile for a player that size. Defensively, he is a menace as a DE with long arms and hits with tenacity. Offensively, he played some LT last season with great success but i can see a future for him as a TE.</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":["806710"],"_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-687699cab1060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gavin entered 2024 as one of the best OL prospects in WNY but an injury early in the season derailed what would have been a monster year. He Is now fully healthy and with his ideal body size, he is a two way stud that needs to be accounted for on every play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513385"],"_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-687699cab10e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mancabelli is two way WR/DB stud. He is also an outstanding return man. Going into his junior season, Max is the leading candidate to be Quakers top receiver. He was used predominantly in the slot because of his solid route running and good fundamentals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649119"],"_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-687699cab1157"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wright racked up 64 tackles and 3 sacks as a sophomore. He is a versatile LB that can play inside with sideline to sideline speed or can be outside and rush the passer. He sheds blocks well and has excellent instincts. I think Matthew will be the Quakers defensive leader in 2025.</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":["939439"],"_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-687699cab11c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hassett is a JV product that was moved up to varsity for the for the 2024 playoffs. Due to injuries, he got the chance to enter the first round and played well throwing for 74 yards and 2 TDs en route to a 33-6 victory. The stage is set for a breakout year and Jayden has put in a lot of work this offseason.</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>WR</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1426895' first='Jonathan' last='Pugliese']</td><td>2026</td><td>Missed his junior year because of injury but is expected to be healthy as a senior and should be a prime passing target</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='814985' first='Jherek' last='Breske']</td><td>2026</td><td>Had a very good sophomore season, winning some accolades but there is no film from his junior season. I heard he may focus on Lacrosse. If he plays football, he will be a player to watch</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1631664' first='Joey' last='Miller']</td><td>2027</td><td>JV Product that should be making his varisty debut this season. 3 of OP's top 4 leading receivers have graduated leaving the door open for Miller to make a name for himself.</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1659859' first='Logan' last='McDougall']</td><td>2027</td><td>Came in last season down the stretch and filled in at Center and played extremely well</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1701850' first='Spencer' last='Balland']</td><td>2026</td><td>Solid RT with good strength and drive blocks well. He is also exceptional is pass protection</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Hayden Fox</td><td>2026</td><td>The lead back position is wide open in Orchard Park and Fox heads into 2025 as the RB with the most varsity experience</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>School</strong></td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Brady Ciano</td><td>Cortland</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Jack Ciano</td><td>Cortland</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Will Russell</td><td>Buffalo State</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Carter Switek</td><td>Ithaca</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Travon Thomas</td><td>Baldwin Wallace</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1709675,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Orchard-Park-2025-Schedule.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1709675" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: X</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach: Michael Cieslik</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orchard Park does not have a favorable schedule this season. Three of their opponents are reigning Section VI champions; Week 1 they travel to Health Sciences from Class B, Week 2 they go to Lancaster from Class AA (the team the defeated the Quakers twice last season) and Week 6 they host Sweet Home from Class A (a rematch from last season's opening night barn burner where OP won 49-37). Two other games of note are against perennial powerhouses; Jamestown on 9/27 and Bennett to close out the season on 10/24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->