PRZNY Team Previews: St. Francis Red Raiders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Francis had a roller coaster season full of peaks and valleys. They still entered the Monsignor Martin playoffs as the #2 seed and hosted rival, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in the first round. But a see saw battle would see the defending 3 time MMHSAA champions fall in overtime 23-20.</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":["1202404"],"_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-686450705d332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St. Francis went out and got the #2 ranked RB in all of WNY. Clark is making a major jump from the Class B, where he has dominated for the last two seasons. He enters much steeper competition but the line that the Red Raiders have plus the experienced coaching they bring, this will be a major boost for Tyrone's collegiate aspirations.</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":["501394"],"_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-686450705d391"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buttles comes to St. Francis from Rochester where he was an extraordinary QB/S at Aquinas in Rochester. He is a playmaker in every sense of the word, whether on offense or defense. I would presume he will spend most of his playing time at QB where he has incredible vision and a strong arm. His tape at Safety is just as impressive and he could be in line for MMHSAA Player of the Year.</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-686450705d3d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This will be Wortkoetter's 2nd season at St. Francis and between his time with the Red Raiders and at Wilson, he has played every position on the line. An All-State wrestler, Willy is masterful at pushing opposing defenders around and attacks with ruthless aggression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649124"],"_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-686450705d416"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hopwood is one of the most versatile WRs in WNY. Used primarily in the slot because of his crisp route running and ability to gain yards after the catch and go over the middle. Aiden can also lineup wide and stretch the field. He will need to build chemistry with Buttles this off season, which will show on the field.</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":["707562"],"_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-686450705d454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cook is a first year Red Raider that can play a variety of positions, whether at RB, WR or DB. Dom's measurables are not off the charts but what he brings is a technically sound game with a high football IQ so whatever position he is put at this season, he will flourish.</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='747253' first='Tim' last='McCann']</td><td>2026</td><td>Unhearlded lineman as a junior but I expect big things from in 2025</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1649781' first='Luke' last='Fleischman']</td><td>2027</td><td>Electrifying playmaker at LB that St. Francis picked up from Pioneer</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1624583' first='Larry' last='Hardy III']</td><td>2026</td><td>All Catholic and All State RB in 2024 but how he will be used as a senior with the transfers is yet to be seen</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='807867' first='Tavio' last='Hoose']</td><td>2026</td><td>2024 All Catholic DL who can also be a tough between the tackles runner</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1514651' first='Mason' last='Anderson']</td><td>2028</td><td>2024 breakout player at Lake Shore as a RB but will transition to WR at St. Francis</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>DL</td><td>Michael Harris</td><td>Marian</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Ed Gauther II</td><td>Brockport</td></tr><tr><td>TE</td><td>William Hanson</td><td>John Carroll</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Landon Welka</td><td>Mercyhurst (Lacrosse)</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Damone Allen</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":1701745,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/St.-Francis-2025-Schedule.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1701745" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Jerry Smith&nbsp;(Entering his 38th&nbsp;season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 out of 9 of the Red Raider's opponents will be from out of state. The three games that will matter the most for playoff seeding will be 10/4 @ St. Joe's - last season's playoff rematch, 10/17 @ Timon and closing out 11/1 vs Canisius - a matchup between the two teams that have dominated the MMHSAA for the last 10+ years. With that being said, no team has been more active in the off-season than St. Francis. The Red Raiders have brought on several new high profile acquisitions to put them over the hump and bring back a State Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->