PRZNY Team Previews: Depew Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (4-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depew's 2024 season started off promising; winning 4 of their first 5 games, with every victory coming against a divisional opponent. The Wildcats then lost the final three regular season games (two against divisional teams) and would not qualify for the playoffs. They entered the Chuck Funke Bowl and were eliminated by West Seneca East in the first round.</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":["1513348"],"_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":1273827,"_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-68a36afb5ab2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bridenbaker is a tough player with solid speed that can play RB or LB. He has excellent pursuit technique and solid tackling skills. He is a workhorse RB with excellent vision and great balance. Zach is also versatile enough to play WR. He lead the Wildcats in rushing and was 2nd in tackles as a sophomore.</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":["1513363"],"_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-68a36afb5ab90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Szratter had a breakout season last year and earned All State Honorable Mention honors. He is a good decision maker with solid accuracy and can put the ball where only his receiver can get it. Kole is a solid pocket passer but is exceptional on bootlegs. I expect him to build off his impressive sophomore campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635857"],"_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":1825660,"_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-68a36afb5abf0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evens is the quintessential shutdown Corner. He possesses excellent instincts and run supports extremely well with sound tackling technique. He is not afraid of contact. Michael won't be a player that lights up the stat sheet but will be a critical part of the Wildcats defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1738254"],"_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":1825662,"_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-68a36afb5ac49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGloin is a big body RT that is excellent at pushing defenders around. He uses his hands well and drives with his legs. Mason consistently blocks to the whistle and will be leaned on as a leader on the O-Line.</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":["1552894"],"_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-68a36afb5ac92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a rising sophomore, Vance has quick feet and good change of direction as a WR/DB hybrid. His football instincts are really good and he is incredibly versatile. He uses his hands well and can play a variety of coverages. I would not be surprised if he breaks out as a WR and leads Depew in receiving as a sophomore.</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/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1692705' first='Myles' last='Fryling']</td><td>2029</td><td>Incoming freshman standing at 5'10 230 with time to grow - Big frame - blocks to the whistle - hits with tenacity - should be a player to monitor in the next couple years</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1814191' first='Luis' last='Ayala Jr']</td><td>2027</td><td>Tough player with a lot of speed that can be essential as a RB, WR, DB or in the return game</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1738278' first='Tristan' last='Richards']</td><td>2026</td><td>Retrurning two way lineman</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Silas Borowiec</td><td>2028</td><td>Three Sport athlete looking to make his varsity debut in 2025</td></tr><tr><td>LB/TE</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1738267' first='Tyler' last='Fryling']</td><td>2026</td><td>Tenacious defender that can play LB or DE with his hand in the dirt</td></tr><tr><td>TE/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1738279' first='Benjamin' last='Cordon']</td><td>2026</td><td>Good size TE/DL that is hoping his varsity workload increases this season</td></tr><tr><td>OL/LB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1738376' first='Anthony' last='Golba']</td><td>2026</td><td>The anchor of the O-Line at Center</td></tr><tr><td>RB/LB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1790007' first='Thaddeus' last='Edwards']</td><td>2028</td><td>Rising sophomore looking to make his varsity debut</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>LB</td><td>Dylan Mercado</td><td>Solid tackler</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Justin Refermat</td><td>Two way player that was effective as a runner and LB</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>Alphonso Handley</td><td>Exceptional shutdown Corner</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1825652,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Depew-2024-Football-Schedule-1.jpg?w=837" alt="" class="wp-image-1825652" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Joe Pagano (Entering his 1st season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depew's first seven games are all against Class B opponents. The Wildcats know where they fell off toward the end of last season and hopefully under 1st year head coach, Pagano those mistakes will be fixed. All their key pieces are back as they lost only a few seniors from last year. The Class B will be a wide open competition this season and Depew's biggest tests will be Sept 20th when they host Lackawanna and October 11th when they head to Maryvale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->