PRZNY Team Previews: Lancaster Legends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster had a fantastic season in 2024. They captured their first Section VI title since 2019 with a 28-21 victory over Jamestown in the championship game. The Legends then went into the State quarterfinals where they lost to Aquinas 21-19. Their three losses in 2024 were by a total margin of 10 points.</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":["1595095"],"_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":"","_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-68913186b976a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I pegged Ahearn as Lancaster's breakout player in the 2024 preseason and he delivered. Danny took the reigns as Lancaster's lead back and had a tremendous season with over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 19 TDs enroute to making the All State team. This season, there will be a lot of expectations as a senior with a new QB under center and a new WR corps.</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":["1720878"],"_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":1784896,"_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-6898aa54d3b4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two year varsity starter, Klinger's numbers aren't among the tops but he has produced quality tape and he has ideal size for to be a premiere D-Lineman. Brayden has a high motor and has solid technique. With many of the Legends top defenders graduating, this will be a great opportunity for Klinger to put Section VI on notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1732720"],"_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":1306474,"_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-6898aa54d3bed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sagliani had a quiet varsity debut, although there were games where he showed he can play at a high level. A two way player with excellent awareness and solid hands, Chase has the potential to emerge as Lancaster's top WR threat this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719794"],"_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-6898aa54d3c6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith will be making his varsity debut in 2025. He showed some quality film at the JV level last season. Used as a center, Gavin has solid awareness and can identify blitzers very well. How his talents transfer to varsity is yet to be seen but he has been working hard this offseason and will be a player to watch.</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":["1719800"],"_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-6898aa54d3cdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There isn't much recent film on King as the Lancaster QB position has been set for the past two years, however what he has shown at the lower level is promising. Matthew has ideal size and a strong arm. He is a dual threat QB and a multi sport athlete that is for sure in for a breakout year.</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>ATH</td><td>Parker Waite</td><td>2027</td><td>WR/DB combo with good instincts that tracks the ball down well</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1719810' first='Cole' last='Silvestri']</td><td>2027</td><td>Tenacious downfield blocker looking to make his varsity debut in 2025</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Tyler Kibler</td><td>2026</td><td>Big, physical OL that could be in for a breakout year as a senior</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Mikey Gozdalski</td><td>2027</td><td>A shifty WR prospect that will look to replace some top tier studs that have graduated</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Colton Schaefer</td><td>2026</td><td>Got few looks as a junior but with a new revamped offense, he may see significant playing time</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>John Gang</td><td>John Carroll University</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>Justin Hartwig</td><td>Brockport</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Blake Minsterman</td><td>Hobart College</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>Andrew Moberg</td><td>Grove City College</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Sean Booth</td><td>Edinboro</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Alex Krupa</td><td>All State QB that led the Legends to a Sectional title in 2024</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"><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Opponent</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>9/5</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/mckinley-macks/football/">@McKinley</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/12</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/orchard-park/orchard-park-quakers/football/">vsOrchard Park*</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/19</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/jamestown/jamestown-red-and-green/football/">@Jamestown*</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/26</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/hutchinson-central-tech-emerson-vo-tech-city-honors-engineers/football/">vsHCTEVTCH (CO-OP)*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lockport/lockport-lions/football/">@Lockport*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/10</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/niagara-falls/niagara-falls-wolverines/football/">vsNiagara Falls*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/17</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east-tigers/football/">@LJBOMECE (CO-OP)*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/24</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/depew/depew-wildcats/football/">vsDepew</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>Eric Rupp (Entering his 10th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster opens up in a non league game vs McKinley but their top competitors will Orchard Park on 9/12, rematch from the sectional title game vs Jamestown on 9/19 and a road matchup at Bennett on 10/17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class AA in Section VI has been dominated in the last 15 years by Lancaster, Bennett, Jamestown and Orchard Park. I don't see how that changes this season with those teams in the final 4. Each team will have a new signal caller so how that plays out will be interesting. But to be the best, you have to beat the best and right now Lancaster are the reigning champs and will be the team to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->