Game Previews: Lancaster Vs McKinley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top matchups of Week One will feature two stacked teams, let's break down the matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancaster coaching staff led the Legends to a 9-3 record in 2024. Key wins for Lancaster included <strong>Lockport, Depew, Orchard Park, and Jamestown</strong>. Key loses included <strong>Aquinas Institute, Bennett and McQuaid Jesuit</strong> who is ranked as my top team in Section Five. The Legends are an expected top team in the Section. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following their week one matchup against McKinley, the Legends have eight games listed on their schedule. Lancaster easily plays one of the tougher 2025 schedules across the state. Following the Lancaster game, I predict a record of 8-2. I see Lockport and Bennett becoming the two loses for the Legends this season. I see key wins coming against <strong>McKinley, Jamestown, Depew, and Orchard Park</strong> this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lancaster/lancaster-legends/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lancaster/lancaster-legends/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 RB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/danny-ahearn/">[player_tooltip player_id='1595095' first='Danny' last='Ahearn']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 DB/WR <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/chase-sagliani/">[player_tooltip player_id='1732720' first='Chase' last='Sagliani']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 QB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/matthew-king/">[player_tooltip player_id='1719800' first='Matthew' last='King']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 OL/DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gavin-smith-9/">[player_tooltip player_id='1719794' first='Gavin' last='Smith']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 OL/DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cole-silvestri/">[player_tooltip player_id='1719810' first='Cole' last='Silvestri']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 ATH <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/parker-waite/">[player_tooltip player_id='1814200' first='Parker' last='Waite']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Establish The Line</strong>. With [player_tooltip player_id='1719810' first='Cole' last='Silvestri'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1719794' first='Gavin' last='Smith'] it is important for the Lancaster Offense to establish the line to protect [player_tooltip player_id='1719800' first='Matthew' last='King']. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Find The Rhythm</strong>. Alex Krupa graduates and passes the torch to [player_tooltip player_id='1719800' first='Matthew' last='King']. Lancaster needs him to find his rhythm early on in this game against a tough McKinley Defense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Establish The Run</strong>. With [player_tooltip player_id='1595095' first='Danny' last='Ahearn'] lining up in the backfield and a new QB, it is important for Lancaster to get the run game working to take the pressure off of King. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McKinley Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Hill led his Macks to a 7-4 season in 2024. Key wins for McKinley came from West Seneca West, Frontier, Clarence. Williamsville East, and Kenmore west also became huge playoff wins for the Macks. Key loses came from Williamsville North, Saint Joseph Collegiate, and Sweet Home to end the playoff run. McKinley looks to build off a solid 2024 campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Including the Lancaster game, McKinley has seven total games listed. Other than the McKinley game, I predict a 6-0 record for the Macks. Key wins in this perfect season for McKinley include Hamburg, Williamsville East, Kenmore East, and North Tonawanda. Unlike last year, McKinley avoids St. Joseph Collegiate, giving them an easier schedule and a better chance to go undefeated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/mckinley-macks/football">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/mckinley-macks/football</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cardel-staples/">2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 RB/ATH <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-moore/">[player_tooltip player_id='1733083' first='Anthony' last='Moore']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 LB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamere-hill/">[player_tooltip player_id='1790080' first='Jamere' last='Hill']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamiere-hemphill/">[player_tooltip player_id='1345120' first='Jamiere' last='Hemphill']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 LB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kamron-minter/">[player_tooltip player_id='1513366' first='Kamron' last='Minter']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 ATH <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tayon-mullens/">[player_tooltip player_id='1513362' first='Tayon' last='Mullen']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Set The Tone</strong>. This game features tons of playmakers across both sides of the ball. To win this game one team needs to set the tone and gain an advantage. If Mckinley wants to win this game they need to set the tone early. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Defense</strong>. With Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples'], [player_tooltip player_id='1513366' first='Kamron' last='Minter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1790080' first='Jamere' last='Hill'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1345120' first='Jamiere' last='Hemphill'], using their defensive playmakers is key in gaining an advantage in this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>No Mistakes</strong>. Lancaster is a talented team full of outstanding athletes. McKinley can not afford to make mistakes if they want to win this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->