PRZNY Team Previews: Bennett Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a surprising playoff defeat in 2024, Bennett got back to their winning ways capturing their 4th Section VI championship in 5 years. But the Tigers would eventually lose in the semi-finals of the State playoffs to CBA-Syracuse; the same team that eliminated Bennett in 2023.</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":["1087115"],"_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-6a4fd4c915df1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jason has been on varsity starter since 8th grade. He has several moves in his arsenal. He has top notch awareness and his reaction timing is on point. Every year, Hargrove gets overlooked for post-season accolades but he should be recognized as a junior.</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":["1513357"],"_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-6a4fd4c915e88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">1,000 yards rushing and over 100 tackles on defense last season and Hampton still didn't make the All WNY or All State teams. He is a breakaway runner that should have a repeat performance as a senior in 2026. I like him as a Connolly Cup favorite this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513370"],"_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-6a4fd4c915f10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tillmon broke out last year in his first season at Bennett. He registered 88 tackles and 4 sacks. He has a massive frame and attacks with aggression. He will be a big part of a defense that should get back to the sectional championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513384"],"_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-6a4fd4c915fa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is a WR/DB combo with extraordinary speed. He always seems to find his way around the ball as he led the Tigers in INTs as a junior. His role should expand in 2026 as a WR.</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":["2154496"],"_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-6a4fd4c916033"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Brown's name in his freshman season as he displayed the potential to be a stud DB on Bennett's JV team with the ability to cover as well as in the box to stop the run. With two varsity seasons under his belt, he is poised for a monster breakout season. </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 class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PRZ Rank</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">LB/EDGE</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1639400' first='Elisha' last='Whitfield']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">75</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1864306' first='Donte' last='Parker Jr']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">208</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1513391' first='Willie' last='Manuel']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">223</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">QB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1561156' first='DJ' last='Williams']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">QB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">K'leon McMickens</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Unranked</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1513372' first='Jaydrian' last='Gonzales']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1367167' first='Howard' last='Wilbon']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DL</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='2201441' first='Antoine' last='Harris']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1639377' first='Rashard' last='Chapman']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</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><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Commitment/Contributions</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Jack Eskridge IV</td><td>University at Buffalo</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Jimmy Valentine</td><td>Bennett's leading rusher and Connolly Cup finalist</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>Amos Lutete</td><td>Dominant Lineman that was a Trench Trophy finalist</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Nyree Feaster</td><td>99 tackles, 7 sacks and 2 INTs last season</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Nacere Johnson</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Carl Barnes</td><td>Starting QB</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Date</th><th class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Opponent</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-04-2026/football-26/lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east-vs-st-francis.htm?c=IMF3oNbQkEm5cQzl6wiLXg">9/4</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/hamburg/st-francis-raiders-red/football/">vs St. Francis</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-12-2026/football-26/lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east-vs-st-johns.htm?c=zYentKbcqkGDxtF7ttw5YQ">9/12</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/dc/washington/st-johns-cadets/football/">@ St. John's</a> (DC)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-18-2026/football-26/jamestown-vs-lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east.htm?c=2weqWP1I9ke_WuW_v3q5vg">9/18</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/jamestown/jamestown-red-and-green/football/">vs Jamestown</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-25-2026/football-26/health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts-vs-lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east.htm?c=N3ADJO1o8EGTbKdLdEOvJg">9/25</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts/football/">@ Health Sciences</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-02-2026/football-26/hutchinson-central-tech-emerson-vo-tech-city-honors-vs-lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east.htm?c=GmsDQnbFDEKBZc8tTZNKwQ">10/2</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/hutchinson-central-tech-emerson-vo-tech-city-honors-engineers/football/">@ Hutch-Tech</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-09-2026/football-26/lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east-vs-niagara-falls.htm?c=nBtaVKLr2ku433fWDwf3jw">10/9</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/niagara-falls/niagara-falls-wolverines/football/">vs Niagara Falls</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-16-2026/football-26/lancaster-vs-lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east.htm?c=WoImRE65x0Wq9f4XW2jQyw">10/16</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lancaster/lancaster-legends/football/">@ Lancaster</a></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-24-2026/football-26/lewis-j-bennett-olmsted-middle-early-college-east-vs-lockport.htm?c=jk_WWTM10k6IZ1Jf5R4tVg">10/24</a></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/lockport/lockport-lions/football/">vs Lockport</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> Steve McDuffie </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett will begin the season with two non-league games; a home bout vs the reigning MMHSAA champions, St. Francis then they go on the road to take on St. John's from Washington, D.C. From there, they begin their stretch of 6 straight AA opponents beginning with Jamestown, who has made the sectional finals each of the last two seasons and newly added powerhouse program, Health Sciences.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they say; "to be the man, you have to be the man." Bennett has won 4 of the last 5 Class AA championships in Section VI as well as a State Championship in 2022. They will be back in the final four with their toughest competition coming from the Health Science Falcons who have captured 5 championships themselves when they were in Class B from 2019-2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->