PRZNY Team Previews: Canisius Crusaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (6-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Canisius was just over .500 in their win % last season, they put up 30 or more points in 8 of their 11 games. They also added three league victories, including a sweep over division rival, St. Joe's. They would lose two of their final three games; both to MMHSAA champion, St. Francis, including the barn burning championship game that the Red Raiders were victorious 41-34.</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":["778700"],"_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-6a4b1fde6aeb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kimble, undoubtably the best RB in WNY - possibly the entire state, has just committed to play college football at Syracuse in 2027. He is already the Crusaders all time leading rusher and will continue to climb the ladder in the WNY ranks. For Canisius to get back to the State Championship this season, Kimble will have to be the catalyst.</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":["1648715"],"_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-6a4b1fde6af77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gorney is my favorite to win the Trench Trophy this season. He possesses all the measurables needed to be a premier OL - the size, strength and power. Dylan is the anchor to arguably the best line in Western New York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1908074"],"_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-6a4b1fde6b014"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bildfell is a Trench Trophy hopeful and rightfully so. He has a massive frame, is aggressive and blocks to the whistle. You can't coach size and Brock is one of the biggest linemen in the area. He currently holds 6-Division I offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1367095"],"_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-6a4b1fde6b09b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I started covering Gates-Franklin when he was an 8th grader playing on Williamsville South's JV team and he showed incredible athleticism even at a young age. Since then, Xavier has been Canisius' starting CB. With two varsity seasons under his belt, he should have a big junior year and take a major step forward to be one of their defensive leaders.</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":["1701908"],"_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-6a4b1fde6b11e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My first interaction with Lindstrom was his sophomore season at St. Francis where he showed a lot of poise and precision passing on their JV team. Last year, Nate transferred to Canisius where he was relegated to a backup role. He is set to be the Crusaders starter this season and paired with Kimble, the Canisius offense should be multi-faceted.</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><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">OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1672665' first='Mack' last='David']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">41</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2199642' first='Quentin' last='Littleton']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">126</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2149717' first='Owen' last='Scott']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">393</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">WR</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1257801' first='Antonio' last='Olivero']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">167</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">DB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1545197' first='Dallon' last='Floyd']</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">WR</td><td>Jack Cullinan</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Unranked</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</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Matteo Brusco</td><td>York University</td></tr><tr><td>RB/LB</td><td>Amir Hernandez</td><td>Gardner-Webb University</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Javez Caldwell</td><td>Central Connecticut State</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Arno Mbaiyo</td><td>Stetson University</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Kayden Wayne</td><td>John Carroll</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"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Date</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Opponent</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/5</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs Health Sciences</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/19</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Martinsburgh (WV)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/26</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ St. Joe's</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/3</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs St. Francis</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/10</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs Huron Heights </td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/17</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs CBA-Syracuse</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/30</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Bishop-Timon</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> Kraig Kurzanski (Entering his 5th season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canisius will begin the season against another powerhouse in Health Sciences. These squads are matched up with a similar skillset and this game should be a tone setter for both teams to start the 2026 campaign. The Crusaders main focal points will be their playoff rematch against St. Joe's on 9/26 and their grudge match against reigning MMHSAA champion St. Francis on 10/3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There won't be many surprises from Canisius this season. They are built to run the ball and do it effectively. They also have a solid defense. Canisius were league champions in 2024 and they still have several players from that team. There isn't much doubt that Canisius will make their way back to the MMHSAA championship game again for the 15th consecutive season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->