PRZNY Team Previews: Lancaster Legends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a big Section VI win in 2024, Lancaster had expectations to be back last year. While they did live up to much of the hype, the Legends couldn't get past their two blowout losses to Bennett; including a 52-13 loss in the semi-finals.</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":["1815334"],"_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-6a4e8124b0332"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is probably the most versatile athlete in Section VI. He can and has played most positions on offense, defense and special teams. Last season, he was a OLB/CB hybrid with big play potential. Prior to that, he was the starting QB at Timon as a sophomore. There will be a lot of opportunities for Smith to make a splash this season.</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":["1901212"],"_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-6a4e8124b03dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first heard Banks' name when he went off in their Week 1 matchup against McKinley last season. Aiden exploded for 9 catches 130 yards and 3 scores. After that, mostly because of a ground first attack and a few blowout wins, his numbers began to cool. But Banks is entering his senior year as their undoubted top WR. He should be in for a fantastic season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719810"],"_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-6a4e8124b0461"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole has a slender build for his position but he does possess quality mechanics. He is quick and has showed a lot of athleticism. There are a lot of questions regarding Lancaster's skill positions but if their OL can be as effective as they're expected to be, this should be a good year.</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-6a4e8124b04e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It all starts up front and Smith will be looked upon to be an anchor for the new look Lancaster offense. Gavin played LG for the Legends last season. He pulls well and has solid hand placement. His awareness is good and does well at blitz pickup.</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":["1940979"],"_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-6a4e8124b0561"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fix is set up to be Lancaster's starting QB in 2026. He was used as a Swiss Army Knife in his sophomore season. He played some WR and came in on some gadget plays to run the ball. Everett is a big, physical player with the size of a premier QB1. Most of his highlights are from RPOs but if he can showcase the ability to stretch the field, the Legends will raise a lot of eyebrows this 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">Attributes</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">EDGE</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='2078016' first='Blake' last='Klaffka']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">17th ranked athlete for Class of '29</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">LB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1924517' first='Cole' last='Urban']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Can play ILB or OLB - hits with aggression and plays with determination</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='2175732' first='Cole' last='Klinger']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">6'3 220 lbs that can play DE or DT</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='1814200' first='Parker' last='Waite']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2 INTs in his varisty debut last year - good athlete with solid instincts</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">WR</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1811676' first='Mikey' last='Gozdalski']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">No film but is said to be a shifty WR at 5'8</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>RB</td><td>Danny Ahearn</td><td>St. John Fisher</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Matt King</td><td>Brockport</td></tr><tr><td>EDGE</td><td>Brayden Klinger</td><td>St. John Fisher</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Tim Kopacz</td><td>Brockport</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/Time</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">Fri Sep 4 6:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs McQuaid Jesuit</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Sat Sep 12 2:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Niagara Falls</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Fri Sep 18 7:00 PM</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">Sat Sep 26 2:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Lockport</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Fri Oct 2 7:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs Jamestown</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Thu Oct 8 7:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Hutch-Tech</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Fri Oct 16 7:00 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">vs Bennett</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Fri Oct 23 7:30 PM</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">@ Depew</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> Eric Rupp (Entering his 11th season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster opens and closes the 2026 season as they do every year; starting with a non-league opponent and finishing with their rivalry against Depew. The six games in between will be division rivals. This season, however, Health Sciences from Buffalo will join Class AA while Orchard Park moves down to A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a very young team that lost a lot of key pieces from last season. There are many unknowns going into this campaign but the Legends have a seasoned coaching staff that should get them back on track. I fully expect them to be in the final four once again with Bennett, Jamestown and newly added, Health Sciences.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->