PRZNY Team Previews: McKinley Macks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinley's overall season seemed to be up and down but they won when it counted the most. Outside of a week 5 blowout loss to Health Sciences, the Macks defeated all of their Class A opponents in the regular season, clinching the #4 seed in the playoffs. After blowout wins against Clarence and Grand Island, the Macks got their revenge game against the Falcons where McKinley would take the win and get their first Sectional title in school history. They would, however, lose the following week to Brighton from Section V.</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":["1513366"],"_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-6a54de84e3227"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minter has been an effective pass rusher for the past two seasons racking up 28 sacks in that time. He is quick off the ball with a devastating first step. I see more post-season accolades coming his way, including Class B Defensive Player of the Year.</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":["1513362"],"_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-6a54de84e32d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although his stats were down as a junior, WR/DB Ta'yon Mullen is expected to be a huge factor for the Macks this season. A 5th team All-State DB selection in 2024 with ballhawking skills, he should have more of a presence on offense this year and may eclipse the 1,000 yard mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2246942,"_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-6a54de84e3383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henley broke out as a junior racking up 140 tackles and 8.5 sacks while earning 2nd team All-State honors. He penetrates the OL extremely well and should be a force in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513356"],"_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-6a54de84e3407"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhodes made his varsity debut in 2024 in a two-QB system. Then last season, he was used more as a part-time Defensive Back while Kalaugn Ford led the Macks to their Class A title. With Ford graduating this past season, the stage is set for Rhodes to take McKinley back to the promise land.</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":["2209149"],"_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-6a54de84e3487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daniels has the potential to be one of McKinley's top prospects. But with inconsistent numbers as a junior, he was overlooked by many. I did get a chance to see him live last year and he has the ability to be a stud and one of the best WR/DBs in Section VI. He is a solid shutdown CB and is expected to be one of their top 2 WRs in 2026.</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">RB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1923490' first='Kyler' last='Monterro']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">491</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='1708200' first='Camarii' last='Staples']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">68</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='2237090' first='Kylin' 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">OL/DL</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='2201448' first='Jonathan' last='Lutete']</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">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">[player_tooltip player_id='1513484' first='Jaden' last='Marshall']</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2029</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Watch List</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">RB</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Christian Hampton</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Unranked</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">WR</td><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">Braylin Fryer</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/Contributions</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Anthony Moore III</td><td>East Coast Prep</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Cardel Staples</td><td>University at Buffalo</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Kalaugn Ford</td><td>Sussex County Community College</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Jamiere Hemphill</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Jamere Hill</td><td>Class A2 Defensive Player of the Year</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2243907,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/McKinley-2026-Schedule.jpg?w=613" alt="" class="wp-image-2243907" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> Brian Davis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After their Class A Section VI championship, McKinley moves down to Class B for the 2026 season. They open up in a league bout with defending Class B champs, Lackawanna. Their Week 4 game against West Seneca East and Week 5 at Williamsville South will be solid matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinley has one stud athlete after another on their roster and will be tough to defeat. After years of being perennial contenders in Class A, I can see them completely dominating their division and possibly bringing home a second sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->