ONONDAGA COUNTY – Though high school football constantly involves dealing with roster turnover and other varied circumstances, for a trio of local teams some of the changes go well beyond those parameters.
At Marcellus, it mainly involves the surroundings. When the Mustangs have its home opener Sept. 24 against South Jefferson, it will be on new turf at Dutch Arthur Field, in front of a new scoreboard and under new lights.
Yet it’s the same Mustangs side that, in its last full season of 2019, got within striking distance of a berth in the Section III Class B final, something that all the returning players remember well.
“This is a redemption season, and we are capable of a championship,” said junior quarterback Pat Lauer.
Senior lineman Liam Goldsworthy agreed. “We have a pretty good (returning) roster and we understand what is necessary to win,” he said.
Lauer is tasked with replacing Sean Tierney at quarterback. Head coach Nick Patterson said that Lauer has the strongest arm he’s seen in his Marcellus tenure, a necessary trait in a spread offense.
Between Riley Donahue, Devyn LeClair, Tom Donahue and John Walsh, Marcellus has plenty of receiving options, with Jake Kermes and Jonas Kaczor splitting duties at running back.
Goldsworthy leads a trio of returning offensive linemen, with George Hansford back at center and Dominic Cataldi back at guard, now joined by Kayden Streiff at guard and Jahmil Reese at tackle.
As many as eight starters from the spring provides the Mustangs some continuity on defense, whether it’s Goldsworthy, Cataldi and Reese on the line or Kaczor and Walsh at linebacker. Kermes and Riley Donahue flex between linebacker and safety, with LeClair at safety helped by Tom Donahue and Tyler Herr at cornerback.
Some late alterations were made to the Mustangs’ schedule due to Mexico’s move to the Independent division. Among other things, it led to a Sept. 17 game against Oneida – a rematch of that memorable 2019 sectional semifinal where Marcellus lost a 41-34 thriller to the Indians.
Even bigger was seeing the Mustangs’ game at rival Westhill on Oct. 1 turn into a home contest – and it will also be Homecoming.
That’s just one of five road games the Warriors deal with this season due to construction at its stadium that includes new bleachers and a new press box.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Westhill senior running back Geoff Daniul. “While it will be difficult to get situated, we’ll focus and get ready.”
Daniul is the top returning player for Westhill on offense, and it’s already been a memorable year for him as, earlier this summer, he helped lead Onondaga to the 16-18 Babe Ruth World Series championship.
It’s a fairly young Westhill roster with just nine seniors, including Daniul, Danny Bova and Keyshawn Anthony. The Warriors feature eight sophomores, six freshmen and an eighth-grader.
All of this gives head coach Adam Griffo some depth, and that will get tested this weekend when Westhill, getting a jump on its Class B opponents, has a game Saturday at Jordan-Elbridge.
Of all the changes facing area teams, the Eagles perhaps face the biggest one, leaving Class C and going into the Independent division.
While that means not being eligible for the Section III or state playoffs, J-E head coach Joe Fiacchi said that it could mean up to 10 regular-season games, far more than usual.
Whatever number of games, J-E will present a 25-player roster that’s an intriguing mix of proven veterans and talented but untested youngsters.
Caleb DeCola, last spring’s starting quarterback, is likely to share snaps with Wade Brunelle, but both will be in the lineup next to three-year starting tailback Avante Brown.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Jordan Kuhn is a big receiving target while also lining up with Jack Daly at tight end next to receivers Caleb Rouse and Kolin Humberstone.
Up front, Corcoran transfer Fernando Guzman and freshman Ellis Titus join incumbents Zach Green and Zack Walden, with that same group rotating into a defensive line where Kuhn will also operate.
Another promising newcomer, ninth-grader Kuchaun Gorman, joins Brown at linebacker, while Bryan Tanner is part of an experienced Eagles secondary where DeCola, Rouse and Brunelle will operate.
