By Nate Beutel<br><a href="mailto:beuteln@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Nate</a>
Here's a look at our CRUNCH all-area football team. For complete coverages, including photos of each player, get a copy of Thursday's Niagara Gazette:
Offense
JOE OLIVERIO
QB
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 78-of-129 passing, 1,435 yards, 21 touchdowns, five interceptions
• SCOOP: The best precision passer in Western New York… Had a great relationship with Player of the Year Alex Neutz… Also an all-Gazette catcher on the baseball diamond.
BRANDON BRATEK
RB
• SCHOOL: Starpoint
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 202 carries, 1,300 yards, 18 touchdowns
• SCOOP: Could run both inside and outside of the tackles… School-record holder for carries, yards, touchdowns and points in a season and career… Only three-year member of the all-Gazette team.
EDDIE WEISER
RB
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 152 carries, 1,196 yards, eight touchdowns
• SCOOP: Punishing back that averaged almost eight yards a carry… Great season overshadowed by exploits of Player of the Year Alex Neutz… Added 44 tackles from his linebacker position on defense.
CHRIS GRUARIN
WR
• SCHOOL: Niagara-Wheatfield
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 53 catches, 656 yards, 10 touchdowns
• SCOOP: A team captain that never let his squad down… Missed time because of injury and still put up gaudy numbers, including 48 tackles on defense… Also an all-Gazette baseball player.
JOE DeLELIO
WR
• SCHOOL: Starpoint
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 43 catches, 436 yards, four touchdowns
• SCOOP: The heart and soul of the Spartans played much bigger than his size… School-record holder for receptions in a season and career… Also a stud on defense with 50 tackles and three interceptions.
MIKE RICHBART
TE
• SCHOOL: Niagara Catholic
• GRADE: Junior
• STATS: 29 receptions, 552 yards, seven touchdowns
• SCOOP: Came out of nowhere to become the Patriots’ biggest threat through the air… Quarterback Chris Glowacki’s favorite target… Also contributed on defense at safety with his height and athleticism.
GREG FEATHERS
OL
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: Paved the way for area’s best balanced offensive attack
• SCOOP: Coach Dean Santorio’s choice as the team’s best offensive lineman… A standout on defense with 43 tackles from his end position… Also excels in basketball and track and field.
JAMAR ANDERSON
OL
• SCHOOL: Niagara Falls
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: Didn’t allow a sack all season for pass-heavy Wolverines
• SCOOP: Has a good combination of size and strength… Blocked well on both pass and run plays… First team all-leaguer was one of the Falls’ most consistent performers.
NATE MEIGS
OL
• SCHOOL: Lewiston-Porter
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: Move from fullback to guard was almost seamless
• SCOOP: The Lancers most consistent force up front on both sides of the ball… Showed great heart and desire despite having a size disadvantage… Added an impressive 65 tackles on defense
RYAN HARNDEN
OL
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: Helped Vikings run and pass for nearly 3,000 yards of total offense
• SCOOP: A true rock that battled through injuries… Three-year starter at defensive tackle that finished with 28 tackles this fall… A finalist for the Trench Trophy.
PAUL SMITH
FLEX
• SCHOOL: Niagara-Wheatfield
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 169-of-297 passing, 1,735 yards, 195 rushing yards
• SCOOP: Kept the Falcons in games with his arm and leadership… Ran the N-W offense with confidence because of impressive receiving corps… Also a standout pitcher for Falcons’ baseball team.
JOE SCIBILIA
K
• SCHOOL: Starpoint
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: Six field goals, 26-for-28 PATs
• SCOOP: Was 88-for-168 for 1,042 yards and 10 touchdowns as QB… Had 58 tackles, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries at safety… Averaged over 37 yards per punt.
Defense
MIKE CRAGE
DL
• SCHOOL: Starpoint
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 65 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
• SCOOP: Did a great job against the run and pass from his defensive end position… Took his game to another level as a senior… Also a great run blocker on the offensive line.
JIM DONNER
DL
• SCHOOL: Niagara-Wheatfield
• GRADE: Junior
• STATS: 50 tackles, 4.5 sacks
• SCOOP: Team captain that showed grit and determination on every down of every game… Called a true warrior by his coaches… Also anchored the offensive line as N-W’s left tackle.
CHRIS PODLUCKY
DL
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss
• SCOOP: A stalwart at defensive end for the Vikings all year long… Also the area’s best blocking tight end that could catch when called upon… Excels on the baseball diamond as well.
BRETT DLUGOSZ
LB
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Junior
• STATS: 64 tackles, safety
• SCOOP: The Vikings leading tackler was named the team’s defensive MVP… Played a big role on the offensive line as well… Took leadership role at middle linebacker despite being an underclassman.
PAT WALCH
LB
• SCHOOL: Wilson
• GRADE: Freshman
• STATS: 89 solo tackles, interception
• SCOOP: Had well over 100 stops when assists are included… Also a weapon for the Lakemen on offense as an h-back and tight end… By far the youngest player on the team.
ANTHONY SCARBOROUGH
LB
• SCHOOL: Niagara Falls
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 85 tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions
• SCOOP: Team leader in tackles and forced fumbles… All over the field, supporting the run and covering the pass… Was a big-time player in Falls’ two wins this year.
JALEN GAYLE
LB
• SCHOOL: Niagara Falls
• GRADE: Junior
• STATS: 75 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11 sacks
• SCOOP: Had a knack for getting in the backfield… Also developed into an emotional leader of sorts for the Falls… Will be counted on heavily next fall.
JOSH REED
DB
• SCHOOL: Lewiston-Porter
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 91 tackles
• SCOOP: A four-year varsity player that put it all together during his final season… Played much bigger than his size, often moving up to linebacker… Also had 31 catches on offense.
RICH BURR
DB
• SCHOOL: Niagara-Wheatfield
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 55 tackles, two interceptions
• SCOOP: Rarely ever came off the field for the Falcons… Really stepped up in all aspects of the game during his final year… Caught 33 passes for 266 yards and was a special teams ace as well.
LANCE ROBINSON
DB
• SCHOOL: Grand Island
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 31 tackles, four interceptions
• SCOOP: Just an outstanding playmaker in the defensive backfield… Also a legit threat on the outside at receiver with 22 catches for 345 yards and four touchdowns… Would be anyone else’s No. 1 wideout.
ANTONIO COOK
FLEX
• SCHOOL: Niagara Catholic
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 60 tackles, two interceptions
• SCOOP: Did a little bit of everything for the Patriots… Transferred in just before the year from N-W… Also had over 1,000 yards of total offense despite missing two games.
ORAINE ALLEN
P
• SCHOOL: Niagara Falls
• GRADE: Senior
• STATS: 47.3 yards per punt
• SCOOP: Can kick the ball with either foot… Constantly turned field position in the Falls’ favor… The first team all-leaguer averaged 56.3 yards per kickoff and had 11 touchbacks.
