The Buffalo Bills are once again proudly partnering with ADPRO Sports in 2018, to recognize some of the best high school football coaches Western New York has to offer, through the High School Coach of the Week program. Throughout the 2018 high school football season, the Bills and ADPRO Sports will recognize 11 coaches from both the Buffalo and Rochester regions on buffalobills.com. The winners will be selected by a committee of high school football experts from each region.
Winning coaches will receive a $1,000 grant for their school's football program, a framed certificate recognizing their accomplishment and an invitation to join the Bills on-field Dec. 16, for a pregame ceremony prior to kickoff against the Detroit Lions. At the game, a High School Coach of the Year will be honored from each region, with those winners receiving an additional $1,000 for their football program.
The Buffalo region Coach of the Week for Week 10 is Ty Harper, head coach of Clymer Central/Sherman/Panama (CSP) football. Harper, who has been the head coach at CSP since the program began in 2015, led the Wolfpack to a huge 35-7 victory over Maple Grove in the Class D championship on Friday, Nov. 2, at New Era Field. The game was close at the half, with CSP ahead 13-7. However, the Wolfpack came out strong in the final half, scoring three times.
Leading the way on offense for CSP was junior quarterback Gerrit Hinsdale and senior running back Derek Ecklund. Hinsdale finished the contest with two passing touchdowns. Ecklund kept things moving on the ground, compiling 131 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. The Wolfpack defense was stout, allowing Maple Grove just 90 total yards and five yards rushing. The unit also sacked Maple Grove's signal caller five times and recorded four interceptions.
The win marks the team's first Section VI Class D title and advances CSP to the Far West Regionals, where the Wolfpack will take on Alexander. The game is scheduled to take place at Clarence High School on Saturday, Nov. 10, with kickoff at noon.
The Rochester region Coach of the Week for Week 10 is Derek Annechino, head coach of the Aquinas Institute Li'l Irish. On Saturday, Nov. 3, Annechino led Aquinas to a 49-18 victory over rival McQuaid Jesuit in the Class AA championship. The victory is Aquinas' 11th Section V championship in the last 13 years.
The game remained up for grabs in the first half, with Aquinas leading it 21-12. The momentum began to shift when Li'l Irish freshman linebacker Will Benjamin sacked McQuaid's quarterback, forcing a fumble. Aquinas senior defensive tackle James Waters recovered the fumble and took it 18 yards to the house for a touchdown that extended the Aquinas lead 28-12 in the third. Aquinas went on to score three more touchdowns in the final quarter to seal the game.
Junior fullback Ruben Torres paved the way for Aquinas on offense, rushing for 156 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. On defense, sophomore defensive back Ulysees Russell compiled seven tackles, three knocked down passes and returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown.
The Li'l Irish will move on to the Far West Regionals round on Saturday, Nov. 10, where they will play Lancaster at Clarence High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
Check back on Buffalobills.com each week for the announcement of the Coach of the Week winners and tune in to One Bills Live each Tuesday afternoon to hear the winners announced on the show. Good luck to all of the high school football coaches this season from the Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports!
