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 2 is Russ Nixon, head coach of the Niagara Wheatfield Falcons. For the second consecutive week, Nixon helped his team orchestrate a shutout victory, defeating the Frontier Falcons 19-0 on Saturday, Sept. 8, at home. Niagara Wheatfield's senior quarterback Jordan Parks, finished the game with nine carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, senior free safety Jake DeWolf paved the way with eight tackles. Junior cornerback Bryson Solomon was also a difference marker in the contest, compiling a sack and fumble recovery.
Next up, Niagara Wheatfield, now 2-0 on the campaign, is scheduled to take on Hamburg on the road on Thursday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Rochester Region Coach of the Week for Week 2 is Bobby Bates, head coach of the McQuaid Jesuit Knights. On Friday, Sept. 7, McQuaid pulled off a big come-from-behind win against the Canisius Crusaders at home. In a thriller, the Knights, who came into the contest at 1-0, rallied to overcome an early 17-0 deficit and went into the locker room at the half behind just three points at 24-21. With senior quarterback Hunter Walsh at the helm, the Knights came out strong at the start of the second half and scored on the opening drive. Hunter finished the game completing 27 of 36 pass attempts for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Senior running back Mark Passero paved the way for the Knights on the ground with 15 carries for 155 yards rushing and three touchdowns. On defense, junior cornerback Casey Howlett made 11 tackles, had two interceptions and returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown.
With the 42-37 win, the Knights have advanced to 2-0 on the season. McQuaid is scheduled to play St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute on Saturday, Sept. 15, with kickoff at 1 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!
