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 9 is Mike Fatta, head coach of the Cheektowaga Warriors. On Friday, Oct. 26, Fatta led his squad to a big 28-6 win over the undefeated Albion Purple Eagles in the Class B semifinals. With the victory, Cheektowaga advanced to 8-1 on the 2018 campaign and is set to take on Pioneer for the Section VI Class B title at New Era Field. The matchup, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2, at 8:30 p.m., marks the fifth consecutive season that the Warriors have made it to the Section Finals.
In Cheektowaga's victory, quarterback KeShone Beal paved the way on offense, rushing for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Beal also completed five of 10 pass attempts for 137 yards and touch downs. On defense, Taivaughn Roach led the team with nine tackles in the game.
The Rochester region Coach of the Week for Week 9 is Geoff Mandile, head coach of the Victor Blue Devils. Mandile and his team recently celebrated a 27-7 victory over rival Canandaigua in the Section V Class A semifinals. Dominant throughout the matchup, Victor scored on the game's third play from scrimmage. On their second possession, Blue Devils sophomore running back Rushawn Baker took it 55 yards to the house for a touchdown to put Victor ahead 12-0. Baker was a difference maker in the game, totaling 131 yards and three touchdowns.
Victor's defense was outstanding, holding Canandaigua to just 137 total yards. Standouts on the defensive unit were junior linebacker Joey Pezzimenti and senior safety Sam DiGiacomo, who each recorded an interception.
The win puts Victor at 7-2 this season and advances the team to the Class A Championship, where they'll face Irondequoit. The game is set for Friday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at SUNY Brockport.
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!
