Tom Goddard, Clarence head football coach, has been named the Buffalo Bills High School Coach of the Week Two after his Red Devils defeated Orchard Park 37-28 last weekend.
This is the first time that Clarence has beaten Orchard Park since the 2000 season.
"This is one of the biggest wins that we have had in the last few years," Goddard said. "The kids have really been focused on our theme this year. We are a good team but, can we play at the next level? Can we possibly be a great team?"
The Red Devils rolled up 456 yards of offense in the win over Orchard Park.
Mike Gelz ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries to power the ground attack. Cooper Wittig added 82 yards on 15 carries and also caught a 50-yard pass.
Quarterback Zach Lauricella ran seven times for 54 yards and two TDs. Wittig also completed five passes for 123 yards and threw no interceptions.
"Orchard Park is a measuring stick program in AA football," Goddard said. "The kids proved that we could play at a higher level for one week. Now we have to prove it again against Lancaster this week. We have to prove it every week."
Goddard said he was pleased with the offensive output but that there were things that needed to be improved.
"We look at our game film on Monday," he said. "We point out the positives and the things we need to work on. From that point on, we have put this win aside and move on. It's enjoyable but it's over."
This is the fourth time that Goddard has been honored with the award by the Bills.
"It's great because it's for the kids, too," he said. "It's a great honor to be chosen but it's a reflection of the kids and how they played. It's a program award because it took a lot more than one person to win that football game."
Goddard played running back, tight end and linebacker for Clarence before graduating in 1968. He also played wide receiver for Iowa Wesleyan College.
Goddard started his coaching career at Cheektowaga, serving as head coach from 1980 until 1985. He started coaching at Clarence as an assistant on the staff in 1986 and became the head coach in 1993. Goddard has 107 career wins.
This is the 14th consecutive year of the Buffalo Bills High School Football Coach of the Week program. Each week during the 11-week high school football season, a committee appointed by the Buffalo Bills selects a head football coach as Coach of the Week.
The honorees will receive an official certificate from the commissioner of the NFL, plus a Bills Coach of the Week cap and a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation.
Recognition of the winning coach will be shown on the Buffalo Bills official website (www.buffalobills.com). At the end of the season, one of the weekly award winners will be named Coach of the Year and will receive an additional $1,000 donation to the school's football program.
2010 Coach of the Week Winners:
Week 1 - Rich Harris (Kenmore West Blue Devils)
Week 2 - Tom Goddard (Clarence Red Devils)
