Prep Talk

Jasen Oden, a 2011 East High grad who attended North Carolina Tech Prep this past year, signed with Colorado State football Tuesday afternoon at the Delevan-Grider Community Center. 

Wearing a Colorado State lanyard given to him on his official visit, as well as a green-and-gold Rams baseball cap, he signed a financial aid agreement with Colorado State for a full scholarship in front of family and friends at Delevan-Grider. 

Oden said his trip to Colorado State went so well that he canceled scheduled visits with Illinois and Connecticut.

Oden headed to NC Tech in order to improve is standardized test score and make him eligible for NCAA Division I football. He headed there after former Sweet Home standout D.J. Nettles had attended NC Tech (Nettles signed with Bethune-Cookman after attending NC Tech, but a transcript glitch has him headed to a junior college this fall to help clear that up).

By the looks of its website, NC Tech has cranked out players to Division I.

Oden is believed to be the first football player from the Buffalo Public Schools to head to Division I since 2008 Grover Cleveland grad Steve Means headed to the University at Buffalo; the last major college signing from the former Harvard Cup schools was current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Williams from Riverside (2006) to Syracuse.

Oden was a third-team All-Western New York selection at defensive back in 2010. He helped East to a 6-3 overall record and a 4-2 record in Class B Central, although the Panthers were ineligible for the postseason due to an administrative move that placed East, an A-sized school, in Class B. East impressed with a victory at Cheektowaga and were part of a very strong first season in Section VI for the Buffalo Public Schools.

Colorado State of the Mountain West Conference is entering its first season under coach Jim McElwain, who came to the Rams after four years as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Alabama, where he was part of two national titles. In the recruiting process, Oden dealt mainly with assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Billy Napier, who came with McElwain from Alabama. 

I'll have more in my Prep Talk column in Wednesday's paper.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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Tony Truilizio, who coached the Riverside football program to great success in the Buffalo Public Schools for the last decade, has been named the new coach at North Tonawanda.

Trulizio told The Buffalo News that he accepted the job offer from NT athletic director Cindy Bullis on Tuesday night.

"I'm grateful for everything that happened at Riverside, and I'm so excited about working in a new community and working with the kids at NT," said Truilizio, who said he will remain a physical education teacher at Riverside, where he will also continue to coach swimming and lacrosse. "It's a professional decision to move upward. My ultimate goal is to coach at the collegiate level. To move in the direction of NT is just a blessing."

Riverside won the Buffalo Public Schools' Harvard Cup championship four times under Trulizio, including its final season in 2009. When the Buffalo schools joined Section VI for the 2010 season, the Frontiers won the AA North title.

"It's bittersweet," said Truilizio. "If it weren't for those kids [at Riverside], the Buffalo Public Schools and Riverside, I wouldn't have this opportunity. The success came from the hard work of the kids and we had a great staff that allowed me to be a successful coach. You can't do it alone."

Rick Tomm coached NT last season but did not reapply for the position. Tomm followed Eric Jantzi, who coached at NT for 11 years -- including the 2009 Class AA state championship -- before stepping down.

"Everybody knows abotu the T-NT game and I'm looking forward to that," said Truilizio. "I'm looking forward to being a competior and obviously our goal is the same as everybody else's: to win a state championship. The division is nice, but winning states is what it's about."

* * * 

Truilizio raved about the NT program. I've often said that NT football games are one of the best game-day high school sports experiences in Western New York. 

Their new football coach has been a fan of the program for a long while, and it wasn't forged in football. 

Truilizio was impressed with NT dating back to his time as a swim coach for Grand Island. 

"hen I'd walk in as a coach from Grand Island, you'd see the stands full, parents, fans, just the general community," he said of the swim meets. "People would treat you with the utmost respect, even if you were an opponent. This was my first experience with NT, must have been 15 years ago.

"After I got the job at Riverside, coach Jantzi opened up a four-way scrimmage and we at Riverside got into it for three or four years. When we'd walk in as kids from Buffalo, they had respect for the team, for the kids, for me as coach -- the community was there, the booster club was there. It was just the most wonderful feeling walking into NT.

"I'd go to scout at NT and go to sit in the stands, and you'd just see left to right a full stadium of students, parents, alumni -- I was in shock. I'd walk in there wearing my Riverside colors, and instead of being jerks the fans were the most wonderful fans. 'Hey coach do you need anything?' They'd move over. I've been around long enough -- you don't get that everywhere."

* * *

Trulizio's Riverside lacrosse team, which consists of players from throughout the Buffalo Public Schools, is a member of the Independent Lacrosse Conference this season. The Frontiers, which are fielding varsity and JV teams this year, open its varsity season at home at 5 p.m. Friday against Newfane.

---Keith McShea

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Bishop Timon-St. Jude senior Jordan Williams will try and walk on with the Niagara University men's basketball program.

Williams, a 6-foot-2 senior sharpshooter for the Tigers, committed to attend the school Tuesday night after a meeting with NU coach Joe Mihalics and his staff. That's according to an email I received from the Williams family today. 

Williams, who was a first-team All-Western New York football player at wide receiver, chose the walk-on opportunity over offers to play football at the University at Albany, Hobart and Edinboro. Williams had 10 touchdown catches and 988 receiving yards his senior season. 

Williams excelled for the Tigers' top 10 large school basketball team as well. He was Timon's leading scorer and capped his career with a 29-point effort in a loss to eventual champion Canisius in the Manhattan Cup semifinals at Canisius College. That game was witnessed by Niagara coach Mihalics. 

According to Williams, he is being given the opportunity to walk on and then may be red-shirted.

"I had football offers on the table but ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to play Division I basketball," Williams said in a staement.  "Now I’m going to get that opportunity and to be able to stay home to do it is exciting."

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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St. Francis standout running back Akeel Lynch has verbally committed to Penn State. 

He did so via his Twitter page late Sunday night: "Making my dreams become a reality. #weare #pennstate".

Lynch, a 6-foot, 204-pound native of Toronto, originally verbally committed to Boston College last July 15 (our story is here; watch our video interview with him that day about his decision on the blog).

At the time, he said he selected BC over Penn State.

That was long before the news broke -- in November -- of the child sex abuse charges against former Penn State assistant Jerry Sandusky. The tumultous months that followed included the school's firing of legendary coach Joe Paterno, the hiring of current New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien earlier this month to replace him, and Paterno's death on Sunday.

Lynch's committment to Boston College became more and more tenuous as the high school season came and went. Lynch did participate in a recruiting trip to BC on Dec. 3, which caused him to miss the Connolly Cup awards banquet (he was one of 10 finalists).

After his successful senior season -- during which St. Francis won the Monsignor Martin Association championship -- Lynch began to received more recruiting attention.

In early January, he told Boston College that he would be considering other schools. Iowa and Oklahoma had coaches visit Lynch. On Monday, Lynch said Penn State was a finalist along with Iowa, Ole Miss and Oklahoma.

Lynch visited Iowa in early January, had a visit to Oklahoma canceled when a snowstorm canceled his flight, and he visited Penn State this past weekend.

The first day football recruits can sign with schools is Feb. 1. Lynch will make his official announcement then during a ceremony at the Athol Springs school.

Lynch was a first-team All-Western New York running back, the runner-up for The News Player of the Year award (it went to St. Joe's QB and Clemson commit Chad Kelly) and was selected as New York State's Gatorade Player of the Year. Lynch ran for a Monsignor Martin single-season record 2,136 yards in his senior season.

A highlight game in his highlight season was running for five touchdowns and a school-record 376 yards on 31 carries (the totals were updated after the game) in St. Francis' 42-27 win at fellow top 10 large school Bishop Timon-St. Jude on Oct. 7. Check out the PrepTalkTV video from that game: 

Other PrepTalkTV videos featuring Lynch: Week Six wrapup (including his postgame comments on Timon game), Monsignor Martin semifinals and Monsignor Martin championship.  

More to come.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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High school football coaches don't have to look far for coaching advice from a pro. Jim McNally's 2012 Western New York Football Clinic is Feb. 10-11 at the West Middle School, 395 Center Road, West Seneca.

Last year's event drew more than 200 coaches. An immediate response from local coaches is needed otherwise the clinic will be forced to cancel.

If you are committed to attending the clinic send an email immediately to: mcnallyclinic@yahoo.com stating your name, school and number of attendees. This information is needed prior to registration to determine the number of committed attendees.

This year's fourth-annual event brings in legendary coaches, Tom Moore (former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator), option football guru, Tony DeMeo and defensive authority Rick Lantz. University at Buffalo staff member Zach Duval and new Buffalo Bills defensive line assistant coach Bill Inge, along with other prominent high school coaches, are on the information-packed agenda. For registration information visit: coachmcnally.com. After a successful college coaching career, McNally accepted the offensive line coaching job with the Cincinnati Bengals, where for more than 15 years he tutored and mentored the line anchored by Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz.

After leaving the Bengals, Mouse coached the offensive line for the Carolina Panthers, helping the team reach the NFC championship game. Later he coached the New York Giants 'offensive line, helping them to the Super Bowl in 2000. In 2004, the call came from Buffalo where after four years he concluded his remarkable career coaching the Bills' offensive line. McNally is a proud graduate of Kenmore West High School and the University at Buffalo.

---Mary Jo Monnin

Add another postseason honor for St. Joe's quarterback Chad Kelly. 

Kelly, who was The Buffalo News Player of the Year and was the only player from New York to participate in last week's Under Armour All-American game, was announced today as the New York State Sportswriters Association Class AA Player of the Year. 

More information and the complete list of all-state teams are at the NYSSWA site.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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The unofficial conclusion of the football season was this afternoon at the 25th annual Western New York High School Football banquet at Classics in Niagara Falls. 

As he has done for a quarter century, Dick Gallagher organized the event, which honored more than a hundred of this season's top players. It was a great event, as always.

In addition to the presentation of trophies and plaques to the All-Western New York team, the Buffalo News Player of the Year, the News poll winners, the All-WNY academic football team and multiple league and postseason MVPs, here is a rundown of some of the top honors:

Andrea Marsh -- yes, she's a she -- was honored with the Day-Day Morris Award for courage after a standout season as a starting defensive back for Panama. Marsh is a national finalist for the Rudy Award. 

Joseph Smith of St. Francis won the WNY Football Scholar-Athlete Award. 

Jim Dombrowski Award (offensive linemen): Devon Leach, Orchard Park; Michael Senn, Orchard Park.

Jim Burt Award (defensive lineman): Cortland Haines, Jamestown.

Ron Jaworski Award (quarterback): Chad Kelly, St. Joe's.

Ron Pitts Award (defensive back): Jordan Johnson, Sweet Home.

Shane Conlan Award (linebacker): James Fitzgerald, Orchard Park.

James Lofton Award (wide reciever): Ben Johnson, Orchard Park; Jordan Williams, Bishop Timon-St. Jude.

Jim Kelly Football Camp Underclassmen of the Year: Nigel Davis, St. Joe's (offense); Alec Dietsch, Clarence (defense). 

Joe Foyle Award (large school coaches of the year): John Faller, Sweet Home; Jerry Smith, St. Francis; Gene Tundo, Orchard Park. 

Gene Masters Award (small school coaches of the year): Dick Diminuco, Alden; Curt Fischer, Maple Grove; Jay Sirianni, Southwestern; Dan Greco, Chautauqua Lake.

Frank Constantino Award (JV coach of the year): Mike Morlock, Frontier.

Stan Barron Award (media): Rich Kozak, Intense Milks Game of the Week on WJJL-AM.

Mike Perry Memorial Award (referees): Skip Brechtel, Ken Harris.

Jerry Butler Award: Maurice Howie, South Park; Ryan Radke, Lancaster.

Andy Benson Award: Ben Whitney, Jamestown.

Tim Schwab Memorial Award: Mike Prevorse, Pioneer. 

Unsung players: Justin Davis, Bennett); Ben Holmes, Orchard Park; Jordan Sanders, St. Joe's; Brian Stoldt, Alden; Cody Stumpf, Williamsville South. 

Cross-Training Award: Josh Koester, Hutch-Tech (city); Terrance DeJesus, Jamestown (large school); Brandon Davis, Cleveland Hill (small school); Tom Noonan, Nichols (private); Pat Walch, Wilson (wild card). Cross Training Legacy Builder Award: Tom Calzone.  

* * * 

The event concluded, as it has in recent years, with the passing of the torch (picture above) from some standout seniors -- Kyle Briggs (St. Joe's), Jake Swan (Southwestern), James Fitzgerald (Orchard Park) and Akeel Lynch (St. Francis) to some standout juniors, including Ben Holmes (Orchard Park) and Trent Ferguson (Williamsville South). 

* * * 

As a surprise to Gallagher, he was presented with his own award about halfway through the ceremony. 

MC extraordinaire John Murphy, Denny Lynch of the Buffalo Bills and Dennis Sarow of the Connolly Cup presented Gallagher with a silver football trophy commemorating the 25th year of the event that was started and has continued to be organized by Gallagher. 

I have said/written this before, but it bears repeating: Western New York in general, and particularly the local high school sports community, is a much better place because of Dick Gallagher. Next time you see him -- maybe it'll be next year on the football sidelines -- thank him for what he has done for Western New York high school sports. 

* * * 

Memo to Kiss 98.5: Your involvement with high school football is very appreciated. It is great that you support the sport and this event.

But next year, don't order -- literally -- the highest trophy the trophy store can put together. The awards (well deserved by Chad Kelly for the Monsignor Martin Association and Jordan Johnson for Section VI) were taller than Dick Gallagher. I don't even know how the players got them home. Where are they going to put them? When people are walking away from the event saying how ridiculous and tacky the trophies are (it's inarguable), instead of how great the players who won them are, something is wrong. If you want to dump a lot of money into something special for the winners, there are plenty of trophies with heft, with cool icons on top, that would be impressive, special momentos without being ridiculous.

* * *

Memo to those players who attended the banquet and posted stuff on Twitter about it DURING the banquet: There were some sentiments of gratitude, which were obviously nice to see.

However, many of the tweets were ridiculous, disrespectful and totally out of line. You are a guest at a banquet and, even though Mr. Gallagher asked everyone to put away their phones, you sat there tweeting repeatedly. On top of that, you were being disrespectful to the event and other award winners IN your tweets.

Those that tweeted disrespectful things, and they know who they are, should absolutely be ashamed of themselves.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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Hello from Ilio DiPaolo's in Blasdell for the 40th annual presentation of the Connolly Cup, awarded by the Riverside Athletic Club to the most outstanding high school football player in Western New York.

I'll update the winner here as soon as possible. 

The 10 finalists are: Orchard Park senior Okoya Anderson, Kenmore West senior Martin Bailey, Jamestown senior Spencer DeCinque, Williamsville South junior Trent Ferguson, Bennett senior Javon Fogan, Maple Grove senior Alex Grace, Orchard Park senior Ben Johnson, Sweet Home senior Jordan Johnson, St. Joe's senior Chad Kelly and St. Francis senior Akeel Lynch. 

The winner will be announced shortly. It was scheduled for 2:15 p.m. but it will be a little later (it's now 2:11).

It's a special banquet this year as past winners of the award have been invited for the 40th annual presentation. The DiPaolo's banquet room is much larger than it has had to be this year to account for all the great football players.

It will be quite a scene to see the past winners introduced before this year's award is presented.

2:28 p.m. The presentation has begun. Introductions of the finalists will be made, then the winner will be announced Academy Awards-style. 

2:38 p.m. As a member of the News sports department, I would like to thank the Connolly Cup committee and chairman John Lewis for honoring the late Allen Wilson with a moment of silence. It was just moments ago that we learned that Allen had passed away from leukemia. To say we are heartbroken is an extreme understatement.

2:41 p.m. The past winners are now being introduced.

Past winners have come into town from as far away as Ohio and Massachusetts.

Here today are: Jim Rath (1976, Frontier; he played at Edinboro and Canisius and lives in Lake View); Frank Rossi Jr. (1977, Baker Victory; who played at Colgate and went from banking to an impressive acting career); Brian Ross (1978, Niagara-Wheatfield; he played at Cornell and lives in Boston, Mass.); Tony Baker (1980, Springville; he played at Cornell and came in from his home in New Hampshire); Trevor Sajdak (1987, Cleveland Hill, who played at Columbia, is a professional body builder and lives in Ohio); Ray Braxton (1986, Lackawanna; he won a national championship at Bakersfield Junior Collegeand still lives in Lackawanna); Randy Smith (1990, Lockport; he played at Youngstown State and in the Canadian Football League and lives in Ohio); Frank Pavicich (1997, Niagara-Wheatfield); Joe West (1999, Lackawanna; he played at American International); Zak Kedron (2004, St. Francis); Capone Smith (2008, Lackawanna; who played for the Cisco Wranglers in Texas and is back in Western New York); Joe Licata (2010, Williamsville South; he plays at the University at Buffalo). 

3:09 p.m. Lengthy introduction of the alumni has concluded -- great names, great stories. 

This year's finalists being introduced now.

Akeel Lynch was not able to attend due to a recruiting trip for Boston College.

3:16 p.m. The winner of this year's Connolly Cup is ... 

Chad Kelly of St. Joe's.

Speech and interviews now. 

* * * 

I'll discuss the Connolly Cup choice and our All-Western New York issue in our weekly live video chat at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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Here it is. The 2011 All-Western New York first team for football.

Check out the complete team (including capsules plus the second and third teams and honorable mentions) and read more about how the squad might be unstoppable. Also part of our annual All-WNY issue, published in today's editions, is a story on the final poll winners and the coach of the year and the complete list of league all-stars.

Also be sure to check out an outstanding video by The News' Mark Mulville on the first team and its favorite moments of the season. 

Offense
QB Chad Kelly, St. Joe's, 6-3 215, 12
RB Mercer Timmis, Canisius, 6-1 210, 12
RB Okoya Anderson, Orchard Park, 6-0 200, 12
RB Akeel Lynch, St. Francis, 6-0 200, 12
WR Ben Johnson, Orchard Park, 6-3 200, 12
WR Jordan Williams, Bishop Timon-St. Jude, 6-2 175, 12
OL Brandon Lathrop, Kenmore West, 6-6 260, 12
OL Miles Bartholomew, St. Francis, 6-5 275, 12
OL Devon Leach, Orchard Park, 6-3 290, 12
OL Michael Senn, Orchard Park, 6-3 277, 11
OL T.J. Scamurra, Williamsville South, 6-0 280, 12
U Jordan Johnson, Sweet Home, 6-1 205, 12
K Austin Reese, Orchard Park, 6-0 200 12

Defense
DL Josh Chase, Alden 6-0 250, 12
DL Michael Morganstern, Cheektowaga, 6-2 240, 12
DL Cortland Haines, Jamestown, 6-2 260, 11
LB Marquis Artis, Amherst, 5-9 180, 12
LB Javon Fogan, Bennett, 6-0 205, 12
LB James Fitzgerald, Orchard Park, 6-2 225, 12
LB Joe Smith, St. Francis, 6-0 210, 12
DB Daryl Spencer, Cleveland Hill, 6-2 196, 12
DB Alex Grace, Maple Grove, 5-9 165, 12
DB Stephen Johnson, McKinley, 5-11 175, 11
DB Jake Swan, Southwestern, 5-11 160, 12
P Ryan Sosnowski, Alden, 6-0 210, 12

How do you think we did? Use the comment section to provide feedback here, or email, Tweet or comment via Facebook at the addresses linked below.

I'll discuss our selections, along with the Connolly Cup choice (the award is announced this afternoon) in our weekly live video chat at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

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Our All-Western New York team will be published Saturday, which is also the day that the Connolly Cup will be awarded. 

But when it comes to postseason awards, Akeel Lynch of St. Francis -- as he has a tendency to do -- got a quick start.

The outstanding running back of the Monsignor Martin champion Red Raiders, who has verbally committed to Boston College, was named New York State's Gatorade Player of the Year.

Here's the info at ESPNHS site, which includes the award program's "three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character." There's also a nice quote from Bishop Timon-St. Jude coach Charlie Comerford.

It is the third time a Western New York player has won the award, and first since Malik Campbell of Turner-Carroll won it in 1996. Bill Schoenle of Williamsville South won it in 1986, which was the second year the award was presented.

Our Player of the Year award comes out Saturday. I'll discuss our choice, the Connolly Cup and the entire All-WNY team in our weekly live chat next Wednesday.

---Keith McShea

(@KeithMcSheaBN on Twitter)

buffalonews.com/highschools     facebook.com/preptalkblog     twitter.com/bufnewspreptalk