Connolly Cup Week 1 Top Performers

The Connolly Cup committee released their first “Top Performers” list after the opening weekend of the 2018 football season. 15 players were selected for their performances on the field. A number of individual school records were broken by some of these players.

Starpoint: Aaron Chase (QB)

Chase is already the career leader in passing yards and touchdowns at Starpoint. On Friday he set the school record for passing yards in a single game with 419. He added four TD passes for good measure in a 35-14 win at Grand Island.

Lackawanna: Jeremiah Caviness (QB/DE)

Caviness made his first varsity start last Friday against Frontier and the senior had himself an unforgettable afternoon. A 21-for-34, 372 yards passing, four touchdown performance not only helped the Steelers win the game but he set three school records in the process. Completions (21), yards (372) and touchdowns (4) are all new school records.

Cheektowaga: Tamell Bass (WR)

The Warriors wide receiver had 127 yards receiving and caught two touchdowns against Lake Shore in a 46-0 win. Bass is a senior.

Southwestern: Alex Card (WR/DB)

The senior finished with over a hundred yards receiving and caught three touchdown passes during the Trojans 35-8 win over Franklinville/Ellicottville on Friday night.

West Seneca West: Liam Scheuer (QB/DE)

The junior not only rushed for a touchdown Friday, he also threw for three TD’s in the Indians first week win over Sweet Home.

West Seneca East: Shaun Dolac (QB/LB)

Dolac was everywhere on Friday. He led the Trojans into Strider Field Friday night, home of the Jamestown Red Raiders and factored in on three touchdowns. He tossed  a 54 yard TD pass, returned a kick-off and rushed for another TD in West Seneca East’s 34-12 victory.

Maryvale: Rashad Law (RB/LB)

Law wasted little time going to work against Cleve-Hill on Friday. The 2017 Connolly Cup finalist picked up right where he left off, rushing for over 100 yards and a TD. The senior also caught a 24-yard TD pass and made 11 tackles on defense in a 26-6 victory over the Golden Eagles.

Williamsville North: Joe Nusall (QB)

Nusall factored in on four TD’s Friday night against crosstown rival Williamsville East in a 40-0 win. He threw three TD’s and rushed for another. Most impressive, the senior gunslinger was a perfect 9-for-9 passing good for 205 yards) including a 78-yard strike.

Pioneer: Mike Rigerman (RB/LB/K)

Rigerman gained 171 yards on 27 carries and scored 2 touchdowns against East Aurora. The senior was also 3-for-3 on PAT attempts and scored on a 2-pt conversion. Defensively, Rigerman had 6 tackles in a 29-0 win. Pioneer’s defense collectively held EA to -10 yards for the game.

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield: Trey Sauerland (RB)

Sauerland scored a rushing TD in Chautauqua Lake/Westfield’s 18-7 win over Allegany-Limestone Friday night.

Niagara-Wheatfield: Jordan Parks (QB)

In an emotional return Parks rushed for 261 yards and two touchdowns (75 and 83 yards respectively) and threw for three touchdowns as the Falcons pounded North Tonawanda 48-0 Saturday.

St. Joe’s: Tyler Doty (OL/DL)

It’s not often a lineman finds his way on this list but Doty was a force for the Marauders in a 29-14 win over Bennett, played at All-High Stadium. Doty’s key block opened up the hole that led to St. Joe’s opening TD. He also forced two fumbles, recovering one. The Doty led defense gave up just 64 total yards of offense.

Hutch-Tech: Anthony Whitfield (QB/WR/DB)

Whitfield did it all Friday night in Hutch-Tech’s 34-14 win over Will South. The senior had an interception and a fumble on defense. On offense he rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes, good for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama: Derek Ecklund (RB/LB)

The senior tailback had two rushing touchdowns on 7 carries Saturday, good for 50 yards in a 46-6 win over Portville.

Akron: Timothy Longwell (RB/DE)

Longwell, a senior finished with 131 all-purpose yards and scored two rushing touchdowns in Akron’s 21-14 win at JFK on Saturday. He also made 10 tackles on defense.