By: by Dave Ricci, Metro Source
It’s pretty simple really.
If you how up everyday and work your hardest, good things will happen.
As the Kenmore East Bulldogs enter the new varsity football season they have an optimistic outlook about the road ahead.
“We always have a goal of getting to the (Ralph Wilson) Stadium. Its no different this year,” said
Ken-East head coach Matt Chimera. “We didn’t have a great year last year. We’ve got some kids that have come back who didn’t play last year, and we’ve got some kids that have come out that have never played...I know it’s tough without the experience, but they’re pure athletes so we’ll see what happens.”
Leading the way will be hulking junior lineman Jared Dolan.
“The team is looking good. Hitting hard,” Dolan said during a recent practice. “We’ve got some hard workers out here.”
Also back for the Bulldogs will be senior Tom Comfort (fullback/linebacker), senior Russ Williams (lineman/kicker), senior Rob Ormsby (receiver/defensive back) and Josh Kluge (linebacker).
New faces include Nate Weller, an eleventh grader who is up from junior varsity as well as Jordan Wainwright who had previously played soccer for Ken-East.
Wainwright (running back/receiver/defensive back) is one of several newcomers who, though they may not have much football experience,
they do bring a great attitude, a desire to learn and a level of athleticism that will make the very useful in key skilled positions.
Chimera added that while it would probably be a bit much to expect any of these football newcomers to be the go-to-guy that will tally 400 yards per game, he said this core of new faces have been a very pleasant surprise.
Chimera added that a big plus in his eyes is the fact that the majority of the team has been together all summer lifting, working out together three times a week and taking part in the camp at Buff State.
From within the players also know it’s up to them to deliver when game time comes. Yes, the coaching staff will map out a game plan and prepare the team. But the players know they have to pull their weight and execute on the field.
“You’ve got to play with a lot of heart,” said Dolan. “Play to win. I just want to win, but we’ve got to work hard.”
The Bulldogs also have nearly 40 kids on the JV squad which bodes well for the future as solid players as well as numbers are coming up through the system.
Ken-East will set up shop in Class A North with Sweet Home, Grand Island, Starpoint and McKinley, as well as North Tonawanda and Williamsville North, who have been shifted from AA.
The Bulldogs open the season at home on Sept. 3 against Will-North, 2 p.m. kickoff.
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