Jack Kirby here from Geneseo. I am most familiar with the WNY teams so most of my shouts will be for players on those teams. I’ll also keep it brief for some of the players who have been recognized in the previous comments (just assume I agree with what has already been said).
Rochester
Ben Kelley (00) - As a region, let’s work together to get him in the conversation for Donovan award.
Whoever was wearing #26 at regionals (I think David Leder? If someone could confirm that for me that would be great) - There are so many guys on Rochester deserving of a shoutout (numbers 9,10, 22 to name a few) but this player seriously impressed me at regionals. As I watched the championship game, #26 came up with big play after big play.
Sam Cherin (coach) - Tough for me to say exactly what Sam’s impact has been on UR since I don’t play for the piggies, but I think it’s safe to say that the coach of the best team in the region ought to be recognized.
Ithaca
Elliot Mintz (10) - Confused him with Eli Robinson for a sec.
Jalen Bolton-Steiner (25) - Thought he was a senior until I read through these comments…enough said.
Cortland
Mark Weidman (23) - Been mentioned many times for good reason.
Hamilton
Missed this game at sectionals but I was told Hamilton had a couple of studs. Zander (17) I think was one of them, Luke Hanson was the other.
Colgate
Eric Barber (4) - Eric can run with the best of them in the region. We had a couple of hard-fought, spirited games at sectionals and Eric was a huge part of that.
Skidmore
Forrest Levey - In my own college career, I have seen Skidmore continuously grow and get better. Forest has been crucial to that development. More importantly, I’d like to formally nominate him for best smile in the region.
RPI
Bryce Markel - Deserves recognition for his ability on the field as well as his leadership in rebuilding Trudge.
Conn College
Si Ross (0) - Obviously this team is chock-full of talent. Their success this season is testament to that. In our one game against them this season, I was most impressed by Si. His defense was simply the best I’ve seen in my time playing college.
Now time for my biased (but 100% true!) opinions on Geneseo
Noah “Jack Baz” Ofri-Ackman (3) - Noah might have had the single biggest impact on a team in the region. Our O-line strategy was roughly as follows: get the disc into Noah’s hands. On pull plays, Noah hucked with precision like no other; against zones, Noah easily broke them down with his over-the-top throws; in the endzone, Noah regularly broke marks to throw scores. Without him, we might not have advanced past sectionals. If there is one thing that I am sure of in terms of awards it is that Noah deserves to be on the All-Freshmen team if not the All-Region team.
Jon Kelsch (34) - If I have one regret about this season it is that we didn’t have Jon handle on the O-line sooner. Although his throws and cuts are admirable, I think an understanding of the game just clicked in his head at regionals which is tougher to explain. Basically, Jon executed our offense with impressive efficiency and much of the success we had at regionals was because of that efficiency.
Chris Ventre (44) - Chris had the task of anchoring a very young D-line for much of the year. I never doubted that they’d get turns, but I worried that they’d lack the experience to convert those turns into breaks. It turned out that Chris, with his cheeky inside throws and agile handler cuts, was the perfect vet to lead that group.
Kyle Morgan (coach) - Kyle is an experienced club player and coach so I knew he’d bring us useful tactics. However, I must admit I underestimated the effect his calm presence would have on the team. Close games that we would have lost last year were won this year because of Kyle’s wisdom down the stretch. Oh and his pull plays are sick.
