With 25 years down, The News’ is commemorating one-fourth of the 21st century by revealing its Quarter Century Team.
Gronkowski is noted as the most successful player of The News’ Quarter Century Team for his high school, college and pro careers.
To be considered for the team, players had to have been an All-Western New York first-team selection during their high school careers.
The team is a combination of players who had great overall careers or seasons. Of those selected, many were named The News’ Player of the Year, Connolly Cup winners or Trench Trophy winners. A select few continued their careers at the Division I level and the NFL.
TEAMS
Large schools
2009 Sweet Home: It was the second of their back-to-back Class A state titles. Won by an average of 25.23 points and ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state and 85th nationally. Led by quarterback Pat McMahon, The News’ Player of the Year, the team finished the season 13-0.
2014 Canisius: Won the inaugural state Catholic championship and finished 12-0. Average margin of victory was 26.83 points with all but two wins coming by at least 13 points. Concluded the season ranked 104th nationally and No. 1 in the state, led by The News’ 2014 Player of the Year TJ Wheatley.
Small schools
2009 Southwestern: The last Section VI team to win the Class C state title. Went 13-0 win their second straight state championship. Win capped a 27-game winning streak. Led by Connolly Cup quarterback winner Zack Sopak and coached by current Section VI chairperson Jay Sirianni.
2013 Randolph: Was their second title amid a Class D three-peat. Went 13-0, ranked first in The News small schools poll. Won by an average of 34.9 points.
COACHES
Large schools
John Faller, Sweet Home: Faller coached the Panthers to back-to-back Class A state titles in 2008 and 2009. He won eight Section VI titles, including six straight from 2007-12. Faller died in 2019.
Gene Tundo, Orchard Park: Led Orchard Park to three Class AA state final appearances, winning in 2008 and 2011. With him at the helm at the start of the century, the Quakers won nine Section VI titles, including five straight from 2004-08.
Small schools
Jay Sirianni, Southwestern: Went 101-26 in 12 seasons at the helm. Won back-to-back state titles in 2008 and 2009 in Class C and advanced to the state final in 2011. Trojans went on a 27-game win streak during their championship runs and are the last Western New York team to win the Class C state title. He’s a Chautauqua Sports Hall of Famer.
Ty Harper, CSP: Was the architect of a startup program when Clymer/Sherman/Panama was created. Posted a 78-24 record with four Section VI Class D championships and state titles in 2018, 2019 and 2024.
OFFENSE
Joe Licata, Williamsville South, QB: Winner of the Connolly Cup and The News’ Player of the Year in 2010, Licata graduated as Section VI’s all-time leader in passing yards (6,671), a record held for 13 years. He threw for 2,573 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior. Continued his career at University at Buffalo to become the Bulls’ all-time leader in passing yards (9,485) and passing touchdowns (76).
Aaron Leeper, Jamestown, RB: Recipient of The News’ Player of the Year and Connolly Cup in 2000. His senior season was one of the best of the century, setting multiple Western New York records in points (282) and touchdowns (47). He went on to play at UB. Leeper was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame and returned to Jamestown in 2025 as its commencement speaker. Leeper currently works for Federal Air Marshal Service.
Jehuu Caulcrick, Clymer, RB: Was awarded Player of the Year and the Connolly Cup in 2002. Is Western New York’s all-time leader in career rushing yards (6,559), 100-yard rushing games (34), career touchdowns (101) and career points (706). Played at Michigan State and three seasons as an NFL practice squad player.
Elijah Kimble, Canisius, RB: His first two years of high school football surpassed what many do in a career. The News’ 2024 Player of the Year and a two-time Connolly Cup finalist, Kimble led Canisius to the state final as a sophomore and has 3,999 career rushing yards, 55 touchdowns and 20 100-yard rushing games going into this season. A 4-star recruit with more than 30 Division I offers. Kimble is the only active player selected to the Quarter Century Team.
Mark Rubin, Amherst, WR: A three-time all-state selection, he was Section VI’s all-time receptions leader (167) for more than 20 years and at the time of graduation in 2003, he was the section’s all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,488) and touchdowns (34). Averaged 14.7 yards per catch as a senior. Continued his career at Penn State. Won the Wall Street Decathlon in 2012.
Stephan Parker, Cheektowaga, WR: A first-team all-state selection, Parker also was a two-time All-WNY first-team selection. He’s ninth in state history in career receptions (166), 14th in single-season receptions (75) and 14th in career receiving yards (2,344). Led Cheektowaga to two state semifinals.
Rashard Perry, Bennett, OL: Perry was the Class AA Co-Player and The News’ Co-Player of the Year as a senior, and was named the Section VI Class AA Player and Defensive Player of the Year. He helped Bennett win the NYSPHSAA Class AA state title. He also won the 2022 Trench Trophy and went on to continue his career at Syracuse.
Marcus Harrison, St. Francis, OL: Harrison was typically the biggest player on the field at 6-foot-8, 330 pounds. He helped St. Francis reach the 2022 state final and win three straight Monsignor Martin championships. Named to All-WNY first team twice. He won the 2023 Trench Trophy and continued his career at Georgia.
John Urschel, Canisius, OL: A three-time All-Catholic selection, he was awarded the Trench Trophy in 2008. Urschel went to Penn State and became a two-time All-Big Ten selection. Was a fifth-round NFL draft pick and played three seasons before retiring. Was a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee for three years. Has a doctorate in math from MIT and was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30.”
Jeremiah Sanders, South Park, OL: A three-time All-WNY first-team selection and the first BPS athlete to win the Trench Trophy in 2017. Helped South Park reach its second Section VI final in three seasons and didn’t surrender a sack for two straight seasons. Sanders helped the Sparks win the 2015 Class A state championship, becoming the first BPS program to win a state title. He was a USA Today All-USA selection in 2015.
Jasen Carlson, Southwestern, OL: Four-year starter led Southwestern to a 42-4 record, including a 29-game win streak. Carlson helped the Trojans win back-to-back Class C state titles in 2008 and 2009 and was named state Defensive MVP in 2008. He won the Trench Trophy in 2009 and continued his career at UB, where he was a multiyear starter.
Naaman Roosevelt, St. Joe’s, Utility: In his senior season, he threw for 2,112 passing yards, rushed for 721 yards, picked up 479 yards on kick returns and 141 yards on interceptions. He scored six touchdowns rushing, two on kickoff returns and one on an interception. Roosevelt won The News’ Player of the Year and Connolly Cup in 2005. He went on to be a two-time All-MAC selection at UB and played in the NFL for five seasons.
Bryce Hinsdale, CSP, K/P: Section VI’s all-time leader in career points by a kicker (181) and the second all-time scorer in extra points (139). Hinsdale was three-time All-WNY selection who helped CSP to a Class D state title in 2024. He is also NYSPHSAA’s all-time leader in career receptions (232) and interceptions (18), the Section VI all-time leader in receptions in a game (17, twice) and career receiving yards (2,514). He is now at Washington and Jefferson.
DEFENSE
Ryan Hunter, Canisius, DL: Won the Trench Trophy as a senior in 2012. In his final season, gave up no sacks and made 54 tackles. Continued career at Bowling Green. Spent five seasons as an NFL practice squad player, but was on the active roster when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV. Hunter played in three NFL games and made his name in the CFL as a two-time All-Star and two-time Grey Cup champion. Also won the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award (2024).
TJ Wheatley Jr., Canisius, DL: The News’ Player of the Year in 2014, he had 68 tackles, 24 for loss, 10 sacks, four fumbles, three deflected passes and an interception in his final season. He and the Crusaders finished 12-0, won the state title and were nationally ranked by USA Today. Had 35 tackles for loss in 20 career games. Wheatley continued his career at Michigan then Stony Brook. Spent four seasons on an NFL roster and appeared in two games.
Doug Worthington, St. Francis, DL: Was a dominant force for St. Francis in the early 2000s with 144 tackles, 11 sacks and 33 QB pressures over two years. He continued his career at Ohio State and was on an NFL roster for six seasons, seeing action in six games.
Chris Smith, St. Francis, DL: A four-time All-Catholic and two-time All-WNY first-team selection, he had 100 tackles, including 21 for loss, as a senior, and ended his career with 308 tackles. Smith continued his career as a four-year starter at Holy Cross, winning the Patriot League each season and earning All-Patriot League honors as a senior. He currently coaches the James Madison offensive line.
Shaun Dolac, West Seneca East, LB: Won The News’ Player of the Year in 2018. Led West Seneca East to its first state final. In his senior season, Dolac had 1,993 rushing yards, 145 tackles and 36 touchdowns. He began at UB as a preferred walk-on, then went on to earn MAC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time first All-MAC honors and was a consensus All-American. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Rams.
Joe Andreessen, Lancaster, LB: Andreessen was viewed as a versatile, strong all-around player during his days with Lancaster, with one BPS coach calling him “the best player I’ve ever coached against.” As a senior, Andreessen had 118 tackles, 18 for loss and 5½ sacks. Played his college career at Bryant and UB. He currently plays for the Bills.
Isaiah McDuffie, Bennett, LB: A three-time All-WNY first-team selection. As a senior, he rushed for 1,531 yards and 21 touchdowns. At linebacker, finished with 111 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. For his career, McDuffie had more than 400 tackles. At running back, he rushed for 5,529 yards and 70 touchdowns. Named The News’ Player of the Year and Connolly Cup winner in 2016. Played at Boston College and is in his fifth season with the Green Bay Packers.
Dustin Ross, Salamanca, LB: The News’ 2001 Player of the Year had 122 tackles during that season. He doubled as a running back, with 1,466 yards and 30 touchdowns. He continued his career at Ithaca College, where he ranks third on the school’s all-time list with 312 career tackles.
Domonic Cook Sr., St. Joe’s, DB: As a four-year starter, he amassed 145 solo tackles, 132 assisted and 16 sacks. As a senior, he racked up 1,688 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns while leading the team to back-to-back Monsignor Martin AA titles. Cook continued his career at UB and led the MAC in interceptions with six as a senior.
Corey Graham, Turner Carroll, DB: With All-WNY honors, was named to All-State and All-Catholic teams. Had 99 tackles in his final season and averaged 245 all-purpose yards per game. Had three 300-yard rushing games in 2003 and back-to-back 300-yard rushing games in 2002. Continued career at New Hampshire before going on to a 12-year NFL career, playing three with the Bills and winning Super Bowls with the Ravens and Eagles.
Jayden Lewis, Bennett, DB: In his senior season, made 64 tackles and grabbed seven interceptions. On offense, had 857 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns and 605 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. Named The News’ Co-Player of the Year in 2022 and the Class AA Offensive Player of the Year.
Jahyden Clark, Canisius, DB: Three-time All-WNY first-teamer had 290 tackles, including 219 solo, over a three-year career at Canisius. Fourteen of those tackles were for loss. He also had 25 pass deflections, seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries. At receiver, he caught 160 passes for 2,339 yards and 17 touchdowns. Clark is currently at Stetson.
HONORABLE MENTION
ALBION: Derek Kinder. CARDINAL O’Hara: Reggie Garner. CANISIUS: Qadree Ollison, CJ Ozolins. CSP: Cameron Barmore. IROQUOIS: Kyle Shevlin. JAMESTOWN: Jake Sisson, Zack Panebianco, Steve Carlson. LACKAWANNA: Capone Smith, Curtis Underwood. MAPLE GROVE: Jordan Rambacher. NIAGARA FALLS: James Starks. ORCHARD PARK: Devon Leach, Jason Weber, Jeff Tundo. RIVERSIDE: Mike Williams. SOUTHWESTERN: Kyle Shevlin, Jake Swan, Dustin Bowser. ST. FRANCIS: Zak Kedron, Jerry Hickson. ST. JOE’S: Chad Kelly. WEST SENECA WEST: Matt Myers. WILLIAMSVILLE EAST: Jeff Wolf. WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH: Jake Fuzak, Matt Foster.
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Clevis Murray
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