Clevis Murray
Sports Reporter
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When I was at the Jamestown-St. Joe’s game a few weeks ago, it was another reminder that we need more public vs. private matchups in high school football. The two teams have played in each of the last two seasons, with the Marauders winning both times. St. Joe’s also played McKinley last season and won.
Marauders coach Mike Corona had a lot to say on why such matchups aren’t more common.
“I’m going to say the quiet part out loud,” Corona said. “A lot of the reasons public schools don’t want to schedule private schools is because many private schools choose to fill their rosters by transfers and recruiting. We have tried to build most our program through eighth grade recruiting. I also try to be a good coach. When public schools beat us, I try to get them on the schedule the next year. When we beat them, I don’t run the score up.
“I want to build positive relationships with everybody here because really good public schools that play us are just sharpening their sword for their sectionals to go to states. I think it benefits everybody, but you have to be a good human being. McKinley, for example, took us on and we won. They were going to play us again this year, but the section couldn’t fit it into their schedule. I hope to keep those relationships positive so we can keep doing this because I think it’s good for them, good for us and good for the area.”
Two years ago, Lancaster coach Eric Rupp suggested a private vs. public week in tribute to Dick Gallagher, who was devoted to promoting high school football in Western New York. At the time, Lancaster was coming off beating Canisius for the second consecutive year, and it was a massive deal both programs were playing each other.
“If we have availability, we’ll play,” Rupp said in 2023. “I can’t speak for other coaches, but there’s always a fear that if a Catholic school beats you, then your kids will go there. In my opinion, if you do it right, build a culture and recruit the kids in your own area, then you’ve got to do your job to keep them there.”
Rupp is right about the fear, but the result of a game doesn’t actually impact player movement. There have been no notable transfers since Canisius and Lancaster played, or in any of the other private-public games. St. Francis is the most offensively loaded team in the area after four big transfers: Domonic Cook Jr., Tyrone Clark Jr., Mason Anderson and Trent Buttles. None of those players, except Cook, who was at St. Joe’s, played against the Red Raiders during their high school career. That didn’t stop them from transferring.
If a student and his family feel it’s best to transfer to a private or public school, they’ll do so for whatever reason, but not because of who won or lost a game.
With the Depew-Lancaster rivalry ending after 2026, the Legends will have an extra nonleague game. With McKinley, St. Joe’s, Jamestown, Canisius and Lancaster having shown an openness to these games, what about other programs?
Bennett coach Steve McDuffie and St. Francis coach Jerry Smith have said multiple times that they’d be open to playing other local teams in a nonleague matchup. One potential holdup is when Section VI and Buffalo Public Schools combine their schedules, as it doesn’t align with the timeline of the private schools. However, St. Joe’s and Canisius have managed to make it work.
It’s unclear what Orchard Park, a mainstay in Class AA, thinks about such matchups. Or even Health Sciences, which has won multiple Section VI Class B titles but is in Class A this season. The Orchard Park Quakers and Health Sciences met this season, and the Falcons won, 40-13. Health Sciences coach Ty Parker has repeatedly said he’ll play anyone in Western New York. His schedule – even in basketball – is a testament to that.
Private schools undoubtedly would like to play locally because it eases their travel and budget. Now that St. Joe’s is on the rise, it’ll be interesting to see if public schools still want to play them. It benefits nobody to miss seeing the top programs in the area compete in football. Each Class AA team had two nonleague games this season, and there are only four Monsignor Martin A teams, meaning they have only three league games to play.
If I could schedule public schools vs. private schools next season my picks would be:
St. Francis vs. Bennett
Canisius vs. Lancaster
Orchard Park vs. St. Joe’s
Bennett vs. St. Joe’s
Lancaster vs. St. Francis
Jamestown vs. Canisius.
And, of course, there’s Health Sciences and McKinley, who seem to be the only Class A teams willing to dabble in such matchups. It’s time for private vs. public to become commonplace.
Random thoughts
I have to give credit to Lancaster – one of my favorite schools to visit for a football game. The look, feel and presentation of each game evoke what most people dream of in a stereotypical high school game: a wall dedicated to past players, a band, a school anthem, player introductions and more. Also, depending on the matchup, the games are so packed that a makeshift fence is needed to block spectators from the field.
I was at West Seneca vs. Clarence last week, and what a performance from Warhawks quarterback Mason Anderson. As great as he and the team were, I also want to give credit to Clarence for a great atmosphere. The star of the evening was a baton twirler who captivated the audience with her precision and accuracy.
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Clevis Murray
Sports Reporter
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