Cayuga Health Simmons-RockwellTioga State Bank Dandy Mini Marts Valley Sports ReportGUTHRIE SPORTS MED Gannon Associates Williams Auto GroupI-R FCU




Knolles.gifcoachesPizza.jpgWSC.jpgSmithBrothers.jpgBodineMotor.jpgBX.jpg
MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: SAYRE'S GORMAN LOOKS AHEAD TO 2020: 'CUPBOARD DEFINITELY NOT BARE' (2019-11-12)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE - Sayre graduates eight starters, including six two-way starters, but coach Kevin Gorman said the "˜cupboard is definitely not bare' as he looks ahead to the 2020 season.

"Obviously, the senior class led by Isaiah (Firestine), Ethan (Miller), Corbin (Brown), Zach (Watkins) and Pat Casterline are going to be tough kids to replace," said Gorman. "They've been with us for two years, and really understood what we're trying to do, and they were good leaders.

"I think we'll have some nice pieces back though," noted Gorman. "We have younger kids who probably would have played quite a bit, or possibly started if we hadn't had the seniors we had.

"I think in our JV ranks, we have some freshmen and sophomores and even a few juniors that played JVs to get some reps because we were a senior-laden team in the secondary and receivers, who could come up an replace the guys who are graduating," he added.

Gorman believes the Redskins are set at quarterback with junior-to-be Brayden Horton, and are in "good shape" on the offensive line.

Brayden Horton completed 48.6 percent (102 of 210) of his passes for 1,622 yards and 19 TDs, while being intercepted 13 times. He also rushed for 426 yards and 12 TDs on 87 carries.

"Brayden (Horton) still has some things to work on," said Gorman, "but he's only going to get better."

Up front, the Redskins return Zach Belles, Jordan Goodrich, Nick Polzella, Donovan Wynn, Ethan Ray, Cayden Firestine, and Gavin Rucker.

"On the offensive line, we return everyone but Jared Giggee," said Gorman. "Ethan Ray and Gavin Rucker both stepped up during the season to fill in for injuries, and we have some younger guys I expect big things from."

The Redskins will need to replace 1,000-yard rusher Isaiah Firestine (1,088 yards and 14 TDs), as well as its top three receivers in Corbin Brown (29 receptions, 438 yards, and five TDs), Ethan Miller (28-447-6), and Zach Watkins (18-274-2).

"In the backfield, it will be tough to replace a 1,000-yard rusher like Isaiah (Firestine), who was just  tough kid and a hard runner, but I think Jake Bennett, David Northrup and Zack Garrity can do a nice job," said Gorman. "We'll take the production from those three to replace Isaiah."

Bennett was third on the team with 168 rushing yards and one TD, and Northrup had 72 yards and one TD on 10 carries.

"Losing those three wide receivers hurts, too," said Gorman. "All three had the ability to take it to the house."

Sophomore-to-be Lucas Horton, who had 10 catches for 244 yards and three TDs, is the leading returning receiver. After that, Northrup had three catches for 53 yards and one TD.

Defensively, many of the aforementioned linemen will see time on the defensive line, while Northrup, Bennett, and Elmer Stevens will return at linebacker. Lucas Horton is the only returning starter in the secondary.

"Defensively, we're in good shape up front," said Gorman, "but we lose Isaiah (Firestine) at linebacker, nearly our entire secondary, and Pat Casterline, who played outside linebacker and safety."

Lucas Horton will return to punt, and Nic Bentley will be back to kick.

Gorman said he has a strong core of young players, who should improve with more playing time next year.

"I expect big things from Luke (Horton), Zack (Garrity), Jake (Bennett), David (Northrup) and some of the younger guys next year with a year of experience under their belts.

"The cupboard is definitely not bare, but we need to get our younger guys oriented to varsity snaps and varsity football rather quickly," he added. "If they don't get use to it quickly, it could be a rough start to the season, but I think once they get it going, I think we'll have another good season."

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Sayre coach Kevin Gorman.

You've asked about helping ...
here's your chance. Click HERE