NEW YORK STATE FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION AWARD HIGHEST CLASS D HONORS TO TIOGA'S AIELLO, WOOD (2020-01-14)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportTIOGA CENTER "” Tioga's Nick Aiello has been named the New York State Class D "Coach of the Year," and sophomore Emmett Wood the Class D "Player of the Year" by the New York State Football Coaches Association.
Aiello directed the Tigers to an 11-1 season, as well as their eight Section IV, Class D title in nine years, and their eighth trip to the state semifinals. Tioga dropped a heart-breaking, 28-27, decision to the eventual champion Clymer-Sherman-Panama in the semis.
For his career, Aiello is 91-22 in his first 10 years on the sidelines. He has a 22-2 record in Section IV playoffs, and is 10-7 in the state playoffs.
Aiello acknowledged the award is even more special coming from his peers.
"I had heard the coaches were going to nominate me," he said. "Usually these award go to state championship teams, and when you look at the other four winners this year that's the case.
"The fact we didn't win it all, but still the coaches wanted to nominate me, and voted for me says a lot.
"I think it pretty special, and I really appreciate the award," Aiello added.
Aiello said the Tigers were a special group in 2019, and fed off a crushing 54-19 loss to CSP in the 2018 semis.
"As coaches, we definitely used that loss as motivation in the offseason," he said. "We looked at that loss and found different ways we thought we needed to get better. And, we put a lot of work in during the offseason.
"And, the kids really stepped it up," noted Aiello. "We had a lot of big shoes to fill, but I thought we had a really good good nucleus returning, especially in the backfield.
"Then, everyone came together and worked tremendously hard in the offseason and the preseason, knowing we had a tough two games right out of the gate (Walton and Newark Valley).
"The kids just kept churning away, and pumping out wins as the season progressed," continued Aiello. "I thought they played some really great football in the playoffs, and they were just a real joy to coach.
"I thought we grew as a program, and a staff," he added. "I think we're where we want to be as a program. It was just a great year to be a part of.
The speedy and powerful Wood put together a workhorse season for the ages.
He rushed for 2,356 yards and 37 TDs on 225 carries - an average of 10.5 yards per carry. Wood also caught two passes for 70 yards, including a 60-yard TD reception, and tacked on nine two-point conversion runs.
In the postseason, Wood rushed for 1,025 yards and 14 TDs in four games.
At linebacker, Wood had two interceptions - returning one for a score, two fumble recoveries, and forced two fumbles. He averaged 5.5 tackles per game, and had 12 tackles-for-loss on the season, including one QB sack.
Wood also returned three kick-offs for scores, which resulted in most teams squib-kicking, giving Tioga's high-powered offense good field position.
Aiello wasn't surprised by Wood's selection as Class D "Player of the Year."
"I think the stats really back it up," said Aiello. "We don't necessarily talk about stats much, and we don't look to pad stats.
"A lot of time in certain games, he didn't get that many carries, but in the big games he carried the load. He did a lot of special things.
"It wasn't just rushing yards," noted Aiello. "He had 37 rushing touchdowns and 42 total touchdowns. He really had himself a year.
"And, he's a kid who never comes off the field," added Aiello. "He returns punts, he returns kicks, and plays linebacker on defense on top of carrying the ball as much as he does in big games."
Aiello says Wood is a "joy to coach."
"I'm real proud of him. He's a tremendous kid.
"I'm seeing him work tremendously hard in wrestling right now, and I know he has plans for the spring," said Aiello.
"You just feel blessed to coach kids like that," he noted. "You feel like it's your job to make them the very best you can, and to get them to keep working hard.
"With him only being a sophomore, the plan is to just get him to keep working hard, and I know he will," Aiello added.
Aiello and his fellow winners - Chenango Forks' David Hogan (Class B), Susquehanna Valley's Mike Ford (Class C), Cornwall's Ryan Baldock), and New Rochelle's Lou DiRenzo (Class AA), as well as Wood's peers - Chenango Forks' Lucas Scott, Sus Valley's Logan Haskell, Cornwall's Amin Woods, and New Rochelle's Jessie Parson III - will be honored later this month at the NYS Football Coaches Association banquet at Turning Stone.
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IN PHOTO: Nick Aiello (left) and Emmett Wood.
