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SECTION IV FOOTBALL: 'STATE TITLE IS HISTORY;' AIELLO'S TIGERS FOCUSED ON 2022 (2022-09-02)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Tioga is coming off its second state title during coach Nick Aiello’s 11-year coaching career, but that, says Aiello, is history. The Tigers are now focused on the 2022 season.

“Honestly, I’m just looking to move forward, and I think these kids are ready for that, too,” said Aiello. “They’re ready to make their own mark, and that’s what I want them to work for.

“I expect this team, just like all our other teams, to put the work in, and put the preparation in; that’s how you win,’ noted Aiello. “I’m just trying to get these kids to understand that, and I think they do.

“I think it’s going to take a couple of games for them to find their own way. “There’s a certain way I expect them to work. They know that, and that’s what they’re doing right now.

“We always say ‘go 1-0 every week.’ I’ve always believed if you keep it that simple, the rest takes care of itself,” he continued.

“There’s no doubt this team has a lot of potential, but potential is something you talk about. Potential doesn’t win games, so you have to go out and do it,” added Aiello. “There’s a way to go about that, and I think these kids are learning that.”

The year after Aiello’s first state title, the Tigers posted the only losing season of his career. He’s not worried about a repeat of that in 2022.

“Judging by the way our kids worked all summer long, it’s not a concern,” said Aiello. “They put in a lot of time, and every time they show up, they are focused, which is definitely nice to see.”

Aiello and his coaching staff have spent the preseason trying to put the puzzle pieces together for the 2022 season.

“We have a lot of talent, and a lot of good football players,” said Aiello. “Trying to find the best combination to put on the field is what we’re working for.

“Our biggest concern right now is trying to find where some guys fit best,” he noted. “We have some guys who don’t have a lot of experience, but they’re showing us some really good things.

“Those guys have to learn the Xs and Os, and learn the schemes and understand how important their jobs are in the scheme,” continued Aiello. “Then, we have guys who were with us last year that we’re moving around to different positions to see where they fit best.

“I think it’s going to take a couple weeks to really get a feel for how kids perform in games, and see where they fit best on both sides of the ball,” he added.

Senior Max Dydynski will anchor the offensive line at center. He hasn’t played football since modified, but Aiello said he has fit in nicely.

“Max (Dydynski) worked with us all summer,” said Aiello. “He already has a feel for the position, he just needs to get some games under his belt.

“He seems really good at adapting,” he added. “Once he gains some experience, he’s smart enough and motivated enough that I think he’ll make the adjustment he needs to.”

Juniors Levi Bellis, and Josh Benjamin-Doyle, sophomore Garrett Godfrey, and junior Emmitt Guiles are working in at right guard, while senior Jack Woodcock, who will serve as back-up center, Bellis, and junior Trent Browne are vying for time at left guard.

Godfrey, junior Cameron Rought, and senior Brad Guiles are working in at right tackle, while sophomore Tate Macauley and Brad Guiles are vying for time at left tackle.

“We’re pretty deep on the offensive line, but we still have some question marks,” said Aiello. “Right now, it’s a matter of finding out who works best at what position; finding out what five have the best chemistry up front, and seeing who gets the job done.

“We’re excited about our depth,” he added. “Honestly, we could have some guys on the sidelines who would start for most other teams.”

The offensive line depth has allowed Aiello to shift junior Karson Sindoni to tight end.

“Karson Sindoni would be the one to keep your eye on,” said Aiello. “We moved him out to tight end … we know he can block, but he’s also a sure-handed receiving threat. He could help us tremendously in the passing game.”

Junior Gavin Fisher will also see time at tight end.

Junior Caden Bellis returns at QB, with sophomore Shea Bailey serving as back-up.

Bellis threw for 1,014 yards and 15 TDs, with just one interception in 2021, and ran for 705 yards and 10 TDs.

Bellis will have 6-4 junior Valentino Rossi (seven receptions, 245 yards, and four TDs) and 6-3 junior Evan Sickler (5-207-2) returning at wide receiver, along with Bailey, and juniors Ben Leary and Gianni Silvestri.

The Tigers will need to replace Class D “Player of the Year” tailback Emmett Wood (2,144 yards and 34 TDs) and fullback Gavin Godfrey (901 yards and 9 TDs), with juniors Drew Macumber (34 carries for 273 yards and two TDs) at tailback, and Ousmane Duncanson (18-196-3) the leading candidates.

Sickler and Duncanson could also see time at tailback, while sophomores Brennan Sindoni and Jonah Lamb vying for time at fullback.

“I think the kids (at running back) are looking to prove themselves, and that’s usually when you get the best out of them,” said Aiello. “I think some kids are excited they’re going to be in the mix, and they’re working hard to prove they can do it.”

Of course, Aiello believes the key to replacing Wood is a more balanced offense.

“I think it’s a matter of using what we have,” he said. “We definitely have some talented guys on the outside.

“With Caden (Bellis) at quarterback, it allows us to do some different things throwing the ball, as well as running the ball,” Aiello noted. “It’s definitely a very dynamic group of athletes. We have a lot of skill sets to be able to spread the ball around, and that’s what we’re going to look to do.

“Balance is always part of the equation, but I really think we have the personnel to be explosive as well,” added Aiello. “We’re trying to create more explosiveness in our offense, but at the same time being able to grind out drives.”

On defense, Macauley, Godfrey, Rought, Austin Babcock, Dydynski, Brad Guiles are vying for time at the defensive tackle spots in the 4-4 defense, while Karson Sindoni, Woodcock, Benjamin-Doyle, Browne, Emmett Guiles vie for time at defensive end. Rought, Macauley, and Godfrey could also see time at defensive end.

“Our defensive line is similar to the offensive line. We’re trying to figure out where people will fit best,” said Aiello.

Macumber, Duncanson, Lamb, and Brennan Sindoni could see the majority of time at linebacker, with Caden Bellis, Rossi, Silvestri, and Levi Bellis possibly working their way into playing time.

“We’re not as deep at linebacker as we were last year, but we really like what we have,” said Aiello.

Sickler and Rossi will start at the cornerback spots with Bailey and Leary also seeing time there.

Caden Bellis and Silvestri will see time at safety.

“I think the strength of our defense will be in the secondary, but we’re strong at linebacker too,” said Aiello.

“I think as the season progresses and kids get use to their position more, I think this defense will get faster.

“I’m looking for our speed and aggressiveness on defense to be our big strength,” he added.

Fisher will handle the kicking and punting chores

“Gavin (Fisher) has a big leg,” said Aiello. “Field position can win big games for you, and he definitely has the leg that can do it for us.”

Bellis and Godfrey will handle the long-snapping chores, while Sickler will hold for PATs and field goals.

A combination of Sickler, Rossi, Duncanson, and Bailey will handle the punt and kickoff returns.

“We stress our return game,” said Aiello “When we catch the ball, we’re trying to gain as many yards as we can, it’s less first downs we have to get.

“I think we have some pretty talented guys back there,” he added. “If we get the blocking in front of them, we could definitely have some big returns.”

AROUND CLASS D IN SECTION IV

“Honestly, I don’t know what to expect,” said Aiello. “This is one of the first season where I really don’t have a feel for what Class D is going to look like at the end of the season.

“I think everyone is in the same boat,” he continued. “When you look at everybody’s rosters from last year, every team (in Class D) lost a bunch of seniors, including us. (Tioga graduated 10.)

“SVEC coming down (to Class D) is a factor,” noted Aiello. “They did really well in the 8-man, we’ll see how that carries over to 11-man.

“And, Walton returns quite a bit from last year, and they were young.

“Again, I don’t know what to expect,” added Aiello.

Tioga opens the 2022 season Saturday at 3 p.m. at Waverly’s Memorial Stadium against Section IX’s Marlboro.

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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga junior Caden Bellis.

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