VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S BELLIS NAMED 'FOOTBALL PLAYER OF YEAR;' WAVERLY'S TOMASSO, BEEMAN, HILLS, VanHOUTEN, AND TIOGA'S DUNCANSON, AIELLO ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2022-12-05)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Junior Caden Bellis was a leader on both sides of the ball, leading Tioga to its second straight New York State Class D title, and earning the 2022 Valley Sports Report "Football Player of the Year” honors.

Waverly junior Joey Tomasso is the “Offensive Player of the Year,” while Tioga junior Ousmane Duncanson and Waverly senior Ty Beeman share the “Defensive Player of the Year” honors, Waverly sophomore Kam Hills is the “Lineman of the Year,” and Waverly junior Jake VanHouten is “Newcomer of the Year.”

And, Tioga’s Nick Aiello is the Valley Sports Report "Football Coach of the Year.”

Bellis, a dangerous dual-threat QB, has directed Tioga to 26 straight wins, and two state titles.

This season, Bellis completed 65.3 percent (81 of 123) of his passes for a school-record 1,512 yards and a school-record 24 TDs, with just three interceptions and a QB rating of 134.3.

He ran the ball 95 times for 780 yards (8.2 yards per carry), and 10 TDs. He also ran for four two-point conversions, and threw for three more.

Defensively, Bellis led the Tigers with 166 tackles (9.7 per game) on the season, including 18 (six solo stops) in the state championship game. He also had 18 tackles, including nine solo stops, in the state semi-final win over Randolph.

Bellis had five tackles-for-loss on the season, along with one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.

Tomasso, who this season became the career leader in passing yardage at Waverly, set a single-season record with 2,245 passing yards. He completed 63.4 percent (156 of 246) of his passes, with 24 TD, and six interceptions for a QB rating of 115.3.

Tomasso also led the Wolverines with 794 rushing yard and 14 TDs on 97 carries (8.2 yards per carry).

A fast and explosive linebacker, Duncanson had 116 tackles this season, including 58 solo stops and 13.5 tackles-for-losses.

Duncanson also had 6.5 QB sacks, one interception, a fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles.

Beeman, who was the “Lineman of the Year” as a junior, shifted to linebacker this season, and made an even bigger impact for the Wolverine defense.

Beeman led the area with 159 tackles, including 37 solo stops, in 10 games. He also had one sack, and one interception.

Hills led a Waverly offensive line that paved the way to 176.4 yards per game on the ground, and kept Tomasso’s jersey clean for the vast majority of the Wolverine pass attempts.

Defensively, Hills often drew double-teams, but still managed 74 tackles, including 13 solo stops, and had one fumble recovery.

VanHouten, a 6-4 junior, made an impact on both sides of the ball for the Wolverines.

Offensively, VanHouten had 34 receptions for 473 yards, and three TDs in 11 games.

On defense, VanHouten had 38 tackles, including 15 solo stops, from his defensive back position. He also had a team-high three interceptions.

Aiello directed the Tigers to their 10th Section IV, Class D title in the last 11 seasons, and the program’s third state title since 2015.

Aiello is 122-23 for his career, with a 26-2 record in the Section IV playoffs, and a 16-7 mark in the state playoffs.

2022 ALL-VALLEY FOOTBALL SUPER 7
Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Joey Tomasso, junior, Waverly: See above.

Ousmane Duncanson, junior, Tioga: A force on defense (see above), Duncanson was a dynamic presence on the offense as well.

A tremendous lead blocker at fullback, Duncanson rushed for 872 yards and 16 TDs on just 71 carries — 12.3 yards per carry. He also had three catches for 25 yards,, and one TD.

Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly: The catalyst of the Waverly defense (see above), Beeman anchored the Wolverines’ offensive line as one of the best centers in the region.

Caleb Nichols, senior, Athens: Nichols was an all-purpose threat on offense, and a force at linebacker for the Wildcats, where he had 73 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

Offensively, Nichols rushed for 636 yards, and 10 TDs on 135 carries, and also caught 19 passes for 288 yards, and two TDs.

Evan Sickler, junior, Tioga: Sickler was a threat to score, whether he was on offense, special teams, or defense.

Offensively, Sickler had 22 receptions for 343 yards, and five TDs, and five carries for 109 yards, and two TDs. On special teams, he had a season-best 87-yard kick return, and several punt returns of more than 30 yards.

Defensively, Sickler was a beast in run support from the defensive backfield. He had 50 tackles, including 23 solo stops, to go along with seven interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Kam Hills, sophomore, Waverly: See above.

2022 ALL-VALLEY FOOTBALL TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Joey Tomasso, junior, Waverly: See above

Honorable Mention:
Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Mason Lister, senior, Athens: Lister completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,872 yards, and 18 TDs, with nine interceptions. He also ran for two TDs, and caught a 19-yard TD pass.

Running Backs
Drew Macumber, junior, Tioga: Macumber improved as the season progressed. He ran for 1,279 yards, and 25 TDs on 144 carries (8.9 yards per carry). He also caught two passes for 54 yards.

Ousmane Duncanson, junior, Tioga: See above.

Caleb Nichols, senior, Athens: See above.

All-Purpose
Jay Pipher, junior, Waverly: Dynamic with the ball in his hands, Pipher tied the Waverly school record with 55 receptions for a school-record 1,039 yards, and 11 TDs. He also rushed the ball for 299 yards and five TDs on just 24 carries (12.5 yards per carry).

Wide Receivers
Lucas Horton, senior, Athens: A dangerous deep threat at 6-4 with good speed and good hands, Horton had 48 catches for 665 yards, and nine TDs on the season. He also completed 2 of 3 passes for 56 yards, and one TD.

Valentino Rossi, junior, TIoga: Six-foot, 4-inches with good hands and sprinter’s speed, Rossi established himself as a premier deep threat this season. He had 25 receptions for 679 yards and 10 TDs. He also carried the ball 12 times for 147 yards, and one TD.

Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: See above.

Honorable Mention: Evan Sickler, junior, Tioga; Xavier Watson, sophomore, Athens, Isaiah Bretz, senior, Waverly, and Matt Machmer, senior, Athens:

Tight End
Karson Sindoni, junior, Tioga: A tremendous blocker, Sindoni is also a sure-handed receiver. He had 17 catches for 258 yards and five TDs.

Honorable Mention: Nate DeLill, senior, Waverly.

Offensive Line
Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly;
Tate Macauley, sophomore, Tioga;
Kam Hills, sophomore, Waverly;
Cam Rought, junior, Tioga;
Josh Nittinger, junior, Athens

Honorable Mention: Jake Benjamin, junior, Waverly; Austin Malanoski, senior, Athens.

Place Kicker
Ryan Clark, senior, Waverly: Always a factor in the field-position battle with his strong leg on kickoffs, Clark made 53 of 58 extra-point kicks, and made 2 of 5 field-goal attempts, including a 29-yarder.

Honorable Mention: Gavin Fisher, junior, Tioga: Fisher was nearly automatic late in the season, including a 9-for-9 effort in the championship game. On the season, he made 73 of 85 extra-point attempts.

DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Kam Hills, sophomore, Waverly: See above.

Karson Sindoni, junior, Tioga: Sindoni had 47 tackles, including 17 solo stops, on the season. He also had 2.5 tackles-for-losses, 4.5 QB sacks, a forced fumble, and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery in the state championship game.

Glenn Romberger, senior, Athens: A handful to block, Romberger had 75 tackles, four forced fumbles, and a pass break-up. He also blocked two punts, and returned one of his blocks for a TD.

Troy Beeman, freshman, Waverly: Beeman got better and better as the season progressed.  Had had 53 tackles, including eight solo stops, one QB sack, and one fumble recovery.

Garrett Godfrey, sophomore, Tioga: Godfrey, who did a good job occupying defensive linemen, which allowed the linebackers to make plays, had 40 tackles on the season, including nine solo stops.

Honorable Mention: Jake Benjamin, junior, Waverly; and Josh Nittinger, junior, Athens.

Linebackers
Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly: See above.

Ousmane Duncanson, junior, Tioga: See above.

Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Josh Martin, junior, Athens: Martin had a nose for the ball, leading Athens in tackles with 123 and interceptions with three. He also had three fumble recoveries, and two pass break-ups.

Honorable Mention: Connor Stotler, senior, Waverly; Brandon Jennings, senior, Athens; Isaiah Bretz, senior, Waverly; and Drew Macumber, junior, Tioga.

Defensive Backs
Evan Sickler, junior, Tioga: See above.

Valentino Rossi, junior, Tioga: Strong in coverage and good on run support, Rossi had 42 tackles, including 26 solo stops. He also had one interception.

Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: See above.

Matt Machmer, senior, Athens: Machmer was strong in run support, finishing fourth on the Wildcats with 74 tackles. He also had three interceptions, three pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Honorable Mention: Jay Pipher, junior, Waverly; and Carter George, junior, Waverly.

Punter
Lucas Horton, senior, Athens: Horton punted the ball 34 times this season for an average of 30.7 yards, including a long of 53 yards.

Super 7 Newcomers of 2022
Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: See above.

Trent Browne, junior, Tioga: A big hitter on special teams, Browne was unblockable at times on the defensive line. He finished the season with 60 tackles, including 20 solo stops, and two tackles-for-losses. He had one QB sack, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He could be a major factor for the Tiger D in 2023.

Carter George, junior, Waverly: Long and athletic, George made an impact on both sides of the ball in his first year for the Wolverines.

Offensively, George had 20 receptions for 272 yards, and three TDs in nine games. Defensively, he had 29 tackles, including nine solo stops.

Max Dydynski, senior, TIoga: Dydynski, who hadn’t played football since 8th-grade, earned the starting job at center in the preseason, and anchored an offensive line that paced the way for 379 yards in total offense per game, including 272.5 yards per game on the ground.

Shea Bailey, sophomore, Tioga: A good all-around athlete, Bailey made his presence felt on defense, and showed glimpses of his potential on offense.

Bailey had 28 tackles, including 14 solo stops, and two interceptions. Offensively, he completed both passes he threw for 37 yards, and ran 10 times for 57 yards, and one TD.

Cooper Robinson, freshman, Athens: A hard-nosed player, Robinson registered 42 tackles and five pass break-ups in his first varsity season. Offensively, he ran the ball 20 times for 62 yards, and one TD. He should be a much bigger factor for the Wildcats in 2023.

Brennan Sindoni, sophomore, Tioga: A heady player, Sindoni made an impact on both sides of the ball for the Tigers in his first varsity season.

Defensively, Sindoni had 53 tackles, including 20 solo stops, two QB sacks, and one tackle-for-loss. On offense, he carried the ball 26 times for 168 yards, and three TDs.

Players to Watch in 2023
Derek Mills, 8th-grader, Tioga: A physical and fiery competitor, Mills could slide into a starting spot on the offensive line as a freshman, and see more time on the defensive line as well.

Matthias Welles, 8th-grader, Waverly: Welles saw regular action at defensive end for the Wolverines as an 8th-grader, registering 36 tackles, including seven solo stops. He could slide into the starting spot at tight end on offense.

Jonah Lamb, sophomore, Tioga: A physical player, Lamb saw action in all three facets of the game. He had 34 tackles, including 15 solo stops, one tackle-for-loss, and one-half QB sack. Offensively, Lamb had 46 yards and one TD on 11 carries.

Logan Bellis, freshman, Tioga: An under-sized back, Bellis showed toughness and elusiveness carrying the ball. He had 200 yards, and three TDs on 20 carries.

Hogan Shaw, freshman, Waverly: Long and athletic, Shaw could slide into the wide receiver rotation for the Wolverines next year.

Payton Fravel, sophomore, Waverly: With the Wolverines graduating all their backs this season, Fravel, who had 50 yards and two TDs on seven carries this season on just sweeps, could end up the main ball carrier in 2023.

Bryce Laforest, 8th-grader, Waverly: Another option in the backfield for Waverly could be Laforest, who had 83 yards on 22 carries late in games this season.

J.T. Williams, sophomore, Waverly: There will be a couple of openings on the offensive and defensive lines next year for the Wolverines, and Williams showed enough this season to be the favorite to see time on both sides of the ball next year.