BY TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Tioga's defense of its Class D state title begins tonight with a new face on the sidelines, but a lot of familiar faces in the trenches for the Tigers.
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LAST YEAR: 13-1, Class D state champs. OPENER: Tioga hosts Delhi Friday night.
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Jake Howland, a 2016 Tioga grad and longtime assistant for coach Nick Aiello, is the new man at the helm, but he's not looking to re-invent the wheel.
"I'd like to think I have the same expectations as we've always had," he said.
"I expect us to play Tioga football — fast, physical, smash-mouth power run, tough D, and wear people out.
"We understand it's a four-quarter game, and we pride ourself in being in better shape," noted Howland.
"We understand it's a process, and by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, we anticipate being in better condition physically and game-plan wise," he added.
The Tigers return senior Derek Mills (277 pounds) to anchor the line at center, with seniors James Howey (220 pounds) and Gavin Kithcart (280 pounds) at the guards, and senior Markel Watkins (232 pounds) and junior Mark McCane (287 pounds) at the tackles.
The Tigers are deep in linemen with senior Bailey Rugh (270 pounds), junior Noah Fox (300 pounds), senior Brayden Lounsbury (223 pounds), junior Jason Rifenburg (273 pounds), and a pair of transfers in Ransom Majzer from Ohio, and sophomore Shane Stieler from Buffalo, all vying for time.
"We have two or three guys who could start for anyone," said Howard. "We could also move Kithcart back to tight end, where he played as a sophomore.
"We have a lot of options," added Howland.
Senior Jackson Bombard returns at quarterback to direct the offense with seniors Max Stauder and Shane Platukis, who could also see time at tailback, returning at fullback.
Senior Caden Bradley is slated to start at tailback, with juniors Brendan Clark, Andrew Sherman, and Cam Ross and sophomore Damon Milner all vying for carries.
Freshman Carson LaBour will start at the X-receiver, with sophomore Eli Gage also seeing action there, and Clark starting at Z-receiver.
Sherman and Ross, who Howland refers to as his "Swiss Army knives" could also see time at both receiver spots.
The Tigers graduated the majority of their offensive production in New York State Class D "Player of the Year" Logan Bellis, Dominic Palmer, Kadin Cole, Jayden Duncanson, and Gavin Albrecht.
Howland acknowledges having an experienced line gives him an edge, but says he has more experience returning than people think.
"We've been saying our line is a luxury, and having that line makes things a little easier. We can call what we want, and I know they're going to execute.
"They've all been doing it for years," said Howland. "It's a senior-laden group with Big Mark McCane the only junior. It's a very experienced group.
"Logan Bellis is a big loss, but Caden Bradley got a ton of reps back there and was primarily our shotgun running back, so the position is not brand new to him," noted Howland. "He's look good so far, and is running hard.
"We have Max Stauder at fullback, and he's one of the smartest football players you'll ever meet, especially considering he only started playing a couple of years ago. He's a sponge, and is a good leader.
"Shane Platukis saw a lot of time in the backfield as a sophomore, and last year, too," said Howland.
"It really feels like we hit the ground running with this group," he added. We lost some important guys, but the show goes on. It's just the way small schools work. It's not just us, any moment the next rep could be yours, so the kids have to be ready to go."
Howland said his offense's strength is no surprise — the guys in the trenches.
"Other than the obvious answer of our experienced line, I'd say our strength is our size and strength. We have refrigerators or F-150s up front, whatever you want to call them.
"They've put in so much work ... they never missed a summer lift or workout," said Howland. "I'm really going to lean on their skill set to show the way."
His concern is one that may not come to fruition.
"One thing I'm really proud of is the chemistry and communication I've seen from this group," said Howland. "They hold each other accountable and responsible, but in an unbelievably positive, encouraging way.
"I fear that not being the case one day," he added. "I don't think I really have anything to worry about, but the team chemistry is one our massive strengths, and it would be a shame if that went away."
Defensively, McCane and Kithcart will start at defensive end, with Rugh and Fox backing them up, while Mills and Howey will start at defensive ends with Lounsbury, junior Dexter DiMarco, Stieler, and Majzer backing them up.
Platukis and Stauder will start at the inside linebacker spots with Bradley and senior Elijah Bellis at the outside backers.
Clark will start at safety, with Rought and LaBour at cornerbacks.
Ross and Sherman could see time at linebacker or in the secondary. Bombard will see time situationally in the secondary, with Fisher and Milner also seeing time there.
Howland is excited to watch his defense.
"Our speed is a major strength," he said. "We always say 'slow feet don't eat' ... speed kills in this game.
"Defense is one thing we always show on film so the guys understand how we want to look.
"We pride ourselves on how many blue helmets are at the ball when the ball-carrier is being tackled," noted Howland.
"We emphasize all the buzzwords, gang-tackling, speed, physicality," he added. "We feel at this point that's our identity and we're going to own it."
Again, Howland's biggest concern on defense is something that may never materialize.
"How quick we pick up new schemes is a concern," he said. "We have our base defense, but we like to throw in wrinkles, depending on the game plan, and depending on the team.
"So far it's been very good, but as we go along understanding the game plan is very important.
"It's something we'll keep an eye on, but I'm not all that worried about it at this point," added Howland.
As far as special teams go, Bombard will handle the punting, and extra point / field goal chores, and Kithcart will handle kick-offs.
Sherman will be the long-snapper with Lounsbury and Kithcart able to step in if needed.
LaBour and Clark will be the return men.
AROUND SECTION IV, DIVISION VII
Tioga is in Division VII with Groton, Newark Valley, Schuyler, SVEC, and Trumansburg.
"Our division it tough," said Howland.
"Coach Dyson at Groton really coaches his kids up well. They have a heck of a skill-group coming through, and they'll be fired up.
"Newark Valley always plays us tough for as long as I can remember as a player and a coach. Their coaches always coach them up well.
"SVEC lost a couple studs, but I know they have some good kids behind them. They always circle us on their calendar.
"Trumansburg was tough last year. I was happy to see what they did, especially coming back from 8-man. Their defense gave us fits, and their offense could strike from anywhere.
"And (Schuyler), we haven't played them since 2021, and that was a dogfight — one of the closes games that three-peat team played in those three years," added Howland. "They're back in D after playing in C. They are definitely a team to keep an eye on."
AROUND SECTION IV, CLASS D
Division VI, which includes Delhi, B-G, D-H, Greene-Oxford, Sidney, and Walton, rounds out Class D. The top eight from the two divisions advance to the Class D playoffs.
"Delhi is always a fun game for us," said Howland. "They are so well-coached. They're offense is tough to handle, and their defense is always tough to block with the different schemes they run.
"Deposit-Hancock always puts up a dog fight, and Sidney will try to spread us out, so we'll need to be ready.
"I've heard a lot of good things about Walton, which is a great program that we will always respect," added Howland.
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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Jackson Bombard. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.
