This first of its kind award honors a WNY high school alum that has excelled at the collegiate level during the past season. An anonymous panel of passionate local observers with ties to the game served as voters via private ballot, with the winner being honored at the Dick Gallagher banquet on 12/16.
BUFFALO (Lancaster) – GS LB
55 SOLO, 35 AST, 90 TOT, 12.0 TFL, 1.5 SACKS, FF
The bruising 3X FCS all-league LB returned home and excelled in the middle for the Bulls (3-9). Had double-digit tackles at Akron and vs. Eastern Michigan.
CORTLAND (Kenmore West) – JR QB
271 COMP, 375 ATT, 72.3%, 4020 YDS, 44 TD, 5 INT; 144 RUSH, 774 YDS, 5.2 AVG, 8 TD
Led Cortland to their first-ever D-III national championship with a sterling performance in the title game. WNY Collegiate leader in passing yards and TDs. Named Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year as well as First Team QB, Boyes was also a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which honors the D-III Player of the Year.
STONEHILL (SJCI) – SR DB
36 SOLO, 29 AST, 65 TOT, 3 FF
Was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week for his seven tackle, two forced fumble performance in the win at CCSU. Had a season high 10 tackles in the win at Sacred Heart.
ALFRED STATE (St. Francis) – SR DB
50 SOLO, 26 AST, 76 TOT, 2.5 TFL, FF, FR, 3 INT
Recorded double-digit tackles at Olivet and at Mount Union. Tied for WNY Collegiate lead in INT. Member of first Alfred State team to win a conference title and play in the D-III playoffs. Was named ECAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week vs. Anna Maria.
ST. JOHN FISHER (Starpoint) - SR QB
141 COMP, 233 ATT, 60.5%, 1665 YDS, 16 TD; 72 RUSH, 258 YDS, 3.6 AVG, 3 TD
Named Second Team All-Empire 8, Chase finished the season ranked fourth in passing yards on the WNY Collegiate list after his second season as a starter for the Cardinals (5-5).
CCSU (St. Francis) – SO DB
53 SOLO, 36 AST, 89 TOT, 3.0 TFL, FF, 3 INT
First Team All-NEC performer had four double-digit tackle games, with a season high 15 at Saint Francis (PA). Tied for the WNY Collegiate lead in INT and finished fifth in tackles.
MORRISVILLE (Wilson) - SR QB
133 COMP, 233 ATT, 57.1%, 1633 YDS, 13 TD, 10 INT; 14 RUSH, 318 YDS, 2.2 AVG, 7 TD
Named Third Team All-Empire 8 as well as Sportsman of the Year by the conference. Had a season high 119 yards rushing in the win at Moravian.
ALFRED STATE (Grand Island) – SO QB
152 COMP, 254 ATT, 59.8%, 1857 YDS, 19 TD, 5 INT
Horvath continued to improve on his promising freshman campaign, leading the Pioneers to their first league title and NCAA D-III playoff appearance. Threw for 315 YDS & 3 TD at Olivet. Finished third in WNY Collegiate passing yards on the season. Named Second Team All-ECAC QB.
FORDHAM (St. Francis) – JR DL
27 SOLO, 17 AST, 44 TOT, 13.5 TFL, 9.0 SACK, 3 FF
A force on the defensive line for the Rams, Jaworski led WNY Collegiate in both TFL and sacks this season. Was named First Team All-Patriot League DL.
ALBANY (Williamsville North) – SR LB
91 SOLO, 68 AST, 159 TOT, 8.5 TFL, 3.0 SACK, FF, 2 FR, 2 INT
The CAA Defensive Player of the Year had an outstanding season, leading WNY Collegiate in tackles while putting up big TFL numbers. His FR and INT numbers were both top five in the area. Was named First Team All-CAA LB. Led the Great Danes to an FCS final four appearance.
ITHACA (SJCI) – SR WR
47 REC, 651 YDS, 13.9 AVG, 4 TD
Named First Team All-Liberty League WR, the physical and acrobatic route runner made numerous highlight reel grabs throughout the season. The Bombers (9-3) made the NCAA D-III playoffs as Kline finished the season ranked second in WNY Collegiate for both receiving and receiving yards.
ALFRED (EAST AURORA) – JR LB
42 SOLO, 43 AST, 85 TOT, 9.5 TFL, 1.0 SACK, 2 FF, 2 INT
One of the leading tacklers in WNY, put up strong numbers across the board for the Saxons (4-6). Was named Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week for his 6 TOT, 2.5 TFL, 1.0 SACK, INT performance in the win at Juniata.
STONEHILL (SJCI) – SR LB
43 SOLO, 27 AST, 70 TOT, 9.0 TFL, 3.0 SACK, 2 INT
Named First Team All-NEC. Top Five on the WNY Collegiate leaderboard in TFL, sacks and INT. Was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week for his ten tackle, INT performance at Merrimack.
FINDLAY (Pioneer) – SR TE
59 REC, 739 YDS, 12.5 AVG, 8 TD
Former Connolly Cup winner had another outstanding season at the D-II level, putting up strong numbers for the Oilers (7-4). Named First Team All-GMAC as well as Offensive Player of the Year by the conference. Led WNY Collegiate in receptions and receiving yards. Was called "one of the best to ever wear the Orange & Black" by Findlay HC Kory Allen.
BUFFALO (Southwestern) – SR QB
203 COMP, 372 ATT, 54.6%, 2109 YDS, 13 TD, 9 INT
The only WNY alum to throw a pass at the FBS level this season, Snyder was one of two MAC QBs to throw for over 5,000 yards during the last two campaigns. With an offensive squad that suffered from a lack of playmakers and an inexperienced staff featuring a first time OC at the FBS level, Snyder still managed to surpass 2,000 yards through the air for the Bulls (3-9).