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 serve as voters via private ballot, with the winner being honored at the Dick Gallagher banquet on 12/14.
AIRED 12/14/24 AT WNY FOOTBALL BANQUET
2023 - ZAC BOYES / CORTLAND (Kenmore West)
2022 - SHAUN DOLAC / BUFFALO (West Seneca East)
ALFRED (SJCI) – SO WR
65 REC, 1020 YDS, 15.7 AVG, 8 TD
24 RUSH, 237 YDS, 9.9 AVG, TD
Was named First Team All-Empire 8 as both a WR and return specialist. Led WNY Collegiate in receiving yards and also served as a threat on the ground, averaging 9.9 yards per carry. Had a 95-yard kick return for a TD vs. Catholic and averaged 31.1 yards per return on the season. Led Empire 8 in receiving yards and tied for league lead in regular season receptions.
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MERCYHURST (CSP) – GS WR
71 REC, 913 YDS, 12.9 AVG, 13 TD
Made a smooth transition from D-II to FCS football, being named First Team All-NEC WR while leading WNY Collegiate in both receiving yards and touchdowns. Led NEC in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Had six multi TD games. Has entered the transfer portal and already received multiple FBS offers.
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ALFRED (St. Mary's) – SO DB
26 SOLO, 22 AST, 48 TOT, 3.0 TFL, 0.5 SACK, FF, 2 FR, 2 INT
One of only two WNY Collegiate players to register a statistic in every major defensive category. Tied for team lead in interceptions, pass breakups and fumble recoveries.
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CORTLAND (Kenmore West) – SR QB
185 COMP, 269 ATT, 68.8%, 2637 YDS, 26 TD, INT; 93 RUSH, 542 YDS, 5.8 AVG, 6 TD
A year after leading Cortland to their first national title, Boyes was named both Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year and First Team QB for the second consecutive season. Named AFCA First Team All-America QB. Led Empire 8 in passing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns while throwing only one interception. Added over 500 yards and six TDs on the ground, good for second on the WNY Collegiate list, and poised to take over the passing lead in his next playoff game. Just 283 yards and one touchdown short of 10,000 and 100 for his career, respectively. Has the Red Dragons poised for another deep playoff run.
FOR MORE ON ZAC:
CCSU (St. Francis) – JR DB
59 SOLO, 50 AST, 109 TOT, 3.0 TFL, 0.5 SACK, FR
The NEC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team DB helped return the Blue Devils to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 with his outstanding play. Recorded over 100 total tackles, led NEC in solo tackles and averaged 9.1 stops per game. Had five games of double-digit tackles, including a season-high 18 at Massachusetts.
FOR MORE ON KIMAL:
BUFFALO (West Seneca East) - GS LB
76 SOLO, 83 AST, 159 TOT, 16.5 TFL, 5.5 SACK, 5 INT
The Burlsworth Trophy finalist - awarded to the nation's best former walk-on - led WNY Collegiate in tackles. A Butkus Award semifinalist, is also leading the FBS in total tackles. Named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MAC LB, he had eleven games of double-digit tackles, including a season-high 19 at Northern Illinois, for the 8-4 bowl-bound Bulls.
FOR MORE ON SHAUN:
BROCKPORT (Orchard Park) - SO QB
157 COMP, 258 ATT, 60.9%, 2090 YDS, 19 TD, 9 INT
The Orchard Park product shined in his second season as a starter, throwing for over 2000 yards and adding 19 touchdown passes. For his efforts, was named Third Team All-Empire 8 QB.
FOR MORE ON BEN:
BUFFALO STATE (Jamestown) – JR LB
48 SOLO, 30 AST, 78 TOT, 17.0 TFL, 4.5 SACK, FF, INT
First Team All-Liberty League performer led WNY Collegiate in regular season TFL. Had three games with double-digit tackles and a season-high 4.5 TFL in the win vs. Hilbert.
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BROCKPORT (West Seneca West) – GS DB
34 SOLO, 23 AST, 57 TOT, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 SACK, FF, FR, 3 INT
First Team All-Empire 8 DB was one of two WNY Collegiate performers to record a statistic in every major defensive category. Finished career on a high note vs. Rochester with 9 TOT, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 SACK, and a FF.
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FORDHAM (St. Francis) – SR DL
34 SOLO, 26 AST, 60 TOT, 16.5 TFL, 2.0 SACK, FF
A bright spot for the disappointing 2-10 Rams, Jaworski was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and First Team DL. Led Patriot League in TFL.
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BALDWIN WALLACE (SJCI) – SR WR
46 REC, 462 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 4 TD
Senior WR had his best collegiate campaign, being named Honorable Mention All-OAC while leading the Yellow Jackets in receptions. Had 6 REC, 100 YDS & 2 TD in the win at Wilmington.
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ST. LAWRENCE (St. Francis) – FR DL
17 SOLO, 22 AST, 39 TOT, 10.5 TFL, 4.0 SACK, FF
Newcomer turned in an excellent freshman campaign, delivering double-digit TFL. Ended season on a high note vs. Buffalo State with 12 TOT, 5.0 TFL, 3.5 SACK, FF performance.
FOR MORE ON ETHAN:
PITTSBURGH (St. Francis) – SO LB
19 SOLO, 9 AST, 28 TOT, 11.5 TFL, 6.0 SACK, FF
Against top level FBS competition, the St. Francis alum had double-digit TFL and 5.0 SACK. Had a 6 TOT, 3.5 TFL, 3.0 SACK performance vs. California.
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BROCKPORT (West Seneca West) – SO RB
223 RUSH, 1510 YDS, 6.8 AVG, 19 TD
19 REC, 101 YDS, 5.3 AVG, TD
Stony Brook transfer was named First Team All-Empire 8 and led conference in rushing yards. Added 19 TDs on the ground to help power the Brockport attack. Had seven 100+ yard outings, eight multi-TD games and a season-high 259 yards rushing at Utica.
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EASTERN MICHIGAN (Southwestern) – GS QB
240 COMP, 403 ATT, 59.6%, 2684 YDS, 15 TD, 9 INT
136 RUSH, 323 YDS, 1.5 AVG, 5 TD
The only WNY alum to throw a pass at the FBS level this season, the former Rutgers and Buffalo signal caller arrived in Ypsilanti and was named captain by his new teammates. Threw for over 2,500 yards on the season and almost 8,000 in his career. Had two 300 yard games, including a season-high 351 vs. Buffalo.
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AIRED 12/16/23 AT WNY FOOTBALL BANQUET