Press release
The Genesee County Spartans open their Northeastern Football Alliance regular season on Saturday afternoon with “the most talented roster we’ve ever had,” according to Head Coach Harry Rascoe.
The 41-player semipro team travels to Pierce Field at Mulroy Park (Tifft Street and South Park) in South Buffalo to take on the Buffalo Stampede in a AA Division clash. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
Rascoe and his coaching staff were impressed with the team’s performance earlier this month in a scrimmage game against the Charlotte Colonials.
“We beat them 28-0 with running back Kareem Pryor rushing for more than 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns,” Rascoe said. “Both he and our other running back, Will Lamar, are great downhill runners, really smart players.”
Corey Turpin won the starting quarterback job for the second straight season, Rascoe said, adding that the offense will be getting a huge boost by Aiden Pitts (Buffalo State College) moving out to wide receiver.
Pitts will be joining star wideout Deyonci Farley and tight end Logan Pike as formidable targets for Turpin.
The starting offensive line consists of tackles Timothy King and Baylee Vercruysse, guards Aaron Treleaven and Thomas Richmond and center Alex Merica. Julie Petry is returning as kicker.
On defensive, end Gunner Rapone, linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzhon Henderson and Takhi West (Hilbert University) lead the way.
Rascoe’s coaching staff includes Mason Randall, offensive and defensive line coach; Jermaine Henderson, offensive assistant; Craig Tiberio, defensive coordinator, and Powell Stephens, defensive assistant and special teams coordinator. Rascoe also serves as offensive coordinator.
Lauren Donovan is the team’s marketing director, Mariana Higgins is the field administrator, and Raina Bowen is media assistant.
The Spartans’ opponents include what Rascoe calls “three of the top teams in the country” – Lockport Wildcats (NFA defending champions), Upstate Predators and Southern Tier Stallions.
“We’re right there with them,” Rascoe said. “If we can stay healthy – right now we’re battling a few injuries – we are shaping up to be the most talented team we’ve ever had in Spartans’ history. If we stay healthy, I feel we will be in contention for the AA championship.”
Another highlight of the schedule is the June 7th home game against Watertown Red & Black at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia. The other home games will be played at Pembroke Town Park.
“We are super excited to play at Van Detta Stadium. Hopefully, we pack the stands. All the kids. We want everyone to come out and watch. And we’re thankful that Batavia High School has given us the opportunity to use the field.”
The team’s schedule is as follows (game times to be determined):
May 31 – at Buffalo Stampede, 5 p.m.
June 7 – Watertown Red & Black (Van Detta Stadium, Batavia), 7 p.m.
June 14 – at Ithaca Warriors, 5 p.m.
June 21 – Upstate Predators (Pembroke Town Park), 5 p.m.
June 28 – at Lockport Wildcats (Outwater Park), 7 p.m.
July 12 – Southern Tier Stallions (Pembroke Town Park), 5 p.m.
July 19 – Lake Erie Power Pines (Pembroke Town Park), 5 p.m.
Aug. 2 – TBA.
Genesee Spartans’ roster (uniform number, name, position):
0 Gunner Rapone DE
1 Jzhon Henderson DB
2 Alex Rood LB
3 Jzon Richardson WR
4 Kareem Pryor RB
5 Deyonci Farley WR
6 Nick Santos WR
7 Brandon Robinson LB
8 Ryley Elliott DL
9 Marley English LB
10 Corey Turpin QB
11 Malkolm Taylor LB/DB
13 Ben McMindes WR
14 Aiden Pitts WR
16 Martin Krayna LB
17 Takhi West FS
18 Devan Flanagan WR
19 Jalen White DL
20 Will Lamar RB
21 Delonta Curry LB
22 Cody Wenner DB
23 Caleb Cudzillo DB
24 Eric Snell LB
25 Dontre Woods DB
26 Emmanuel Fisher RB
27 Jaysen Wylie DB
28 Keith Neureuter DB
32 Jayden Osborne LB/DL
33 Robert Thurston Jr. TE
40 Julia Petry K
51 Mekhi Rivera LB/DL
54 Nick Mitchell DL
55 Aaron Treleaven G
60 Thomas Richmond G
61 Alex Merica C
70 Timothy King T
78 Baylee Vercruysse T
80 Tai Reffell WR
89 Logan Pike TE
97 Jack Fox-Salah DL
99 Franklon Rice DL