Representing the Genesee County Spartans on the Northeastern Football Alliance semipro all-star team for the 2025 season are, front from left, Jzhon Henderson and Cody Wenner; back, Corey Turpin, Deyonci Farley, Ty Woods, Logan Pike and Ryley Elliott. Marley English also was selected but was not in attendance. Photos by Mike Pettinella/Genesee County Spartans.
By Mike Pettinella
Genesee County Spartans
The Genesee County Spartans capped their third year as a semipro football organization on Saturday night by honoring league all-stars, team leaders and volunteers at a banquet at TF Brown’s Restaurant in Batavia.
The team, which played in the Northeastern Football Alliance this season, also announced that Jermaine Henderson, an All-Greater Rochester running back during his playing days at Batavia High School, will take over as head coach.
Key officials of the Spartans’ organization are, from left, Harry Rascoe, head of football operations who served as head coach for the past three seasons; Tammy Hathaway, team president, and Jermaine Henderson, who will be the head coach next season.
Henderson is replacing Harry Rascoe, who is stepping down but will stay on as an offensive coach and head of football operations.
The Spartans finished with a 3-6 record this season, losing in the NFA playoff semifinals to the Buffalo Stampede, 20-6.
Henderson, 37, who received a full scholarship to the University of Maine after his exploits at Batavia High, said he is excited to move into the head coaching slot after serving as a defensive line coach and offensive assistant the past couple years.
“I’m just looking to be a sounding board and someone that will instill a little more structure, a little bit of togetherness as a unit with the team,” he said. “And I think with that togetherness and having a specific standard, I think that we can be a good role model for the community but also do really good on the field. So, I’m hoping to bring all that together.”
After college, Henderson moved to Massachusetts, where he lived for 13 years.
“I decided to come back home more recently,” said Henderson, who still owns a business in that state – serving individuals diagnosed with autism in that state – and also serves as an executive director for an adult day care program in Tonawanda and for a peer mentor program.
Coaches returning to assist Henderson next season are Toast Malone, offensive coordinator; Craig Tiberio, defensive coordinator; Mason Randall, offensive line; and Rascoe. The team is looking for additional coaches on the defensive side of the ball.
The team recognized this year’s sponsors – Iron Reps Gym, TF Brown’s, Wescott Auto Care, Arby’s, The Local Barbershop, GO Art! and WBTA.
Spartans’ top offensive players this season are, from left, Toast Malone, co-MVP; Deyonci Farley, wide receiver; Aaron Treleaven, most improved lineman; Julia Petry, special teams; Baylee Vercruysse, lineman of the year; Logan Pike, co-MVP; Aiden Pitts, most improved player.
Spartans’ top defensive players this season are, from left, Jayden Osborne, most improved lineman; Jalen White, lineman of the year; Cody Wenner, defensive back of the year; Ryley Elliott, MVP. Jaysen Wylie was selected as most improved defensive back and Marley English was named linebacker of the year.
Keith Neureuter, left, and Tim King, accepting for his brother, Alex Merica, are congratulated by Robert Thurston Sr. upon receiving the RT1 Award for their performance and sportsmanship in honor of Thurston, a Batavia High School Athletic Hall of Famer and instrumental figure in the foundation of semipro football in this area.
Jzhon Henderson, left, is congratulated by his father, Jermaine Henderson, for winning the team’s Iron Man Award, given in recognition of a player’s versatility and toughness.
Volunteers and players who assisted in valuable ways off the field this season are, from left, Mari Higgins, Toast Malone, Raina Bowen, Tammy Hathaway, Kayla King and Nick Mitchell