Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen Football 2017 Season Preview – Raiders on a roll as they begin Week 1

Posted By on Aug 28, 2017 | 0 comments


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Monday, August 28, 2017 | BataviasBest.org

 

 

The second season of Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen Football is upon us, and the Raiders’ 2017 outlook is one full of promise. A growing group, with several talented players on both sides of the ball, look for this team to turn some heads this year.

 

 

Season Outlook

The Raiders will begin their 2017 campaign as my #2 ranked team out of the 10 which encompass my coverage area. This team possesses great size along the line of scrimmage, and in the backfield, and will be a tough matchup for each team on their regular season schedule.

Returning starter at QB AJ Maye could be due for a big season.

Beginning the year with Bath on Friday night, C-M/B-B will be tested right out of the gate. However, as they move past the Rams, their schedule begins to lighten up – especially when you compare it to 2016.

With the landscape of their Division changing this season, the Raiders have found their slate absent of Livonia and Hornell – which were two extremely tough, almost impossible matchups for this team last year. Instead, the remainder of the Raiders’ schedule is filled with winnable matchups against LetSaw, Le Roy, Dansville, Oakfield/Elba, Wayland-Cohocton, and Avon – which should provide them with a really good chance at a resurgent season.

One major question mark for the Raiders, however, is the backfield. Although they have a returning starter under center who possess supreme athleticism, the remainder of the C-M/B-B attack seems to be built on brawn, and will have to prove they can outrun people this year. This may be a nitpick, though.

In the end, I expect the Raiders to have a chance to win the Class C Championship.

 

 

 

Key Matchups

Week 1 – Bath/Haverling

Bath will likely be the toughest team on the Raiders’ schedule this season, and facing that challenge right out of the gate will not be easy.

Week 3 – Le Roy

Le Roy gave Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen all that they could handle last season, but the Raiders managed to walk away with an overtime victory over the Knights. I expect this will be another great game this year.

Week 7 – Avon

Avon is historically very strong and should provide the Raiders with another strong challenge to finish the regular season.

Key Players

Clayton Garrett (OL/DL)

Clayton is a returning starter on both sides of the ball and is entering his third season on the varsity squad. Hi size and strength rivals that of any lineman within his team’s division, and will serve as a strong anchor for the offensive and defensive line.

Ian Lenhardt (OL/DL)

Lenhardt is also a three-year varsity player, and will provide C-M/B-B with added leadership along the interior.

AJ Maye (QB)

Maye possesses incredible athleticism and with an improving ability to pass the football, could turn himself into a true dual-threat by season’s end.

Paul McDermott (OL/DL)

Paul is another strong asset in the trenches for C-M/B-B.

Lucas Stuccio (SE/CB)

Lucas will provide the Raiders with added athleticism along the outside on both offense and defense.

Coach’s Quote

“Our goal is to win the Section V Class C Championship,” remarked Raiders’ head coach Billy Donegan last week. “We have challenged ourselves to put forth the effort it takes to improve. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as representatives of our respective communities.”

“The road to the Class C Championship goes through Bath,” he continued. “They defeated us handily twice last year. We have our work cut out for us but welcome the opportunity.”

 

 

 

Tune in Friday night for updates from Cal-Mum HS, where the Raiders will be hosting the Bath Rams on Opening Night.

 

 

Other articles you may like:

Batavia’s Best 2017 High School Football Preseason Power Rankings – Who’s #1?

High School Football Scrimmage Day 2017 – PHOTO GALLERY (08/26/2017)

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