Williamsville Bullets Pigskin Preview

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW TEAM CAPSULE

Williamsville Bullets

COACH:  Aaron Kunz (97-34, 13th season at Williamsville)

2014 RECORD:  13-1 (8-0 Sangamo)

POSTSEASON:  Lost to Wilmington 20-17 in 3A State Championship

TOP RETURNEES:  QB Vince Vignali (590 yds receiving, 4 TD’s in 2014), RB Jace Franklin (859 yds rushing, 16 TD’s in 2014), LB M.J. Haire (47 tackles, 4 INT in 2014), WR Matt Watson (5’11, 165), TE Harrison Creswell (6’5, 200)

BIG LOSSES:  Luke Bleyer, Alec Daykin, Riley Perrine, Nick Cox, Mitch Whitley, Daniel Daykin, Robert Lawley, Kyle Kent

WHAT THE BULLETS DO WELL:  This is a team coming off a state runner-up finish in 3A.  It’s also a team that lost a bunch of quality seniors, but the beat goes on in Bullet country.  “Our run game is very exciting," Kunz says.  “It’s a very important aspect of our success."  Junior Jace Franklin is the key cog in the backfield, but new quarterback Vince Vignali has plenty of speed himself.  “Vince is learning as we go, but he’s making huge strides throwing the football," Kunz states.  “I’d like to say we’re going to be as balanced as last year, but were still excited about what we can do."  

WILLIAMSVILLE QUESTION MARKS:  The Bullets have to replace five offensive linemen and their front six on defense.  “We’re playing a lot of first year guys," Kunz continues.  “We’ve got guys facing varsity football adversity for the first time.  How we overcome that will be big."  Kunz thinks this year’s schedule could make the learning curve much faster too.  “It’s going to be tough.  We start with Auburn and then it’s Breese Mater Dei.  That’s a sold start to the schedule.  There’s not much time to go through growing pains."

WORTH NOTING:  Williamsville has won 42 straight regular season games and 41 straight Sangamo conference tilts.  The last time a Bullets team tasted defeated prior to November was back in week 3 of the 2010 season vs. Auburn.  Williamsville also lost a pair of skill players in Avante and Dante Cox.  The brothers transferred to Rochester this summer.  “They were good players for us," Kunz says.  “We have to move on."   

COACH KUNZ SAYS:  “I’ve been really pleased with our kids since the day after Thanksgiving," Kunz glows.  “There’s no way these kids want to let down our community or our school.  They want to keep the tradition of Bullet football running strong.  The goals haven’t changed.  We’re still trying to win a state championship."