East Rochester/Gananda football aims for another magical season: Top players, schedule
No doubt, East Rochester/Gananda's 2021 season was a magical one.
Former coach Brian Touranjoe's retired and key players graduated, but with stars like All-Greater Rochester receiver Manny Sepulveda returning, first-year coach Tim Rose expects to compete for the title again.
"I've been telling the guys, our goal is to win the block again," said Rose, who coached special teams in the fall 2021 season. "They've been coming together. It's open this year. We've put things together. We've got a shot."
Sepulveda is one of the area's best returning receivers, but he's also a threat to score at defensive back and returning kicks and punts. Oh, he's also a triple jump state champion. He's receiving college interest from football and track programs.
"I expect big things from Manny. … He's tough to stop," Rose said.
The opposite sideline will feature Miles Caveness, a junior WR/DB who proved worthy as a 1-2 punch alongside Sepulveda. With QB Brayden Dohse taking over the reigns, Rose expects the attention Sepulveda receives to open the offense up for players like RB/LB Mike Daniels, RB Caleb Carpenter and RB/LB Cadearrell Sneed.
OL Jordan Richards (6-0, 175), a three-year starter at left tackle, is a "big piece" to the offense. Linemen Jack McCarthy, Britton Delmadoros and Erik Wisnowski will be in rotation alongside TE/S Jeremy Blanchard. Freshman C Nate Tandle was the team's top weight room performer this offseason. OL Sam Morgante is working hard to return from an ACL.
Here's what to know about the 2022 season:
Head coach: Tim Rose (first year)
Classification: Class C
Last season: 12-1
Last Section V Championship: Fall 2021
East Rochester/Gananda Bombers football schedule for 2022
Week 1: Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Vertus, 7 p.m.
Week 2: Friday, Sept. 9 at Attica, 7 p.m.
Week 3: Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Geneseo (at Gananda).
Week 4: Saturday, Sept. 24 at Lyons/Sodus, 7 p.m.
Week 5: Friday, Sept. 30 vs. Waterloo, 7 p.m.
Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. Midlakes (at Hobart), 6 p.m.
Week 7: Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Penn Yan, 7 p.m.
Week 8: Friday, Oct. 21 at Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Marquee matchups for East Rochester/Gananda
Rose has high hopes, but he's not looking ahead.
East Rochester/Gananda opens against a Vertus program making its Section V varsity debut. The unfamiliarity could cause trouble. The Bombers visit Attica and Lyons/Sodus in September. Rose's team is also excited to play Geneseo in Gananda.
'Right now our kids are focused on Vertus. We're not looking past that. We're taking it one game at a time," Rose said.
East Rochester/Gananda's top returning players
WR/DB Manny Sepulveda, WR/DB Miles Caveness, QB Brayden Dohse, RB/LB Mike Daniels, RB/LB Cadearrell Sneed, RB Caleb Carpenter, LT Jordan Richards, OL Jack McCarthy, C Nate Tandle, OL Britton Delmadoros, OL Erik Wisnowski, TE/S Jeremy Blanchard.
A look back
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: East Rochester/Gananda football: 2022 Schedule, top players for Bombers
