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Broome County Team's with Roger Neel and "Coach" Smith · Cover IV Podcast

• 0:26
  SPEAKER_01: Joining us today in the Cover 4 podcast studio is Roger Neal, a six-time Hall of Fame inductee and the sports voice of the Southern Tier.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_01: Roger is one of our football analysts.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_01: Today, Roger and I will share our insights and preview the Broome County teams for the upcoming season.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_01: Welcome, Roger.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: And thank you, Tim.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Let's take a look at some of the standout schools and schools competing around our area here in this new football season.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Let's take a look first of all at the Class A level, the Bengalton Patriots.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: They're under third-year coach Vaughn Labor.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Their head coach, well, he has some winning experience.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: Certainly, he was part of the program back when they won their last section championship back in 2016.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: So he's been around a while.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: He's been a head coach and, of course, on their football staff overall for 11 years.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: What he said in the preseason comments was the main goal, consistency.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: Over the course of recent years, they've just made too many mistakes, be it offensive mistakes, defensive mistakes, or just omitting things, assignments, whatever that they couldn't capitalize on and fumbling the ball away or whatever.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: So he said that was the big thing.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: He said he's got some good athletes.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is to be competitive each and every time out.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now he was on the coaches.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: We said uh coaching on the staff of their last Section 4 championship, but that goes back to 2016.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: They had a rough start to the season as they fell opening day to Shenango Valley.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't happen often when CB is able to beat an 18, but that happened 15-8 was the final score.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: So they're still searching for a win, and they've had now 11 consecutive losses.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: On the bright side, certainly, is that he's got some tremendous athletes.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: One of them is Jaden Chin, a two-way player.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: He's got great energy and he's a leader, and that's the key as he brings it, whether it's on offense or defense.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: And he said also he needs players like senior Joseph Miles, also Jameer Glover, Nash White and Company, to be able to lead the way and take leadership of the team.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: So he is set to roll.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: They will be an action matching up this weekend as they take on horseheads.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: And again, that'll be coming up uh in action at uh alumni stadium.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: Also, let's take a look at the JC Wildcats.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Johnson City.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Their head coach is Jay uh TJ Sir Keys' second season.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: They had a huge game to open up the campaign.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: They blew out Henniger, usually a tough squad, but not against the Wildcats.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: 48-6, and Johnson City won that one on the road.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: Quarterback battle, quite a duel in training camp between Keegan and also Aiden Rhody.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: Last year they finished one and seven, so they obviously want to improve dramatically on that.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: Key running back, Singer Camille Robinson, tremendous, and also Vanessa Morales.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Coach Key says he's looking for improvement in two key areas.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: Overall, eliminating mistakes, and secondly, eliminating penalties that time after time has caused them lots of issues, certainly stalling drives offensively.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: His players have worked hard, positive participation in drills and conditioning.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: He's ready to have a successful season.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: And again, they had a successful opening game win.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere, what about Susquehanna Valley in Class C competition?
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Coach Mike Ford is back.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: He's been the head coach there since 2013.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Big win for them, a high scoring affair.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: They beat Watkins Glenn Odessa Montur.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: Final score 42 to 33.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Many returners.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: He said they lost just four seniors.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: And they've got some tremendous talent.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: Matter of fact, in that opening victory, Sam Miller and also uh Maverick Aiden both gained 100 yards on the ground.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: Key at quarterback, junior Nolan Weed.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: He's a junior, but a lot of experience.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: Third year as a starter for Susquehanna Valley.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: Also, senior running back, wide receiver, and defensive back Sam Miller, again, who had that big 100-yard game in the opener.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: He is certainly a key both sides of the ball.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: What about the line?
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: Well, Coach Ford says maybe the biggest line that he's ever had in coaching at Susquehanna Valley.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: And offensively and defensively, they are huge.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: Matter of fact, Trey Parker, 6'2, 275.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: He finished third in New York State in the heavyweight wrestling championships as a sophomore.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: Plenty of beef up front on the offensive line.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: Brody Davis, a key there, three-year starter.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Another big one, 6'4 and 255.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: They'll be hosting Charles Dickerson on Saturday at Susquehanna Valley.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere, Maine and Well in action.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: The Spartans and they got off to a big start.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: 47-33 victory over Webster Thomas in their first game of the year.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: Now, uncharacteristically, last year, most teams, if they went five and four, would be happy.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: Not at Maine and Well.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: The standard is the standard they have set for themselves.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: Perennial winners.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: Last year they made it to the postseason, but they lost in the Section 4 playoffs, following to a we go.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: Expectations, well, Coach Matt Gallagher says they're very high.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: They want to return to form.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: Returning to form for them means a championship in section four and on into the state playoffs.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: Running the football, he said they've got a group of seven or eight guys.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: If you watched them in the past, they have a lot of very talented running backs that bring them in and out.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: Doesn't seem like they lose much.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: They've got a big McKee in Max Polakier.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: Policare was a fourth team All-State selection last year.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: Certainly he'll be relied upon again in the backfield.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: And a linebacking standout, Marco Conrad, first team All-State last year, already has committed to play at Colgate University.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_00: What a matchup coming up this weekend.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: They are home against Waverly in what well could be a playoff preview.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: Shenango Valley, young team.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: And how about this?
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: They did go on to beat the Patriots opening day, so they're off to the good start.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: They have a new coach, and we'll tell you a little more about him in a moment.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: Sophomore quarterback Joe Flynn never played quarterback before, but he played very well in the opening day and throughout training camp.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: Starting backfield, young sophomores up front.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: Griff Weathers and also Cooper Smith, both over 270.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_00: They're expected to go both ways.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: Guards on offense and defensive tackles on defense.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_00: That is going to be a tough tandem to try to control on either side of the ball.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now, Spenango Valley will be at Deposit Hancock on Friday.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: New coach Matt Davis, his first year as head coach there.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_00: Last three years coached at Deposit Hancock.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_00: And in 2024 and 25, he took his team to back-to-back playoff appearances, racking up a 15-5 slate in that span.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: Matt Davis, if that name sounds familiar, you must have been a Vesto Golden Bear fan.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: He was a record-setting running back for the Golden Bears.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_00: And at 2026, inductee into the Section 4 Athletics Hall of Fame.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: He's a leader, he's a winner, and it looks like they could be in for an excellent season under his first year coaching.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: Tim, that's a look at some of the area teams we key in on right here.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: And now back to you.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_01: Great job, Roger.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_01: Really appreciate it.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_01: Very thorough as usual.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_01: And you didn't get the moniker as the sports voice of the Southern Tier for nothing.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_01: So good glad to have you on the team as a one of our football analysts on a cover four podcast.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_01: Great to have you in the studio today.
• 8:03
  SPEAKER_01: Appreciate that.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_01: And you take care of yourself, and uh hopefully we'll be hearing things from you in the future.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_01: Appreciate it.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_01: Now, I will share my insight and preview the remaining five Broome County teams.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_01: I'll begin with the Vestal Golden Bears, led by head coach Jake Spalick.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_01: Vestal returns a very experienced group of student athletes in the ball handling positions, led by four captains: quarterback Josh Queller, running back linebacker Caden Kitchen, wide receiver-defensive back Gavin Brady, and wide receiver-defensive back Jake Stica.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_01: Also returning are Captain Seth Carlton, who will be counted on heavily along with the offensive and defensive lines, and Grayson Burns at tight end and defensive back.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_01: The Golden Bears consider themselves a very cerebral football team.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_01: They may not be the biggest team up front, but they believe their football IQ, preparation, and versatility will allow them to attack opponents in a variety of ways on both sides of the ball.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_01: At quarterback, Josh Queller is a three-year starter, and Bestel will put a lot on his shoulders to make decisions and get the offense into favorable situations.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_01: Defensively, Caden Kitchen is another three-year starter and a player the coaching staff believes has an exceptional ability to read and react.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_01: His instincts, physicality, and leadership will be a major part of the Golden Bears defense.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_01: One of the biggest questions will be the offensive and defensive lines, where Vesta will be much younger than in recent seasons.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_01: Seth Carlton is the only returning starter up front, but the coaching staff has been impressed with how quickly that young group has developed during camp.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_01: And they're and then there's the athleticism on the outside with Gavin Brady, Jake Stica, and Grayson Burns.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_01: They all made big plays last season, and Vestel's looking for them to create some opportunities for those players to use their speed and athleticism and space.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_01: The Golden Bears are emphasizing team over individual statistics.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_01: With plenty of players capable of contributing offensively, Vestel believes everyone has to embrace their role and do their job and be willing to sacrifice for the team.
• 10:26
  SPEAKER_01: Finally, if the Young Lions develop quickly and Vestel can consistently get the ball into the hands of experienced playmakers, the Golden Bears have the ingredients to be a very interesting team to watch this season.
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_01: Now onto the Unionicot Tigers, led by longtime coach Tommy Bellino.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_01: Unionicot enters the 2026 season with something every coach loves to have, and that's experience.
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_01: The Tigers have 43 student athletes on their roster, and 27 of them are seniors.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_01: That's about 10 more than they typically have.
• 11:02
  SPEAKER_01: And it means that a large number of those are returning players, including several returning starters.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_01: That experience is spread across the team, including the offensive line, defense, and several ball handling positions.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_01: Uniticott will certainly miss some of the talented players who graduated from the 2025 team, including some outstanding leaders and role models.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_01: But the hope is that those players help prepare this year's seniors to step into those leadership roles.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_01: The Tigers also are also excited about their younger players who will be asked to step up and fill some of the gaps on offense, defense, and special teams.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_01: Another positive for Unendicott has been the commitment shown during the off-season.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_01: The coaching staff was impressed with the team's dedication in the weight room and on the turf.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_01: Something they believe reflects strong leadership and players who are fully bought into the program.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_01: So with a veteran roster, returning starters throughout the lineup, and emerging young players and a strong off-season commitment, the Union Kite enters the 2026 season with plenty of reason for optimism.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_01: The big question though now is how is that experience translate when the Tigers take the field?
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_01: Now for the Whitney Point Golden Eagles.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_01: Whitney Point enters the 2026 season, determined to put last year's disappointment behind them.
• 12:30
  SPEAKER_01: Head coach Michael Hakes, now in his 15th year as head coach, and his fifth year of his second stint at Whitney Point.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_01: He felt the team should have won more games last season.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_01: That frustration has fueled the offseason with the Golden Eagles putting in strong commitment in the weight room and vowing to be better in 2026.
• 12:51
  SPEAKER_01: Whitney Point returned several key student athletes, starting with senior offensive and defensive lineman Owen Brink.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_01: Brink will be counted on to help anchor a talented but relatively young group up front.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_01: Junior running back Jason Davis is also back after leading the team in rushing as a sophomore.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_01: He is described as a tough, solid runner with surprising speed.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_01: Senior wide receiver and defensive back Caden Mosier is a three-year varsity player who brings quickness, versatility, and good hands to the team.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_01: Senior running back and defensive end Lawson Henderson, another three-year starter, brings plenty of experience and physicality.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_01: At six foot two and two hundred and ten pounds, he will be an important two-way player for the Golden Eagles.
• 13:40
  unknown: Okay.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_01: And keep an eye on Junior Landon Spoonhauer, a defensive end and wide receiver who may be Whitney Point's most complete two-way football player.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: His length and athleticism could make him a difference maker on both sides of the ball.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_01: The focus for Whitney Point is simple.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_01: Take it one week at a time, stay focused, and be physical.
• 14:05
  SPEAKER_01: And in section four, Class C football, Coach Hakes says there is a simple reality.
• 14:12
  SPEAKER_01: There are no weeks off between now and November.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_01: Whitney Point is hoping that renewed focus and physicality will turn last year's frustration into a much better 2026 season.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_01: Now for the Windsor Black Knights preview.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_01: They are led by longtime coach Tim Hogan.
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_01: They enter the 2026 season coming off a Class C semifinal appearance.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_01: Now for the Windsor Black Knights, led by longtime coach Tim Hogan.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_01: The Black Knights enter 2026 coming off a Class C semifinal appearance, and they return a good portion of that team.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_01: Leading the way is senior Mason Colgan, a third-team All-Stinebacker last season, who returns at inside linebacker and tailback.
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_01: Graham Klump is back for his second season at quarterback and will also see some time in the defensive backfield.
• 15:13
  SPEAKER_01: Windsor also returns plenty of experience up front and at the ball handling positions.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_01: Some of those student athletes are Anthony Weaver, Braden Moran, Max Moran, Regan, Pengburn, Evan Waddell, and Patrick Finn are among the returning student athletes who will be counted on to contribute on both sides of the ball.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_01: The Black Knights also have several newcomers and younger student athletes ready to step into larger roles, particularly in the backfield and along the line.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_01: That depth could become important as the season progresses.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_01: One thing Coach Hogan likes about this Windsor team is the makeup of the roster.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_01: Most of the players are two or three sport student athletes, and he believes they are a group that works well together and continues to improve every day.
• 16:07
  SPEAKER_01: The schedule will certainly test them.
• 16:10
  SPEAKER_01: Windsor opens a season on the road against Skinny Atlas, a perennial competitive program in Section 3.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_01: They then face Walton and Delhi, followed by the heart of their Class C schedule.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_01: Norwich, Whitney Point, Susquehanna Valley, and Shenango Forks.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_01: Of those teams, Whitney Point, Susquehanna Valley, and Shenango Forks are all division games.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_01: The Black Knights finish with Ithaca and Johnson City, two programs Windsor has faced before in competitive games.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_01: But despite looking at the entire schedule, Windsor's approach is very much one week at a time.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_01: And now with my final preview, that'll be the Chenango Forks Blue Devils, led by longtime coach Dave Hogan.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_01: Shenangle Forks enters the 2026 season, coming off an appearance in the New York State finals.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_01: But this year's team will look different.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_01: The Blue Devils lost a tremendous amount of production, including Tate Bender, who finished his career with more than 3,700 all-purpose yards, along with three key starters up front.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_01: Still, Shenango Forks returns several student athletes who gained valuable experience during that state finalist run.
• 17:33
  SPEAKER_01: Senior Brady Murphy is a four-year starter at center and defensive end and will provide leadership on both sides of the ball.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_01: Senior quarterback and strong safety, Sam Paskey, returns after throwing for more than 700 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, while adding another 675 yards rushing.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_01: And junior fullback and strong safety, Bryson Fry, is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, rushing for 1,437 yards and 27 touchdowns.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_01: Junior Evan Truesdale will move inside on the offensive line after the loss of three starters, while senior Connor Dunnegan returns at receiver, receiver, and defensive back after contributing 229 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season.
• 18:24
  SPEAKER_01: The Blue Devils also have several talented young student athletes stepping up, including student athletes who were part of last year's JV team.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_01: The coaching staff has been encouraged by their work and their improvement throughout the preseason.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_01: Up front, however, there are some questions.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_01: ShenangoFs will be smaller and have less depth than in recent seasons.
• 18:47
  SPEAKER_01: But Coach Hogan says the group has worked extremely hard and continues to improve every day.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_01: And while the roster may be changing, the philosophy has not.
• 18:58
  SPEAKER_01: ShenangoFs believes in developing young men first and football players second.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_01: The program's expectations remain the same.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_01: Work hard, take care of each other, compete, and represent the school and community the right way.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_01: That commitment to community will be especially visible this season.
• 19:20
  SPEAKER_01: On September 11th, the Blue Devils were honored at their 2014 and 2015 New York State Championship teams during the home opener against the Tioga Tigers.
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_01: Then on October 9th, against Oneana, the program will hold a special game dedicated to the Special Olympics, an idea that actually came from the senior class.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_01: For Shango Forks, those events represent something bigger than football.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_01: They are opportunities to honor the program's history, give back to the community, and teach the student athletes that being part of the Blue Devils program is about more than what happens on Friday nights.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_01: There are certainly big shoes to fill and plenty of questions to answer, particularly up front.
• 20:10
  SPEAKER_01: But with experienced players returning, talented young student athletes emerging, and a culture that has been established over many seasons, Shenango Forks is ready to find out what this new group can become.
• 20:25
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• 20:29
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• 20:34
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• 20:38
  SPEAKER_01: In football and life, it's not where we line up.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you for listening to the Cover 4 podcast.