Fredonia Football Prepares for 2024 With Focus on Fundamentals
As we charge through the second half of 2023, the Fredonia Hillbillies football team is already back on the field, dusting off any cobwebs and gearing up for the 2024 season. The dedication, discipline, and determination of these athletes can’t be understated, especially with the weight of high expectations firmly on their shoulders. After all, last year they made it all the way to the Class B2 championship game before falling to the high-powered Salamanca Warriors 42-26, a game that left the team fuelled with a desire for redemption.
Assistant coach Alberto Reyes summarized what Fredonia’s off-season work looks like: “It’s about getting back to the basics, especially when you’ve had a season like the one we just did.” While there’s certainly no shortage of football talent out there on the team, Reyes emphasized the importance of returning to training with attention to detail—blocking, passing, running, tackling. After a season filled with emotional highs and a few rough lows, the coaches are making sure those fundamentals—those tight skills that make up the building blocks of great football—are sharpened to perfection.
Key Players of the Hillbillies
One clear standout among the players ready to make a difference is quarterback Nick Whitfield. Coming off a season where he threw nearly 2,000 yards, Whitfield’s offensive leadership will be crucial to the Hillbillies. His connection with wide receiver Jameson Quinn, who snagged 36 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns last season, isn’t just on the field—it’s a bond that shows during training, too.
“Nick and Jameson have something special,” said Reyes. “It’s chemistry. It’s trust. That’s tough to replicate on any team. They really challenge each other to do better, and the numbers speak for themselves.” Their ability to connect and interpret each other’s moves will be a huge determining factor come the 2024 season as Fredonia looks to build on its passing game, which led the division just a year ago.
Looking to the Future
If one thing’s clear, it’s this: Fredonia needs to replicate the intensity it brought onto the field last season. With Salamanca looming as the Class B2 powerhouse, Fredonia’s road to glory will have its share of bumps and blocks. Returning to work—and returning early—is the basis for any ambitions this talented team has.
- The Hillbillies finished the 2023 season with a 7-3 overall record.
- Fredonia’s offense averaged just under 30 points per game.
- Quarterback Nick Whitfield threw for over 1,900 yards last season.
Of course, there’s still room for improvement. One of the challenges Fredonia hopes to address this season is its defense. With the ability to light up the scoreboard not in question, their undoing last year came when facing stronger defenses—especially in that championship loss to Salamanca, where they couldn’t hold their opponents despite holding a lead at halftime. It’s something that defensive coordinator Josh Benson acknowledged post-game. “When you lose focus for even a split second at this level, good teams will tear you apart, and that’s exactly what Salamanca did in the second half.”
The Coaching Puzzle
When it comes down to success or failure, a lot rests on the coaching behind the scenes. Fredonia currently has three core members on the coaching staff: Alberto Reyes, Josh Benson, and legendary head coach Rich Miller. Each brings something unique to the table and a passion for crafting a champions’ mindset.
“You need a team of people who all row in the same direction,” said Miller, who saw his 3rd season in charge last year. “Our goal is simple: to build good men, who play great football.” But behind those humbling words stands a system that’s been pushing these young athletes hard. It isn’t a question of talent; it’s about discipline and skill alignment. “We need to ensure we give our best every single play of every single game.”
The Challenge Ahead: Facing Elite Competitors
With Salamanca remaining as one of Class B2’s elite programs, Fredonia will need more than sharp mental focus to overcome tough competition. While their offense, led by Whitfield and Quinn, remains a potent force, there are a handful of things that need tightening for the Hillbillies to contend with other powerhouse programs.
One uncertainty remains in the running game, which was inconsistent throughout the previous season. The Hillbillies recently graduated top-running back Marcus Hall, who had racked up close to 1,200 yards over his high school career. Finding his replacement in the backfield adds to the team’s set of critical questions going into the start of the season.
Another variable to consider is player fatigue and injury management. With the 2024 season promising tougher physical matchups (including a gritty game scheduled against Allegany-Limestone), Fredonia will have to overcome more than just the tactical challenges on the field.
Fredonia’s Playoff Dreams: Can They Do It?
Championship aspirations are alive and well at Fredonia. After falling agonizingly short last season, the desire to go one step further and bring home the title this year fuels the entire roster. The Hillbillies know that they will likely meet Salamanca again, and this time they want to flip the script.
However, Coach Miller isn’t fixating on revenge games. “That’s not what great teams do,” he said. “You don’t prepare just to beat one team. You prepare to be the best version of yourself, no matter the opponent.” It’s mindsets like these which have turned Fredonia into a formidable team over the years.
With key players like Whitfield, Quinn, and linebacker Lucas Callahan returning for another season, coupled with new talent moving up from JV, Fredonia has the tools in place for a deep playoff run. It’s just a matter of how well they can execute when it matters most.
Strong Season Opener Sets the Pace
If you asked any player on Fredonia’s roster, they’d likely point to their season opener against Lackawanna as the first true test of their prowess and preparation. Set under Friday night lights, the home game is already circled on the calendar. Last season, Fredonia blew past Lackawanna at 35-14 and aims to set a similar statement early on this time around.
And there’s good reason to be optimistic. The upcoming 2024 season won’t be an easy one—there’s heavy competition waiting in the wings—but Fredonia has the determination, focus, and productive offseason practices necessary to be competitive. When asked about the season opener, senior linebacker Lucas Callahan showed the team’s trademark humility, “It’s just one game. We have to take it week by week.”
Season Highlights to Watch
Though each new season brings its own highs and lows, here are a few highlights Fredonia fans won’t want to miss:
- Rivalry Game Against Southwestern: This annual showdown always delivers fireworks. Fredonia clinched a dramatic 21-20 win against them last year and this season looks to be another classic.
- Salamanca Rematch: The likely playoff rematch everyone’s gunning for. Fredonia gets their next shot at Salamanca in late October, and most are expecting the game to have playoff implications.
- Senior Night: A fitting tribute and a moment to send off the players who’ve bled in the blue and gold. Always a sentimental night at Fredonia field.
Parting Thoughts
As the Hillbillies prepare for another season, their goals are clear: get better at what they do and stay laser-focused. With plenty of talent and an unshakeable sense of purpose, this Fredonia team looks geared up for one heck of a ride. But with tougher competition and unexpected obstacles waiting in the wings, there’s only one thing we know for certain: Nothing comes easy in Class B2 football.
For Fredonia, it’s “back to work” in the best, hardest, and most rewarding way possible.
Originally Written by: OBSERVER Staff Report
