A Preseason Look into the 2023 Williamsville Bullets Football Team.
By: Nathan Simko
Williamsville Wire
Bullet Offense Led by Josh Cates Against Jacksonville in a "7 on 7" on Tuesday, July 11th.
The 2023 Williamsville Bullets football team is coming off a 12-2 year, that resulted in a 2nd place finish in the 3a IHSA State Playoffs.
Defense- The Bullets were led in the playoffs by an elite defense that held their first 4 playoff opponents to 21 points or less. One of the biggest factors in the Bullets' defense in the playoffs was their ability to get pressure on the quarterback. The Bullets had 29 sacks last year, which is 16 above the NFHS season average (MaxPreps). Sam McCoy was responsible for 12, and the following players had multiple according to MaxPreps: Stephen Rexroad(4), John Layman(4), Josh Cates(3), and Colin Burge(3). The game that sacks made all the difference in, was the State semi-final game vs. Tolono Unity, where the Bullets had 5 sacks in crucial situations.
Offense- The Bullets' Offense last year was no slouch either. Led by All-State quarterback Jake Seman, who threw for 2,685 yards. He also broke the all-time Williamsville record for completions, which he had 207 last year alone. The Bullets rushed for 2,760 yards, 1,295 yards above the NFHS average (MaxPreps). In the playoffs, the Bullet offense found struggles, especially in the tight games against Eureka and Tolono Unity, who had great defensive strategies. The Bullets were able to eke out in both games with just 30 points combined.
What they lost- Just like any year, the Bullets lost key players on both sides of the ball. Including an All-State quarterback, and two receivers who had over 700 yards a piece and 22 TDs combined. On defense, the Bullets lost five seniors who had over 50 tackles, and two of them had over 100 tackles last year. Perhaps their biggest losses came on the offensive and defensive line, where they lost 5 total lineman.
Coach Aaron Kunz Talking to the Williamsville Bullets Football Team After a "7 on 7" With Jacksonville.
The 2023 Williamsville Bullets Numbers.
The Bullets have 8 seniors this year, and all of them will have a significant impact on the success of the team. Of the 8 seniors, 6 of them started last year and for three of them: Brayden Johnson(DL) Colin Burge(LB), and Josh Cates(FS/QB),this will be their third year starting. The Bullets have 14 Juniors coming back for the 2023 season, and 3 of them were starters last year, all 3 were on the o-line. Corbin Stewart got hurt in week 5 vs. Athens last year, and will miss a chunk of this year as well. The exact time of return is still uncertain. Several more juniors will get significant playing time and some will likely start at various positions.
The Role of "Two-Way Players" in years past.
For years Williamsville had big enough classes to mostly avoid having to play guys on Offense and Defense like most smaller schools are forced to do. However, there are several instances over the past years where guys played both ways, including in the 2019 State Championship, when quarterback Conor McCormick was put in as a linebacker in the final defensive stand to win the school's first state title. However each year, there is usually one or two guys at the maximum to do it, and usually it's not every series. Maroa-Forsyth is an example of a school that succeeds by playing guys both ways. Coach Josh Jostes said in 2022 that he would put his Trojans up against anyone. Jostes and his Trojans ended up defeating Williamsville in a classic at Paul Jenkins Field and made it to the 2a State semi-final.
Williamsville Head Football Coach Aaron Kunz Watching a Play Last Year Against Athens.
The Role of "Two-Way Players" this year.
Unlike the previous years, Williamsville is likely to play several guys both ways. The players that are most likely to are Carson Beattie, Carson Kohler, Colin Burge, Josh Cates, and Braylon Singer. Last year, Braylon Singer and Colin Burge played defense, while coming in for "heavy set" run plays on offense. Although they did play some on both offense and defense last year, their role will likely be much greater this year. Josh Cates, who played defense last year, could be a very key player on offense this year. Josh Cates is in an apparent battle for the starting quarterback role with last year's backup and JV quarterback Kaden Matson(Jr). QB might be the biggest question mark coming into the 2023 season, but it's still too early to tell who will fill this crucial roll. All of the presumptive "two-way players" will be starting for at least their second year, so Williamsville will rely heavily upon this group of players. These guys will be on the field longer than anyone, so these are the players you expect to be leaders. These "two-way players" will also be alongside each other for almost every snap, which you could argue will build a stronger bond. In a year that could be unconventional for Williamsville football, the leadership could be as strong as ever.
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