Seniors on the Lancaster High School football team will look to lead a repeat trip to the Class AA Finals in 2010. Seniors pictured in the photo from left to right are: Travis Pitzonka, Jeremiah Luderman, Austin Bauer, Nate Stamborski, Geoffrey Franger, Andrew Speyer and Kyle Taylor. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com Len Jankiewicz still cannot explain what happened to his team at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Nov. 7 of last year. Jankiewicz’s Lancaster Redskins came into the Class AA title game that day against North Tonawanda with an undefeated, 9-0, record and expectations of a trip to the state playoffs.

The Redskins came away from Ralph Wilson Stadium that evening with a humbling, 54-7, loss to the Lumberjacks, the eventual state champions. Lancaster should have no shame in losing to an opponent of North Tonawanda’s caliber, but Jankiewicz says he’s struggled to forget that loss.

“The last thing we remember is that ugly loss,” Jankiewicz said. “We need to work toward erasing that memory. I can’t explain why it went that way. You remember the losses more. We look forward to getting another shot.”

The Redskins will be on a mission to avenge the loss and capture the Class AA title in 2010. They will have to do so without some key contributors to the 2009 squad, including starting quarterback Justin Juda and All-Western New York linebacker and running back Cory Davis. Jankiewicz admits these are big losses, but explains that graduating important players is part of high school football and the team has to move on.

“Big losses happen every year in high school football,” Jankiewicz said. “There are no long-term contracts here. This is high school football at its purest. There’s a new opportunity and a new hope for a new team.”

Jankiewicz is fortunate to have several top players coming back for the 2010 season. A strength would be Lancaster’s talented offensive line, anchored by seniors Jeremiah Luderman, Austin Bauer and Nate Samborski. The Redskins also have an experienced backfield that features senior running backs Kyle Taylor, Ryan Kuehlewind and Travis Pitzonka. Lancaster’s top receiving threats are junior Liam O’Brien and senior Andy Speyer.

Of course, success in football usually begins and ends with the quarterback. With Juda graduating, the Redskins have an opening at the starting spot. The two candidates to fill that spot are senior Frank Petrasio and junior Ryan Radke. Jankiewicz said he plans to go with Petrasio as his starter for Friday night’s marquee, season opening showdown at Class AA South division rival Orchard Park. Neither quarterback has ever started a game at the varsity level before and Jankiewicz says they both have a lot to prove.

“They’re at the same stage,” he said. “They’re eager to get out there. They’re unsure right now, but confidence will come with time. It’s been a bumpy road for both of them. They’ve worked hard though to make strides in the offseason.”

Jankiewicz may have some concerns defensively as he described their effort as “porous” in their scrimmage at Section V’s Webster-Thomas. He said though that the defense has put in a lot of time in team camps over the offseason and though they are unproven, they have had success in the past.

Lancaster has a brutal schedule to open the season as they begin with the big clash against Orchard Park and follow that up with games against a loaded Jamestown team and cross-town rivals Clarence. The Redskins also have a new divisional partner in Bennett High School, a city team that was added to Section VI in the newly realigned divisions. Jankiewicz didn’t want to make a judgment on the new divisions until after the season, but he felt that the new format might take away from past traditions.

“I kind of feel bad that the city teams lose some of that,” Jankiewicz said. “Part of that tradition is gone. I know the city kids looked forward to wining their division and playing in the Thanksgiving Day game. That’s gone. Now there’s just one team that moves on.”

Meanwhile, Jankiewicz has moved on from his position as athletic director at Lancaster. He announced his retirement earlier this month after 17 years as athletic director. He will stay on to coach football though as this will be his 24th season on the Lancaster sidelines. On Monday night, assistant coach Brian Wild was named Lancaster’s new athletic director. Wild was the quarterback on Lancaster’s Section VI championship team in 1989. Jankiewicz believes Wild is the perfect man to replace him in the athletics’ office.

“He’s a pure leader,” Jankiewicz said of Wild. “He has great inter social skills. He has a huge passion for school tradition. He’ll be a great addition to the district.”

As for now, Jankiewicz has no immediate plans for when he will stop coaching. His focus is on preparing his team for the 2010 season and the challenges they have in front of them. His team has set lofty goals such as going back to Ralph Wilson Stadium and leaving this time with the Class AA championship. Jankiewicz would be happy though just to see improvements and all-out effort from everyone on the roster.

“The goal is to get the best out of every kid,” Jankiewicz said. “It won’t be from a lack of effort. The relationships these kids make will be the most important thing.”

e-mail: mmigliore@beenews.com