| "Train like you play on Sundays and one day you just might." -- Anonymous |
Great Season Dragons!
Despite putting the first score on the scoreboard and holding a 1-point lead at the
half, the Red Dragons fell to the power attack of the Letchworth Indians on Friday
night in Rochester's Sahlen's Stadium, 14-30. Letchworth did their best to keep
Maple Grove's offense off the field and off the scoreboard -- the Red Dragons
would get only 6 offensive drives throughout the game -- and it wasn't enough to
close the deficit for a win.
Maple Grove finishes the season as the Section Six Class D Champions with a 9-1
record -- a fantastic season by any measure. Congratulations Red Dragons! And
thank you seniors for the many years we've had to watch your excellence on the
gridiron.
Read game highlights in Post-Journal
Read game highlights in Buffalo News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMPIONS! Maple Grove Crowned Section 6 Champs
Red Dragons Advance to Far-West Regional Game With 34-26 Victory Over
Frewsburg
Our Red Dragons put on quite a show at The Ralph Thursday night, pounding out
a memorable 34-26 victory over the Frewsburg Bears.
Read game highlights in the Post-Journal
Read game highlights in the Buffalo News
The win crowns Maple Grove as Section 6 Class D Champs -- the sixth time MG
Football has won that title -- and advances them into the Far-West Regional game.
Section 5 teams Geneseo (7-2) and Letchworth (8-1) face off Friday, 11/4. The
winner advances to play Maple Grove for the Far-West Regional Title on Friday,
November 11th at 5:00 PM at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY.
Congratulations Dragons!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the Ralph!
Red Dragons Earn Their 13th Trip to
Ralph Wilson Stadium With 28-0 Victory Over Portville
It's lucky 13 for the Maple Grove Red Dragons as their 28-0 victory over the
Portville Panthers tonight extends their post season and puts them back at Ralph
Wilson Stadium for the 13th time in school history. The Dragons will take on the
Frewsburg Bears in the Section 6 Class D Title game, scheduled for Thursday,
November 3rd at 6:00 pm at the Ralph. The Bears earned the advance with a
38-24 win over the Randolph Cardinals in semi-final action.
See full story in the Post-Journal. CONGRATS DRAGONS!!
------------------------------------------------------------
UNBEATEN SEASON
Red Dragons Finish Regular Season Undefeated
With 21-0 Win Over Westfield Wolverines
The Red Dragons finished their 2011 regular season with 7 wins and zero losses,
following their 21-0 non-league win over the Westfield Wolverines. Maple Grove
ranks #4 in New York State Class D and has ranks #1 in Section 6 Class D, earning
them a bye in first round playoff action.
The 2011 Red Dragons keep Coach Fischer and Company's tradition of excellence
going. In the past 6 seasons combined (2006-2011), Maple Grove has earned an
impressive 52 wins against only 6 losses. They'll look to add another win two
weeks from now at Maple Grove Stadium when they they'll play the winner of
Silver Creek vs. Portville, who face off in Round I playoff action. GO DRAGONS!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top Of The Class
MAPLE GROVE CLINCHES CLASS D DIVISION
WITH 28-14 WIN OVER FREWSBURG
October 7, 2011
Post-Journal
Big players make big plays in big games.
A quick read through senior John Nickerson's stats, proves he's a big player. And
his interception Friday night against the Frewsburg Bears was a season defining big
play in a very big game.
While Frewsburg stood at the door, threatening to score to tie the game up,
Nickerson made the biggest interception of his career -- picking off Frewsburg's
Thad Johnson 31 yards from his intended goal line and running 70 yards for a Red
Dragon score.
How do you bounce back from a momentum shift like that? You don't.
Nickerson fired up his teammates and their Red Dragon fan base -- and the Bears
would never recover. Maple Grove's 28-14 lead would stay unchanged through the
remainder of the third quarter and all through the fourth.
The victory kept their unbeaten streak alive while also clinching the top spot in
Section 6 Class D Division. Maple Grove will now be given a bye in Round I of
playoffs and home field advantage in Round II.
See more game coverage via the Post-Journal.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Red Dragons Get 'R Done!
Maple Grove Defeats Randolph 38-6
September 30, 2011
Post-Journal
Randolph, Rivalry, Remember, Revenge, Redemption.
It seems every time the Dragons take on the Cardinals, it's all about the 'R.'
Friday night was no different. The Red Dragons stepped onto Randolph turf
remembering -- or maybe Cardinal smack talk just wouldn't let them forget -- the
2009 one-point loss in the Section 6 Title game at Ralph Wilson Stadium and the
2010 playoff game at Dutch Hollow. In both games, Randolph put a stunning end
to Red Dragon' seasons.
But, as if scripted by the words of that good ol' Phil Collins' song, 'I can feel it
coming in the air tonight, hold on....' Redemption was here -- powerfully and
dominantly delivered on Cardinal turf with a 38-6 win -- leaving no doubt it was a
new year, a new team, and a new Dragon outcome.
And if this story sounds all too familiar, well, it is.....
Four years ago, Randolph brought a shocking end to the '07 Dragon's season --
and the 2008 team remembered -- redeeming that loss with their own pounding of
those pesky Cardinals on Randolph turf -- defeating their rival by a 31-point
margin of 37-6 -- and ultimately ending the '08 season undefeated and with the
second Red Dragon State Championship Title.
On Friday night, the 2011 Red Dragons added one more point in their redemption
win -- with a 32 point margin of victory -- adding their own chapter to the storied
Maple Grove vs. Randolph Rivalry. We can't wait to see what else these RED HOT,
RED DRAGONS have in store for this season! "I've been waiting for this moment
for all my life, hold on, hold on...."
GOOD JOB MEN! GO DRAGONS!
See full game coverage in The Post-Journal
-------------------------------------------
Can't Stop Those Dragons
MG Claims 34-14 Win Over Silver Creek
September 23, 2011
Post-Journal
The Red Dragons are on a roll.
In front of a Homecoming crowd on a drizzly night on Dutch Hollow Road, the
Maple Grove Red Dragons kept their win streak going, defeating the Silver Creek
Black Knights 36-14.
It was a big win for the Dragons who fell to the Knights in the opening game of
the 2010 season. But once is one too many and Maple Grove would not to be
stopped again.
With true Dragon spirit, Maple Grove flexed its game plan, rearranging its talented
lineup of players -- putting senior Skyler Liddell in as running back. Liddell adjusted
perfectly, proving to be a skilled player wherever he was positioned on the field.
He would end the night with over 10 yards per carry (113 yards on 11 carries)
while catching two passes for 41 yards and scoring three of the Dragon's five
touchdowns -- including one on a momentum-changing 50 yard run.
"Mr. Dependable" John Nickerson would power through the other two Red Dragon
TDs and QB Alex Grace did an excellent job orchestrating big plays on the field.
Meanwhile the Dragon Defense stifled many Black Knight attempts to score.
See full game story in the Post-Journal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragons Win Big Again! 49-0 Over Nichols
September 17, 2011
Post-Journal
Oliver Simpson exploded for 104 yards on just four carries and Maple Grove (3-0)
scored 22 first-quarter points on its way to defeating Nichols (1-2), 49-0, in a
non-league football game on Friday night.
After a John Nickerson 10-yard touchdown run and a Jeff Tampe interception that
was returned 15 yards for another score, Simpson further cushioned the
advantage in the first quarter with a 43-yard run to the end zone.
Quarterback Alex Grace finished with 67 yards on 4 of 6 passing with one
touchdown throw to Skyler Liddell for 45 yards.
In addition to his pick 6, Tampe added one more interception and Nickerson led the
Red Dragons with 13 tackles.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Maple Grove Stadium Sign Dedicated
in Memory of Dragon Alum Dereck Casler
MGFootball.com; September 16, 2011
The following was read at the dedication of the Maple Grove Red Dragons sign that
now hangs on the field side of our stadium press box:
"Pro football hall of fame running back Tony Dorsett once said, "To succeed, you
need to find something to hold onto; something to motivate you; something to
inspire you."
Red Dragon alumni Dereck Casler found that to be true right here on this field.
What inspired him was Maple Grove Football. His parents say it focused and
motivated him like nothing else.
As a lineman on both sides of the ball, Dereck was one of MG Football's finest
athletes. In 1998, he helped lead his Red Dragon team to their first New York State
Championship -- and his athletic talents were recognized with First Team All State
honors in his senior year. Jersey #59 now hangs on the Maple Grove Wall of Fame -
forever representing Dereck Casler's excellence on the gridiron and his commitment
and dedication to Maple Grove Football.
This past November, all in the MG Football Family were shocked and saddened when
Dereck passed away unexpectedly. Tonight we remember the spirit of '59' and
welcome Dereck's parents back to the field he excelled on. To honor their son's
memory - and to pay tribute to the importance MG Football and Coach Fischer had
in his life - the Casler Family has graciously donated all memorials made in Dereck's
name to Maple Grove Football.
These contributions will be used to help motivate and inspire future Red Dragon
athletes - encouraging them to apply the lessons learned through MG Athletics in
all areas of their life.
Tonight it is our honor and privilege to remember #59 Dereck Casler and to
dedicate a new sign in his memory that will hang on the press box side of the
stadium he loved.....a sign that boldly let's every player, fan, and opponent know
they are in the house of the Maple Grove Red Dragons.
Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Casler. And thank you Dereck.
Each time we see this sign we will remember you, your talent, and the one word
said, hand in hand, by you, and each and every Dragon in an MG Football huddle.....
FAMILY!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MG Defeats I-Prep Grover-Cleveland 38-12
September 9, 2011
In their debut performance against a Buffalo area football team, the Maple Grove
Red Dragons showcased their Southern Tier talent by defeating the I-Prep
Presidents of Grover Cleveland 38-12.
Senior John Nickerson ran for 59 yards on 11 carries and had two touchdowns on
offense while dominating on defense too, with 13 tackles and a sack.
Quarterback Alex Grace gained 92 yards on four carries and had a touchdown and a
two-point run. Grace was 5-of-7 for 99 yards and passed for two scores. Junior
Oliver Simpson caught two two-point conversion passes while senior Skylar Liddell
caught four passes for 96 yards with two being touchdowns and a conversion pass.
The undefeated Red Dragons (2-0), face off against another Buffalo area team on
Friday, 9/16 when they host Nichols at home on Dutch Hollow Road.
GO DRAGONS!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragons Start Season Strong With
36-0 Shutout Over Portville
September 2, 2011
- The Post-Journal
Oliver Simpson and John Nickerson showed the way as Maple Grove opened the
season with an impressive Class D football victory on Friday. Simpson and
Nickerson gained over 100 yards while each scored twice when the Red Dragons
gained a 36-0 shutout over Portville.
Simpson scored the first two touchdowns with one from 5 yards and the other
from the 7 en route to 125 yards on seven carries. Nickerson accounted for
touchdownss on runs of 53 and 16 yards on the way to 116 yards in 10 attempts.
He also added 11 tackles and three sacks.
Quarterback Alex Grace added 96 yards in five carries as the winners came away
with 328 yards rushing.
The other MG touchdown was an 8-yard interception return by Bolles.
Portville threatened to score in the fourth quarter but ran out of downs at the
seven.
Portville0 0 0 0 - 0
Maple Grove15 14 7 0 - 36
MG-Simpson 5 run (Liddell run).
MG-Simpson 7 run (Pembridge kick).
MG-Bolles 8 interception return (Pembridge kick).
MG-Nickerson 16 run (Pembridge kick).
MG-Nickerson 53 run (Pembridge kick).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragon Alum Justin Hanft Joins Coaching Staff
August, 2011
Red Dragon alum Justin Hanft ('03 team) is the newest addition to the 2011 Maple
Grove Red Dragons coaching staff. Hanft, who played offensive and defensive line
for the Dragons, will assist with the varsity offense and with Junior Varsity.
Upon graduating from Maple Grove, Hanft went to Mount Union College where he
played Raider football for one year before transferring to Alfred University. At AU,
he started at right tackle for two seasons, earning Empire 8 Conference honors as
a senior in 2007. He is a member of the Saxon Club - an achievement that
recognizes highest team accomplishment among Saxon players.
Following four years of college play, Hanft joined the coaching staff at AU and
helped lead the team to two consecutive NCAA Division III Playoff berths and a
2011 season finish as one of the top 8 teams in the country. Coaching running
backs, Hanft managed the 8th leading D3 rusher in the U.S in 2010, and in 2011,
coached a tailback who broke AU's single season rushing record in his freshman
year.
The Maple Grove Red Dragons are proud to welcome Coach Hanft back to Dutch
Hollow Road. His dedication and passion for the game is already contributing to
what promises to be another successful season for the Red Dragons.
Despite putting the first score on the scoreboard and holding a 1-point lead at the
half, the Red Dragons fell to the power attack of the Letchworth Indians on Friday
night in Rochester's Sahlen's Stadium, 14-30. Letchworth did their best to keep
Maple Grove's offense off the field and off the scoreboard -- the Red Dragons
would get only 6 offensive drives throughout the game -- and it wasn't enough to
close the deficit for a win.
Maple Grove finishes the season as the Section Six Class D Champions with a 9-1
record -- a fantastic season by any measure. Congratulations Red Dragons! And
thank you seniors for the many years we've had to watch your excellence on the
gridiron.
Read game highlights in Post-Journal
Read game highlights in Buffalo News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMPIONS! Maple Grove Crowned Section 6 Champs
Red Dragons Advance to Far-West Regional Game With 34-26 Victory Over
Frewsburg
Our Red Dragons put on quite a show at The Ralph Thursday night, pounding out
a memorable 34-26 victory over the Frewsburg Bears.
Read game highlights in the Post-Journal
Read game highlights in the Buffalo News
The win crowns Maple Grove as Section 6 Class D Champs -- the sixth time MG
Football has won that title -- and advances them into the Far-West Regional game.
Section 5 teams Geneseo (7-2) and Letchworth (8-1) face off Friday, 11/4. The
winner advances to play Maple Grove for the Far-West Regional Title on Friday,
November 11th at 5:00 PM at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY.
Congratulations Dragons!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the Ralph!
Red Dragons Earn Their 13th Trip to
Ralph Wilson Stadium With 28-0 Victory Over Portville
It's lucky 13 for the Maple Grove Red Dragons as their 28-0 victory over the
Portville Panthers tonight extends their post season and puts them back at Ralph
Wilson Stadium for the 13th time in school history. The Dragons will take on the
Frewsburg Bears in the Section 6 Class D Title game, scheduled for Thursday,
November 3rd at 6:00 pm at the Ralph. The Bears earned the advance with a
38-24 win over the Randolph Cardinals in semi-final action.
See full story in the Post-Journal. CONGRATS DRAGONS!!
------------------------------------------------------------
UNBEATEN SEASON
Red Dragons Finish Regular Season Undefeated
With 21-0 Win Over Westfield Wolverines
The Red Dragons finished their 2011 regular season with 7 wins and zero losses,
following their 21-0 non-league win over the Westfield Wolverines. Maple Grove
ranks #4 in New York State Class D and has ranks #1 in Section 6 Class D, earning
them a bye in first round playoff action.
The 2011 Red Dragons keep Coach Fischer and Company's tradition of excellence
going. In the past 6 seasons combined (2006-2011), Maple Grove has earned an
impressive 52 wins against only 6 losses. They'll look to add another win two
weeks from now at Maple Grove Stadium when they they'll play the winner of
Silver Creek vs. Portville, who face off in Round I playoff action. GO DRAGONS!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top Of The Class
MAPLE GROVE CLINCHES CLASS D DIVISION
WITH 28-14 WIN OVER FREWSBURG
October 7, 2011
Post-Journal
Big players make big plays in big games.
A quick read through senior John Nickerson's stats, proves he's a big player. And
his interception Friday night against the Frewsburg Bears was a season defining big
play in a very big game.
While Frewsburg stood at the door, threatening to score to tie the game up,
Nickerson made the biggest interception of his career -- picking off Frewsburg's
Thad Johnson 31 yards from his intended goal line and running 70 yards for a Red
Dragon score.
How do you bounce back from a momentum shift like that? You don't.
Nickerson fired up his teammates and their Red Dragon fan base -- and the Bears
would never recover. Maple Grove's 28-14 lead would stay unchanged through the
remainder of the third quarter and all through the fourth.
The victory kept their unbeaten streak alive while also clinching the top spot in
Section 6 Class D Division. Maple Grove will now be given a bye in Round I of
playoffs and home field advantage in Round II.
See more game coverage via the Post-Journal.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Red Dragons Get 'R Done!
Maple Grove Defeats Randolph 38-6
September 30, 2011
Post-Journal
Randolph, Rivalry, Remember, Revenge, Redemption.
It seems every time the Dragons take on the Cardinals, it's all about the 'R.'
Friday night was no different. The Red Dragons stepped onto Randolph turf
remembering -- or maybe Cardinal smack talk just wouldn't let them forget -- the
2009 one-point loss in the Section 6 Title game at Ralph Wilson Stadium and the
2010 playoff game at Dutch Hollow. In both games, Randolph put a stunning end
to Red Dragon' seasons.
But, as if scripted by the words of that good ol' Phil Collins' song, 'I can feel it
coming in the air tonight, hold on....' Redemption was here -- powerfully and
dominantly delivered on Cardinal turf with a 38-6 win -- leaving no doubt it was a
new year, a new team, and a new Dragon outcome.
And if this story sounds all too familiar, well, it is.....
Four years ago, Randolph brought a shocking end to the '07 Dragon's season --
and the 2008 team remembered -- redeeming that loss with their own pounding of
those pesky Cardinals on Randolph turf -- defeating their rival by a 31-point
margin of 37-6 -- and ultimately ending the '08 season undefeated and with the
second Red Dragon State Championship Title.
On Friday night, the 2011 Red Dragons added one more point in their redemption
win -- with a 32 point margin of victory -- adding their own chapter to the storied
Maple Grove vs. Randolph Rivalry. We can't wait to see what else these RED HOT,
RED DRAGONS have in store for this season! "I've been waiting for this moment
for all my life, hold on, hold on...."
GOOD JOB MEN! GO DRAGONS!
See full game coverage in The Post-Journal
-------------------------------------------
Can't Stop Those Dragons
MG Claims 34-14 Win Over Silver Creek
September 23, 2011
Post-Journal
The Red Dragons are on a roll.
In front of a Homecoming crowd on a drizzly night on Dutch Hollow Road, the
Maple Grove Red Dragons kept their win streak going, defeating the Silver Creek
Black Knights 36-14.
It was a big win for the Dragons who fell to the Knights in the opening game of
the 2010 season. But once is one too many and Maple Grove would not to be
stopped again.
With true Dragon spirit, Maple Grove flexed its game plan, rearranging its talented
lineup of players -- putting senior Skyler Liddell in as running back. Liddell adjusted
perfectly, proving to be a skilled player wherever he was positioned on the field.
He would end the night with over 10 yards per carry (113 yards on 11 carries)
while catching two passes for 41 yards and scoring three of the Dragon's five
touchdowns -- including one on a momentum-changing 50 yard run.
"Mr. Dependable" John Nickerson would power through the other two Red Dragon
TDs and QB Alex Grace did an excellent job orchestrating big plays on the field.
Meanwhile the Dragon Defense stifled many Black Knight attempts to score.
See full game story in the Post-Journal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragons Win Big Again! 49-0 Over Nichols
September 17, 2011
Post-Journal
Oliver Simpson exploded for 104 yards on just four carries and Maple Grove (3-0)
scored 22 first-quarter points on its way to defeating Nichols (1-2), 49-0, in a
non-league football game on Friday night.
After a John Nickerson 10-yard touchdown run and a Jeff Tampe interception that
was returned 15 yards for another score, Simpson further cushioned the
advantage in the first quarter with a 43-yard run to the end zone.
Quarterback Alex Grace finished with 67 yards on 4 of 6 passing with one
touchdown throw to Skyler Liddell for 45 yards.
In addition to his pick 6, Tampe added one more interception and Nickerson led the
Red Dragons with 13 tackles.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Maple Grove Stadium Sign Dedicated
in Memory of Dragon Alum Dereck Casler
MGFootball.com; September 16, 2011
The following was read at the dedication of the Maple Grove Red Dragons sign that
now hangs on the field side of our stadium press box:
"Pro football hall of fame running back Tony Dorsett once said, "To succeed, you
need to find something to hold onto; something to motivate you; something to
inspire you."
Red Dragon alumni Dereck Casler found that to be true right here on this field.
What inspired him was Maple Grove Football. His parents say it focused and
motivated him like nothing else.
As a lineman on both sides of the ball, Dereck was one of MG Football's finest
athletes. In 1998, he helped lead his Red Dragon team to their first New York State
Championship -- and his athletic talents were recognized with First Team All State
honors in his senior year. Jersey #59 now hangs on the Maple Grove Wall of Fame -
forever representing Dereck Casler's excellence on the gridiron and his commitment
and dedication to Maple Grove Football.
This past November, all in the MG Football Family were shocked and saddened when
Dereck passed away unexpectedly. Tonight we remember the spirit of '59' and
welcome Dereck's parents back to the field he excelled on. To honor their son's
memory - and to pay tribute to the importance MG Football and Coach Fischer had
in his life - the Casler Family has graciously donated all memorials made in Dereck's
name to Maple Grove Football.
These contributions will be used to help motivate and inspire future Red Dragon
athletes - encouraging them to apply the lessons learned through MG Athletics in
all areas of their life.
Tonight it is our honor and privilege to remember #59 Dereck Casler and to
dedicate a new sign in his memory that will hang on the press box side of the
stadium he loved.....a sign that boldly let's every player, fan, and opponent know
they are in the house of the Maple Grove Red Dragons.
Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Casler. And thank you Dereck.
Each time we see this sign we will remember you, your talent, and the one word
said, hand in hand, by you, and each and every Dragon in an MG Football huddle.....
FAMILY!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MG Defeats I-Prep Grover-Cleveland 38-12
September 9, 2011
In their debut performance against a Buffalo area football team, the Maple Grove
Red Dragons showcased their Southern Tier talent by defeating the I-Prep
Presidents of Grover Cleveland 38-12.
Senior John Nickerson ran for 59 yards on 11 carries and had two touchdowns on
offense while dominating on defense too, with 13 tackles and a sack.
Quarterback Alex Grace gained 92 yards on four carries and had a touchdown and a
two-point run. Grace was 5-of-7 for 99 yards and passed for two scores. Junior
Oliver Simpson caught two two-point conversion passes while senior Skylar Liddell
caught four passes for 96 yards with two being touchdowns and a conversion pass.
The undefeated Red Dragons (2-0), face off against another Buffalo area team on
Friday, 9/16 when they host Nichols at home on Dutch Hollow Road.
GO DRAGONS!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragons Start Season Strong With
36-0 Shutout Over Portville
September 2, 2011
- The Post-Journal
Oliver Simpson and John Nickerson showed the way as Maple Grove opened the
season with an impressive Class D football victory on Friday. Simpson and
Nickerson gained over 100 yards while each scored twice when the Red Dragons
gained a 36-0 shutout over Portville.
Simpson scored the first two touchdowns with one from 5 yards and the other
from the 7 en route to 125 yards on seven carries. Nickerson accounted for
touchdownss on runs of 53 and 16 yards on the way to 116 yards in 10 attempts.
He also added 11 tackles and three sacks.
Quarterback Alex Grace added 96 yards in five carries as the winners came away
with 328 yards rushing.
The other MG touchdown was an 8-yard interception return by Bolles.
Portville threatened to score in the fourth quarter but ran out of downs at the
seven.
Portville0 0 0 0 - 0
Maple Grove15 14 7 0 - 36
MG-Simpson 5 run (Liddell run).
MG-Simpson 7 run (Pembridge kick).
MG-Bolles 8 interception return (Pembridge kick).
MG-Nickerson 16 run (Pembridge kick).
MG-Nickerson 53 run (Pembridge kick).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragon Alum Justin Hanft Joins Coaching Staff
August, 2011
Red Dragon alum Justin Hanft ('03 team) is the newest addition to the 2011 Maple
Grove Red Dragons coaching staff. Hanft, who played offensive and defensive line
for the Dragons, will assist with the varsity offense and with Junior Varsity.
Upon graduating from Maple Grove, Hanft went to Mount Union College where he
played Raider football for one year before transferring to Alfred University. At AU,
he started at right tackle for two seasons, earning Empire 8 Conference honors as
a senior in 2007. He is a member of the Saxon Club - an achievement that
recognizes highest team accomplishment among Saxon players.
Following four years of college play, Hanft joined the coaching staff at AU and
helped lead the team to two consecutive NCAA Division III Playoff berths and a
2011 season finish as one of the top 8 teams in the country. Coaching running
backs, Hanft managed the 8th leading D3 rusher in the U.S in 2010, and in 2011,
coached a tailback who broke AU's single season rushing record in his freshman
year.
The Maple Grove Red Dragons are proud to welcome Coach Hanft back to Dutch
Hollow Road. His dedication and passion for the game is already contributing to
what promises to be another successful season for the Red Dragons.
| 2011 SEASON NEWS AND HEADLINES: |
Maple Grove Football in Bemus Point, New York Excellence Is Our Tradition MGFootball.com is a fan-developed website & is not an officially endorsed site of Maple Grove High School. Content is based from a fan perspective. It's sole purpose is to celebrate the spirit and pride of the entire MG Football Family, including players, parents, alumni, students, faculty, staff, & community. |
New Red Dragon Assistant Coach Justin Hanft encourages lineman David
Waterman at summer team camp at Alfred University.
Waterman at summer team camp at Alfred University.
 |  |  |  |  |
Senior John Nickerson came to play, helping lead the
way for the Dragons 38-12 rout of new Class D member
I-Prep - Grover Cleveland, a Buffalo area school.
way for the Dragons 38-12 rout of new Class D member
I-Prep - Grover Cleveland, a Buffalo area school.
Junior Oliver Simpson scored 22 points in the first
quarter against the Nichols Vikings.
quarter against the Nichols Vikings.
The Red Dragons stand in reverence to the memory of Maple
Grove alum Dereck Casler, #59, an integral member of the
1998 State Championship Red Dragons.
Dereck's family asked that all memorials given in his name be
donated to the team he loved: Maple Grove Football. A
portion of those donations were used to purchase a sign that
was dedicated on Friday, September 16, 2011 and now hangs
on the wall of Maple Grove Stadium's press box.
Grove alum Dereck Casler, #59, an integral member of the
1998 State Championship Red Dragons.
Dereck's family asked that all memorials given in his name be
donated to the team he loved: Maple Grove Football. A
portion of those donations were used to purchase a sign that
was dedicated on Friday, September 16, 2011 and now hangs
on the wall of Maple Grove Stadium's press box.
Senior Skyler Liddell adjusted perfectly to a new
position as running back in the Red Dragons 34-14
win over the Silver Creek Black Knights.
position as running back in the Red Dragons 34-14
win over the Silver Creek Black Knights.
It was 'Amazing Grace,' senior quarterback Alex Grace,
#5, who led the all-out Dragon attack on Randolph
turf, as Maple Grove dominated the Cardinals 38-6 to
remain undefeated. We might add that the O-Line
was looking MIGHTY FINE too -- in fact, every Dragon
brought their A-Game, without a doubt. Good job
Dragons!
#5, who led the all-out Dragon attack on Randolph
turf, as Maple Grove dominated the Cardinals 38-6 to
remain undefeated. We might add that the O-Line
was looking MIGHTY FINE too -- in fact, every Dragon
brought their A-Game, without a doubt. Good job
Dragons!
Photo by Scott Reagle
-Post-Journal
-Post-Journal
| Senior John Nickerson #36, swung momentum, and perhaps the game's outcome, with a HUGE interception against the Frewsburg Bears in the Dragons' 28-14 win. |
Photo by Dave Ahlstrom
MGFootball.com
MGFootball.com
| Coach Fischer and his coaching team of Coach Emley, Hanft, and Clark, led the Red Dragons to an unbeaten regular season. It is Fischer's fourth undefeated regular season in the past six years. |
| Photo by Buffalo News |
