WNY Athletics is publishing their 2025 ALL WNY ATHLETICS TEAM from this past football season. At the time of this newsletter being complete they released 1ST TEAM OFFENSE AND DEFENSE! Quakers WR #23 JACK CIANO was recognized for his record setting incredible season by being named FIRST TEAM ALL OFFENSE WR! Congrats JC!

The 40+ MOD7, MOD8, FRESH, JV and VAR guys registered and working in phase #1 at STA was a good start! STA has worked with me to plan and develop our guys! I value our partnership. Going to the gym and lifting weights without a plan without strategy and without building is not strength training. Healthier, stronger, faster and more explosive is the goal. The phase #1 guys made deposits for sure!

I recently had a great Prospect Meeting with Head Coach of Cornell Football Dan Swanstrom. Simply put, strength training is a difference maker. Many of his questions about our program and prospects revolved around training and participation. The sport doesn't matter. In season or out, it doesn't matter. It is one thing all athletes should be doing as an expectation. We are still educating our guys and families and getting there! Phase #2 is another OPportunity.

I have spent much time with professionals in the field of strength training to know how to get the Quakers better in this area. A need area. Everyone has shared strength training cannot be 8-weeks of two or three workouts per week before the season starts. If you take this approach you are guaranteeing that you'll end up with the same strength capabilities just be 8-weeks older!

The choice is yours! Why do you do it and what does it mean to you?

Phase #1 runs December through January.

Phase #2 runs February through March. The link was shared with the guys in HUDL on 1/9 & is in this newsletter as well!

Phase #3 runs April through May.

Summer sessions begin in late June.

💪Phase #2 info was shared in Hudl already and begins Monday, Feb.3rd @ 7:30pm!💪

The proof is in the pudding. Athletes of all ages and ability levels! Many Quakers on it as well!

We certainly practice what we preach! While there really is no offseason this time of the year away from game planning and the grind of the regular season brings recruiting and clinic season! We have hosted about 20+ schools from DIII, DII and DI schools to meet with our program and our guys thus far.

In February some of us will be attending numerous OPportunities to improve, to stay on top of recent trends and to continue to be life long learners. NYSHSFCA at Turning Stone, a Spring Football Brockport visit, UB Coaching Clinic/Spring Football and others are on the docket!

#OPNE

Anyone can register at any time through this link: https://forms.gle/NS49uvYXLn2uKoGm9

Many of our athletes have goals to be better! This often includes gaining or losing weight to become the best version of themselves they can be. We are often approached with questions from the guys and families as well. Our #1 advice is to seek help and guidance with this so it's done correctly and with the guys growth and health as the #1 priority. STA, your primary physician or a nutritionist are great places to start. Discussions about nutrition, supplements and workout plans should all be discussed and mapped out.

A few years ago I stumbled upon Wendi Irlbeck over X and have reached out to her a few times and taken advantage of her free resources. Give her a follow on X @Wendi_Irlbeck if you're interested. I am also including some pictures as resources.

*NOTE: I have never paid for any services just use her free tweeted material.

For some, the possibility of playing NCAA Football is a goal! The Quakers have a Prospect List for those who may be interested. Here are the details:

🏈Contact Coach Cieslik with your interest. Email: mcieslik@opschools.org, Cell: 716-982-8177

🏈Set up a meeting with player, parent(s) and Coach Cieslik. Please plan for a one hour meeting. We can meet at a coffee place, MS or HS at anytime that works for all.

🏈The goal is to educate the player and parent(s) on the process of becoming an NCAA prospect and options for the future!

🏈These meetings are recommended to begin as early as a player's FRESH year.

Contact Coach Cieslik for additional information!

Even HUDL highlight films have a way! Recruiters and others have "things" they look for. We teach the guys all the time that they should be specific to skills done soundly and taught rather than included for the result of the play. The article below and pictures will help the guys!

We are proud to publicly congratulate Senior Captain, Two time MAROON KEY winner, ALL WNY HONORABLE MENTION QB, 1ST TEAM AA ALL LEAGUE, Two time AA CO-OFFENSIVE POY, ALL STATE Football player, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER, SCHOLAR ATHLETE, MULTI-SPORT Athlete, etc...QB #8 BRADY CIANO on his commitment to play at Cortland State in the fall next season. Your Quaker Football family is proud of you Brady! #HTPATF

The football staff is as competitive and motivated as anybody! We all use the game of football as the vehicle that brings us together! Our mission is much greater than X's and O's or winning seasons.

Our mission statement is what drives what we do. "Helping student athletes develop into the best they can be in life with commitment, work ethic and character development through the sport of football."

This month we would like to introduce you to Quaker Alumni Kross Rapini!

Kross currently plays NCAA DIII Football at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. Kross is in his Junior season at BW and plays LB and Special Teams, Kross, like some other Quaker Alumni, had a storied career. He was a two time ALL WNY Player, HONORABLE MENTION All State Player and an HONOR ROLL Quaker. Kross is studying Sport Management and enjoying the OPportunities available to him in his program of study!

We wish you continued success Kross-good luck!

#OPNE

Despite attempts to register a team for the CTA one day Winter 7on7 we didn't have enough guys interested/available! I notified CTA that OP would not be participating. FYI!

We had 6 guys express an interest at the time RSVP/PAYMENT/ROSTERS were due.

WR/DB #23 Team Captain JACK CIANO has committed to play football at Cortland State next year! Jack's accomplishments are incredible as he set #THESTANDARD in maroon and white! Some include ALL STATE WR, 1st TEAM ALL WNY WR, 1st TEAM ALL LEAGUE, 1st TEAM ALL BEE, SCHOLAR ATHLETE, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Member to name a few. Throw in a NEW SCHOOL RECEIVING TD Record and you have an NCAA WR! Your Quaker Football family is proud of you JC! #HTPATF 8+23=6

Being part of the Quaker Football family is something that is important to us! In this program we don't use words we use actions. We don't say we just do. We coach the guys hard and love them the same way!

WE WANT YOU!

We want to keep 100% of our 8th graders after middle school! The Orchard Park High School is a great school with a great athletic program. Every time I meet with colleges they say we will always be on the "visit" list. When I ask why, they say without hesitation that they want well rounded student athletes of character. That's what we are! Great men and families that are well rounded and loaded with great character.

OPHS offers a rigorous and expansive curriculum and we work hard developing your son's as young men and athletes. We won't be outworked in helping them achieve their goals for their future!

I would love the OPportunity to meet with anyone who is considering a school other than OPHS for grade 9! Be ready though as I am biased and want to keep the guys in maroon and white! Give me a chance to show you! #OPNE

I will reach out to you but want to invite you to contact me! WE WANT YOU!

Don't forget to follow us on X @OPQuakersFB!

January 2025 Newsletter: 3wt49