Coach's Corner December 2025

As I get older I spend more time reflecting. I mean this in a good way. LOL! Thank you to the MOD7, MOD8, FRESH, JV and VAR coaches and volunteers who poured their energy into all the levels this past season. I am grateful to work with passionate coaches, talented young men (200+ in OP Football) and supportive families. I hope you all enjoyed the time cheering on your sons, his friends and the Quakers as much as we do working with them!

🚨I am always willing to meet and listen to anyone who is as passionate about OP Football as I am and wants to share. Just reach out.🚨 I look forward to the future and for more progress made from top to bottom in our program!

On Tuesday, December 9th the Varsity Quakers wrapped up the #ROAD25 season at our end of season banquet. It was a great night and we had a great time remembering, laughing and honoring our players, seniors and award winners!

The banquet's presentation link, for those who want to see it, is here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1g3kjOI3GhCH4VzgQyUCxJXpgNhmgrwT-QQx5WHTcJiw/edit?usp=sharing

A special thank you to Mrs. Balland, Mrs. Breske, Mrs. Budney, Mrs. Fleming, Mrs. McDougall and Mrs. McWhirter for all their efforts organizing and helping us have such a great season ending banquet! Mr. Chidy presented our football family with a video as well with memories of the season. Incredible! The link to the video is above in this newsletter.

If I mistakenly forget someone I apologize and unintentional. We appreciate that is takes a village to make it great!

We have a great program on many levels and that is due in part to the volunteers and people who are empowered to do great things for us! The presence of family is one I am most protective and proud of. THANK YOU to all of those who volunteer and contribute to our football family. We are indeed grateful. This is especially true this season of the Quakers #1 fan, Jeff Pataky. This man is incredible. He continues to attend all games and captures the memories through a lens sharing it all for nothing in return.

This season we had a volunteer social media team as well. In addition to our website (https://www.orchardparkfootball.com) Carson Hayek prepared home game notes and Katie Fay and Katherine Voss live in game tweeted, ran our Instagram account and produced other great projects all highlighting the VAR guys and team! Their efforts were incredible! THANK YOU!

Here is a link to the info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hP8tYd-M1aXkXYqWD7ub6S6Iyvc9_U5_CJiiqBxVk9E/edit?usp=sharing

The pillars of RESPONSIBILITY, OWNERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY and DEPENDABILITY remain an emphasis in the Quaker Football Program at all levels.

We support multi-sport athletes and value our players developing other muscle groups, skills and leadership in multiple areas. Continued deposits into the program is also encouraged as you have likely heard me discuss in the past there is no AAU, travel league or tournament teams for tackle football. Development comes primarily from your high school program and other avenues explored through individual families at their cost.

The Quakers are only guaranteed 8 games per season. Additional OPportunities are earned by those who sacrifice and exhibit discipline. They are earned for those who participate in offseason work. The Quakers have a multi-tiered offseason that incorporates a variety of means such as three phases of strength and agility training, film work, 7on7 sessions and uppers camps to name a few. The players should continue to check HUDL for messages. They should also check our X account (@OPQuakersFB), our website (www.orchardparkfootball.com) looking for messages with updates!

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.

🏈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. Meetings are about 90-minutes long.

🏈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!

Two Quaker Alumni from the Class of '23 continue to make the news! While in maroon and white both QB Ben Gocella and WR Dylan Evans left their mark on OP Football. Both were incredible athletes, team captains and student athletes. It has been great to watch them navigate being collegiate athletes and all the highs and lows that go with it. We are their biggest fans for sure!

Ben Gocella is the starting QB for the Brockport Eagles and Dylan Evans is a starting WR for the Mercyhurst Lakers. Both guys have attacked their OPportunities and continued their strong play as college athletes. Both are 2025 Finalists for the WNY Collegiate Player of the Year! Their season stats are below. Good luck to both Quakers! #OPNE

Ben Gocella #14: 155 COMP, 231 ATT, 1918 YDS, 16 TDS

(named 3rd Team Empire Eight All Conference)

Dylan Evans #23: 42 REC, 571 YDS, 5 TDS

(named 1st Team All NEC Conference)

#OPNE

We all want to wish you a Happy Holidays! Enjoy your time with friends and family. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2026!

Thanks for looking @OPQuakersFB!

Once there are future newsletters!