Boeck’s Preseason Connolly Cup Contenders

Football is a team sport. 11 players all have to be on the same page every single play in order to have success. The quarterback makes a bad read, the wide receiver runs the wrong route, the lineman misses the block or the tailback goes the wrong way and the play won’t work. That will never change. However, among all the uniformity there are always a few individuals who stand out above the rest.

The Connolly Cup is about recognizing them. Since 1972, the Connolly Cup committee has been evaluating and honoring the best high school football players in Western New York. Each year the committee names 10 finalists who are invited to a banquet at Ilio Dipaolo's on the first Saturday of December where the winner is awarded. While they probably wouldn’t admit to spending time thinking about individual accolades, I’m sure the thought of winning one of the area’s most prestigious awards has crossed the following players minds at least once or twice. Last season, Matt Myers led West Seneca West to its first ever State championship and became the 46th Connolly Cup winner. Cheektowaga’s KeShone Beal, Maryvale’s Rashad Law, Cleveland Hill’s Aaron Whaler and Southwestern’s Cole Snyder all return after taking the stage with Myers as finalists in 2017. As we prepare for the 2018 season, I’m ready to get the discussion started on who will be the award’s 47th winner.