Salamanca’s Bartoszek gets Coach of the Year honors
By SPENCER BATES, Sports Editor
An undefeated league campaign and an ongoing historic postseason run, Salamanca coach Chad Bartoszek was named the Big 30 Coach of the Year.
After his Warriors dropped their first game of the season and have had to battle the injury bug all year, the man at the helm has his team playing its best football at the right time.
This season, he has led the Warriors to not only their first trip to the Section 6 Final in 22 years, but also their first win at Highmark Stadium in that time as well. The road didn’t stop there for Bartoszek as Salamanca then went on to win the Far West Regional for the first time in 22 years as well. An emotional season for Bartoszek, who has been spurred on by the emotion and reaction he has seen from everyone surrounding the Salamanca football program.
“I’m just really proud of how Salamanca came together,” he said. “Our players, our staff and our community rose up.”
As someone who “cherishes” being a part of the Big 30, Bartoszek is “proud to be here” and “proud to be a Warrior.”
Three of Bartoszek’s players were named to the 30-man all-star roster: Arlen Newark, who was nominated and received a vote in the Player of the Year conversation, Cory Holleran and Zach Trietley. They were joined by four players from a Franklinville/Ellicottville team that defeated them in their season and home opener back in September. Star wide receiver Noah Shenk, Hunter Smith — who was part of a very effective three-man backfield for the Titans — Isaiah Ploetz and Isaac Towne were selected from the F/E roster.
Connor Braley was the sole player from Randolph that was selected to the all-star team. The junior led his team in carries (165), yards (967) and touchdowns (10) in a run-heavy Cardinal offense.
As for the rest of the all-stars, Pioneer and Port Allegany led the list with five players named each. Player of the Year winner Dalton Giboo, Sam Platt — the Big 30 Defensive Player of the Year — Luke Matheis, Karter Giboo and Jimmy Steppe were chosen from Pioneer. Carson Neely — voted the Lineman of the Year — Miska Young, Aidan Bliss, Peyton Stiles and Juuso Young were those selected from Port Allegany.
From St. Mary’s, Matthew Davis, Aidan McAlee and Mason Sheely were chosen, while Ethan Coleman, Kaedon Holcomb and Hayden Emley were picked from Portville/Cuba-Rushford.
Otto-Eldred’s Manning Splain, Cameron County’s Malakai Zukal, Coudersport’s Gavyn Ayers, Bradford’s Jake Franz, Allegany-Limestone’s Michael Frederick and Olean’s Ryan Isenberg rounded out the all-star roster.
Cameron County was given the Big 30 Team Sportsmanship Award and Dylan Howard was given the Joe Decerbo Award.
