Alden enters first season under Jacob Manns with senior core leading Bulldogs

Overview

• Jacob Manns begins his first season as Alden's head coach, and he said the Bulldogs want to compete "in every game till the final whistle."
• Alden's senior group includes quarterback Brody Peresan, Aiden Phillips, Noah Golas, Ryan Suleski and Devin Chudoba.
• Peresan returns after throwing for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 while adding 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
• Phillips brings production on offense, defense and special teams after posting 472 rushing yards, 334 receiving yards, 492 kick-return yards and 11 total touchdowns in 2025.
• Alden opens Sept. 4 at home against Fredonia and also hosts Cleveland Hill, Barker/Roy-Hart and Springville.

Alden Bulldogs 2026 Football Preview

Jacob Manns is stepping into his first season as head coach of the Alden Bulldogs, and the starting point is clear: compete every week, build around the seniors, and push for a home playoff game.

"People should expect for us to compete in every game till the final whistle," Manns said.

The Bulldogs' identity starts with a spread offense and a defense Manns wants defined by pressure and stopping the run. He said Alden hopes its offense can become its biggest strength, while the biggest area to develop will be young depth pieces stepping into larger roles.

Senior Foundation

The Bulldogs have a senior quarterback to build around in Brody Peresan, who is listed on the roster as a Class of 2027 quarterback. Manns said Alden will look for him to lead the offense and make smart decisions with the football.

Peresan's 2025 line gives the Bulldogs a proven passing base. As a junior, he completed 70 of 146 passes for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns, and he added 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Aiden Phillips is another senior who can shape several phases of the game. In 2025, Phillips ran for 472 yards and six touchdowns, caught 19 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and added 492 kick-return yards with two kick-return touchdowns. Defensively, he had 47 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and eight passes defended.

Phillips is also the special-teams player Manns pointed to as someone who could make a difference this season.

Up front, Manns named Noah Golas and Ryan Suleski as senior linemen who should provide veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. Golas recorded 30 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in 2025.

Players To Watch

Manns identified Jackson Zosh as a possible breakout player. Zosh is listed as a Class of 2029 wide receiver and defensive back, giving Alden another young skill player to watch as the Bulldogs try to develop more depth.

Devin Chudoba is another name Manns wants readers to know. Chudoba is a senior running back and defensive end, and Manns pointed to him as a new contributor entering a featured role.

The team's listed captains are Peresan, Phillips and Golas. Manns said all three are seniors and that Alden expects them "to carry the load for us this season."

Schedule Landmarks

Alden opens the season Sept. 4 at home against Fredonia at Alden High School's Alden Turf Field. The Bulldogs then travel to Eden/North Collins on Sept. 11 before returning home Sept. 18 against Cleveland Hill.

The middle of the schedule sends Alden to JFK on Sept. 25, Akron on Oct. 2 and Tonawanda on Oct. 9. The Bulldogs close the regular-season slate with back-to-back home games: Barker/Roy-Hart on Oct. 16 and Springville on Oct. 22.

Manns set the goal plainly: a home playoff game. With a senior-led core, a returning quarterback and a multi-phase weapon in Phillips, the Bulldogs have a clear group to lead that push.