Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale leaning on growth, depth and leadership in 2026

Overview

• Grove said the Gators return 15 starters, with wide receivers, defensive backs and the offensive line giving the team its strongest foundation.
• Aidan Coulter, a senior RB/LB, is Grove’s breakout candidate after rushing for 320 yards and making 86 tackles in 2025-26.
• Ryan Callen, a junior WR/DB, is a player Grove highlighted for a larger role after a 2025-26 season with 371 receiving yards, 43 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended.
• Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale's schedule includes home dates with Cardinal O'Hara, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton, Falconer/CV/MG and Salamanca.

Gators look to keep building

Marcus Grove sees Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale entering 2026 with a more developed group, but also with a clear understanding of the weekly standard ahead.

"Our outlook for this season is that we are a year bigger, faster, and stronger," Grove said. "At the same time, we compete in a very challenging league filled with outstanding coaches and programs that have rich football traditions. We know that every week will be a battle, and we will need to put forth our best performance each Friday night to give ourselves a chance to compete."

The goal, Grove said, is direct: "improve."

"We want to continue building on the progress we made last season, get better every week, and approach the season one game at a time," he said.

That work starts with experience. Grove said the Gators return 15 starters, with some back on both sides of the ball and others in one-way roles. He pointed to the receivers, defensive backs and offensive line as the team's strongest groups, noting that the Gators have more depth there than in recent seasons.

Leadership is the biggest strength Grove expects to see.

"We have multiple leaders on this team who lead in multiple different ways," Grove said. "We as a coaching staff are extremely excited to see what our leaders can do this year to help our team improve."

Players to watch

Senior Aidan Coulter gives Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale an experienced presence at RB/LB. Grove identified Coulter as a player who could break out, and his 2025-26 production gives the Gators a two-way piece to build around: 72 carries for 320 yards, plus 86 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Ryan Callen, a junior WR/DB, is another player Grove highlighted for a larger role. Callen's 2025-26 line included 22 catches for 371 yards and a touchdown, along with 43 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended.

The skill group also includes senior Nolan Zink, a WR/LB who had 205 rushing yards, 44 tackles and 198 kickoff return yards in 2025-26; junior Greg Peck, a TE/LB who posted 277 receiving yards and 39 tackles; and junior Jax Amore, an RB/LB Grove named as a special-teams player who could make a difference.

Up front, Grove did not single out individual linemen, but the roster has senior OL/DL options in Conner Crowley, Bryce Kelly, Isaiah Fisher, Luke Mascioni and Jake Dowd. Crowley had 49 tackles and four tackles for loss in 2025-26.

Line of scrimmage is the focus

The next step for the Gators is in the trenches.

"We need to win the line of scrimmage on offense and on defense," Grove said. "Offensive and defensive linemen lead the way. Offensively we need to win the trenches and establish the line of scrimmage. Defensively we need to be aggressive and reset the line of scrimmage in our favor."

The Gators open at home against Cardinal O’Hara on Sept. 4 and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton on Sept. 11. Road trips to Southwestern/Frewsburg on Sept. 18 and Fredonia on Sept. 25 follow, before home games against Falconer/CV/MG on Oct. 2 and Salamanca on Oct. 9.

For Grove, the larger story is steady improvement from a group he believes has grown physically and has more depth in key spots.

"Every week will be a battle," Grove said, "and we will need to put forth our best performance each Friday night."