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Bennett brings back major 2025 production for 2026 football season

Steven McDuffie's team has Dontre Hampton, Jason Hargrove, Nah'sir Tillmon and a tested group of seniors among the names to know entering a new schedule.

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Pre-season Football

WNY Athletics Staff ·

Overview

  • Bennett's 2026 schedule opens with road games against Saint Francis on Sept. 4 and Saint John's (DC) on Sept. 12.
  • Dontre Hampton rushed for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass and made 121 total tackles as a junior in 2025.
  • Jason Hargrove had 106 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a sophomore in 2025.
  • Bennett's October schedule includes home games against Niagara Falls on Oct. 9 and Lockport on Oct. 23, with both listed for All High Stadium.

Bennett 2026 Football Preview

Bennett enters the 2026 football season with Steven McDuffie leading a roster that has several returning players with significant varsity production from last fall.

Senior RB/LB Dontre Hampton gives Bennett one of its most productive two-way returners. As a junior in 2025, Hampton carried 110 times for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns, added five receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown, and finished with 121 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and nine passes defended.

Junior FB/TE/OLB/DE Jason Hargrove also brings production on both sides of the ball. In 2025, Hargrove had 106 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, an interception and eight passes defended. He also carried 11 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The senior class includes more returning defensive production. Nah'sir Tillmon, an OL/DE/K/P, had 75 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and 16 passes defended in 2025. Joseph Peeler IV, listed at TE/RB/DE, added 29 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and six passes defended.

Bennett also has experience back in the secondary and receiver group. Tyzjon Johnson, a senior WR/DB, caught 15 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown in 2025 while adding 37 total tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 18 passes defended. Senior WR/DB Acari Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown and made 20 total tackles with an interception.

Other listed seniors include QB/WR/DB Darryl Williams, WR/LB/FS Makhai Morrison, TE/DE Jayden Mills, OL/DL Nas'sir Jones, OL/DL Darmaine Ubiles, OL/DL/K/P Lofo Elocho and OL/DL Xzavier Johnson.

Schedule Landmarks

Bennett's schedule starts with two road trips: Saint Francis on Sept. 4 at University of Buffalo Stadium and Saint John's (DC) on Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C.

The first home date is Sept. 18 against Jamestown at All High Stadium, with kickoff listed for 7 p.m. Bennett then visits Health Sciences/BASC/Charter on Sept. 25 at Buffalo State University's Coyer Field.

October opens with a road game against Hutch-Tech on Oct. 1 at Riverside High School, listed for 6 p.m. Bennett returns to All High Stadium on Oct. 9 to face Niagara Falls at 7 p.m.

The regular-season schedule closes with an Oct. 16 trip to Lancaster and an Oct. 23 home game against Lockport at All High Stadium. Both are listed for 7 p.m.

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