Cheektowaga leans on athleticism, line play and young quarterback in 2026 push

Overview

• Bob Mucitelli enters his fourth season as Cheektowaga's head coach and 21st overall season coaching in the program.
• Mucitelli said the Chargers are optimistic after a difficult stretch and are focused on "leaving things better than when they arrived."
• Cheektowaga's foundation starts with experience on the offensive line and in the secondary, with Tony Beal, Jayden Karnuth and Jaxon Dubard named as key linemen.
• Freshman Landon Harte takes over at quarterback, and Mucitelli said the Chargers will ask him to manage the offense and protect the football.
• The schedule opens Sept. 4 at home against Lewiston Porter and includes home games against Depew, Dunkirk and Pioneer.

Cheektowaga Chargers 2026 Football Preview

Bob Mucitelli sees a Cheektowaga team trying to turn hard seasons into something lasting.

Mucitelli enters his fourth season as the Chargers' head coach and his 21st overall season coaching at Cheektowaga. The word he used for the 2026 outlook was direct: optimistic.

"This is a group of kids who have been through a difficult period for the program and have worked very hard to bring it back to a level they can be proud of," Mucitelli said. "We talk a lot about leaving things better than when they arrived."

That is the frame around the Chargers' season. Cheektowaga wants to keep the program on an upswing, keep improving, and make a run at returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Foundation Up Front

Mucitelli pointed to two areas where Cheektowaga brings back important experience: the offensive line and the secondary.

Up front, Tony Beal and Jayden Karnuth are the offensive linemen Mucitelli named as anchors. Jaxon Dubard is expected to be key on both lines. All three are listed as Class of 2027 offensive and defensive linemen.

The group is not built around overwhelming size, but Mucitelli likes how it fits the Chargers' approach.

"Along our offensive front we aren't extremely big, but they're smart and can play fast and make adjustments," Mucitelli said.

The line will be important for a Cheektowaga offense that wants to establish the run and protect a young quarterback. Dubard also brings returning defensive production after recording 42 tackles and three tackles for loss as a junior in 2025. Beal had 15 tackles in 2025, while Karnuth had 13.

Marius Mingo, another Class of 2027 offensive and defensive lineman, adds proven production to that front after posting 49 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025.

A Young Quarterback And Athletic Skill Group

Freshman Landon Harte steps into the quarterback role. Mucitelli called him "a big, smart kid" who won an offseason battle for the spot, and said Cheektowaga will ask him to manage the offense and be secure with the football.

The Chargers want to pair that with a balanced spread attack. Mucitelli said Cheektowaga wants to be smart and decisive, play at full speed without hesitation, and protect the football.

Athleticism is the trait Mucitelli sees across the roster.

"We believe our biggest strength is our athleticism," Mucitelli said. "We have guys in every position group who stand out as very good athletes."

Anthony Gordon III, a Class of 2028 slot receiver and defensive back, is the player Mucitelli named as a possible breakout candidate. Damahjay McClure, a Class of 2027 wide receiver and outside linebacker, is another player the staff wants readers to know as a new contributor in a larger role.

McClure brings some proven two-way production into that larger opportunity. In 2025, he caught 12 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, and defensively he recorded 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks.

Nico Nash also gives the Chargers a returning receiving piece after catching 15 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown in 2025.

Secondary And Leadership

Cheektowaga's defensive identity mirrors its offensive goals. Mucitelli wants an athletic, aggressive group that plays fast while staying smart.

He also likes the communication in the secondary.

"On the back end of our defense, the guys communicate well and play well as a unit," Mucitelli said.

The Chargers' primary team leaders are Karnuth, Dubard, Isaiah Carpenter and Jordan Graham. Carpenter is listed as a senior wide receiver and cornerback, and Graham is listed as a senior slot receiver and free safety.

Graham had 22 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2025. Carpenter had 25 tackles as a junior, while Lamar Blassingame added 39 tackles, one sack and one interception in 2025.

Mekhi Dennis, a Class of 2027 slot receiver and defensive back, is the special-teams player Mucitelli identified as someone who could make a difference.

The next step for the Chargers is mental toughness. Mucitelli said Cheektowaga has made progress, but still needs to keep developing the ability to respond when games get imperfect.

Schedule Landmarks

Cheektowaga opens Sept. 4 at home against Lewiston Porter at Cheektowaga Central High School's HS Turf Field. The Chargers travel to Iroquois on Sept. 11 and East Aurora/Holland on Sept. 18 before returning home Sept. 25 against Depew.

The Chargers host Dunkirk on Oct. 1, then hit the road for games at Lackawanna on Oct. 9 and Olean on Oct. 16. The regular-season schedule closes Oct. 23 at home against Pioneer.

If the line gives Harte time, the secondary keeps communicating, and the Chargers continue to grow through difficult moments, Cheektowaga has the pieces Mucitelli believes can keep the program climbing.