Falconer/CV/MG leans on hungry senior core, underclassmen spark for 2026 season

Overview

• Assistant coach Andrew Wascher described The Herd as "hungry and humble" entering the 2026 football season.
• Falconer/CV/MG returns senior line experience with Matthew Ashbaugh and Nate Tomlinson, while Patrick Braley, Dylan Newman, Brody Hawkins and Jaxon Kraft are among the returning offensive pieces.
• Wascher said sophomore Ethan Conti is the starting quarterback, with Ethan Yanik named as a new contributor to know.
• Brody Hawkins made 42 tackles and scored a kickoff-return touchdown in 2025; Dylan Newman rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
• The Herd's October schedule includes road trips to Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton before home dates with Salamanca and Southwestern/Frewsburg.

Falconer/CV/MG Football Preview

Falconer/CV/MG enters the 2026 football season with a clear message from assistant coach Andrew Wascher: The Herd is trying to build its own identity.

"This is a group of hungry and humble young men looking to make their own unique mark on the 2026 season," Wascher said. "Look for a mix up senior leadership and underclassmen contribution."

Wascher said the team's biggest strength is its attitude. He pointed to accountability, a hunger to improve and a willingness to work as early markers for the group.

The football pieces start with a returning core that touches both sides of the ball.

Returning Core

Up front, Wascher named senior Matthew Ashbaugh and senior Nate Tomlinson as returning offensive line starters. He said they bring the experience Falconer/CV/MG needs, while also identifying offensive and defensive line play as a key area for the season.

The offense also brings back senior Patrick Braley at fullback, junior Brody Hawkins as a running back/wide receiver, senior Dylan Newman at running back and junior Jaxon Kraft in the backfield. Wascher said to look for Braley to make an impact along with the running back group.

Hawkins, listed as a junior RB/WR/DB, was identified by Wascher as a potential breakout player. In 2025, Hawkins had 175 receiving yards and one touchdown, 55 rushing yards and one touchdown, 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended. He also returned 12 kickoffs for 263 yards and one touchdown.

Newman, a senior RB/DB, rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 and added 41 tackles. Kraft, a junior RB/DB, rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown, caught five passes for 86 yards and one touchdown, and finished with 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery and one pass defended in 2025.

Quarterback And Defense

Wascher said sophomore Ethan Conti is the starting quarterback. Conti is listed as a Class of 2029 QB/DB, and Wascher said he steps in for his first start.

Ethan Yanik, a junior RB/DB, is the new contributor Wascher highlighted. Wascher also said to look for Yanik to make plays from the safety positions.

Defensively, The Herd returns Tyler Anderson up front, Braley at linebacker or defensive line, Hawkins at defensive back or linebacker, Reese McKay in the secondary, Tomlinson at linebacker or defensive line, Riley Kerchoff in the back end, Kraft at linebacker and Newman in the secondary.

Anderson, a senior OL/DE, had 13 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack in 2025. Wascher also named Blake Berlin among the players who can help generate pressure with Braley and Anderson.

Wascher said Jeff Jordan has implemented a defensive system intended to let players make quick decisions and find the football. The goals he listed for the season were direct: "Stay Together. Brotherhood. Unity. Character development."

Schedule Landmarks

Falconer/CV/MG is scheduled to open Sept. 4 at home against East Aurora/Holland, then travel to Silver Creek/Forestville on Sept. 11.

The October stretch sends The Herd to Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale on Oct. 2 and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton on Oct. 9. Falconer/CV/MG is then scheduled to host Salamanca on Oct. 15 and Southwestern/Frewsburg on Oct. 23.

For The Herd, the season begins with experienced seniors, young contributors and a coach's belief that the group can define itself through work. If the line develops and the returning backfield and defensive core settle in, Falconer/CV/MG will have the foundation Wascher described for a season built around unity and growth.