Franklinville/Ellicottville leans on veteran skill group, Mason Blecha up front

Overview

• Justin Tatlow enters his third season as Franklinville/Ellicottville's head coach after three previous years as an assistant with the program.
• Tatlow said the Titans return several athletes who played significant varsity minutes and will be counted on to bring younger players along quickly.
• Mason Blecha is a three-year returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines, and Tatlow called him a key piece on both sides of the ball.
• Brady Tatlow is back at quarterback, a move Justin Tatlow said allows Rylan Benjamin to return to his wide receiver spot.
• Blake Smith produced 235 rushing yards, 234 receiving yards and four total touchdowns in 2025, while Benjamin added passing, rushing and receiving production.
• Franklinville/Ellicottville is scheduled to open Sept. 4 against Southwestern/Frewsburg before road games at Wilson, Newfane, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton and Silver Creek/Forestville.

Franklinville/Ellicottville Titans Football Preview

Franklinville/Ellicottville enters the 2026 football season with a returning skill group, an experienced anchor in the trenches and a coach who wants the Titans to grow quickly around that core.

Justin Tatlow is in his third season as head coach after spending three years as an assistant with the program. He said the Titans bring back several athletes who played major varsity minutes last season.

"We will be leaning on these athletes to bring the younger guys along quickly," Tatlow said.

Tatlow said the team's greatest experience comes from its skill players. Blake Smith and Rylan Benjamin are key returners there, while Brady Tatlow is back at quarterback. Up front, Mason Blecha gives Franklinville/Ellicottville a three-year returning starter on both lines.

Skill Group And Quarterback

Smith, a senior running back and defensive back, gives the Titans a proven multi-phase skill player. In 2025, he rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, caught 18 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown, and added 17 tackles and two interceptions.

Benjamin, a senior wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back, also brings experience in multiple roles. In 2025, he completed 32 of 70 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown, and caught two passes for 78 yards and one touchdown.

With Brady Tatlow returning at quarterback, Justin Tatlow said Benjamin can move back to wide receiver. Brady Tatlow is listed as a senior quarterback and defensive back, and Tatlow said the team will work to bring him up to speed with limited varsity starting experience.

"He played a strong game against CSP last year in our opener and has progressed well throughout the offseason to this point," Tatlow said.

Line Of Scrimmage

Blecha is the name Tatlow pointed to first when asked about a potential breakout player and the line group. He is listed as a senior offensive and defensive lineman, and Tatlow said Blecha has experience, size and a major commitment in the weight room since last season ended.

In 2025, Blecha recorded 13 tackles and four tackles for loss.

Tatlow said the Titans will lean on Blecha, Deegan Newark, Zach Brennan, Brenden MacWilliams, Coleman Milks and Dakota Smith to set the tone at the line of scrimmage. MacWilliams, a senior offensive lineman, running back and linebacker, had 27 tackles in 2025.

"The games are won and lost in the trenches," Tatlow said.

The group will matter even more because Tatlow said Franklinville/Ellicottville is limited in numbers, which means players may need to fill different roles for the team. He said the offensive line needs to continue to gel and communicate.

Identity And Leaders

Tatlow said the Titans want to give several looks offensively and stay as balanced as possible between the run and pass. Defensively, the desired identity is simple: fast and physical.

The team's listed captains are Blecha, Benjamin, Smith, Brady Tatlow and MacWilliams.

Sawyer Miller, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, is the new contributor Tatlow highlighted for readers. Tatlow also said Blecha has talked with Cornell, RPI and several other schools about playing NCAA football.

Franklinville/Ellicottville's broader goal is to keep improving through the season and be playing its best football late. Tatlow said Class D has "several legitimate contenders" who could be playing for the Section VI championship in November.

Schedule Landmarks

The Titans are scheduled to open Sept. 4 at home against Southwestern/Frewsburg at Franklinville Central High School. They then travel to Wilson on Sept. 11 before returning home Sept. 18 against Catt Little Valley at Ellicottville Central School.

The middle of the schedule sends Franklinville/Ellicottville to Newfane on Sept. 25 and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton on Oct. 2. The Titans host Randolph on Oct. 9 and Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale on Oct. 16 before closing the listed regular-season schedule Oct. 23 at Silver Creek/Forestville.

If the skill group settles in around Brady Tatlow and the line develops around Blecha, the Titans have the foundation Justin Tatlow described for a team trying to stay healthy, progress through the fall and be in the Class D mix.