Gowanda/Pine Valley leans on line experience, defensive starters in 2026 outlook

Overview

• Brett Ebling enters his fifth season as Gowanda/Pine Valley's varsity head coach and his 12th year coaching football.
• The Panthers return four of five starting linemen and eight defensive starters, according to Ebling.
• Jayden Fish moves into the quarterback role after recording 47 tackles, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 2025.
• Zane Rogers is a breakout candidate after finishing 2025 with 65 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks.
• Kyan Austin caught 37 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, while Reginald Irion added nine catches for 173 yards and three touchdowns.
• Gowanda/Pine Valley is scheduled to visit Fredonia on Sept. 18 before home dates with Southwestern/Frewsburg on Sept. 25 and Saint Mary's on Oct. 9.

Gowanda/Pine Valley 2026 Football Preview

Gowanda/Pine Valley enters the 2026 season with experience where coach Brett Ebling wants to build first: up front, on defense and in the core of the locker room.

Ebling, entering his fifth season as varsity head coach and 12th year coaching football, said the Panthers are returning four of their five starting linemen and eight defensive starters. His outlook is built around steady growth.

"Our outlook on this season is we worry about ourselves getting better each day and each week," Ebling said. "If we can continue to maintain that outlook and vision we will be successful come game time."

The Panthers will play a multiple offensive style, with Ebling describing it as a mix of spread looks and under-center power football. Defensively, he wants the group to be "fast and physical," with athleticism helping offset a roster he said is not the biggest in the division.

Fish Steps In At Quarterback

Senior Jayden Fish is set to take over at quarterback after contributing in several areas last season. As a junior, Fish caught seven passes for 75 yards, made 47 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered four.

Ebling said Fish has worked through the offseason to earn the role.

"He has worked very hard this offseason and done everything and more to be successful on the field," Ebling said.

Fish is also one of the Panthers' captains, alongside Kyan Austin, Isaiah Washington and Reginald Irion. Ebling called all four three-year varsity players and starters, adding that their leadership through the offseason and the first two weeks of camp has been strong.

Skill Production And Breakout Names

Austin gives Gowanda/Pine Valley proven production at wide receiver and defensive back. In 2025, he caught 37 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 27 tackles and four interceptions.

Irion, a senior WR/DB, is another player Ebling pointed to for a larger role. He caught nine passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns last season and also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Rogers, a junior RB/DE, is Ebling's breakout pick. His 2025 production gives that storyline weight: Rogers finished with 65 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks, and he also rushed for 100 yards.

Line Experience Sets The Base

Ebling named Dalen Stevens and Isaiah Washington as the players expected to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Both are listed as seniors, with Stevens at OL/DL and Washington at OL/LB.

Stevens had 21 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack in 2025. Ebling identified Washington with Stevens as a three-year starter and one of the team leaders.

Elliott Graham is the special-teams player Ebling highlighted as someone who could make a difference. The roster lists Graham as a sophomore OL/DE.

Schedule Landmarks

Gowanda/Pine Valley opens Sept. 5 at Cleveland Hill, then hosts Portville/CR/BR on Sept. 11. The Panthers visit Fredonia on Sept. 18 before a Sept. 25 home game against Southwestern/Frewsburg at Hillis Field.

The Panthers travel to Salamanca on Oct. 2, host Saint Mary's on Oct. 9 and close the listed schedule at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton on Oct. 23.

For Ebling, the standard is less about a single number and more about daily improvement.

"A successful season to us would just see growth each day and week and becoming the best football team we can," Ebling said.