Hamburg leans on run game, young line while chasing A2 playoff push

Overview

• Jeff Tripp enters his 11th season as Hamburg's varsity head coach and said the team should be competitive in an even A2 division.
• Gabe Terry is a senior RB/LB and team leader after rushing for 512 yards and four touchdowns in 2025.
• Sam Watkins is set to start at quarterback, with Tripp describing him as tall, smart and capable as both a runner and passer.
• Hamburg wants to establish the run with Terry, Nick Bleecher, Rhett Gray and Donnie Hunter while its young offensive line adjusts to varsity speed.
• Hamburg is scheduled for road games at South Park, Williamsville East, Grand Island and Maritime - Tapestry before closing the regular season at home against Frontier on Oct. 23.

Hamburg 2026 Football Preview

Jeff Tripp sees a young Hamburg team, but he also sees enough talent and effort for the group to make noise in Class A2.

"I think we will be competitive in a pretty even division (A2)," Tripp said. "We are young overall, but have some good talent and a high effort team."

Tripp is in his 11th season as Hamburg's varsity head coach and has spent 21 years in the program between JV and varsity roles. His goal for this group is direct: playoffs.

The path there starts with the run game, a defense that communicates and plays fast, and an offensive line growing into varsity football.

Run Game Sets The Tone

Gabe Terry is one of the first names on the Hamburg board. Tripp listed the senior RB/LB among the team's returning foundation pieces, named him as a potential breakout player and identified him as one of the primary leaders.

Terry already has proven varsity production. In 2025, he rushed for 512 yards and four touchdowns, caught 15 passes for 120 yards, made 53 tackles, added two tackles for loss and one sack, and handled return work with 387 kick-return yards and 76 punt-return yards.

Tripp said he likes Hamburg's running backs, listing Terry and sophomore Nick Bleecher, along with fullbacks Rhett Gray and Donnie Hunter. Bleecher is the new contributor Tripp wants readers to know, and he gives Hamburg another young option in the backfield and at linebacker.

"Should be able to establish run game, play solid team D," Tripp said when asked about Hamburg's biggest strength.

The run-first approach will not be one-dimensional. Tripp described Hamburg's offense as multiple, with wing-T, pro and spread elements, plus misdirection and motion designed to create conflict. The idea is to run to set up the pass.

Watkins Steps In At Quarterback

Sam Watkins is the clear starter at quarterback, according to Tripp, and Hamburg will ask him to run and throw within that multiple offense.

"He is tall, smart, and will run and pass," Tripp said.

Watkins, a senior QB/S, brings experience from several roles. In 2025, he had 39 total tackles, threw for 81 yards and a touchdown, caught three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 31 yards.

Gray, listed as a junior RB/LB, is expected to back up Watkins after serving as last year's JV quarterback.

Jeremiah Gandi is another senior Tripp named among the returning foundation pieces. Gandi, a WR/DB, rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns in 2025, caught 16 passes for 97 yards and also threw for 39 yards.

Line Growth, Defensive Communication

The line is both a key foundation and a key development point. Tripp listed Neil Bleecher and EJ Deffenbaugh with the team's returning core, and named Shea Takacs, Neil Bleecher, Connor Griffa, Lincoln Cronk, Grayson Ruff, Elijah Ilardo and Deffenbaugh as players expected to anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

Deffenbaugh, listed on the roster as an RB/LB and identified by Tripp as a defensive end/tight end, made 30 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in 2025. Neil Bleecher is a senior OL/DL, while Takacs, Griffa, Cronk and Ruff are juniors on the roster. Elijah Ilardo is listed as a senior OL/DL.

"Our OL is young but strong," Tripp said. "Need to adjust to the speed of varsity football."

Defensively, Hamburg plans to stay flexible. Tripp said the team will use multiple fronts to match opposing offenses and wants to build its identity around communication, speed and toughness.

Special teams should also be part of the formula. Tripp called Patrick Reagan a solid kicker and noted Reagan is also a soccer captain. Reagan is listed as a senior K/P.

Kam McNamara, a senior WR/DB, gives Hamburg another senior defensive back, and Tripp noted McNamara has committed to play lacrosse at Nazareth College.

Schedule Landmarks

Hamburg opens with home games against North Tonawanda on Sept. 4 and Kenmore East on Sept. 10. It is scheduled to visit South Park on Sept. 18, then go to Williamsville East on Sept. 25 and Grand Island on Oct. 2.

Hamburg returns home Oct. 9 against Starpoint at Howe Field Turf, then travels to Maritime - Tapestry on Oct. 15.

The regular-season schedule closes Oct. 23 with a home game against Frontier.

For Hamburg, the season comes down to how quickly a young roster can become varsity-ready around its senior core. If the team can run the ball, bring its line along and pair that with the fast, tough defense Tripp wants, it has a clear route toward the playoff goal.