Iroquois builds around line, returning playmakers after division-winning season

Overview

• Robert Pitzonka enters his 10th season as Iroquois varsity head coach after the Red Hawks went 8-2, won their division and reached a section semifinal in 2025.
• The offensive line is the anchor, with Owen Luders and Harrison Bednasz returning as starters and Andrew Kauschinger, Sam Jankowski and Isaac Jankowski joining the group.
• Trey Pfeiffer returns at running back after rushing for 497 yards and six touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 85 yards and two scores in 2025.
• Jackson Kwaizer is back for his third varsity season after a 2025 sophomore year with 31 catches, 602 yards, five touchdowns and 32 tackles.
• George Issa steps in at quarterback, while Logan Nolan, Stefano Passucci and Caleb Brondou are among the defenders Pitzonka expects to shape the Red Hawks.
• Iroquois is scheduled for road games at Depew, Dunkirk and Olean before closing with three straight home games, including East Aurora/Holland on Oct. 23.

Iroquois 2026 Football Preview

Robert Pitzonka is not treating 2026 like a reset year at Iroquois.

The Red Hawks have major names to replace from an 8-2 team that won its division and reached a section semifinal in 2025, but Pitzonka sees enough varsity experience, line play and young talent for Iroquois to keep its standards high.

"To an outsider, this would look like a rebuilding year however for us it is a building on what we already have established year with high expectations," Pitzonka said.

Pitzonka enters his 10th season as Iroquois' varsity head coach. He spent four years on staff before taking over the varsity program, and his wider coaching background includes time at Milford Academy, Lancaster's modified program and Lancaster's JV program.

Offensive Line Leads The Build

The first foundation point is up front.

"Our offensive line will be the anchor of our team," Pitzonka said.

Senior Owen Luders and junior Harrison Bednasz return as starters from last season. They are joined by junior center Andrew Kauschinger, junior Sam Jankowski and sophomore Isaac Jankowski. Pitzonka also listed Bednasz, Luders, Sam Jankowski and Kauschinger when asked which players will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

That group fits the identity Pitzonka wants. Iroquois will still use its spread concepts, RPOs, screen game and Air Raid elements, but the Red Hawks expect to be more balanced because of their line.

"I believe our strength will be on the offensive line," Pitzonka said. "Between the size, strength and nasty that this group has shown I believe it is going to open opportunities for us to run and pass effectively this year."

Pfeiffer And Kwaizer Return Production

Trey Pfeiffer gives Iroquois a proven running back to run behind that group. As a sophomore in 2025, Pfeiffer rushed for 497 yards and six touchdowns, and he added 13 catches for 85 yards and two more scores.

Pitzonka said Pfeiffer has added size while improving his quickness, and listed him among the team's primary leaders.

Jackson Kwaizer is another central piece. The junior tight end/linebacker returns for his third varsity season after an all-league sophomore year, according to Pitzonka. In 2025, Kwaizer caught 31 passes for 602 yards and five touchdowns, and defensively he made 32 tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack and two passes defended.

Pitzonka also named Kwaizer among the team's leaders and said he will move up to linebacker defensively.

Issa Steps In At Quarterback

Junior George Issa takes over at quarterback.

Pitzonka said Issa has spent the offseason learning the offense and reading defenses through offseason team activities, passing leagues, contact camp and scrimmages. The task, as Pitzonka framed it, is for Issa to be the best version of himself in the role.

The Red Hawks will ask Issa to guide an offense that can shift based on personnel. Pitzonka said Iroquois has been pass-heavy in past years, but this team can be more balanced while still using spread formations and 12 personnel.

Roman Williams is the breakout player Pitzonka pointed to, and Carson Fragale is the new contributor he wants readers to know. Williams is listed as a sophomore WR/LB, and Fragale is listed as a junior WR/LB.

Defense, Leadership And Schedule

Defensively, Iroquois wants to be built on tackling and physicality. Pitzonka said the Red Hawks will move between odd and even fronts while showing a two-high shell on most plays.

Logan Nolan, a senior WR/FS, is a major returning piece at safety and one of the leaders Pitzonka named. Nolan made 81 tackles, intercepted three passes and had seven passes defended in 2025.

Caleb Brondou is another senior linebacker in the returning core. He made 56 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025. Senior Stefano Passucci, listed as an RB/CB, was identified by Pitzonka as an All-State cornerback.

Pitzonka also named Owen Luders, Pfeiffer and Kwaizer with Nolan among the team's primary leaders. Trevor Walczak, a sophomore kicker, is the special-teams player Pitzonka said could make a difference.

Iroquois opens Sept. 4 at Maryvale and hosts Cheektowaga on Sept. 11. The schedule then sends Iroquois to Depew on Sept. 18, Dunkirk on Sept. 25 and Olean on Oct. 2. The Red Hawks then return home for Pioneer on Oct. 8, Lackawanna on Oct. 16 and East Aurora/Holland on Oct. 23.

The goals stay simple in Pitzonka's words: a "1-0 mentality." If Iroquois gets that, he said winning the division, making the playoffs and reaching a section final can all be part of the picture.