Lancaster builds 2026 push around defensive front, Banks and Fix

Overview

• Eric Rupp enters the season optimistic after a strong offseason, with Lancaster returning several key players.
• Aiden Banks is the receiver to watch after catching 33 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
• Everett Fix moves back to quarterback after playing wide receiver last season, and Rupp said Lancaster needs him to be a true dual threat.
• Rupp pointed to the defensive line as Lancaster's expected strength, with Justin Teubner, Dan Frank, Dylan Pierce and Cole Klinger among the names up front.
• The schedule includes home dates against Health Sciences/BASC/Charter, Jamestown and Bennett before the regular-season finale at Depew on Oct. 23.

Lancaster Legends 2026 Football Preview

Eric Rupp has coached Lancaster long enough to know the standard, and the Legends enter 2026 trying to get back to it.

Rupp became Lancaster's varsity head coach in 2016 after starting with the program in 2009 as a volunteer assistant under Hall of Fame coach Len Jankiewicz.

This year, the goal is direct.

"We want to get back to the sectional championship," Rupp said. "Last year was the first time in a decade that did not happen."

Rupp described the outlook as optimistic, pointing to a strong offseason and several key returners. Lancaster will work from a power spread offense and an attacking 4-3 defense that Rupp said will bring different zone blitzes.

Banks And Fix Lead The Offense

Aiden Banks is one of the central pieces of the Lancaster offense. Rupp named him as a returning wide receiver, a potential breakout player and a special-teams player who could make a difference.

Banks gave the Legends proven production in 2025. As a junior, he caught 33 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns, and he also had 311 kick-return yards with a kick-return touchdown.

The quarterback spot also brings an important move. Everett Fix is listed as a junior quarterback, and Rupp said Fix started at wide receiver last year before shifting back to his natural position.

"We need him to be a true dual threat," Rupp said.

Fix's 2025 production reflected that versatility. He rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns, and also saw limited passing work.

The offensive line is the group Rupp wants to see develop as the season progresses. He named Gavin Smith and Cole Silvestri as offensive linemen expected to anchor that unit.

Defensive Front Sets The Standard

Rupp pointed to the defensive line as Lancaster's expected strength. He said the Legends return three starters on the line in Justin Teubner, Dan Frank and Dylan Pierce, with Cole Klinger also listed among the players expected to anchor the front.

Teubner, a senior RB/DL, brings two-way experience. In 2025, he made 57 tackles with one sack and also rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Pierce, a junior defensive lineman, added 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack in 2025. Frank is listed as a senior OL/DL, and Klinger is listed as a sophomore defensive lineman.

At linebacker, Rupp said Lancaster returns Cole Urban and Josh Okeke as starters. Urban, a senior TE/LB, had 72 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown in 2025. Okeke is listed as a junior outside linebacker.

Cole Urban is also the new contributor Rupp wants readers to know, and Lancaster will wait until Lancaster-Depew week to select captains.

Schedule Landmarks

Lancaster's schedule starts Sept. 4 against McQuaid Jesuit at University of Buffalo - Stadium, then sends the Legends to Niagara Falls on Sept. 12.

The next home date is Sept. 18 against Health Sciences/BASC/Charter at Lancaster High School's stadium. The Legends then go to Lockport on Sept. 26 before returning home Oct. 2 against Jamestown.

October also includes an Oct. 8 trip to Hutch-Tech at Riverside High School, an Oct. 16 home game against Bennett and an Oct. 23 regular-season finale at Depew.

For Lancaster, the path is familiar but demanding: build the offensive line, let Fix grow into the quarterback role, get Banks the ball and lean on a defensive front that Rupp expects to set the tone.