Niagara Wheatfield preview centers on physicality, Chmaj at QB and playoff push

Overview

• Coach Erik O'Bryan said Niagara Wheatfield enters 2026 with senior leadership, young talent and a playoff goal after missing out on a three-way tiebreaker last year.
• Joe Chmaj steps in at quarterback after leading the JV teams the last couple years, and O'Bryan identified him as a potential breakout player.
• Logan Robinson is expected to anchor both lines after starting 9 games at right tackle last season.
• Matt Bigelow, Asthon Dixon and Ryan Dworzanski are the Falcons' listed leaders, with Bigelow also identified as a special-teams player who could make a difference.
• Niagara Wheatfield is scheduled to open at home Sept. 3 against Niagara Falls, then host West Seneca West and Frontier before October road trips to Orchard Park, Kenmore West and Clarence.

Niagara Wheatfield Falcons 2026 Football Preview

Niagara Wheatfield enters 2026 with a clear edge to its outlook.

Coach Erik O'Bryan described the Falcons as "a physical group with good senior leadership and young talent." The motivation is just as direct: after missing the playoffs last season through a three-way tiebreaker, O'Bryan said this group is thinking about the postseason.

For a program O'Bryan took over four years ago, that would matter. He said the Falcons are chasing a playoff berth for the first time in more than 12 years at Niagara Wheatfield.

Quarterback And Offensive Identity

Joe Chmaj is set to step in at quarterback after leading the JV teams the last couple years. O'Bryan also named Chmaj as a player who could have a breakout season.

The structure around him can shift. O'Bryan said Niagara Wheatfield will be mainly a spread offense, with the option to play double-tight power football and use play action.

Matt Bigelow gives the Falcons an experienced receiving option and one of their listed leaders. In 2025, Bigelow caught 18 passes for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is also the special-teams player O'Bryan identified as someone who could make a difference.

Asthon Dixon is another name O'Bryan wants readers to know as a new contributor. Dixon is listed as a senior RB/S and is one of the team's leaders, along with Bigelow and Ryan Dworzanski.

Physicality Up Front And On Defense

O'Bryan pointed to Logan Robinson as the anchor on both sides of the line. Robinson is listed as a junior OL/DL, and O'Bryan said he started 9 games at right tackle last season.

Defensively, the Falcons want to build around urgency and contact. O'Bryan said the defense needs to play with its "hair on fire" and get as many hats to the ball as possible.

The base look will be a 3-4 defense with a mix of man and zone coverage, depending on how aggressive the Falcons are that night.

Dworzanski returns after a productive junior season at linebacker. In 2025, he finished with 76 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Cam Smith added 18 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 5 passes defended in 2025, while Liam Shaw had 40 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

Schedule Landmarks

Niagara Wheatfield is scheduled to open Sept. 3 at home against Niagara Falls, then stay home Sept. 11 against West Seneca West.

The Falcons visit Sweet Home on Sept. 18 before returning home Sept. 25 against Frontier. October starts with a road game at Orchard Park on Oct. 2, followed by trips to Kenmore West on Oct. 10 and Clarence on Oct. 16.

The regular-season schedule closes Oct. 23 at home against Williamsville North.

The Falcons' path is built around a simple ask: let a young quarterback grow into the job, lean on proven senior leaders, play with the physical edge O'Bryan wants, and carry that standard through a schedule that sends Niagara Wheatfield on the road for much of October.