Orchard Park leans on Hassett, Danna and veteran core for 2026

Overview

• Michael Cieslik enters his fifth season as Orchard Park's head coach with a mix of veterans and younger talent moving up from the JV and freshman levels.
• Jayden Hassett returns as a senior second-year starter at quarterback after throwing for 1,501 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025.
• Zack Danna gives the Quakers a major returning target and defensive piece after catching 55 passes for 631 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions last season.
• John Meka Jr. returns up front after a 2025 season with 59 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
• Orchard Park opens Sept. 4 at home against Hutch-Tech and closes the regular season Oct. 22 at home against Clarence.

Orchard Park Quakers 2026 Football Preview

Michael Cieslik sees Orchard Park entering 2026 with a familiar blend: veteran players at the front of the group and younger talent ready to push into larger roles.

Cieslik, who said this is his fifth season as Orchard Park's head coach, described football as an extension of his work as a teacher.

"The fields are outdoor classrooms," Cieslik said. "Football is a vehicle to bring student athletes and coaches together to commit, build character and grow!"

For this fall, Cieslik said the Quakers return "a nice mix of veterans" while adding players from last year's JV and freshman teams. He pointed to Matthew Wright, John Meka Jr. and Zack Danna as defensive leaders, with Jayden Hassett, Dakota Flynn, Shane Avino, Danna and Logan McDougall helping set the tone on offense.

The mindset is straightforward.

"Mentality we seek to improve not prove," Cieslik said. "Better tomorrow than today."

Hassett Leads The Offense

Hassett returns as Orchard Park's senior quarterback and second-year starter.

"Jayden Hassett is our SR second year starter and he has prepared himself well to build on last year's mistakes and become the best version of himself he can be," Cieslik said.

Hassett's 2025 numbers give the Quakers a clear starting point. As a junior, he completed 110 passes for 1,501 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Danna was Orchard Park's top returning receiving producer in 2025. He caught 55 passes for 631 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, while adding 70 rushing yards and another score. Avino also returns at receiver and defensive back after an eight-catch, 168-yard junior season.

Flynn is the player Cieslik named as a potential breakout candidate. The senior RB/LB rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown last season and also contributed nine tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Up front, Cieslik pointed to McDougall and Carter Holguin as key linemen. McDougall is listed as a senior OL/DL, and Cieslik called him a three-year starter who will play on both sides. Holguin is also listed as a senior OL/DL and was described by Cieslik as a senior starter who will contribute both ways.

Defense Built Around Alignment And Pursuit

Orchard Park's defensive identity starts with the basics Cieslik wants to see every week.

"We make every effort to align correctly, play gap sound, rally to the football and try to take it away," Cieslik said.

Meka gives the Quakers a disruptive piece on the defensive line. In 2025, he made 59 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, with 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Danna also returns after making 35 tackles and two interceptions last season.

Wright is listed as a senior RB/LB and was named by Cieslik as one of the defensive leaders and captains. Cieslik also named Meka, Hassett, McDougall and Danna as part of Orchard Park's captain group, calling them "high character highly skilled guys who work!"

The Quakers will operate out of a spread offense with multiple formations, and Cieslik said the defense will use multiple fronts and "get after the ball." The development area to watch is depth, with Cieslik noting that high school football requires players to be ready at any point.

Jackson Springer is the new contributor Cieslik wants readers to know. Springer is listed as a junior TE/DL.

Special Teams And Schedule

Landon Kirk is the special-teams player Cieslik identified as a potential difference-maker. Kirk handled place-kicking duties in 2025, making 22 PATs.

The Quakers open Sept. 4 at home against Hutch-Tech, then travel to Kenmore West on Sept. 12.

The rest of September brings a Sept. 19 road game at Frontier and a Sept. 26 home game against West Seneca West. Orchard Park then hosts Niagara Wheatfield on Oct. 2 before back-to-back road games at Williamsville North on Oct. 9 and Sweet Home on Oct. 16.

The regular-season finale is Oct. 22 at home against Clarence.

For Orchard Park, the path into 2026 is about letting the senior core lead, building the next layer of depth and keeping the team's week-to-week goal simple: keep improving.