Starpoint enters 2026 with Chase, Collins and Laughton powering playoff push

Overview

• Jay Baumann enters his second season as Starpoint's varsity head coach after previous stretches as the program's varsity offensive coordinator.
• Baumann said Starpoint is striving to win the division and host a playoff game, with turnovers and explosive plays at the center of the team's focus.
• David Chase returns as a three-year starter at quarterback after throwing for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025.
• Victor Collins and Keanu Laughton are back after leading the rushing game last season, with Collins coming off a 798-yard, 13-touchdown rushing year.
• Colin McManus and Evan McManus are expected to anchor the line on both sides, while Baumann pointed to the secondary as an area of excitement.

Starpoint 2026 Football Preview

Jay Baumann's second season as Starpoint head coach begins with a clear target.

"We are striving to win the division and host a playoff game," Baumann said. "This group will focus on turnovers and explosives."

Baumann knows the program well. He was Starpoint's varsity offensive coordinator from 2015-19, spent 2020 as an assistant coach at Joshua High School in Texas, returned as Starpoint's varsity offensive coordinator from 2022-24 and became varsity head coach and play caller in 2025.

This season, the foundation starts with experience in the backfield, a defense that returns much of its structure and a line group Baumann expects to bring energy on both sides.

Chase Leads A Multiple Offense

David Chase gives Starpoint a veteran answer at quarterback. Baumann called Chase a three-year starter and said his summer growth has been encouraging.

"Take what the defense gives him," Baumann said of what Starpoint will ask from Chase. "I believe he is an all-league QB."

Chase's 2025 season gives Starpoint proven production to build from. As a junior, he completed 73 of 153 passes for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Baumann described the offense as multiple, with the ability to beat teams with pace and power. He also said offensive weapons should be a strong point, adding that Chase "will have his options."

Those options start with Victor Collins and Keanu Laughton, the two leading rushers Baumann said return from last year. Collins, a senior RB/LB, rushed for 798 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 and also made 90 tackles with three sacks. Laughton, a junior RB/DB, rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns while adding 40 tackles, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Baumann named Laughton as a potential breakout player. Cole Steiner, a junior WR/DB, is the new contributor he wants readers to know.

Defense Wants More Takeaways

Baumann said Starpoint returns nine defensive players, and he is excited about the secondary because of the different styles it can use from week to week.

The next step is forcing more turnovers.

"I want to see us become a team that can force turnovers," Baumann said. "That part of the game requires a level of aggression that I haven't seen in the program. That should change."

That defensive identity matches the way Baumann wants the group to play: aggressive, physical at the point of attack and capable of making opponents move the ball cautiously.

The line will be central to that plan. Baumann named Colin McManus and Evan McManus as players expected to anchor the offensive and defensive fronts, saying both will play on each side of the ball and "bring the juice everyday."

Colin McManus, a junior OL/DL, had 22 tackles, four sacks, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble in 2025. Evan McManus, also a junior OL/DL, had 22 tackles in 2025.

Cole Preisch is another name to watch on special teams. The junior RB/DB had 24 tackles and four passes defended in 2025, and he also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Leaders And Schedule Landmarks

Baumann named Collins and Chase as primary leaders, pointing to both seniors' work ethic and experience as three-year varsity players. He also named Colin McManus, Evan McManus and Laughton as leaders in how they play.

The program's broader identity is direct.

"No Main Characters," Baumann said. "It will take everyone to win."

Starpoint is scheduled to open Sept. 4 against Grand Island at Starpoint Central High School's Turf Stadium, then visit North Tonawanda on Sept. 11.

The remaining road slate includes Sept. 17 at Pioneer, Sept. 25 at Kenmore East and Oct. 9 at Hamburg. Starpoint's October home schedule brings Williamsville East on Oct. 2, South Park on Oct. 16 and Maritime - Tapestry on Oct. 22.

For Baumann, a successful regular season would mean earning a home playoff game at Starpoint. With Chase back at quarterback, Collins and Laughton giving the offense proven run-game pieces and the defense leaning into aggression, Starpoint has a clear version of what it wants to become.