West Seneca East enters 2026 with Josh Urban, Joey Molnar leading experienced core

Overview

• Josh Urban returns as a senior RB/LB after rushing for 483 yards, adding 278 receiving yards and making 72 tackles in 2025.
• Joey Molnar caught 28 passes for 369 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, while also recording 46 tackles and two sacks.
• Cinsere Tucker had 59 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a freshman in 2025.
• West Seneca East is scheduled to open Sept. 4 at home against Amherst and closes Oct. 23 at West Seneca West.

West Seneca East 2026 Football Preview

West Seneca East enters 2026 with a senior-heavy group in several key spots and a handful of returning players whose 2025 production gives the team a clear starting point.

Head coach Jim Maurino has experienced seniors at the skill positions, linebacker and along the line. The clearest two-way profile belongs to Josh Urban, a Class of 2027 RB/LB who contributed in the run game, passing game and on defense last season.

Urban rushed for 483 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, and he also caught 32 passes for 278 yards and four more scores. Defensively, he finished with 72 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Returning Skill And Defensive Production

Joey Molnar gives West Seneca East another senior with production in multiple phases. The Class of 2027 WR/LB caught 28 passes for 369 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, and he added 46 tackles, two sacks and an interception on defense.

The roster also brings back Cinsere Tucker, a Class of 2029 WR/DB who produced early in his varsity career. As a freshman in 2025, Tucker recorded 59 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Christian Hall, a senior WR/DB, added 14 tackles and an interception in 2025.

Kamden Billi, a senior WR/LB, and Brady Murray, a senior OL/DL, are also back after 2025 seasons with defensive production. Billi had 11 tackles, while Murray had 11 tackles and three sacks. Tyler Ersing, a junior OL/DL, gives the line another returning producer after finishing 2025 with 20 tackles, four sacks and an interception.

Up front, the senior group includes Murray, Johnce Melendez, Thomas Castonguay and Dom Daniels. The roster also lists several junior linemen, including Vinny Gombos, James Jankowiak, Tyler Ersing, Christian Eckrote and Logan Bonner.

Schedule Landmarks

West Seneca East is scheduled to open Sept. 4 against Amherst at West Seneca East High School's ES Stadium, then host Maryvale on Sept. 11.

The schedule shifts away from ES Stadium for four straight dates: Sept. 19 against Lake Shore at West Seneca West, Sept. 25 at McKinley, Oct. 2 at Lewiston Porter and Oct. 9 at Albion.

The final home game is scheduled for Oct. 16 against Williamsville South. West Seneca East then closes the regular-season schedule Oct. 23 at West Seneca West.

For West Seneca East, the preseason picture starts with proven senior production. Urban and Molnar give the offense returning touchdown production and give the defense experienced linebackers, while Tucker's freshman-year defensive numbers add another important piece to the secondary as the season moves toward a late October finish across town.