“I felt like we were gaining speed. Week by week we were getting better and better,” said Fredonia head coach Greg Sherlock.

The dream season for Fredonia came to a bitter end with a blowout loss in the Class C championship game to Medina, capping off the season with a record of 10-1. Overall, it was a very successful season for a team that sent four players to the next level — Nick Whitfield, Matt Lotter, Simon Davis and Shawn Farnham.

KEY LOSSES: It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Fredonia lost as much talent from last year as any team in all of Western New York. Star quarterback Nick Whitfield, who accounted for 1,797 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also rushed for 720 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. The Hillbillies also lost Matt Lotter, a two-way standout who was the team’s leading rusher (1,107 yards, 12 touchdowns) and leading tackler (140 total stops).

Fredonia also lost both starting tackles, Shawn Farnham and Ismael Martinez, along with sacks leader Alex Paluch. Five of the top eight leading tacklers from last season are gone from this year’s team.

Backfield, from the left, are Juan Mendez, Davion White, Ethan Fry, Sam Atzrott, Micah Davis, Ben LaGrow and Jay Jay Resto.

Fredonia also needs to replace its top three receivers. Simon Davis and Davon McCall, the second and third options at wide receiver, combined for 55 receptions, 852 yards and six touchdowns last season. The only receiver to top either one in any category was Ethan Fry, who led the Hillbillies with 37 receptions, 512 yards, and nine touchdowns. Fry will take over as the new Fredonia quarterback, leaving the offense without its top passer, top rusher, and top three receivers from a season ago.

“Those guys that now have departed — such big departures, four of them now playing in college — they really showed us the way,” said Sherlock. “Especially in the weight room, knowing what it takes to get better as a program. That’s what those guys did. … They were there, always in the weight room to make themselves better, but they were also there for the other kids, helping them out, as well.”

KEY RETURNEES: With Fry moving from wide receiver to quarterback, one of the key spots to watch this year for Fredonia is wide receiver. Sherlock raved about Jay Hawk as a player with the size and ability to make an impact at the position.

“He’s been outstanding for us all summer long, such a great attitude, never takes a play off. I think he’s a big key to this year’s success.”

Jameson Quinn is another receiver to watch for the Hillbillies. “Very fast, very confident, he’s been in the weight room all year. He going to be able to step up,” said Sherlock.

Receivers, pictured, from the left, in the front row are Izak Wojcinski, Joey Brown, Nathan Lancaster, Jake Willey and Brady Helmer. In the back row are Mike Ball, Tim Field, Keegan Whitfield, Michael Riddle, Kevin Brown, Jay Hawk, Jameson Quinn

All three interior offensive linemen from last season — Simon Price, Owen Rush and Matt Cash — will also return for the Hillbillies. That should help the Fredonia running game, led by new starting running back Micah Davis.

Defensively, Fredonia will boast key returners on all three levels, especially at linebacker with Matt Cash and Juan Mendez, along with pass-rusher Sam Atzrott, who had five sacks last season.

Fredonia always has a lot of talent and can usually rebound well. That will be put to the test this year.

OUTLOOK FOR CLASS C SOUTH: “It’s going to be interesting,” said Sherlock. “Allegany-Limestone, I know they lost a coach, but they have some really good athletes. We saw that this summer. Southwestern is Southwestern, they are going to be good, they are always there. Salamanca, they return some really key guys, some really good athletes. … I don’t know if there are any games that you look ahead and say, ‘We’re looking forward to that.'”

KEY GAME: Fredonia ends the season with a tough stretch, traveling to Southwestern, which Fredonia beat twice in thrilling one-score games last season — then at Chautauqua Lake, and finally, a home game to end the year against rival Dunkirk. The Hillbillies, however, are not looking ahead to any game more than the next.

Linemen, pictured, from the left, in the front row are Sam Wray, Ian Storey, Tyler Kuzdale, Jacob Lemke and Simon Price. In the back row are Bryce Bacher, Dean Hemenger, Ryan Proffitt, Colin Crowell, Owen Rush and Matt Cash.

“I’m focused on getting better now for that first game against Akron,” said Sherlock. “I want to see us do things right.”

SENIORS: Calder Annear, Joseph Brown, Matt Cash, Micah Davis, Ethan Fry, Jay Hawk, Jacob Lemke, Juan Mendez, Mike Riddle, Sal Tabone, Keegan Whitfield.

JUNIORS: Samuel Atzrott, Mike Ball, Tim Field, Payton Glavey, Trent Harless, Dean Hemenger, Tyler Kuzdale, Ben LaGrow, Nathan Lancaster, Jacob Majka, Simon Price, Ryan Proffitt, Jameson Quinn, Owen Rush, Davion White, Jake Willey, Sam Wray.

SOPHOMORES: Bryce Bacher, Kevin Brown, Colin Crowell, Brady Helmer, Juan Resto, Ian Storey Izak Wojcinski.