All season long, the Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports teamed up to celebrate outstanding football coaches in Western New York through the High School Coach of the Week program. Each week, a winner was selected from both the Buffalo and Rochester regions. In recognition of their hard work and dedication to their athletes' development, the coaches were given a $1,000 donation to their school's football program. Prior to kickoff at Buffalo's Week 17 game against the Jets, the Bills held a pregame ceremony to highlight the victors and to acknowledge a High School Coach of the Year from both areas.

Eric Rupp, Lancaster head coach, and Bobby Bates, McQuaid Jesuit head coach, were named the 2019 Coach of the Year winners. Presented with commemorative game balls by Bills Legend Steve Tasker and Paul Schintzius of ADPRO Sports, the pair received a warm welcome from Bills fans at New Era Field. The pair will also receive an additional $1,000 donation for their respective schools.

For Rupp and Bates, the honor was a perfect way to cap their successful seasons. The Lancaster Legends finished out the campaign with an 8-3 record after winning their fourth straight Section VI title. The Legends went on to win two playoff games before losing to Bates and the McQuaid Knights in the Far West Regionals.

It was a memorable year for the Knights too. Bates' group went 12-1 and compiled notable victories along the way. For the first time in over 10 years, McQuaid defeated top rival Aquinas. To sweeten the pot, the Knights went on to beat the Li'l Irish once more in the Section V Class AA title game. McQuaid's impressive playoff run ended with an appearance in the NYS AA Championship game in Syracuse.

Congratulations to Rupp, Bates and all the Coach of the Week winners!