The Buffalo Bills held their annual "Salute to High School Football" program at the Bills vs. Dolphins game on Sunday, December 18, 2011.
The local tradition continued as the Bills recognized the 2011 New York State High School Football State Champion Orchard Park Quakers, the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association League AA Champion St. Francis Red Raiders High School football team and the eleven winners of the Buffalo Bills & National Guard High School Football Coaches of the Week award winners, including the Coach of the Year award winner.
The OP Quakers, under Gene Tundo, head coach, won their second state title in school history. They defeated Newburgh High School 21-13 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on November 27, 2011 to cap their perfect 13-0 season.
Ralph Wilson Stadium played host to the St. Francis Red Raiders 37-16 resounding victory over rival St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute on November 17, 2011. The Red Raiders finished with an impressive 8-3 overall record.
The Buffalo Bills & National Guard High School Coaches of the Week were recognized on the field during pregame as well. Each week during the high school football season, a committee appointed by the Buffalo Bills and National Guard selected a high school football coach as the coach of the week. The winning coaches each received $2,000 for their school's football program and the coach of the year received an additional $2,000 for their program.
Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and seven-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed were on the field during pregame to take photos and congratulate all of the winners. The Buffalo Bills congratulate the 2011 high school football players and coaches for a great season of high school football in Western New York.
The Bills and National Guard Coaches of the Week were Steve McDuffie, Bennett HS, John Faller, Sweet Home HS, Dennis Gilbert, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Jason Marsh, Salamanca HS, Dick Diminuco, Alden HS, Rick Tomm, North Tonawanda HS, Kraig Kurzanski, Williamsville South HS, Rich Harris, Kenmore West HS, Jay Sirianni, Southwestern HS, Jerry Smith, St. Francis HS and Gene Tundo, Orchard Park HS.
Tundo was also named the Bills and National Guard HS Football Coach of the Year. Tundo finished his 18th season at Orchard Park and has a career record of 149 wins and 36 losses with two state championships in 2008 and 2011.
At halftime of the Bills-Dolphins game, the Bills also recognized on the field the 2011 All-Western New York HS Football team as part of the Bills "Salute to HS Football." Both Jim Kelly and his main target Andre Reed hooked up again to congratulate all of the first-team players noted below; QB Chad Kelly, St. Joseph's
