The Buffalo Bills have announced the Week 5 High School Girls Flag Football Coaches of the Week.
Aimed at highlighting varsity girls' flag football coaches' efforts on and off the field, coaches from the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse regions will be honored over seven weeks and receive $1,000 for their teams. Each region's Coach of the Week will be eligible to be selected for the Coach of the Year.
Buffalo Region (Section VI) Coach of the Week
Kenmore head coach Dan Hannon was named the Buffalo region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 10. In his second season as head coach, Hannon has recorded a 22-6 overall record, including a division championship in 2025.
"With a solid foundation set in year one, we continue to build 'brick by brick' each day through hard work," said Hannon. "We maintain a high standard of character and effort and create a fun, welcoming environment for girls to be the best version of themselves both on and off the field."
Each year, the team hosts a free clinic for girls in the district to raise interest in flag football, and this year, the girls also helped with the district's wellness event, teaching bike safety in the community.
Kenmore has recorded an 8-3 overall record in 2026, including a 5-2 mark in Division I play.
Rochester Region (Section V) Coach of the Week
Padilla head coach Dennis Thomas was named the Rochester region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 10.
Thomas has served as a coach for nine years. He began coaching for Gr8 Elite Ducks Little League Organization in Buffalo and has gone on to serve as the varsity tackle football team's co-head coach and defensive coordinator at Bishop Kearney. He then started the varsity boys football program at Rochester Prep, where he also started the girls flag program. At Padilla, he coaches football and girls basketball.
"Coach Thomas is highly deserving of Coach of the Week recognition," said Padilla Athletic Director Robert Thomas. "In just his second year with the program, he has transformed it by building from the bottom up and establishing a culture centered on hard work, accountability, and family."
Added Dennis Thomas, "Nothing happens without commitment, consistency, and courage. I chose coaching to help create better people for our future. There are many life lessons that can be learned in sport in one game, one practice or one season that would take most a lifetime to learn. As a teacher, I believe sports allow leaders to reach those who would not normally be within reach."
After notching a 2-6 regular season record in its inaugural season in 2025, Padilla has raced to an 8-3-1 overall record this season and is currently seeded fifth in Section V Class B. The Bulldogs have recorded six shutouts.
Syracuse Region (Section III) Coach of the Week
Central Square head coach Dan Scicchitano was named the Syracuse region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 10.
Currently in his second season as head coach/offensive coordinator for the girls flag football program at Central Square, Scicchitano guided the Redhawks to the Section III Class B sectional title in 2025. This season, Central Square began its season losing its first four games but has rebounded by winning eight of its last 10 games, including three consecutive shutouts. In doing so, Central Square avenged two early-season losses against East Syracuse Minoa and Fayetteville-Manlius.
"One of my greatest thrills is watching plays we work on in practice lead to winning some close games," said Scicchitano. "When the opportunity to start this program became available, I jumped in. The opportunity to pass the sport of football to a new group of young athletes is amazing."
In addition to girls flag football, Scicchitano is the offensive coordinator for the tackle football team at Central Square. He's also coached girls basketball, track, and wrestling at multiple levels.
The Redhawks are also involved in the community and have participated in Unified basketball events, read books to elementary schools in the district, and introduced others in the community to the sport at Family Fun Night.
2026 COTW IN REVIEW
Week 1: Chris Edwards (Pioneer), Eric Thurley (Webster Thomas), Brad Keysor (ESM)
Week 2: Nick Bertrando (Fredonia), Mike Wilkinson (Hornell), Jeff Petties (Syracuse East)
Week 3: Henry Carney (Grand Island), David Marean (Hilton), Tom Rose (Oneida)
Week 4: Jeff Weiss (Orchard Park), Chris Urban (Aquinas), Tim Moore (Westmoreland)
Week 5: Dan Hannon (Kenmore), Dennis Thomas (Padilla), Dan Scicchitano (Central Square)
