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High School Girls Flag Football
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Pioneer head coach Christopher Edwards was named the Buffalo region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 12. One of the longest-tenured high school coaches across multiple sports, as well as the school's athletic director since 2024, Edwards has served as the varsity girls flag football head coach for three years, since the program's inception. He has been Pioneer's boys varsity football coach for 18 years as defensive coordinator, while coaching varsity wrestling and varsity tennis for 25 and 22 years, respectively. He is in the Western New York Wrestling Hall of Fame as a coach.
A 1991 Pioneer graduate, Edwards rapidly made his mark on the flag program as the Panthers have compiled a 41-3 record in the program's three years of existence, including two division championships and two Section VI championships. In 2025, Pioneer captured the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) title over Owego Free Academy, 13-12, in overtime. In doing so, Pioneer became the first school from Section VI to win a state title in flag football. His daughter, Ellie, the team's then-sophomore quarterback, was a key contributor, which prompted her selection as the Buffalo Bills Maxwell Award Nominee in 2025.
Pioneer finished with a 16-1 overall record in 2025. The Panthers outscored their opponents, 663-82. Pioneer is 2-0 in 2026 with wins over Maine-Endwell and Jamestown.
Edwards' mantra to further team culture is "Find A Way."
"I wanted to be a coach so I could help kids see the values of sports and how they can help make you a better person," he said.
Hornell head coach Mike Wilkinson was named the Rochester region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 19. Coach Wilkinson and team are 5-0 in their first year playing flag football. He is credited with building an incredible culture and excitement around the sport in the Hornell community.
"In athletics, you need to work to earn the things that you achieve," explained Wilkinson. "I believe in instilling a passion and love for the sport in my athletes, while at the same time encouraging them to become a better version of themselves."
Wilkinson's favorite memory is the first game of their inaugural season and seeing the girls rewarded for their hard work and dedication throughout the winter. Hornell not only earned the victory but were supported by the community in a way never before seen.
Fayetteville-Manlius head coach Ryan Aldrich was named the Syracuse region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 24. This year, FM won the Class B sectional title and will play in regionals on Friday, May 29.
Coach Aldrich has been a teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School for 10 years. In that time, he has been an assistant coach for tackle football for seven years, a modified wrestling coach for two years and started the flag football program in 2025, where he has been the head coach for the past two seasons.
"My coaching philosophy is to build a fast, aggressive, and resilient flag football program," said Aldrich. "I emphasize teamwork and trust, skill development, a relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the field, playing fast with an aggressive mindset on both sides of the ball, and a positive, competitive culture that athletes can carry into all areas of life."
The Fayetteville-Manlius Flag Football team helped local food pantries and raised awareness about breast cancer to further support their team motto, "leaving a legacy."
Coach Aldrich's favorite flag football memory is winning the Section III Championship in the team's inaugural year.
Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, and Khalil Shakir Surprise The Girls Flag Football Coaches Of The Year!
The Buffalo Bills Girls Flag Football Coach of the Year winners talk with Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid on their winning seasons, what coaching means to them and the pride they have in their teams.
2026 Coach of the Week Winners
| Week | Coaches | Story |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Chris Edwards, Eric Thurley, Brad Keysor | Read More>> |
| Week 2 | Nick Bertrando, Mike Wilkinson, Jeff Petties | Read More>> |
| Week 3 | Henry Carney, David Marean, Tom Rose | Read More>> |
| Week 4 | Jeff Weiss, Chris Urban, Tim Moore | Read More>> |
| Week 5 | Dan Hannon, Dennis Thomas, Dan Scicchitano | Read More>> |
| Week 6 | Mike Torrillo, Dan Corrado, Heaven Lewis | Read More>> |
| Week 7 | Joe Licata, Cody Foster, Ryan Aldrich | Read More>> |
| Coach of the Year Winners | Chris Edwards, Mike Wilkinson, Ryan Aldrich | Read More>>> |
The Buffalo Bills have nominated Ellie Edwards from Pioneer for the Maxwell Football Club Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award. All 32 NFL clubs selected a female high school flag football player to represent their team for consideration for this year's award, which recognizes outstanding on-field performance, academic achievement and community service. Four finalists from both the NFC and AFC will be chosen later this month, with the winner being announced in January. Congrats to Ellie!
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