Orleans Rivals coach Eric Valley and Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen coach Michael Bauer have earned the Buffalo Bills’ Week 10 high school football coaching honors, bringing a $1,000 grant to each program.
The Bills announced the selections Nov. 11 in partnership with Visa. Valley received the Buffalo region award, while Bauer was recognized in the Rochester region for the week ending Nov. 8. Both coaches led their teams to sectional semifinal victories.
Bauer leads Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen to the final
Bauer’s sixth-seeded Irish defeated second-seeded Attica 28-21 in the Section V Class D semifinals, improving to 7-3, according to the Bills’ announcement.
Senior running back Chase Antinore carried 20 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass with two minutes remaining to seal the victory. Sophomore quarterback Drew Beachel completed six of nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, and senior Cody Carlson caught two passes for 33 yards and a score.
The Irish will face top-seeded Pavilion/York in the championship game at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at St. John Fisher University, according to the official Section V bracket. Pavilion/York advanced with a 7-5 semifinal victory over Canisteo-Greenwood.
Bauer is in his first season leading Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen after coaching at Bishop Timon, St. Jude and St. Joe’s. In comments published by the Bills, he described a philosophy centered on character development, accountability and strong personal relationships.
“I emphasize that football is about much more than wins and losses,” Bauer said.
The Bills also said the program plans to run youth camps and clean a local park in Bergen.
Valley builds a new program with the Rivals
Valley guided Orleans to a 21-6 victory over Pioneer in the Section VI Class B semifinals, lifting the combined Medina/Albion program to 9-1. The Rivals are scheduled to meet West Seneca East in Friday’s sectional championship at the University at Buffalo. West Seneca East won their regular-season meeting 35-34, according to the Bills.
Noah Harrison rushed seven times for 58 yards and two touchdowns against Pioneer. Elijah Doxey added 71 yards on 12 carries and caught five passes for 46 yards. Harrison also recorded 12 tackles, including one for a loss, and broke up a pass.
Valley told the Bills his players were becoming more confident and physical as the defense came together.
A 1991 Medina graduate, Valley played at Cortland State, moving through four positions over four years: linebacker, defensive end, fullback and tight end. He returned to Medina as a long-term substitute art teacher and joined the junior varsity coaching staff under his former high school coach, Nick Benedetti.
After 12 years in the program, Valley became Medina’s head coach. He won 104 games and two Section VI championships over 18 years before helping bring Medina and Albion together. The merged program adopted a new name, mascot and colors.
Valley’s community work has included organizing a 5K for a family after a father’s death and a coin drive that raised $6,000 for a family whose house burned down, the Bills said. He has also run a fundraiser for scholarships and community members in need for 16 years, along with a golf tournament supporting the football program for 19 years.
Recognition includes support for school programs
The Bills and Visa recognize coaches in the Buffalo and Rochester regions throughout the season for their teams’ performance and community service. Each weekly honoree’s program receives $1,000.
Each region’s eventual Coach of the Year will receive an additional $1,000 for the program and be recognized on the field at Highmark Stadium before the Bills’ January game against the New York Jets, according to the announcement.
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