Bucktail’s Green, Pentz, Pettingill, Fantaski earn Region 3 honors
By Bees O’Brien
COUDERSPORT, PA- Last Wednesday night in Coudersport, the District 9 League Region 3 coaches assembled to vote for the annual Region 3 All-Region squads. Region 3 is comprised of Bucktail, Sheffield, Cameron County, Coudersport, Otto-Eldred and Elk County Catholic.
The Bucks had plenty to be proud of on the All-Region squad with four Bucktail players being named. The D9 League coaches selected just one team for each region.
Johnny Green, Brody Pentz, Tanner Pettingill and Braylon Fantaski were selected to represent the Bucks.
Green was a unanimous pick on the defensive line. The Bucktail junior defensive tackle garnered the maximum number of five votes during the process. Green’s much improved play from a year ago was the biggest contributing factor, as he was constantly sealing up the defensive front for Bucks all season long.
Cameron County’s Nick Streich and Jesop Farabaugh joined Green on the defensive line. Otto-Eldred’s Braxton Caldwell and Elk County’s Lucas Grunewald were also named to the defensive line. Kyle Dunn of Coudersport finished off the All-Region defensive line. Dunn was also named Defensive Linemen of the Year for Region 3.
Bucktail starting quarterback Brody Pentz also earned All-Region honors, but as a linebacker rather than a signal caller. The Bucks’ leading tackler was joined by Cameron County’s Eyan Smith and Jameson Britton, Viggo Brown of Coudersport, Isaac Dellaquila of ECC and Otto-Eldred’s Hunter App.
Bucktail’s breakthrough fullback Tanner Pettingill was also an All-Region selection at fullback. Pettingill’s 771 yards rushing was among the very best in District 9 League Region 3. He was joined by Coudersport’s outstanding fullback Xander Brown on the Region 3 squad.
Braylon Fantaski was the Bucks’ final selection to the All-Region team. Fantaski, arguably Bucktail’s most dangerous weapon and top playmaker was selected as a wide receiver. The dual threat weapon rushed for 576 yards and caught 20 passes for 390 yards and five scores. He was well over 1,000 total all-purpose yards when you factor in his yards gained on kickoff, punt and interception returns.
Fantaski was joined by a pair of good ones in Otto-Eldred’s Manning Splain and Coudersport’s Jackson Moss.
David Anderson of ECC was selected as offensive lineman of the year. Coudersport’s Kyle Dunn was named the Defensive lineman of the year.
Offensive Player of the Year came as no surprise. Elk County Catholic’s Noah Cherry earned that honor.ECC’s David Anderson and Coudy’s Xander Brown took home the co-defensive MVP honors and ECC Coach Tony Gerg was named coach of the year.
Cameron County, after starting the season 0-5 turned things around to capture a share of the Region 3 crown with Coudersport.
Sheffield, who went winless continued to show improvements by landing two players on the Region 3 squad. Sophomore quarterback Colby Barr received honorable mention and offensive lineman Matt Lobdell was named All-Region.
The Bucks also held their annual awards banquet on Sunday evening at the Chapman Township Volunteer Fire Hall.
Daniel Gavlock, who never played a down of football until this season was named Bucktail Rookie of The Year. Gavlock was crucial to the Bucks success on the offensive line.
Xavier Jarrett received the Jack “Puppy” Shaffer Senior Award.
Lineman Talan Ditty’s continued improvement earned him the Spirit Award. Offensive MVP was Tanner Pettingill, with Brody Pentz being named Defensive MVP.
Johnny Green continued to collect hardware by grabbing the “Big Man Award” for best interior lineman.
Coaches awards were giving to the entire offensive line, including ends.Gavin Yachymiak, Kyler Friese, Johnny Green, Evan Ransom, Evan Hillyer, Will Shaffer, Daniel Gavlock, Brett Mason, Talan Ditty, Colton Fleisher and Brian Dwyer.
Bucktail’s team MVP’s were co-winners in Braylon Fantaski and Tanner Pettingill.
The Bucktail junior high program was in attendance for the banquet, as were the Bucktail Cheerleaders and drumline.
Bucktail football would also like to thank the Good Neighbor Craft House in Hyner for their continued support of Bucktail athletics.
