Upstate Football Weekly - New York State Sportswriters Association

CoverStoryBy Mark AdairRaise The CurtainSteven Stauss and Albion are ready to step into the SpotlightLater this week thecurtain will go up on the2013 Western New Yorkfootball season.Friday night, theAlbion Purple Eagles willtake the stage and try toavenge a tough 33-30loss to Barker-Roy-Hartin Week 3 last fall.“It’s absolutely a bigtest right off the bat,”Albion coach Tony Osburnsaid. “Barker is wellcoachedand a they are agood football team.”Albion lost to Barker inthe final seconds whenBarker’s Jacob Haightkicked a 35-yard fieldgoal in the rain. Barkerhad entered the gamestill mourning their teammateTyler Miller, whodied in his sleep earlierthat week.“They lost their friendand teammate thatweek,” Osburn said. “Forhim to make that kick inthe rain... It was just anincredible ending to agreat game and a veryemotional night.”Albion finished 2-6 lastseason but Osburn ishoping that his young squad will be ready to steal theshow.“We got a lot of young kids and we had a very toughseason last year,” Osburn said. “Most of the defense andthe offense is back.”Osburn says that he is hoping that the bulk of his rosterwill benefit from the growing pains the Eagles sufferedin 2012.“We’re excited,” he said. “We were at camp this summerand we were working on adjustments instead ofteaching right from the beginning. Most of the kids on thefield have been through a varsity season. We had to gothrough some bumps last year but we’ve got a lot of kidsback and they know what they are doing.”Photo by Mark AdairAlbion lineman Steven Stauss is 6-6 and 295 pounds. The senioris on the pre-season watch list for the Trench Trophy. Stauss isbeing recruited by several college football programs.22The Purple Eagles willhave a veteran offensiveline. Senior StevenStauss will lead a unitthat has three playersreturning for their 3rd varsityseasons.Stauss is 6-6 andweighs 295 pounds andis poised to take centerstage in Western NewYork. Osburn said that heworked hard to get readyfor the 2013 season.“He’s down under 300pounds for first timesince he started playingwith us,” Osburn said.“He’s real excited aboutthat. He wanted to gethis feet a little quickerand we can already seethe improvement.”Osburn said thatStauss set a goal to playat less than 300 poundsthis season.“He’s a good kid anda hard worker,” Osburnsaid. “When he getssomething in his mind,he’s not going to bestopped.”Osburn says thatStauss has shownsteady improvementsince he entered Albion as a freshman.“Every year, he has gotten better and better,” Osburnsaid. “He listens. He makes improvements. I have noexpectations other than that he will get better again thisyear, just like he always has.”Stauss is already on the recruiting lists of several collegeprograms and is getting noticed around the state. Hewas selected for the Rising Juniors Upstate-Downstategame and would have played but the game was cancelled.“He’s big, strong and knows where everyone should beat all times,” Osburn said. “Once he gets his hands onsomeone, they will go in whatever direction he wantsSee “Cover Story” on page 23