Season recap

The Braves finished the year with an overall record of 5-4 (2-3 league). Coach Carpenter's squad narrowly lost to Section 2's  top teams Cobleskill- Richmondville (27-26) and they scored 15 points against Section 2's stingiest defense (Ravena averaged a mere 7.9 points against). The Braves proved that this team had game.

Returning this year were Jeff Headwell* (TE/DE), Cory Calkins* (RB/LB), Dan Quiri (WR/DB), Pat Sperow (RB/LB), Kevin Hanson (WR/DB), Josh Nethaway (QB/DB), Taylor Dingman (RB/DB), Kris Friers (OL/DL), Keith Gillum (OL/DL), Dan Kirshman* (OL/DL), Joe Barbuti (OL/DL).
* Captains

Joining the Braves were newcomers Mike Darrow (WR/DB), Bill Tomek (WR/DB), Cameron Hazelton (OL/DL), Say Jenkins (RB/LB), Chris Kennedy (RB/LB)
 

2007 Honors

West Division 1st Team All-Stars

• Josh Nethaway - QB
• Kevin Hanson - WR
• Dan Kirschman - OL
• Jeff Headwell - DT

West Division 2nd Team All-Stars

• Cory Calkins - RB, LB

• Dan Quiri - WR

• Jeff Headwell - TE

• Keith Gillum - OL

• Joe Barbuti - OL

• Pat Sperow - RB, LB

• Tyler Hall WR

• Taylor Dingman - DB

• Dan Kirschman - DE

• Kevin Hanson - DB

• Cameron Hazelton DL

Quick Facts

• Colors: Maroon & Gold
• Classification: B
• Stadium: John G. Boshart Field
• 2004 Record: 7-2 (Class B West. Div. Champions

A Quick History

In 1965, legendary Superintendent John G. Boshart (for whom our field is named) started FFCS football on its road of long-term excellence. Along with the district's business administrator, Henry Muller, Mr. Boshart engaged in a search for a high profile coach to get the program off and running.

In the fall of 1966, Braves football began with Alvin Parker as head coach. Mr. Parker played football at Ohio State for the legendary Woody Hayes, along with brother Jim Parker, who was named the greatest lineman in the first 50 years of the NFL. Mr. Parker coached the team in its first four seasons before entering the field of school administration at Mont Pleasant.

The FFCS football program that most people are familiar with began in 1970 under Mike Mongin. Mr. Mongin had been a successful coach at Perth High School, who always seemed to have "Fonda's number." Under Mongin, the Braves won their first title in 1971, had their first win over archrival Bishop Scully and had a successful run in which they won 5 league titles in 7 years. Perhaps one of Fonda's greatest teams was the 1975 Braves who finished with an 8-1 record, loosing only a non-league contest to Diocesan Champ Cardinal McCloskey (an A school). During Mongin's tenure, FFCS posted a .789 win percentage.

In 1977, John West was named head football coach and led the Braves to even greater heights. Some highlights of the West era were three sectional titles in 1980, 1982 and 1983 (sectional football started in 1978), four league titles and a great upset victory over No. 1 ranked Albany Academy in 1977, which ended the Cadets' 27-game winning streak. Mr. West's wide-open teams produced a win percentage of .779. In 1984, Mr. West , like his predecessors, entered the field of administration.

In 1985, Alex Mancini was named as the fourth head football coach at FFCS. He has guided the team for the past twenty seasons. A former All-State quarterback and Colgate letter winner, this FFCS grad's teams have posted a win percentage of .763, captured 10 conference titles, and appeared in eight sectional finals, winning 2 of them (1987 & 1999).

The success that the Braves have enjoyed is a result of hard work and dedication of its players. Here are some numbers to support the fact that FFCS football has stood the test of time:

• Since 1970, FFCS has produced 19 league champions, 11 sectional finalists, 5 sectional titles, 237 all-conference selections, 11 conference MVPs, 29 all-state selections (including 1992 NYS Player of the Year - Bill Boebel) and the fourth winningest program in Section 2 (.761).

The Braves have posted only two losing records during this era. Through these years the community has supported our football program from the days when the games were played at Park Street to the present. Our teams' following has been second to none. More importantly, even though some of our teams may not always posses the greatest talent, they will always play as hard at the end of the games as they do at the start, leading our coaches, players and fans to Expect Victory!

*All photos courtesy of Memory Studios*

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