Rochester Region Coach of the Week
Canandaigua Academy head coach Jeff Welch was named the Rochester region Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 1, after leading the cherry & gray to a 34-0 victory over Vertus in the Section V Class A2 semifinals. With the win, CA improved to 8-1 on the season ahead of Friday’s section championship game against Greece Athena.
Junior running back Aleksander Hawryschuk paced Canandaigua’s ground attack with 118 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Sophomore quarterback Brady Davernstarting in place of injured Austin Kierst, completed 6 of 13 passes for 140 yards and a score. Davern’s dad, Jim, was the co-New York State offensive player of the year with his twin, Jon, as members of Canandaigua’s 1999 Class A New York State undefeated title team coached by New York State coaching legend Mike Foster. That Braves roster included current Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
“The Canandaigua community has tremendous pride in its football program,” said Welch. “Coach Foster produced some of the best teams ever in the Rochester area and in New York State, and it’s an honor to carry on the tradition so many have created. This year’s group all grew up together, and they’re a pleasure to coach.”
Now in his 16th season coaching for the long-time Section V public school power, Welch has compiled a 109-43 record. He was the Section V Class A2 Coach of the Year in 2022 and led the program to the New Yor State Class A semifinals in 2019. CA captured four consecutive Section V titles from 2019-22.
A physical education instructor in the Canandaigua district, Welch played football and lacrosse at Ithaca College, where he played for his dad, Mike, who compiled a 169-78 record for the Bombers.
Last year, for the fifth time in six seasons, the football program received the Rochester Chapter Officials Award in Class A2 for sportsmanship. The team volunteers at many community events, including the VA Hospital and Frank Baker youth football, the long-time in-house program that currently features 250 athletes playing flag and tackle football from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Source: www.buffalobills.com
