Experienced QB to fuel Fairport football: Top players, schedule, what to know for 2023
The Fairport Red Raiders are in the group of climbers when it comes to Section V football.
Can they pass the team's two-win total last season with the help of seven returning starters on offense and seven on defense?
Fairport again has Jackson Rucker at quarterback, entering his third season as a starter. With a quarterback with that amount of experience, the Red Raiders could have a player who can keep the offense on track.
"I would love to see him have the senior year that he deserves,” Fairport coach Mike Wayne said. "He’s super intelligent, he knows exactly what to do.
“Even if you call (a play) wrong, he knows how to fix it.”
Senior receiver/defensive back Sam Pucci, who also plays lacrosse, and versatile Gavin Illingworth are among the players who have given the Red Raiders "a more athletic" look, according to Wayne. Running back Bailey Frank came on during the second half of last season as a sophomore.
Marques Garrett, a junior listed at 6 feet-3 inches and 230 pounds, should stand out at defensive end and maybe at tight end. Senior defensive back James Poligone intercepted five passes last season.
Building good habits during practices should help athletes in most sports move with more confidence, more speed and make needed plays during games, Wayne and other coaches say.
“It will be exciting to see what we look like Week 1," Wayne said. "We have some kids who are pretty good football players.”
Fairport football at a glance
Head coach: Mike Wayne
Classification: AA
Last season’s record: 2-6, lost to University Prep, Section V Class AA first round
Last Section V championship: 1998
Fairport football schedule for 2023 season
Friday Sept. 1: at Penfield, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8: vs. Hilton, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 14: at McQuaid, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 22: vs. Aquinas, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30: UPrep, Noon at Rochester Community Sports Complex
Saturday, Oct. 7: vs. Edison merged, 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13: Pittsford, 7 p.m. at Sutherland
Friday, Oct. 20: vs. Greece Athena, 7 p.m.
Marquee matchups for Fairport
There are nine teams aiming for one of eight spots in the Section V Class AA tournament. Winning two or more games should be enough for the Red Raiders to get in again, but if the team wants to climb higher there are three matchups that should show Fairport's progress.
Fairport hosts Hilton during Week 2, a team returning to Class AA after advancing to the Class A state semifinals in 2022. The Red Raiders get Aquinas, a team with some noticeable changes, at home Week 4. Week 7 at Pittsford could be the most important matchup, when it comes to the Class AA sectional standings. Pittsford has a steep climb early on its schedule but could be on a roll when it comes time to face the Red Raiders.
Fairport's top returning players
DT/NG Caleb Driscoll, RB Bailey Frank, TE/DE Marcus Garrett, RB/LB Gavin Illingworth, WR Patrick Nobes, WR/CB James Poligone, WR/CB Sam Pucci, LB Joe Rosselli, QB Jackson Rucker, NG Blaze Waters
A look back: Fairport Red Raider football
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Fairport football 2023 schedule, top players, preview for Red Raiders
