Last weekend they participated in an 11-on-11 tournament at Highmark Stadium and the ADPRO Training Center, home of the Buffalo Bills.

“This is the second annual and it’s with the Bills and Nike,” Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton head coach Ryan Gibbs said about participating in the Bills 11-On tournament. “It was also nice because we weren’t seeing anyone from down our way, we were seeing some different competition. We had four games this year, played JFK, Monroe, East from Rochester and then we played Newark.”

While most teams are involved in 7-on-7 passing leagues, the full 11-on-11 allowed every position to get involved in the unique experience.

“What I like about it, is it’s 11-on,” Gibbs added. “The linemen get to partake. They have three linemen challenges, so we get to bring all of our big guys, too.”

The Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton football team poses for a photo in the end zone at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park after competing in the 11-on-11 tournament. Submitted Photo

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton also had an added bonus.

“This year we played on the actual field and in the fieldhouse,” Gibbs stated. “I think for these young guys who have never been there it’s eye-opening. Even just pulling up into the driveway it’s pretty awesome to see their faces, and then they’re there to compete. I think walking out of the tunnel in between games and all those little things to make it a little more special for them we try to take advantage of while we’re there, because you never know when it’s going to stop.”

The Thunderbirds didn’t come into the event cold either. In fact, they have already been getting ready for next season the past couple of months. The 11-On tournament is just another big part of the team’s preparation for next season.

“We’ve had a crazy offseason. We got right back after it in March,” Gibbs said on Tuesday after a 7-on-7 game against Clymer/Sherman/Panama. “We’ve been working out with C/S/P, Frewsburg, did the Bills 11-On, today we actually played five games at Williamsville North in a tournament and came here. I just think the more our kids compete and realize they can compete with some of these bigger schools, I think that’s the confidence we need to beat a Southwestern or a Fredonia. You’ve got to know you can hang with the big boys.”

One big thing the Thunderbirds will take away from the 11-On Tournament is playing against teams with a lot of speed.

“The speed is one of those things,” Gibbs added about the competition. “You’re playing an ‘A’ school or ‘AA’ up there and the speed is way different. Then maybe a team rolling coverages we haven’t seen, so it gives us coaches something to go back if it’s something we like or if it gave us fits and how can we adjust for it next time.”