Still going strong as one of Section V’s most-tenured football mergers, East Rochester-Gananda hopes the upcoming fall season includes a return trip to the section championship.
In that respect, 2025 was a near miss, as the Bombers were upended in the semifinals. With a heavy dose of returners, East Rochester-Gananda can make amends in 2026.
“Our hope is always to be in that championship game and have a chance at it,” Bombers coach Tim Rose said during the opening week of practice. “We had a lot of kids that played a lot of minutes over the last few years that are returning for us.”
Among the returners is senior quarterback Robbie Dettman, who will have more on his plate this season as the Bombers seek more balance on offense (Rose said ER-G was a run-heavy offense last season). He forms an experienced battery with center Matt Witkowski, while Nick McCarthy is another veteran on the offensive line.
Owen Munding has played plenty of snaps on varsity, but is stepping into the starting role this season. “We’re expecting big things from him even though he played a ton last year,” Rose said.
Count ER-G among the teams most affected by Section V’s return to league scheduling. Largely limited to Class C opponents over the last few seasons, Bombers’ road games were typically over an hourlong drive.
This season the schedule is more centralized, and features some Class B teams that could better equip the Bombers for postseason play.
“I appreciate all the teams that were independent that are getting back into sectionals,” Rose said. “It should prepare us for sectionals, going against bigger schools. That’s something we try to do during the summer too, go against a variety of classifications and a variety of teams so we see a little bit of everything.”
East Rochester-Gananda football at a glance
Get 15% off NFHS Network subscription ahead of high school sports season
East Rochester-Gananda football schedule for 2026
East Rochester-Gananda’s top returning players
Senior QB/LB Robbie Dettman, senior OL/DL Matt Witkowski, senior OL/DL Daniel Minguela, senior WR/DB Andrew Newman, senior K Nick Chiccino, junior TE/LB Rylan Rizzo, junior RB/LB Owen Munding
A look back: East Rochester-Gananda football
Marquee matchups for East Rochester-Gananda
There’s not much familiarity within this year’s schedule, as many of the teams on the Bombers’ slate are rejoining Section V from the Wayne-Finger Lakes independent league. The lone exception is Le Roy/Cal-Mum, which has been a frequent foe in Class C in recent years. The teams have played five times in the last three seasons. While the head-to-head edge during that span belongs to the Rivals (who merged in 2024), East Rochester-Gananda won both games in 2024 en route to its Class C section title.
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: East Rochester-Gananda football aims for return to title game
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
