Oct. 22, 2016.
That is the last time Niagara Falls finished with a .500 record or better. That was 3,586 days ago. The current Wolverines were young kids then.
Those little kids have grown up and are part of a young Niagara Falls team that only has two returning starters from last year. Now they are hoping to end the decade-long streak and finish with a winning record.
This year’s two returning starters are Miller and Jayden Bazden. Last year, Miller played inside linebacker for the team racking up 74 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, one sack, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. This year, Bazden will slide into one of the team’s offensive tackle positions.
That duo were part of last year’s team which meant 4-5 overall while being outscored 222-213. The Falls season ended with a 20-14 loss to Lancaster in the Section VI Class AA quarterfinals.
“We’re not the biggest team. We’re not the strongest team but we do come from a place where a lot of heart is formed here, ready to work,” Niagara Falls senior linebacker Bradley Miller said. “… It has matured us to work as a team together, grow the chemistry on the field, to really execute as a team and not get too mad, have the next play mentality, go to the next play even though you make a little mistake.”
After last season, when Bass and his staff sat down and watched the film, they realized that the team needed to be physically stronger in order to compete with the best teams at the Class AA level. As a result, the players have been working with strength and conditioning coach Kyle McGovern to build the team’s strength.
The fact that the team is only returning two players means every position is ripe for the taking. Nobody’s job is guaranteed, which is how Bass likes it.
“There is no locked position on this team,” Bass said. “I have 33 spots, offense, defense or special teams and there’s no locked positions on this team. … It energized them because they realized that there’s nothing locked in, everybody’s fighting for a spot. We had one returning starter from offense last year and one from defense and then they got to fight for their spots too.”
One of those positions that is open is the starting wide receiver spot after Darryl Smith graduated. Now the team has to replace Smith’s 36 receptions for 950 yards and four touchdowns. One wideout who could fill that role is junior Daron Fair who finished his sophomore year with seven carries for 29 yards and one reception for nine yards.
Heading into this season, Bass is looking for his entire team to take multiple steps forward in their development and their play. He is hoping for breakout seasons from Jymier Vincent, Fair, Zaire Calhoun and St. Joe’s transfer Jaylen McMillan.
This summer Fair has been learning how to work with two new quarterbacks in Myrel Brundidge and John Smith. He has worked with both and learned the way that each of them play the game.
“It feels great, feels great getting to know them and getting to know where their head is at,” Fair said. “I’m happy to experience new QBs and new talent.”
The fact that the Wolverines are working out two new quarterbacks gives them a gameplanning advantage against their opponents who have not yet seen either Smith or Brundidge. It gives them the element of surprise. The two present a different skill set to former quarterback Michael Taylor in that they both have good arms and can throw the ball more than the Wolverines have in the past.
Last year, the Falls had to fight back and mount multiple comebacks including in the season-ending loss to Lancaster where they went down 20-6 heading into the fourth quarter and lost 20-14.
“We need to start fast and then finish strong,” Bass said. “We have to start fast. We’ve been historically bad starters. So even though we’re coming back in games we shouldn’t be down. Like Orchard Park, we were down 20, tied it up, lost the game. (The) same thing for Lancaster. We have to start fast. So that means coming out, sustaining a drive and getting a couple three and outs and get on the board first.”
The Wolverines open the 2026 season at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 when they host Niagara Wheatfield. Last season, the two teams played in week three with the Falls winning 28-18.