THE APEX TIMES
Bills honor WNY high school football coaches for Week 6, including Williamsville North’s Paul Palizay and Wayne Central’s Dave Marean
As part of the Buffalo Bills and Visa “Coach of the Week” program, two Western New York head coaches were recognized for wins that propelled their teams to 5-1 records heading into mid-October.
The Buffalo Bills, in partnership with Visa, named two Western New York head coaches as its 2026 Week Six High School Tackle Football Coaches of the Week: Paul Palizay of Williamsville North in the Buffalo region and Dave Marean of Wayne Central in the Rochester region.
Both recognitions are part of a season-long program that highlights tackle football coaches for their team performance and their community service. Each winning coach’s program receives $1,000 from the Buffalo Bills and Visa.
Palizay was recognized for the week ending October 11 after leading the Williamsville North Spartans to a 28-21 victory over previously undefeated Orchard Park. The win improved the Spartans to 5-1 overall, and the Bills’ release credited quarterback Jacob Tooney with 143 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Cal Rodgers adding two receiving touchdowns.
On defense, the release pointed to sophomore Austin Bell’s impact, including two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, as part of the performance that helped Williamsville North close out Orchard Park. The Bills’ release also noted Palizay’s longer involvement at North, after time earlier in his career and work coaching other sports at the school.
Marean earned the Rochester-region honor after Wayne Central posted a 57-46 win over Geneva in a Finger Lakes Class B matchup for the week ending October 11. That result moved Wayne to 5-1 on the season, with Brodie Newmyer completing 10 of 12 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns and Cody Crandell carrying 27 times for 176 yards while tying a school record with six touchdowns.
The program’s recognition goes beyond games. The release highlighted that, in addition to the weekly award funding, each region’s Coach of the Year will receive an additional $1,000 and be celebrated on the field at Highmark Stadium before the Bills vs. Jets game in January.
Why It Matters
- The weekly awards spotlight coaching leadership across Western New York, tying on-field results to community involvement.
- Both honorees’ teams were credited with October wins that pushed them to 5-1 records, setting up a key stretch of the fall season.
- Recognition through the program can raise visibility for high school coaches and programs as they build momentum toward postseason play.
Key Facts
- Buffalo Bills and Visa announced the Week Six 2026 High School Tackle Football Coaches of the Week in two regions.
- Buffalo region winner: Paul Palizay, Williamsville North, recognized for a 28-21 win over previously undefeated Orchard Park.
- Rochester region winner: Dave Marean, Wayne Central, recognized for a 57-46 win over Geneva.
- Each winning coach’s program receives $1,000 from the Buffalo Bills and Visa as part of the weekly recognition.
- The Bills’ release says each region’s Coach of the Year will receive an additional $1,000 and be celebrated on the field at Highmark Stadium before Bills vs. Jets in January.