The St. Francis football program in Buffalo, New York, is gearing up for the 2026 season with a sense of optimism that borders on anticipation. After a 10‑2 campaign in 2025 that culminated in a 28th Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association title, the Red Raiders are looking to translate that success into a deeper run in the state playoffs.
Red Raiders' 2025 Triumph and 2026 Outlook
The team finished the previous year as runners‑up in the New York State Catholic High School championship, falling 42‑21 to Iona Prep, but the experience left a clear roadmap for improvement. Senior quarterback/safety Trent Buttles returns as a dual‑threat leader, having thrown for 1,929 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 657 yards and nine scores. Defensively he contributed 87 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble, giving the Raiders a versatile anchor on both sides of the ball.
The 2026 schedule is packed with marquee matchups. The Raiders will open against Bennett before traveling to face Christian Brothers Academy, a program that has dominated with 41 straight wins and three consecutive Class AA state titles. A road trip to Youngstown, Ohio, will pit them against Cardinal Mooney, a team that reached the OHSAA Division V semifinals last year.
Challenging Matchups Ahead
Back‑to‑back games against Pennsylvania powerhouses Erie and McDowell will test the Raiders' resilience, while home contests against St. Andrew’s from Ontario and a final regular‑season showdown with St. Joseph’s Collegiate round out the slate. With the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association overseeing the league and Rutgers University listed among the program’s developmental partners, the Red Raiders hope to leverage both local tradition and broader academic connections as they chase a postseason berth.