Leeper Reflects On Ride To States 14 Years Ago

The Jamestown High School Red Raiders are headed to the Carrier Dome on campus at Syracuse University to play for the NYSPHSAA Class AA Championship for the fifth time in school history.

As a student at JHS, we all are well versed in the infamous years of 1994, 1995, and 2000, as they were prime moments, not only for our school’s football program, but for our school.

The Red Raiders won back-to-back state titles in 1994 and 1995 with help from Jamie Bloomquist, David Hinson, Ryan Calkins, Joe McCoy, Andy Benson, Aaron Barnett, and many others.

However, in 2000, a Red Raider running back turned New York State on its ear and would become one of the most revered athletes, not only in school history, but in state history.

Aaron Leeper had been a four year varsity starter, and despite a few injury prone seasons, he was able to run for over 1000 yards as a junior.

However, the 2000 season became one to remember, not only for him, but for Coach Wally Huckno's "Dirty Thirty."

"The whole experience was surreal," the former Red Raider running back said during a phone interview, Wednesday afternoon. "Even going through it, I still couldn't believe that we actually did it and that we accomplished such an amazing feat."

"Ever since you're a kid, when you play [Jamestown Area] Midget Football and you play in middle school, it's something you dream about. For us, seeing the older generations win a couple state championships, it's something myself and the team had always dreamed about. It was a breathtaking experience."

However, Leeper knows that. that team of 2000 would have been nothing without several other key athletes.

"It wasn't just me, it was a collaborative team effort. We were a great team that year. From myself to Ricky Gonzalez on defense, to Keith Golden, Kris Olson, Shawn Williamson, Sheldon Battle, we all came together. I couldn't have done it without those guys. It was a very joyful ride."

Leeper did have a fine year himself that year. He scored a still-state record 47 touchdowns, was named a First-Team All-State running back, joined by Battle and Williamson, was the third Connolly Cup winner in the program's history, and was named Buffalo News and New York State Player of the Year.

"I know I couldn't have done all that without my teammates though."

While the team of 2000 was outstandingly talented, Leeper claims he didn't realize his team could go all the way until they reached Ralph Wilson Stadium to play for the Section VI Championship against Lancaster.

"The previous year we had lost in the playoffs and we hadn't gotten past that point since the previous state championship (in 1995)," he said. "Once we got to that point, we knew we could go all the way."

However, a key matchup the week after was really what did it for this team of destiny.

"What really sealed the deal was the game at Webster," he said. "Webster was ranked high in the country. I think they were ranked no. 3 or 4, so if you could beat them, that was a feat in itself and by doing that, we knew we could go all the way."

On a rainy day playing on the football field at the University of Rochester, the Red Raiders would beat Webster 16-14, thanks to a last minute field goal by Mike Baker, Leeper's teammate at JHS and at the University of Buffalo, as well as a coach on the current Red Raider squad.

The defensive coordinator for that Webster team? Chris Battaglia, the now head coach of Aquinas Institute (who defeated Jamestown in the 2013 regional).

It's funny how things work out like that.

Leeper added that the Red Raiders of that year would have been nothing without the leadership and guidance of coach Wally Huckno.

"Coach Huckno, is an important part of my life still today. I talk with him about once a month," he said. "I think he nurtured us all throughout high school and even growing up. He appeared at Midget football games, middle school games, and kept such a close eye on kids who did well at those levels. He was a phenomenal coach, a great educator, a fantastic athletic director and that year was one of his last, so we wanted to send him out with a bang."

Huckno, along with his assistant coaches, Joe DiMaio, Tom Philips, and Dave Currie, had a profound impact on the high school aged Leeper who still credits them as important figures in his life.

"They were phenomenal leaders. They know football and we couldn't have asked for better coaches."

With the Red Raiders having taken care of business against Webster in the Far West Regional, and Henninger in the Semi-Final, they were off to the Carrier Dome for the first time since 1995 for a date with New Rochelle in what Leeper called a "surreal" experience.

"I looked up at the stands and up at the lights and I blinked and I said to myself, 'Wow, we're here. We did it.'"

But, they hadn't done anything quite yet, and after a half of football, New Rochelle was leading 7-0 following a late second-quarter fumble recovery that did not turn out in favor of the Red Raiders.

"The first half was kind of like a daze. We were just going through the motions," Leeper said.

But, with 24 more minutes to play, the "Dirty Thirty," were about to show New York State what Jamestown High School was about.

"We came out at halftime and I scored three touchdowns and had a couple interceptions. It was in that moment that we came together and we got it done. Sheldon (Battle) had a touchdown, Ricky Gonzalez had a couple interceptions, same with Keith Golden. We were flying on all cylinders."

Even now, 14 years later, the experience has never left Leeper.

"I get goosebumps thinking about it and I'm so happy and envious for the guys that are in this situation. You stand there and you get goosebumps. You're standing there, you're hearing 'The Star Spangled Banner' and looking at your best friends you've been playing with since Middle School. It was a culmination of Midget Football, Middle School Football, four years of high school with your best friends next to you and together we achieved our ultimate goal."

Although his life has taken him all around the world, through his current occupation, the former First-Team All State football player has kept up with the Red Raiders' run to the Carrier Dome on Saturday.

"[This team, this year] is phenomenal. Ever since I left Jamestown, I've always kept up with the Red Raiders. Right now, I travel all over the world and wherever I'm at, I'm refreshing The Buffalo News and The Post-Journal to see how the team is doing."

"I couldn't be more than happy for these guys," he continued. "It's something they've been waiting for since middle school."

Through his close relationship with Red Raider Coach Dave Munella, as well as that of former coach Joe DiMaio, whose son-in-law Richie Jolly is on the current coaching staff as well, he is able to keep up to date with all the occurrences here in the southern tier.

Through his updates from his allies, he claims to be very impressed with the 2014 installment of Jamestown High School's football team and head coach Tom Langworthy.

"[Langworthy] is such a classy guy. All around. He's a great football coach, a great teacher. He just looks smooth. The team looks good too, not only with how they play but with the new jerseys they have that have 'Raider Pride' written on them," referring to the green jerseys that the Red Raiders have worn on their playoff hunt.

With the Red Raiders on their way to Syracuse to play for the NYSPHSAA State Championship, coming from someone who has had this experience before, Leeper provided some words of wisdom to the 2014 version of his alma mater.

"Leave it all out on the field," he said. "Take in the moment. Take a deep breathe when you get out on to the field, look at your friends, hear that National Anthem, get those goosebumps, embrace the moment and leave it all out on the field at the end of the fourth quarter. Leave that field knowing you gave it your all."

Leeper, of all people, should know. He's been there and he's done it.

And, with hope, the Red Raiders of today will be able to supply that same bit of wisdom to the next Red Raider team of the future that heads into the Dome wearing "Red Raiders" across their chest.

Raider Pride.