ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – Ithaca Warrior standout Bryce Masina has earned his big chance.
(Media provided by: Ithaca Warriors Facebook Page)
This summer, Ithaca Warriors quarterback Bryce Masina helped his team reach the Northeastern Football Alliance title game. This coming summer, Machina will take his talents to Finland to play for the United Newland Crusaders (also known as the Lohja Crusaders) in the Maple League (known in Finland as the Vatelariga). The Maple League was founded in 1980 by the Finnish American Football Association and is the highest domestic league in the sport.
Masina proved to be an important member of a Warriors team chasing an NFA title. The Syracuse native was instrumental in Ithaca’s most dominant win of the year, fueling playoff momentum. On August 5, Masina led the Warriors to a 32-7 victory over the Genesee County Spartans with 320 yards of offense and four touchdowns. Two games later, in the league semifinals, Masina helped Ithaca come from behind to win against the undefeated Lockport Wildcats. The Warriors fell short in the championship game against Broome County, but advanced to the finals with just three wins.
Before joining the Warriors, Masina was a standout on the gridiron in high school and college. At Onondaga High School, this standout player helped the team to sectional and sectional honors and earned several individual awards including two OHS Football MVP awards, Kickoff His Classic MVP, and NFF MVP. Masina’s high school success led him to Hartwick College, where he spent two of his seasons. The sophomore quarterback led the team with 1,465 passing yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, Masina recorded his second-highest rushing score and his fifth-highest yards per game average (190.8) on the team in the Empire 8 Conference.
After a great season at Hartwick, Masina made the jump to the NCAA Division III level at Franklin Pierce University. In 16 games with the Ravens, Makina totaled 1,673 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The United Newland Crusaders will begin the 2024 season in late spring.