October 24, 2026
FROM THE BUFFALO BILLS: Rochester Region Coach of the Week Hornell head coach Dr. Ismail Mehr was named the Rochester region (Section 5) Coach of the Week for the week ending Sunday, October 18, after leading his team to a 19-13 victory over previously undefeated Alexander/Pembroke. Sophomore quarterback Tyrone Buchanan sealed the win for Hornell, scoring a rushing touchdown with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Matt Karr led the running game, rushing 12 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. Mehr has been a part of Hornell football for more than two decades. A 1991 Hornell High School graduate, Mehr returned to his hometown in 2002 after completing medical school and specializing in anesthesiology. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist and medical director at UR Medicine St. James Hospital in Hornell. He began his coaching career as an assistant on the staff of legendary Hornell football coach Gene Mastin. After years of serving as an assistant coach, Mehr took over as head coach and has led the Red Raiders for the past four seasons. “Community involvement is an important part of the Hornell football program,” said Mehr. “Hornell is a small, blue-collar, hard-working community, and the football program believes strongly in giving back to the community that supports it. As a staff, we encourage our players to be active, responsible, and proud members of the community.”
