Mid State Preseason Report: District 3, 4, 5, 6, 9.
Here are some game and player stats, grads & returns of teams that should make an impact this season from Districts 3, 4, 5 (no teams listed), 6 and 9. All are 6A unless otherwise noted with info gathered from the obvious sources plus school and team websites, newspapers, personal notes and records. Enjoy..!..and as always feel free to jump in or on. Let the games begin!
Mid State Preseason Report: District 3, The Mid Penn Conferences
Mid Penn-Commonwealth Conference
Harrisburg repeated as conference champ last year going undefeated in league play for the second straight year. Otherwise, the big news was Cumberland Valley going down hard losing their first six games while Chambersburg recovered from four horrible years (won 3 of 40), bouncing back with a 7-4 campaign and 4-3 in MP-C action, a game behind Central Dauphin.
State College (12-2, D6) might edge out conference mates Harrisburg and Central Dauphin with a strong core returning plus getting both at home. Also get CV and out-of-conference St. Augustine-NJ home. Nice! See 7/10 write up for more detail on Lions. Here’s some of that. Looking ahead to 2019, if they can find a quarterback they’ll again be a load with many returning to key positions. The line returns OG Ramsey Kifolo (6-2, 310), C/DT Jason Cameron (5-11, 220), OT Logan Lieb (6-1, 265) and Addison Darcy (6-3, 260), the latter two getting time per injuries. Running back Isaiah Edwards (6-1, 210) returns with Dresyn Green (5-8, 160) with 1012 rush yards and QB/RB/WR Brady Dorner (6-0, 180) plus standout WR/DB Cohen Russell (5-8, 170, sr) who snagged 39 passes for 843 yards and 11 scores while rushing for 299 yards. He had 61 tackles from the secondary. He and DEs Nathan Lusk (6-3, 215, 69 tackles), Kevin Kurtzinger (6-2, 215, 45 stops), DT Sam Stoll (6-3, 245, 38 tackles), super soph SS Sam Snipe (6-1, 210) with 102 tackles, LBs Jim Manyak (5-11, 215, 83 tackles), Kyle Domico (5-8, 175, 56 tackles) and Joe Nastasi (5-11, 190, 29 tackles) are back. The secondary returns 4 including Dresyn Green with 30 tackles. As mentioned, the schedule is favorable playing Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg at State College. Or is it? Memorial Stadium is being renovated and not available until the Fall of 2020. The base bid calendar requires games to be played at a modified North Field or the South Track Facility.
Harrisburg (13-2) 6A finals rep Cougars have to be respected with Coach Cal Everett turning things around big time going 35-7 the last three years with HUGE offenses at 36, 47, 37ppg and defenses allowing 15, 11 and 13 (yr end avgs) the last three. They’ve sustained tremendous grad losses but the troops are believing and they look strong for the coming season. . The loss of Qb Kane Everson (2472p, 925r, 36Tds) is unmeasurable, but they do return RB/LBs Jahmir Plant (5-10, 190, 49 tackles), Harold O’Neal (6-0, 200, 110 tackles) and WR/DB Donte Kent (5-11, 179, 37/864p, 44 stops, 6 picks). Despite a few losses, the lines look good with a youth movement last year seeing sophomores OL/DL Nate Bruce (6-5, 300) and Lane Brannon (6-4, 305) start with freshman Tyshawn Black (5-11, 275). TE/DE standout Sa’Quan Carter-Barton (6-2, 230, 55 tackles) also returns. They have a decent core with many from 2nd units back after extensive pt. The big question is a quarterback replacing Everson. Winning another Mid Penn Commonwealth may not be in the cards this year graduating their stellar quarterback Kane Everson who made the O go! LBs Andre White and Jain Burney were highly instrumental to the success on that side as were their quick DEs Brian Yates and Dionte Nichols; all four graduated. Looks like a significant rebuild. The schedule opens at Coatesville (14-1), then at Bishop Hoban-OH (15-0, Div-2 champ) and at Cedar Cliff (10-3). Nothing like an easy start! It looks shaky and they could easily be 0-2 out the gate but do get Cumberland Valley, Chambersburg and Central Dauphin at home.
Central Dauphin (9-4) The coming season is full of questions, primarily at the quarterback position where Tyrese Fuller and Max Mosey (6-0, 170, soph) will battle it out; edge to Mosey. Juniors Daniel Ficca (5-10, 205, 36/114) and Timmy Smith (5-11, 185, jr, 36/150) are back at running back and linebacker with DE Amir Walton (6-1, 225) testing out at FB. He along with OL/DTs Bryce Thoman (6-5, 280), Marques Holten (6-0, 235/DE), standout OL/DE Cameron Sansoni (6-1, 230), LBs Smith and Ficca, Tyrese Fuller (6-3, 180) and Jacob Hicks (5-9, 185) plus WR/FS Nick Chimienti (6-0, 180, calls the D, lead receiver 39/599) will give them another strong defense to stabilize things until the offense jells. Senior defensive ends Amir Walton (6-1, 225), Cameron Sansoni (6-1, 230) and Marques Holten (6-0, 235) are arguably the best DEs in the mid-state and beyond. Shamilyn Joppy (6-1, 170, jr) and JJ Mitchem (6-0, 185, sr)….I think....will join starters Tyrese Fuller (6-3, 160, sr) and Chimienti in the secondary. The O-Line has some young talent and old hands this year that is definitely up to “Commonwealth Conference” standards for the long grind ahead; OT/DT Chad Layton (6-2, 275, sr), highy regarded OT/DT Kyle Yeager (6-5, 285, soph), Bryce Thoman (6-5, 280, sr), Blaise Heshler (6-4, 280, jr) and Ryan Hohensheit (6-5, 260, sr). DE Cameron Sansoni (6-1, 230,sr) is versatile to fill in anywhere on the line with a few juniors chomping at the bit for playing time. As always, give CD a quarterback and look out! But the schedule is typical Mid Penn tough, playing at Wilson (8-4), home to Berks Catholic (10-3) and at Manheim Township (10-2) to start things off.
Cumberland Valley (3-7)
Cumberland Valley will try to rebound from their first losing season since 2006 and only their third such occurrence in over 30 years. Despite a well-earned reputation as one of the top programs in the state, you didn’t need any head scratching to realize they just weren’t that good last year. Ok, the schedule was brutal but it always is. The difference being that last year saw all the bad boys (all having very good editions) line up on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays with arguably the most difficult opening slate in the state, beginning with Harrisburg-McDevitt (13-2, 21-48 loss), then three road games at Central York (8-3, 14-31), Coatesville (15-1, 19-35) and Central Dauphin (9-4, 7-37) before getting home for Harrisburg (14-2, 0-45). Add in a rebuilt program at Chambersburg (7-4, 14-28 loss) for an unheard of 0-6 start for the Eagles. This year’s squad should rebound from that with a D core of 8 returning starters including senior DLs Chase Myers, 6-1, 290) and Wyatt Claypool (6-2, 225). LB Derik Sauve, (6-0, 190, jr) is back with DE Anthony Fye (6-1, 225) and SS Max Dell’Anno (6-3, 200, sr). Jack Istvan (5-8, 165, sr), Gavin Conklin (5-9, 175, jr) and S Logan Ramper (6-2, 190, sr) fill out the secondary. The offense returns 4 starters at HB, SE, OL and TE. Both sides will miss TE/DE Stone Huffman (6-2, 225, 39 stops). They face the same schedule this year as last with the difference being their veteran defense and a number of those opponents rebuilding….plus a whole bunch of attitude.
Chambersburg (7-4) The Trojans have almost everyone back including Qb Brady Stumbaugh (89/178/1334, 50%, 105/368r) and Keyshawn Jones (5-9 185, sr) who rushed for 1422 yards, along with almost the entire defense. TE/WR Terrell Williams is back after missing most of last year (4th game on) with Kevin Lee (14/284) and speedster Tyeshawn Worrell who clocked a 10.64 in the 100 meter!! The line looks set with last year’s starters Tucker Eiker (5-10, 235), Wyatt Hull (6-0, 225), Jake Corwell (5-10, 200) and Brock Harmon (5-11, 260) back. They were a nice team last year, getting off to a 4-0 start and going 4-2 on the road. But ended the year with a gut wrenching 20-17 loss to Manheim Township (10-2) in a game where a 70-yd Td was called back late for an illegal formation……..late, on an illegal formation? They open this year with rival Greencastle-Antrim (2-8) at home then away vs York-Adams teams South Western (1-9) and Red Lion (8-3) then home to Altoona (3-7) who is again back in the Mid Penn. They should get off to a strong start before entering the maelstrom that is the Mid Penn Commonwealth, beginning with a home game with State College after Altoona.
Central Dauphin East (3-7)
Once again East High lost a quality athlete to transfer last year when quarterback Kane Everson went to Harrisburg High to light their fuse, all the way to the 6A state title game. Life in the big city! They survived, but barely, getting pretty beat up early facing Manheim Township, Archbishop Stepinac-NY (8-4) and Harrisburg at the top of the season. Put Kane in there and it’s a different season for East and especially Harrisburg. So they broke in two Qb last year, Shawn Brown (5-11, 150, sr, 28/46, 338, DB) and Jeremiah Green (5-11, 180, jr, 27/61, 474, FS) and return RB/DB Bryce Baker (6-0, 180, 99/737), RB/ILB Ty Evans (5-9, 195, 25/102), FB/OLB Isiak Ibraheem (6-1, 215), plus lineman standouts C/DT Logan Fleegal (6-4, 300), TE/DE Trey Wallace-Koons (6-5, 220) and highly regarded OT/DT Kyle Williams (6-4, 260, jr). A lot of people were used last year, trying to get it right allowing for a significant number of experienced returns this year including 286 tackles. Their first 3 are away at Manheim Township, Lower Dauphin and Archbishop Wood before coming home for the conference opener at Harrisburg. For those wanting a peek, they play Wood September 6th.
Mid Penn-Keystone
Cedar Cliff won their first conference title last year at 6-0 since sharing it with McDevitt in 2016. But the Colts are always right there, going 20-5 in conference action the last 4 years just behind McDevitt at 22-3. With Susquehanna Township flat lining the last 3 years at 10-9 (15-10, last 4) and Lower Dauphin at 14-10, it’s been a two horse race between well-established Bishop McDevitt and lesser known Cedar Cliff. Hershey, Mechanicsburg and Red Land bring up the rear at 5-20, 3-21 and 8-17.
Cedar Cliff (10-3, 5A) The task this year is to replace Qb Chris Dare’s 2110 yards (63%, 29/6) and all-everything Bobby Whalen (6-1, 175), one of the best athletes to come through the program in years. Whalen spelled Dare when nicked completing 10 of 16 passes after co-starting with him in 2017. He rushed for 407 yards on 63 carries while catching 58 passes for 946 yards! Defensively, he was everywhere, DE/LB/SS with 55 tackles. Combined, Dare and Whalen scored 58.9% of all their points on a team that scored 38ppg. Defensively, Donovan Ball (5-10, 210) with 105 tackles is a loss with Whalen, LB/OLs Justin Resto (6-1, 235, 57 stops), Isaiah Tirado (6-1, 235, 17) and 2 from the secondary. It was a decent D allowing 19ppg knowing some of their opponents were Gov. Mifflin, Cocalico, Harrisburg, Hollidaysburg, McDevitt, Exeter, Warwick and Manheim Central with a combined won/loss of 80-30. Pretty wicked group! OL’ers Ben Gregory (6-2, 220) and Dom Driscoll (6-2, 270) are gone but they’ve got some bodies back that should sustain them if they fill the QB position. The center piece of the attack especially early will be Jaheim Morris (5-10, 190, sr) who rushed for 1916 yards last year He’ll demand a lot of attention. Seniors OL/DT Al Rosado (5-11, 225, 38 tackles), OL/DL Anthony Jones (5-10, 240), Dalton Reynolds (6-0, 280) and soph Claude Godineaux (6-1, 285) will help here. Two return to the secondary with LBs Anthony Shires (6-2, 240), Ethan Rinehart (6-0, 205), star Kevin Lusk (6-2, 220, 49 tackles), Elijah Ikeda (6-10, 215, 30..hitter!) and Pedro Clinton (5-9, 185, 22). They open at Gov. Mifflin (7-5), then have 4 straight at homers to Cocalico 10-3, Harrisburg 13-3, Hollidaysburg 9-5 and McDevitt 12-2.
Bishop McDevitt (12-2, 4A) Last year’s shortfall makes you wonder what it’ll take to ever get over the hump and win another state title. They had a quarterback in Chase Diehl (6-0, 205, signed Duquesne) who completed 66% for 3744 yards with a 43 to 6 Td/Pick ratio. His top receivers Nazir Burnett (Syracuse) with 1746 yards on 78 passes and T’nyis Becker (ODU) with 1005 on 52 yards also graduate. CJ Reyes Diggs (Edinboro) graduated with 1606 yards rushing. OL/DL Logan O’Grady (6-2, 295), Carter Christopher (6-3, 285, 45 tackles), Bryce Barnes (6-0, 280, 37 tackles), DEs Tate Myers (6-0, 230, 81 tackles), Karson Martz (6-2, 190, 24 tackles) and Marquin McAuthor Melendez (6-0, 240, 51 tackles) are gone plus LB Dray Donley (6-0, 230, 45 tackles). The offense was their most productive at 43ppg since 2009. Hard figuring how that team lost to Cathedral by 41 points, making you think if they can’t do it with that group? Big question is at Qb (Lek Powell, Feyiseyo Oluleye?) and the lines, but they do return a good D core. McDevitt has to come back to the pack some this year but with Cedar Cliff also rebuilding it looks like a toss-up for conference honors.
Mid Penn-Capital
Middletown has owned the Capital in dominating fashion going undefeated while winning three consecutive titles (7-0 each year) for a 4 year conference slate of 26-2. Milton Hershey is second at 20-8 with Palmyra next at 17-11. East Pennsboro is 13-8 in 3 years with a 6-0 conference record in 2015 but in the MP-Colonial before moving to the Capital. Steelton Highspire slipped to 14-14 the last 4 with Camp Hill at 13-15. Boiling Springs and Trinity stagger in at 4-23 and 3-24 respectively.
Middletown (14-2, 3A)
The Blue Raiders will make noise with their great back Jose Lopez who rushed for 2368 (4458 career) yards last year after rushing for 1796 in 2017, as the Blue Raiders pursuit their 4th consecutive finals appearance. He also caught 14 passes for 191 yards. Quincy Reinnagel (5-10, 230, sr), Arthur Dash (5-11, 225, sr) and Collin Heffner (5-11, 225, sr) are on the line with Brock Welsh (6-3, 260, sr), Anthony Glory (6-3, 245, jr) and last year’s great freshman Tajae Brodie (6-4, 230) having to play somewhere. DE? OL/DT Cole Senior (6-0, 225) is gone after many honors with Joe Gusler (6-2, 220) and C/DL Ethan Miller (6-3, 250). DE Adonis Taveras (6-3, 225) and LBs Gage Radabaugh (5-8, 180) and Trayvon Joseph (6-0, 195) are gone taking a lot of athleticism with them. The 4 year run they’re on, going 49-8 follows a 5 year slog of 18-32 where they had one winning season.
Milton Hershey (9-3, 4A)
The Spartans are the “other” team in the Capital Conference that takes a back seat to Middletown but with only 2 losing seasons the last 17 years. With a 20-8 conference won-loss the last 4 years, they are second only to Middletown at 26-2. Then comes Palmyra 17-11, East Pennsboro 13-8, Steel High 14-14 and Camp Hill 13-15, trailed by Boiling Springs 4-23 and Trinity 3-24. The Rollers have been down the last 5 years but won back-to-back state titles in 2007 (13-3) and 2008 (16-0) and can’t be excluded when discussing area teams. Back to MH who had a good season but now face severe grad losses, losing key lineman in Stanford Maison (6-4, 300), Isaiah Morales (5-11, 275), and DLs Josiah Gibbs (5-10, 225) and Levi Wheager (6-0, 210, DE). LB Hunter Hanley and DB Chris Farnsworth are gone. The heart and soul of their offense Qb/LB Naeem Cross, Rbs Chiago Anyanwa, both +1000 yards, Hassan Kamara and Joseph Maisonet graduated. Seniors Clemente Ojinnaka (6-3, 220, DL) and DB/P Josh Parra (6-4, 210, may go LB) are back. Last year’s team averaged 33ppg while allowing 15; their best D in 14 years but not enough as evidenced by losses to Middletown 32-21 and Berks Catholic 49-21. Looks like a serious rebuild but they haven’t had a losing season since 2010.
Palmyra (8-3, 5A)
The Cougars were all over the place last year, winning their first 7 then going bottom up, finishing 1-3 with the one win being a limp effort against 1-9, AA Trinity, 14-13? The rest were bad losses to Milton Hershey 28-14, Middletown 42-6 and Warwick 64-0 in the postseason. 64 to nothing! For 2019, experienced Qb Stephen Lyons (6-1, 185, sr, 15/30/130) replaces Grant Haus (60%, 1325, 13/6, 463 rush). Rb Caleb Hawkins (1179) and Wr Sean Carter (580) plus Kyle Wasilewski (262) are gone, with Nick Morder (26/319) and Kasey Shughart (26/319) returning. They played everyone last year in an effort to shore up a sieve-like defense that was their downfall allowing 25ppg. The O was there at 26 a game but got no help from the other side. Interestingly, 468 tackles graduate. That looks like a big number until seeing 612 return! So they're loaded with considerable experience returning to both sides.
Mid Penn-Colonial
Waynesboro and Shippensburg have been the powers in this conference the last 4 years going 19-6 and 19-7 respectively. Northern’s Polar Bears are right there at 18-7 with Mifflin County at 10-9. East Pennsboro was 6-0 their only year in in 2015 followed by West Perry 9-10, Big Spring 7-18, Greencastle Antrim 5-20 and James Buchanan 0-14. Buchanan dropped out in 2017 going independent playing northern Maryland schools, Perryville, Brunswick, Clear Springs, Smithburg et al.
Shippensburg (10-2, 5A)
Defending Colonial champ Ship graduated their great back Adam Houser (260/1997) but return a lot of bodies including Qb/DB Zack Manning (5-11, 175, 826, 7/5), Rb/LB Jacob Loy (6-0, 190, 119/588) and Alex Sharrow (5-6, 160, 29/385) with TE/DE Nick Gustafson (6-5, 220, 21/383) and Wr/DB Isaiah Houser 5-10, 150, (8/188). The lines are in good shape with seniors Colton Musser (6-3, 220, LB), Kaden Burnett (6-1, 225), Noah Foust 6-0, 260, LB), Brandon Betz (6-2, 250), Rook Smith (5-1, 235) and junior Sean Hess (5-11, 260). The secondary looks set with Manning, Houser and CB Max Kalb (5-0, 160, jr). Key LBs are Noah Foust and Colton Musser. Bottom line, most of the defense returns. It’s wait and see for the Greyhounds who won a number of tight ones last year because of Adam Houser who fell 3 yards short of the 2000 rushing mark. He’ll be missed. But they have a pile of weapons back and real speed with 3 on the team from Ship’s state qualifying 4x100 team. The Greyhounds haven’t had a losing season since 2006.
Waynesboro (6-5, 5A)
The Indians have been a mid to lower mid-rung team for the last 6 years going 32-24. Right, big deal! But, they’re smiling in Waynesboro since this represents a tremendous turnaround from their +15 year drought of losing seasons! In fact, last year’ 6-5 record hides a team that could jump up and bite you as they did against Gettysburg (8-3, York Adams-2 champ) 21-16, West Perry (8-4 ) 43-40 and almost against Mifflin County (6-5), losing in double overtime 33-27….and conference winner Shippensburg, losing 28-20 in overtime. That was with modest production from the Qb who graduated. Jay Shaun Alverez (6-3, 180) passed for 958 yards (42% 9/9) and rushed for 613 more so he kept the chains moving often enough, as did Quentin Gaskill (787) and Brayden Bibbs (242). 3 other backs with 95 carries for 366 yards return with their primary receivers John Hoffman (19/437) and Adam Wentz (13/236) who is their primary back with 254 yards. So, they have 1642 rush yards to replace and a quarterback. The gains could be made up on the defensive side with nearly everyone back. They’ve got some bruisers back there with Ben Dewease (6-5, 325) the immovable object at DT and OT and Ethan Sunders (6-2, 260, 87 tackles, 12 sacks), Brandon Trujillo (6-0, 250, 59 tackles, jr), Daniel Toney (6-0, 255, 100 tackles), NG Xavier Rhyne (6-0, 210, 26 tackles) and DE Derec Urey (6-1, 195, 53 tackles). Also returning are LBs Carson McGregor (5-10, 170, 47 stops), Isaac Avery (5-10, 185, 30 tackles), Guy Sullivan (5-9, 190, 90 tackles) with Hayden Baer, Adam Wentz and Logan Smith to the secondary with 112, 89 and 78 tackles respectively. They open at Red Land then home to Red Lion before a test at Gettysburg then home again vs Shippensburg.
West Perry (8-4, 4A)
The Mustangs had a deceptively good team last year with an explosive offense scoring 36ppt behind two 1000 yard rushers, managed by a savvy QB in Kenyon Johnson (5-11, 180, sr) who kept opposing defenses guessing. At 57%, he threw good enough to keep defenses off balance knowing they had to commit to a keeper, pass or pitch with him scampering for 1130 yards on 138 carries and Terrance Quaker picking up another 1206 yards. The Qb also passed for 985 yards and is back. The D returns what looks like 4 starters and at least 2 pt players. A 3 point loss to Waynesboro and a 1 point loss to Mifflin County separated them from a 10-2 campaign.
