Here’s a peek at some of the teams that look good coming into the season. But who knows how things turn out with teams missing spring ball, Camp….going against other teams, multiple practices a day, 7 v 7 seeing other teams and new schemes instead of playing your backups. Weight room?....they missed supervised lifting for March, April, May and June. Overall conditioning, impact on underclassman?
Most of the known advantages a team has entering a season, like a returning Qb veteran OL (or lack thereof), will be magnified maybe WAY out of proportion. Lineman have to know adjustments on the fly, while a quarterback in year two usually know where all his players should be instead of being lost out there in year one. Some of these teams moved to a new classification or conference that ropes in entirely new opponents. A lot of newness out there!
1 Central Dauphin 12-3, 6A
What would have been a near toss-up between Central Dauphin and Harrisburg High for top billing was averted when Harrisburg decided to cancel fall sports. Too bad. So the abbreviated season of 7 games (10 are possible) begins with last year’s District champ and 6A state runner up starting the year #1 in the district and one of the top teams in the state. And with the district back in the West Bracket where those of us from there feel they belong, look for an exciting final with someone like Pittsburgh Central Catholic or North Allegheny. For CD, they return most of their offensive firepower from last year in junior quarterback Max Mosey (6-0, 170, 2069yds), running back Timmy Smith (1351yds) and receivers Malachi Bowman and Shamilyn Joppy, all seniors. Center Nathaniel Mosey 6-1, 240, tackles Blaise Heshler 6-5, 284 and Jamaal Bellamy 6-4, 285 also return to anchor the line. Almost the entire line-backing corps returns featuring Paul Clark (5-11, 215), with two to the secondary. Like many others in the Top 10, including Manheim Township, Wilson and Cocalico, lopsided wins allowed for non-starters to get considerable playing time. So there’s a lot of experience here with these teams. They open Sept 25th at home to Chambersburg.
2 Warwick 10-3, 5A
Here’s another team who like Central Dauphin is one of the top teams in the state. And like the teams mentioned above, they won many games by wide margins, especially the first six by an average score of 49-8, while ending the season with a 36-13 scoring average. This allowed them to play a lot of people. What makes them a legitimate threat this year is they also return 9 offensive starters and 8 defensive players, making them one of the more veteran teams in the district. Four return to the line (OT, OG, C, TE), three receivers including Caleb Schmitz (960yds) running back Colton Miller (1324yds) and quarterback Joey McCracken (2924pass yds). The OL includes Nolan Rucci (6-6, 272, Wis) at tackle and defensive end, considered by many the top line prospect in the country. The other DE is Thatcher Miller (6-3, 230) with NG Caleb Goss (5-10, 190) holding down the middle. WR Caleb Schmitz at 6-4, 210 is also a hard hitting safety with Tanner Haines (6-2, 200) standing out at LB. Look for Warwick to make real noise with other 5As like Governor Mifflin, Cedar Cliff, Exeter and Shippensburg challenging. They open at Penn Manor Sept 18th.
3 Wilson 10-2, 6A
Wilson returns a pile of skill including quarterback Kaleb Brown (1492yds), speedster Mason Lenart (766yds) and Jadyn Jones (264yds), and wide out Troy Corson (303yds) to a team that lost to Harrisburg 33-29 in the district’s second round. Experienced players like center Trent Maus (5-11, 235), LG Ethan Ashcroft (6-1, 245), LT Chase Walters (6-4, 245), RG Kyle Hassler (6-1, 255) and guard Zane Stephenson (6-0, 210), will help lessen the impact of graduating their entire line, while freshman Jack Dendal (6-1, 250) is well regarded. But keep in mind Wilson has a long established tradition of playing first year starting seniors. 7 return to the defense including tackle, 2 ends, 2 backers, a corner and a safety. The Bulldogs get to it right out the gate opening against bitter Reading rival Governor Mifflin at home Sept18th, a highly veteran team, followed by Lancaster power and rival Manheim Township in the LL opener.
4 Bishop McDevitt 8-4, 4A
McDevitt had a season of mixed reviews last year with a young team that returns largely intact with 9 starters back on offense. They could be explosive, averaging 28ppg last year with quarterback Lek Powell coming off a strong junior season completing 61% for 2054 yards. Four outstanding receivers return who combined have 123 receptions for 1885 yards, led by Mario Easterly (58/761), Oman Hopkins (20/492), Dedrick Tinker (28/229) and Kamil Foster (19/326). Last year’s sensational freshman Marquese Williams (5-10, 175) returns after rushing for 1021 yards. Defensively they return a solid core of 6 starters; 2 DEs, 2 LBs led by senior Julian Bakos (5-11, 225, 85 stops) and a safety to a unit that while inconsistent allowed 12ppg. How young were they? They started 2 freshman, OLB Riley Robell (6-2, 215, 48 tackles) and OT/DT Gabriel Arena (6-4, 250, 12 stops)….sophomores Jamani Heron (OLB 6-1, 205, 30 tackles) and DT Tyriq Hyghes (5-11, 295, 48 stops). Last year’s team lost to Lampeter Strasburg 30-27 in the district semifinal by blowing a 20-0 half time lead! Talk about off season motivation. 4A looks to be the most competitive classification in the district with McDevitt and Berks Catholic two of its strongest contenders. They open at Mifflin County Sept 25th.
5 Lampeter Strasburg 11-4, 4A
After losing the regular season ending game to powerful Cocalico 41-13, the Pioneers regrouped and went on a tear, defeating ELCO, previously unbeaten York Suburban, Bishop McDevitt and Berks Catholic in the district final before being overwhelmed in the 4A semifinal by the eventual state champion Thomas Jefferson (16-0) 44-2. Nice run, especially knowing they did this without star quarterback Sean McTaggart (ACL, season opener!), who was coming off his sophomore season after throwing for 1714 yards and 13 Tds and rushing for 708 yards and 11 more scores. Junior quarterback Connor Nolt stepped in well, throwing for 1812 yards and 18 Tds. Both return for 2020 with Nolt likely (?) sliding back to his receiver position with McTaggart (6-1, 205) possessing a stronger arm and dual threat capabilities. Also back are their top 4 receivers accounting for 1955 yards, spearheaded by Austin Stoltzfus (629) and running back Alex Knapp (726 rushing, 395 in receptions). Two-way lineman Zach Shelley (6-2, 265), Nick Del Grande (6-4, 255), Parker Owens (6-3, 215) and TE Beau Heyser (6-1, 255, 355 in receptions) return. The D returns 8 making LS a strong favorite to repeat as the district champ. They open at Solanco Sept 19th.
6 Middletown 10-2, 3A
Middletown’s three year run to the 3A state final came to a close last year in the district final losing to Wyomissing (12-1) 24-21. Quite a run! But despite losing Jose Lopez, the school’s leading career rusher (750 carries-6197 yds), they are again loaded on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they return outstanding lineman in seniors OT Brock Welsh 6’3 265, OG Amir Potter 6’0 325 and Center Nick Newton 6’0 245. Fullback Tajae Broadie (6-4, 230, 442), and running backs Tymir Jackson (5-11, 220, 1288) plus Tim Wagner (6-0, 190) also return. Big Tony Powell (6-4, 210, 57%, 1410) returns under center. The defense returns 7 with Broadie at DE, Jackson at DT and Wagner at CB. Linebackers Dylon Zettlemoyer (6-0, 190) and Jermey Wells (5-11, 220) are back with TJ Daniels (6-1 190) at SS. They had a lot of talented athletes last year that are a year older and playoff tested the last few years in three state finals and last year’s district final, all of which could be of real advantage, particularly in this abbreviated season. They open with Juniata at home Sept 25th.
7 Berks Catholic 8-5, 4A
These are interesting times in the Berks Inter-County Conference with Berks Catholic moving to Section One from Section Two. Here they will battle Exeter and Governor Mifflin rather than Hamburg and Fleetwood. Then it all changes in 2022 when the Berks merges with the Lancaster Lebanon League. The expansion will make for some great races with the addition of Exeter, Mifflin, BC, Wyo and others. This year’s team on paper should be vastly improved over last year’s young team with the return of 9 starters/co-starters to the offense and 10 to the defense. That group scored 26ppg but allowed 20, against the likes of Central Dauphin, McDonogh and Malvern Prep where they lost 31-6, 38-7 and 42-7 respectively. Clearly, they weren’t ready for a schedule of that caliber. But they did get to the district final for the seventh straight year with a young group losing to Lampeter Strasburg 35-21 after blowing out a good Milton Hershey (10-2) in the semifinal 49-18. So the parts are there. Who knows how this season turns out but they do return their quarterback Brad Hoffman (Schuylkill Valley trans 2019) and All-Berks League players in OG/DT Luke Hughes (6-3, 230..to DE this year), FB/LB Aiden Gallen (5-10, 195) and Reading High transfer Trace Brown at corner. The D could be special with Hughes moved to DE, DE Jackson Huddleson (6-1, 240) on the other flank and DTs Mark McFadden (6-1, 260) and Roman Donahue (6-2, 245) filling it out. FB Colby Newton at 5-10, 210 also gets time on the DL. All their non-conference games were cancelled leaving them with only 4 games where they open at home Oct 2nd against Boone. Don’t be surprised to see a BC-McDevitt final in districts.
8 Central York 9-2, 6A
Central York returns almost the entire team of last year with what former coach Josh Oswalt calls the best talent to ever come through the school. Problem is, he left the team to return to his alma mater Cumberland Valley to head their program. While at CY he went 30-13 from 2016 to 2019 but could not beat the power teams of District 3, going 1-6 against Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Wilson and Harrisburg, losing by a cumulative score of 108 to 248. The new coach is Gerry Yonchiuk from Lebanon High where they ran the Air Raid offense to some effect. He went 50-95 from 2006 to 2019 at a school that is or rather was more renown for producing hoops star Sam Bowie than anything football. But Coach is well regarded as a developer of quarterbacks which dovetails well with Central’s rising star quarterback Beau Pribula (6-2, 200, jr). As a soph, he completed 57% of his passes for 1244 yards while rushing for 365 yards. Many major schools are already interested in him including Penn State. The return of 10 to the offense and 9 to the defense may see the Panthers ready for prime time football (beating Mid Penn and LL teams) this year, especially running the new offense. The Air Raid offense mimics Coach Mike Leach’s offense while at Kentucky and Texas Tech. It’s run from the shotgun formation with a single back and 4 receivers. Central’s veteran team may just be able to pull it off especially with receivers the caliber of Taylor Wright-Rawls (404yds) and Judah Tomb (238). Running backs Imeire Maniault (672yds) and Isaiah Sturgis (542yds) will keep defenses honest. With no spring ball, 7v7, etc, we’ll have to wait and see if they (or anyone!) had time to install the offense and be anywhere close to ready for the opener. For Central, that’s home Sept 18th against Red Lion.
9 Governor Mifflin 8-4, 5A
Like Central York above, if all the parts of this team come together, they’ll be special, more so than many with high profile talent at a few key positions. Running back Nicholas Singleton (6-0, 210) is one of the top backs anywhere, with offers from 37 schools to date. He ran for 1702 yards last year. On the other side is DE CamRon Stewart (6-5, 245!), a Rutgers commit who had 50 tackles and 315 yards on 18 receptions. All totaled the Mustangs return 7 to the offense and all 11 to the defense. Another standout on defense is linebacker Brandon Strausser (6-0, 215) with 87 stops last year. He also got starts later in the season at fullback gaining 430 yards. Running the Mid-Line Option (veer) means power football….up the middle, although a back like Singleton and all their other weapons plus their experience provides for many options. They could be special and will minimally make 5A football in the district competitive with the powerhouse at Warwick, good stuff at Shippensburg and a nice group coming up at Manheim Central. Cedar Cliff has some good moving parts as well so look for an exciting 5A battle in the district. They open at Wilson Sept 18th.
10 Manheim Township 11-1, 6A
The Blue Streaks fielded their best team ever last year winning the first 11 games before losing to Central Dauphin in a rematch 35-34 in double overtime….on a missed extra point. CD had to rally from a 14-0 deficit on the road to pull it out. 2020 sees nearly all of Township’s team graduated after averaging a school record 45ppg and allowing 10. This, while going 4-0 against Central Dauphin (12-3), Warwick (10-3), Wilson (10-2) and Cocalico (11-3) by an average score of 31-9 in the regular season. So it’s a huge rebuild this year. Key to it will be replacing quarterback Harrison Kirk (2476, 62%, 24/5 ratio), multi-talented Jaden Floyd (912 rush yds, 26/471 pass yds), 5 receivers who caught 120 passes for 1760 yards and the entire offensive line. The defense is also a rebuild, losing 527 tackles. Still, a ton of players got time in the rotation including senior Evan Clark (6-3, 210) at quarterback. He also started at SS. All-Everything junior Anthony Ivey (6-1, 180, 23/586, PSU, West Va or ASU) returns with Elijah Fonseca at wide out and corner. Running backs Cade Clancy (5-10, 180 also LB) returns with Shamir Alberto (5-11, 180). Aaron Paul (6-2, 190) is back at OLB with Luke Kelley (6-3, 220) at DE and Charlie Newman (6-0, 265) at DT. Dan Engle (6-2, 185) is at least a part time returning starter at FS. Open at home Sept 18th vs LaSalle.
T I E
Cocalico 11-3. 4A
Cocalico had a heck of a year experiencing the lows of a 56-7 loss to Manheim Township in game 5 followed by the exhilarating high of a 5A state semifinal losing to Cheltenham 56-49 in a shootout; Cheltenham scoring in the final minute of the game. The Panthers went on to lose in the final to Archbishop Wood 19-15. The week before, Wood edged Gateway 24-21 to show the parity in the classification last year. What fueled this unique Cocalico team was the state’s 5A player of the year, Noah Palm (6-0, 200, NH). He made everything happen, rushing for 1628 yards and 35 touchdowns and passing for 1014 with 9 touchdowns, ending his career with 2432 passing yards, 4204 rushing yards and 111 touchdowns! You don’t replace that. He’ll play safety at New Hampshire after making the state’s all-star team at that position last year. Quite an athlete. Another loss is Ronald Zalm’s 630 rush yards and 628 in receptions. And despite the loss of OT Brock Gingrich (6-3, 285, DE), they have Ryan Brubaker (6-6, 265) and Ben Bearinger (5-11, 200) returning and 3 experienced backs with 1257 yards between them. The defense is veteran with 7 back and many experienced subs. Of real concern is the retirement of Coach Dave Gingrich after 16 years (29 total at the school) with a 130-60 record. Long-time assistant Bryan Strohl’s take over should offer a smooth transition as the school drops from 5A to 4A. They open at home Sept18th to Garden Spot.
Others
Lancaster Lebanon League
Manheim Central 9-3, 5A
Where do you put a team that lost 21 starters from last year graduating record setting quarterback Evan Simon who passed for 2625 yards last year (57%) with 25 touchdowns while rushing for another 930 yards and 15 more scores? He’s #2 all time in the Lancaster Lebanon with 8041 pass yards. Colby and Ben Wagner also graduated after snagging 114 passes for 2088 yards. Further, the program has won 18 district titles and 26 section titles. 6th year coach Dave Hahn has them rolling going 57-10 at a school where they’ve won 220 games out of the last 365. So you have to at least mention a team like this feeling they’ll again find success and field a solid team. They open at Cedar Crest Sept 18th.
Lebanon 7-4, 5A
The Cedars of Lebanon have a gun slinger at quarterback with the return of 6-5 Isaiah Rodriguez with 4152 career passing yards (2150 last year) with Alex Rufe pulling em down again after catching 74 tosses for 1075 yards last year. Although Coach Gerry Yonchiuk moved on to the top spot at Central York, replacement Frank Isenberg will continue running the Air Raid offense behind last year’s O-Line returning intact. The Cedars come in hot off a 36-14 rout (30-0 1st qtr) of Reading in the Eastern Conference playoff game last year and begin this season at Northern Lebanon Sept 18th.
Berks Inter-County Conference
Exeter Township 9-4, 5A
Exeter had a capable but inconsistent team last year that lost to Berks Catholic, Spring Ford and Governor Mifflin before turning on in the post season beating York High (7-4, 2nd York-Adams) 41-14 and previously undefeated Shippensburg (11-1, Mid Penn Colonial champ) 16-14 before falling to Cedar Cliff (10-3, Mid Penn Keystone champ) 24-0 in the 5A district semifinal. Qb Gavin McCusker (2049, 56%, 24Tds) returns with his top two receivers, Joey Schlaffer and Tyler Yocum to jump start the 2020 season opening at home against Hempfield Sept 19th.
Wyomissing 12-1, 3A
Here’s another Reading power joining Wilson, Governor Mifflin, Berks Catholic and Exeter looking real good with big numbers and experience returning on both sides of the ball. Qb Zach Zechman is back with Wyo’s typical size dominating the lines in Seamas Filoon (6-4, 280), Rushard Williams (6-4, 290), Steve Olexy (6-0, 240) and TE Aiden Mack (6-4, 210). Standout Evan Niedrowski (6-2, 230) is back at FB/LB with Darren Brunner (6-0, 190) and Jack Feightner (6-1, 200) also at backer. Amory Thompson, Nevin Carter and Jordan Auman are back in the secondary. They open Sept 19th at Hamburg and its hard finding a loss on a schedule including Fleetwood, Kutztown, Twin Valley and Schuylkill Valley.
Mid Penn Conference
Cumberland Valley 5-6, 6A
Coach Oswalt takes over for Michael Whitehead who was let go at the end of 2019 following a 59-28 slate since 2013. What a move for Oswalt who graduated from Cumberland Valley in 2004, went on to play/coach at Shippensburg then become head coach at Carlisle and Central York. He has a strong record of developing quarterbacks at both schools, turning Billy Burger and Eric Harris at Carlisle into legit Mid Penn Qbs. He did the same at Central York working with Cade and Beau Pribula. That means the grass field at Harry Chapman Field will not likely see the Wing-T as he installs his spread offense. CV had a lot of grads so there’s a legitimate rebuild that will be difficult with such an abbreviated season, especially coming off rare back-to-back losing seasons. Coach says all positions are wide open tho Alex Kovach is the returning QB….from last year’s Wing T. So, there could be an underclassman step in there. 6 return to the offense and 5 to the defense with a schedule that is somewhat favorable opening at Altoona Nov 25th followed by CD East Oct 2nd for the home opener where it will be SRO.
Cedar Cliff 10-3, 5A
Cedar Cliff lost some great talent from last year’s district final team that was beat by Cocalico 45-7. Apart from beating Governor Mifflin 18-13, Bishop McDevitt 20-17 and Exeter 24-0, they were also crushed by Cocalico in the regular season 43-15. This year’s team while thinned considerable at a few key positions returns an excellent core in quarterback Gannon McMeans and 4 lineman; Seth Gillen (6-4, 275), Claude Godineaux (6-3, 300), Antonio Rodiriguez and TE Adam Enrico (6-1, 215). Jamir Reynolds (5-11, 175) and Jontae Morris (5-10, 170) will try to pick up the slack of graduated Jaheim Morris, their all-time leading rusher who tallied 4659 rush yards. 2410 of those last year. Defensively, the Colts return a nice core featuring DT Ben Eisenhower (6-5, 300), DE Enrico, LBs Elijah Ikeda (5-10, 210) and Landon Switzer (6-1, 190), and DBs Morris and Reynolds. With a good looking class coming up, the Colts could again be a tough out. They open at home Sept 25th verses Lower Dauphin.
Steelton Highspire 8-3, 1A
In a word….loaded! 9 starters are back on both sides with a special class coming up making it look like the good times are back on Cottage Hill. Super talent like Mehki Flowers (6-2, 190) who caught 43 passes for 1002 yards and Tyrone Moore who snagged 47 for 743 yards plus Odell Green (5-11, 190) and lineman Tydre Hollands (6-2, 225), Tyhir Duncan (6-0, 255), Kiyler Raye (6-0. 245), etc, etc, etc are back. And they must feel REAL good about Alex Erby (6-2, 190) starting him at quarterback as a freshman! Quite a frame for a 15 year old. They open at home Sept 26th with last year’s district champ Upper Dauphin (11-1) who blew through their first 11 games last year before losing in the 2A state semifinal to Southern Columbia 63-22. UDA was in the Tri-Valley Conference last year that merged this year with the Mid Penn in a major expansion. They merged in mass to form the Liberty Division.
Shippensburg 11-1, 5A
The Greyhounds return enough to again make noise with quarterback Zack Manning (6-1, 190, 49%, 1054, 15/5) throwing to speedster Isaiah Houser (29/657) behind a monster O-Line; egs Ben Froio (5-11, 270), Sean Hess (6-0, 285), Hunter Coyle (6-1, 275) and Dalton Foore (6-3, 310). He’ll be throwing more with the graduation of two thousand yard rushers, Jacob Loy (6-0, 190) at 1224 yards and Alex Sharrow (5-4, 135!) at 1284. TE Nick Gustafson (6-5, 215, 23/366) also graduated. Six return starters on defense join top recruit Anthony Smith (6-7, 270, PSU, Iowa St, Neb) for what should be a highly competitive unit and team. They ripped off 11 straight last year before losing to Exeter 16-14 in the quarterfinal. They open at home the 25th against Waynesboro and home again against Mechanicsburg before running into arch rival Northern High Polar Bears Oct 9th in Dillsburg.
