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District-3 Preseason Top 10 (Aug 8th, 2022)

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District 3 Preseason Top 10 (Aug 8th, 2022)

As always, District 3 looks to have another exciting season of competitive football with three teams that could make a deep run in States; Harrisburg, Bishop McDevitt and Steelton Highspire. Great scheduling will again see many of the contenders playing each other early in the season, helped in part with the merger of the Lancaster Lebanon League and Berks Inter County Conference. With everyone playing everyone else, there will be no doubt who the top teams are. So buckle up as the sprawling and powerful District-3 gets ready to strut their stuff with some highly talented and powerful teams making a run for the gold. Here are last year’s district champions.

6A Harrisburg 12-2 beat Wilson 9-4, 14-10
5A Exeter Township 10-4 beat Governor Mifflin 10-1, 31-28
4A Bishop McDevitt 12-2 beat Lampeter Strasburg 11-2, 7-0
3A Wyomissing 15-1 beat Boiling Springs 11-2, 55-14
2A York Catholic 10-1 beat Upper Dauphin 9-2, 35-8
1A Steelton HIghspire 8-3 beat Delone Catholic 5-5, 42-20

1 Harrisburg 12-2 6A
The Cougars are loaded with their key people back to face a challenging opening slate of 5 teams, two of which will challenge for district honors. But they return big numbers including both quarterbacks in Shawn Lee (1122-62%, 10/4, soph) and #2 Zakii Curry-Lewis (583-82%! 6/5, jr) along with most of their key skill people in FB/MLB Mahkai Hopkins (194-1023, 102 tackles, UConn) and all-everything Kyle Williams (115-740r, 70-788p, Temple, Rich, NH). They’ll fill in some OL vacancies to again be a force offensively after averaging 27ppg last year. The defense that allowed 15 a game will be special with 9 starters and co-starters back. Their DE’s and LB crew look fearsome featuring Terrell Reynolds (6-2, 235, 123 tackles) and last year’s outstanding soph Ryan Epps (6-1, 235, jr, 69 tackles) at DE with MLB Mahkai Hopkins (6-2, 235, 91stops) plugging the middle. Reynolds is one of the top DLs in the state. OLB Micah Chambers (6-0, 190, 93 tackles) and last year’s great freshman Kymir Williams (5-9, 185, so, 42 stops) are back with the versatile SS/LB Kyle Williams (6-0, 185, sr, 24 stops). The secondary also returns DB/WR Amir Jones (6-2, 190, sr, 41, UConn) and Ameer Grandberry (5-8, 150, sr, 38 tackles). Trentin Moffitt (5-10, 240, jr), Shamar Humphrey (6-0, 250, sr) and Tymeer Jennings (6-2, 285, sr) will man the trenches. They’re looking for big things from Elias Cody-Coke (6-3, 185, frosh), opening with St. Vincent Pallotti (5-6) of the MIAA-A (Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Asso) in the Peach Bowl Classic in Chambersburg. The MIAA is a private school conference in the Baltimore-Annapolis area with quality schools like Calvert Hall (9-3), Mount St. Joseph (7-4), McDonogh (6-6) and Archbishop Spalding (10-1). Then its back-to-back against Delaware Valley (9-4) and Manheim Township (6-5) before opening Mid Penn-Commonwealth action on the road against Carlisle (7-4). Cumberland Valley (5-5) will be the conference home opener. We’ll know early if they have the team to make a run at States. I think they do with historically one of the best defenses in the state and coach Cal Everett (2011 hire 88-42, 60-13 last 6) at the helm. He replaced the legendary George Chaump who went 62-29. Last year’s young group started a freshman quarterback and won the MP-Commonwealth and districts to set the stage for this year’s run at States.
Note: Work is in progress to complete a renovation of Severance Field by kickoff with the addition of lights, a new turf surface, goal posts, and a new track.

2 Bishop McDevitt 12-2 4A
McDevitt and Harrisburg are at this point head and shoulders above others in the district with great numbers returning to build on last year’s strong outings. For McDevitt, all the key parts are there from last year’s younger group that will be tested early playing Philadelphia powers Imhotep Charter (11-2) from the Public League and LaSalle (9-2) from the vaunted Philadelphia Catholic league. If they get past those two, no one in the Mid Penn-Keystone or district has the firepower to beat them. They were an extremely young group last year, but still have to replace key personnel in wide outs Kamil Foster (36/907yds) and Mario Easterly (57/1071). How important was it for a freshman starting quarterback to have them around? After all, they snagged 63% of his passes and 65% of his yardage. Stone Saunders completed 146 of 230 for 3037 yards. That’s 64% with only 5 interceptions and 46 touchdowns. Heck of a frame too at 6-2, 200 as a freshman. Everyone has offered; Tex AM, Wis, Mich, Pitt, etc. And they still return good receivers headed by Rico Scott (6-0, 185, jr, 25-538. Mich, Wis, Minn, etc), Jeffrey Penn (6-3, 190, sr, 6/209) and burners Samuel Smalls (5-8, 150, jr, 3/82) and Nevan Hopkins (6-0, 165, jr, 2/43) who also stands out in the secondary. Excepting the graduated senior receivers, they started or extensively played 3 freshmen, 3 sophomores and 3 juniors. In the backfield, their tandem running backs are two of the best in the state featuring Marquese Williams (5-10, 195, sr, 170-1897yds, ND, Tex AM, PSU etc) and Cyncir Bowers (5-11, 190, sr, 86-1004, Rich, ODU, BG). Returning senior lineman include the top OL prospect in the conference in Gabriel Arena (6-5, 285, Va Tech), Riley Robell (6-3, 285, JMad, Navy, ODU, NH), Dimitri Chacon (6-4, 310) and Kam Zaengle (6-1, 270, ctr). Juniors Zachariah Brown (6-0, 265), Ethan Straining (6-3, 260), Jayden Finney (5-11, 290, jr) and others give them an outstanding Mid Penn line. This is a unit that scored 46ppg. The defense is reasonably stacked with returning talent at DB Tyshawn Russell (6-2, 190, sr, 29 tackles), SS/LB Ty Kephart (6-0, 190, jr, 50 stops), DE Zachary Hare (6-2, 210, sr, 28 stops), LBs Kade Werner (5-11, 210, sr, 81 tackles) and Venny Brooks (5-10, 185, so, 31 tackles), Robell with 84 stops, 29 TFL and others. But they’ll miss LBs Ryan Russo (6-2, 195) their top tackler at 135, plus Bryce Enders (5-10, 210) with 73 stops and DT Jamani George-Heron (6-0, 260) and his 58 stops. McDevitt is trying to make a statement this year opening with Imhotep at neutral site Chambersburg in the Peach Bowl Classic followed by West Toronto Prep then LaSalle at Wissahickon game #3.
Note: DE Nick Slogik (6-4, 245, jr) transferred in this summer from Warwick.

3 Cumberland Valley 5-5 6A
Mixed bag here with Cumberland Valley’s youthful team beating Spring Ford 23-19 and Central Dauphin 24-17 but getting blown out by Manheim Central 35-7 and Harrisburg (12-2) 45-7. In between were tough losses to State College (8-6) 21-18, CD East (7-4) 17-10 and a deceptive loss to Central York (10-1) 21-3, done in by late scores after a tight game. For this year, they return huge numbers and a new staff of assistants with head coach Josh Oswalt in year three. Offensively, they’ll be led by Qb Isaac Sines (1020p-46%, 10/6, 409r), JD Hunter (123-534r, 14-200p), Bryce Staretz (61-231r) and receivers Griffin Huffman (28-482), Caiden Pines (14-162) and Adam Sonervillee (15-189). They are transitioning from the Wing-T to the Spread and it showed, averaging 17ppg. But the defense that was also young starting a frosh, 4 sophomores, and 6 juniors held down the fort with little support from the offense allowing 23ppg. This year’s schedule is again a handful, opening at home against Manheim Township before road trips to Central York and Spring Ford. Then it’s home for the Commonwealth opener against CD East before tackling Harrisburg at Severance Field. If they survive that, they’ll be a MAJOR factor in the Mid Penn and districts this year.
Note: They installed new turf, lights, visitor press box and video board.

4 Governor Mifflin 10-1 5A
Governor Mifflin was one of the top rated teams in the state last year, crushing good football teams like Wilson (9-4) 42-14, Harrisburg (12-2) 49-13, Episcopal (6-4) 54-21, Warwick (6-5) 63-35 and Exeter (10-4) 54-21 by an average score of 52-21 before being upset in the postseason rematch with conference rival Exeter 31-28. Nick Singleton has moved on to Penn State, taking 2049 rush yards with him (6326 career, 116 Tds!), plus the quarterback, fullback and a slew of others. But they have a core and REAL talent at the skill positions with a potentially great one coming up in the backfield. QB Delsin McNeil (5-11, 195, sr, 6/6-100%, 26/188r) was a co-starter. And with a mix of veterans and some outstanding young talent coming up on defense, especially sophomore DT Mykell Ford (6-1, 240, 40 tackles) combining with SS/WR Ayden Martin (6-0, 180, 38 stops, so), LB Aiden Young (60-195) and OL/DL Kennedy Arias Hernandez (6-3, 305), Matthew Chute (6-2, 235), Clayton Reynolds (5-11, 220), Aden Krause (6-4, 265), Ethan Hoffman (6-0, 255) and Devin Johnson (6-1, 240), they look to be ok. They open at home against Spring Ford then on the road at Carlisle before returning to Shillington to play Boyertown.

5 Wilson 9-4 6A
Wilson is coming off another 4 loss season, their 3rd in 5 years. This was also their worst defense at 21 ppg since 2005’s 7-3 team that allowed 24 a game. It’s still strong football with a 41-15 record the last 5, but not the Wilson football many are used to. In their defense, the competition has improved, adding Central Dauphin to the schedule and historic rival Governor Mifflin who, in GM’s case, fielded inordinately strong teams the last 2 years, beating them 48-7 in 2020 and 42-14 last year. Ditto Exeter Township going 10-4 last year and pummeling Wilson 42-14. Nevertheless, it should be another interesting year in West Lawn despite significant losses at most skill positions from both sides. The defense has a nice core of OT/DT Jack Dendall (6-3, 285, primarily OL), LB Landen Farrell (6-2, 220), DE Nick Weitzel (6-2, 210), LB Ryan McMillan (6-0, 220), S Nate Capitan (6-0, 185), DB/WR/QB Cam Jones (5-11, 185) plus a pile of sophs and frosh from last year that got time. The offense is a near total rebuild with losses at quarterback Brad Hoffman (1390 passing, 1080 rushing), running back Jadyn Jones (1390) and their top 3 receivers. But it’s Wilson, where you know Coach Doug Dahms in year 17 at 170-35 will field a good team. Last years was good enough to beat Central Dauphin (5-3) 27-21, Manheim Township (6-5) 21-14, York (7-3) 50-32 and Central York (10-1) 14-11 before losing to Harrisburg (12-2) 14-10. They’ve won 28 Section championships in the LL and have 46 consecutive winning seasons. They open this season at home against Roman Catholic of Philadelphia before playing Central Dauphin on the road followed by ML King of the Philly Public League.

6 Manheim Township 6-5 6A
Manheim Township is looking good for a run at districts and beyond. Last year’s young team was right there despite the youth, losing to Dallastown (6-4) 41-38, Harrisburg (12-2) 20-17ot, Hempfield (7-5) 17-14 and Wilson (9-4) 21-14 before losing at Central York (10-1) 26-14. Notable wins came against Spring Ford (6-5) 28-13 and CD East (7-4) 24-21. They played a tough schedule facing one losing team with a talented group of sophs, frosh and juniors on offense last year. We’ll see how they come into the Spring Ford game in Royersford after rugged encounters with veteran teams at Cumberland Valley in the opener, Dallastown game two then Harrisburg. They have holes to fill on the O-Line and defense, plus 4-star wide out Anthony Ivey is now at Penn State after 112 receptions and 2043 yards as a 4-year starter. Still, they return a pile including last year’s starting sophomore quarterback Hayden Johnson (6-0, 190, jr) who threw for 2019 yards at 66% with a 25/8 ratio. Those are impressive stats for a sophomore against that schedule. WR Landon Kennel (6-3, 190, jr 28/410), RB Nick Good (5-11, 180, jr, 56/432r, 10/122p) and Luke Laubach (6-0, 190, sr, 39/343r, 6/74p) return. They scored 32ppg last year while allowing 20 against teams with a combined won-loss of 75-47. The Streaks will make a lot of noise this year and be a handful if they rebuild the O-Line and survive early challenges on the schedule.

7 Wyomissing 15-1 3A
We all knew Wyo was going to be good last year, but few of us knew how good. That was cleared up early in the season when they handled Pottsville (8-3) 42-14 and confirmed again when they took apart Southern Columbia (15-1) 41-21. All totaled, they beat 9 teams with a +.500 record with a 84-26 won/loss by an average score of 42-10. The loss was against Central Valley (15-0) 7-0 for the second straight year. This year sees them with a few good pieces returning including QB Ben Zechman (6-3, 185, 54/92/794, 59%, 11/2), and three lineman return; Jven Williams (6-5. 310, sr), Caleb Brewer (6-5, 280, jr) and Pacen Ziegler (6-3, 265, sr). The line looks to be a team strength! Three running backs return in Andrew Eisenhower (5-9, 180, sr,116-871), Ryker Jones (23/243), Colin Niedrowski (6-0, 190, jr, 33/225) and William Delp (5-9, 155, sr, 24/214) are back. The D took some hits but return the two-way lineman mentioned above, the running backs and QB in the secondary and LB corps with standout LB Matt Kramer (6-1, 215, sr) also back. Don’t forget, they graduated 25 seniors entering last season.. Coach Bob Wolfrum knows how to build a team and maintain a program as they go for their 4th consecutive district title. The schedule should be manageable opening at home to Kennard Dale then off to Pottsville before playing Trinity and Berks Catholic.

8 York 7-3 6A
The Bearcats will be loaded again this year on offense with underrated quarterback Sam Stoner coming off an excellent season combining with one of the top running backs in the state in Jaheim White to have them as one of the most explosive teams in the state. They averaged 44 points a game last year but didn’t have a defense to match, allowing 30ppg! Qb Stoner played in the shadow of conference mate Beau Pribula over at Central York despite having an outstanding campaign, completing 66% for 1960 yards with a Td/Ratio of 23/5. To a lesser degree, it was the same scenario for Jaheim White sharing the spotlight with Nicholas Singleton at Governor Mifflin. White followed up 2020’s covid shorted season where he rushed for 1332 yards (8 games!) with 2128 last year. He’s a game changer! About that defense. Last year’s group couldn’t handle teams like Governor Mifflin losing 55-6, Central York where they lost 60-14 and Wilson who handled them 50-32. But they handled Coatesville in an impressive 44-39 win at Coatesville with White going wild at 235 yards, Stoner throwing for 308 yards and Ja-Nas Simms pulling in 176 yards on 8 receptions. That’s what they can do when it all comes together. They open in Chambersburg at the Peach Bowl Classic August 27th against Woodland Hills (5-6), then on the road at Hempfield before returning home to face the Thundering Herd of Carlisle in what should be one of the top non-conference games in the district.

9 Carlisle 7-4 6A

Carlisle woke up last year getting their first winning season since 2005. 7-4 is a good campaign in the Mid Penn-Commonwealth with conference road wins at State College (8-6) 21-14 and Central Dauphin East (7-4) 28-20. Two other losses were of the ‘close call’ variety to Cumberland Valley 27-24 and Central Dauphin 24-21. The other two losses were against Harrisburg where they were overmatched 34-14 and 36-7. This season sees almost all of last year’s team back including both quarterbacks Louis Shank (6-0, 180, sr, 740-50%, 115ry) and Ezzeekai (EZ) Thomas (6-1, 185, sr, 326-45%, 522ry) who also shines in the secondary with 49 tackles. All their running backs return. It’s a committee featuring Eli Hargrove (5-8, 185, jr, 124r, 285P-#1 receiver), Jeremiah Hargrove (5-9, 170, jr, 308r, 155p), JaQueese Morell (288), Marquise Miller (248r), John Smith (202r), Jeremiah Snyder (98r, 116p) and 6-4, 185 and WR Josh Zipperer (258p). Carlisle has some gifted athletes! Last year’s line should continue to mature into a ‘Commonwealth’ line with the return of seniors Thomas Nelson (6-3, 295), a standout, Charlie Dib (6-0, 250), Dacoda Helm (5-11, 230), Michael Thomas (6-1, 315), Layton Schmick (6-2, 280) and Kyle Kitlinski (5-10, 250). Juniors Alijah Baker (6-2, 265), Brayden Miller (5-11, 240) and Noah McDaniels (6-1, 240) also return. The schedule is manageable with neighbor Mechanicsburg up first with their dual QB Jeff Lougee (675p, 506r) and running back Parker Sample (944), followed by a brutal run of Governor Mifflin at home, York High on the road and the MP-Commonwealth opener vs Harrisburg at home. Carlisle was very close last year with an exciting offense that averaged 30ppg and a defense that was respectable at 18ppg. Any improvement will see them challenging for a playoff spot.
TIE
Steelton Highspire 8-3 1A

Steel High hopes to rebound from an off year that saw them go 8-3 following their 10-0 title run of 2021, in part by beefing up the front end of their schedule. They open with last year’s 1A WPIAL champ and state runner-up Bishop Canevin (13-2) of Pittsburgh (Westwood) at the Peach Bowl Showcase in Chambersburg. Next is Westinghouse (10-2), who has 3 straight Pittsburgh City League titles. Last year’s Roller team was young. And despite an abundance of talent that allowed them to win 8 games by an average score of 54-13, they had trouble with quality teams, losing to Boiling Springs (11-2) 29-28, and Canton (13-1) 32-27. For this season, it looks like they return 7 fulltime starters to both sides. Sit down for this one. Quarterback Alex Erby (6-4, 205, jr, Pitt, Lville, Neb, BC) threw for 3265 yards last year at 83%. His ratio was 42/6. His career numbers are 5754 yards with 74 touchdowns. At least 6 of their starters were sophomores last year, including Erby, WR/FS Rell Ceaser (6-1, 170, 47/695), WR/LB Jaeion Perry (6-1, 170, 22/495), LB Amari Williams (6-2, 190), DE Eugene Green (6-3, 210, 3 sacks) and DT/OT Andrew Erby (6-4, 280). Also returning are running back/LB Jakhai Noss (6-1, 190, 60/610), OL/DE Tyshawn Holland-Alli (6-2, 240, sr) and WR Daquan McGraw (6-3, 190, sr, 12-283) who could be special. Look for the Rollers to join Harrisburg and Bishop McDevitt in challenging for state honors this season.

10 Central Dauphin East 7-4 6A
The East High Panthers had their first winning season since 2017, making a big splash defeating Warwick (6-5) 28-21, Cedar Cliff (10-3) 20-7, State College (8-6) 34-13, Cumberland Valley (5-5) 17-10 and Central Dauphin (5-3) 31-14. Their losses came against Manheim Township (6-5) 24-21, Harrisburg (12-2) 25-20, Carlisle (7-5) 28-20 and Hempfield (7-5) 35-2. QB Terrence Jackson-Copney (6-1 180, sr, 1315 tot, 891p-55%, 424r, 15td) is back with wide out Tymere Thornton (6-6, 220, sr, 27/564) and well regarded sophomore RB/CB Jared Porter (5-9, 170, WVa, UConn, BG, etc.), to see they have some good skill people to shake up the MP-C this year. But they did have losses, namely receiver Mehki Flowers (46-809, PSU), running back Marcel McDaniels (211-1269) and OL’ers Macario Clark (6-4, 325), Mohamed Aly (6-2, 275) and Cam Livingston (6-0, 260). The defense lost Isaiah Scott (6-4, 280) and Travis Armstrong (6-0, 260) from the line but return DE Aiden Campbell (6-3, 245, sr), DT Jeremial Swanson (6-1, 280), LB Thaddeus Krebs (5-9, 180) and Ian Amegartcher (5-11, 160, sr) and Xavier Armstrong (6-0, 195, sr) at DB from a group that allowed 18ppg. Kicker Nickolas Bloss is also back. The OL needs rebuilt but they have solid skill people. They also have a coach in Lance Deane in his second year who showed what he could do with a good group last year. And the schedule allows then to get off to a good start, playing Reading, Cedar Crest and Northeastern in their first three games….IF….they don’t trip up at a dangerous Cedar Crest team in Lebanon week #2.

Others that may impact
Lancaster-Lebanon
(Berks League merged this year)
Lampeter Strasburg 11-2 4A HUGE losses at QB in Berkeley Wagner (1470p, 821r, 2291 tot!!), TE/DE Beau Heyser (24/506, 62 tackles) and DT Nik Del Grande (6-4, 265, #1 tackler at 83). But a great core returns to the D with a pile of lineman waiting to fill in. They’ll be a force again if they get something close to last year’s prediction at QB. Always a player at 68-29 (31-7 last 3) since last losing season in 2013. Impressive in last year’s 7-0 loss to McDevitt (12-2) in last year’s district final.
Manheim Central 9-2 4A All their skill graduates from a team that scored 38ppg including dual threat QB Judd Novak (1898p, 606r), lead rusher Justin Hefferman (781) and their top 3 receivers accounting for 90 receptions for 1288 yards. But, the D returns their top returning linebackers with 302 tackles from a unit that allowed 17ppg. With only two losing season since 1971 and 99-25 the last 10, you know they’ll slug it out til the offense comes onboard.
Exeter Township 10-4 5A Will rebuild around OL/DE Lucas Palange (6-1, 240), OL/DL Anthony Caccese (6-6 260) and TE Joey Schlaffer (6-6, 210, 48/822). They’re looking for a quarterback after graduating record setting Colin Payne. Saw Joey Schlaffer heave it 50+ yards, effortlessly!? The defense returns 8 and looks particularly strong up front.
Berks Catholic 7-5 3A
The Saints joined the Lancaster-Lebanon League this year where they will play at their actual 3A classification instead of 4A. And despite not having to face powerful Governor Mifflin (10-1) and Exeter (10-4), the move landed them in Section 4 where they’ll play powerhouses Wyomissing (110-21 last 10), Lampeter Strasburg (79-40) and Cocalico (86-34), along with Conrad Weiser, Donegal, Octorara and ELCO. 2021 saw notable grads including Christian Cacchione (1196r), bruising FB Luke Hughes (6-1, 225, 554r), quarterback Mitchel Gatz (33/63/508, 10/4) and the top six tacklers who accounted for 351 stops. Hughes is a big loss in their Wing-T. But Coach Rick Keeley (108-29 at BC, 270-148-3 total thru 36 yrs) seems confident, calling this his most experienced OL ever. Four return featuring Jacob Collazo (6-3, 285, sr), Owen Reber (6-1, 275, sr), Jackson Haas (6-0, 225, sr) and Ty Barreto (6-1, 220, sr). Multi-talented Josiah Jordan (6-0, 175, sr, 93/810r, 12/306p) is back with Marvin Armistead (5-10, 160, sr) in the backfield. Both can get to the corner fast! William Hess projects as starter at Qb. The DL will be Collazo, Haas and Alex Witmer (6-3, 255, sr) supported by LB Devin Garcia (5-11, 190, sr) with Jordan and Armistead in the secondary. They open at home against Loyalsock, then Executive Education Academy and Pope John Paul II before the war with Reading rival Wyomissing where both could come in undefeated.
Cedar Crest 5-4 6A Quarterback Jay Huber (6-2, 195, sr, 84/155/1259, 54%, 13/9) and WR Nolan Groff (6-0, 180, jr, 30/552) are back with decent numbers from a young team last year that had their moments waffling Gettysburg (7-4) 52-14 and upsetting Hempfield (7-5) 20-13 at their place. But they came up way short vs the muscle, losing to far underrated Carlisle (7-4) 45-0, Manheim Township’s (6-5) talented, young group 42-7 and Wilson (9-4) 49-24. There are issues graduating league standout and top RB/MLB Aadyn Richards (5-11, 210, 112/949r) who will be missed. The O-Line also has holes. We’ll know early opening with Philly Pub’s Abraham Lincoln, CD East and Warwick.
Warwick 7-5 5A Returning standout quarterback Qb Jack Reed (6-1, 185, sr, 166/286/2431, 58% 20/5) will keep them competitive along with other players (Andrew McClunes, Colin Winters, Thomas Jeanes) that got time but didn’t start. But there’s no way they don’t miss Christian Royer’s 1222ry and receivers Cooper Eckert’s 73 catches for 1172 yards and Ryan Fink’s 45 receptions for 667 yards. That makes the defense key setting up the young group. They return 8 starters and co-starters with the strength up front in senior NG Harmon McKnight (5-11, 220), DE Nick Slogik (6-4, 245, jr) transferred to McDevit this summer, LBs Nick Tejada (6-0, 200, sr), Mahkel Tate (5-9, 185, jr) and LB/S Trevor Tate (6-2, 185, jr). Two more return to the secondary. Coach Bob Locker knows how to put points on the board, averaging 43, 43, 36, 41 and 36 the last 5 years (17-21) while going 39-16.

York-Adams League
Dallastown 6-4 6A
New coach Levi Muphy (OL last year and standout lineman at East Stroudsburg), but return solid QB Owen Strouse (6-2, 190, sr, 51/77, 606, 66%, 7/2), #2 RB Caleb Fox (5-11, 190, 112/556r, 4/33p) and a high end receivers in Kenny Johnson (6-2, 195, PSU, BC, Temple) and Michael Scott (5-9, 160, soph, 33/457….4.49/40). Graduated 1st teamers OTs Conner Dehoff (6-4, 306) and Ethan Vargas (6-4, 290) along with C Seth Miller (6-5, 295). Tough Coleton Mahorney (6-2, 205) is gone with his 1027 yards. Thought last year was the year but losses by 7 to Hempfield (7-5) and Spring Grove (10-2) hurt, plus the competitive loss to rival Central York (10-1) 31-21 to deny a 9-1 season.
Central York 10-1 6A Despite graduating one of PA’s greats at quarterback in Beau Pribula who finished with 6076 pass yards and 1304 rushing while setting the York County record of 108 career touchdowns, they should be ok with a strong returning group at running back and Parker Hines (5-11, 180, sr, 36/619p) at receiver. Last year’s sophomore Juelz Goff (5-9, 185) caught your eye with 507 yards on 87 attempts, getting an offer from ODU. Ajani Walker (5-9, 190, sr) had 86 carries for 495 yards. Central typically has a lot of beef upfront, returning Elijah Inners (6-1, 260, sr), Danny Pham (6-1, 285, sr) and Joseph Sevison (66-4, 230, sr). Ray Bello (6-0, 295, jr) and seniors, Scott Munck (6-1, 240) and Cody Gillio (5-11, 225) will help fill vacancies. Filling the QB spot is the concern among 3 who got time last year. But the defense returns a load of experience with real strength at DT in Danny Pham (25 tackles), LB Dayton Bagwell (6-0, 195, sr, 71 tackles), Nigier Dewitt (5-11, 175, sr, 59 stops), last year’s impressive sophomore Dom Grove (5-11, 205, jr, 39 tackles) and at least 8 more who got significant time. They open at home against Mid Penn powers Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley.
Note: edited Central York into the ranking 8/10/22.

Mid Penn Conference
Central Dauphin 5-3 6A
Senior RBs Davis Chase beefed up to 6-1, 205 plus Devin Shepard (6-0, 190, 100/599r) transferred back to CD from East Pennsboro with first year starter Key’Ron Plummer under center to give the Rams a good skill core to improve on last year’s disappointing season. But, they have holes, graduating QB Max Mosey (1198r, 669p), their top 2 backs and 58 receptions for 895 yards. It’s a far better picture on defense where 5 sophomores started or played extensively with Coach McNamee working in some talented youth. DE Jett Franz (6-3, 215) was one of them with 50 stops along with LBs Xander Toland (5-10, 195) with a team leading 68 tackles and Kyle McCullough (5-10, 195) with 34. Senior David Chase with 61 tackles and Sam Sauers (5-11, 195, sr) with 56 are also back. The secondary returns 2 with Luke Zlogar (6-4, 285), I’zhior Moon (6-3, 275, jr) and Carson Cassell (6-0, 255, sr) giving them the potential for a quality ‘Commonwealth’ line.
Cedar Cliff 10-3 5A QB Ethan Dorrell (5-11, 170, sr, 1890, 19/9, 5 rush Tds) returning puts them in the conversation, especially with OL/DL Lucas Andrezeski (6-4, 280, sr) up front. But they’ll definitely miss RB Jontae Morris (1712r) and Trentin Smith (679p). In fact, most of the receiver corps graduated losing 122 receptions for 1591 yards. The defense returns good numbers, at least 8 starters and co-starters with 6 on the D-Front. The schedule is tricky, opening at Shippensburg who they defeated 10-7 in the district semifinal, then Mechanicsburg with their pounding ground game before returning home for McCaskey.
Shippensburg 11-1 5A Have a lot of bodies back including QB Tucker Chamberlin (5-11, 155, sr, 1144py, 15Tds, 5 rush Tds), RBs Traevon Kater (95/810), Amari Kerr (92/642), Diesel Koser (92-415) and WR Erby Weller (36-740) that scored 29ppg last year. Strong favorite to win the MP-Colonial again.
West Perry 5-6 3A QB Marcus Quaker (5-11, 160, 1254p, 596r), RB Trent Herrera (172-1070r, 16/148p), WRs Ian Goodling (42-730) and Dylan Gutshall (12-185) should have the Mustangs far more competitive than last year. No trouble scoring points last year with this group at 25 a game. The problem was on defense where they allowed 26.
Big Spring 8-4 4A QB Ethan Eisenberg (6-0, 185, sr, 87/151, 58%, 1752 yds, 23/10) and LB/WR Connor Black (6-2, 215, sr, 138 tackles, 14 sacks, 23/412p) will have them competitive. But they’ll will miss big Dillon Wakefield (5-11, 215) and his 1395 rush yards. Hard seeing them at 38ppg this year without him, putting that much more stress on the D that allowed 25 a game last year.
Mechanicsburg 5-5 5A The Wildcats return dual threat QB Jeff Lougee (6-0, 175, jr, 52/119/675, 5/7; 94/506r) and RB Parker Sample (5-9, 175, sr, 123/933). QB Seth Brubaker, also back as a solid #2 or co-starter. They have a tough schedule up front opening at neighbor Carlisle before the home opener against Cedar Cliff.
Northern York 7-4 Northern’s young team of last year returns big numbers including the entire backfield, a few experienced receivers and key personnel, mostly linebackers, to the defense. DT Sam Gunning (6-5, 240, sr, 59 tackles) and DE Nathan Deller (6-3, 195, sr, 48 tackles) will spearhead the group along with MLB Cole Bartram with 99 tackles and OLB Joel McClintock with 89. Talon Balluscio with 18 tackles, Glenn Sadler with 28 and Spencer Siegel with 27 are also back, with Mason Yohn (24 stops) and Jake Bechtel (13 stops) to the secondary. They started 3 sophomores but allowed only 19ppg with little support from the offense averaging 21ppg to finish 3rd in the MP-Colonial behind Waynesboro (9-3, 6-1) and Shippensburg (11-1, 7-0). All that should ramp up in 2022. With losses to Bishop McDevitt (12-2) 62-0, Shippensburg (11-1) 21-3 and Spring Grove (10-2) 39-7, it needs to!
NOTE: Red Land. Promising Qb Roman Jensen (149/240/2114, 26/6) soph last year transferred to Maret School in DC who won the Class A DCSAA state title. They’re a small school in DC (K-12 650). Coach Eric Depew will be in his first year at Red Land (RL grad) after 10 years at York Catholic going 83-40 there.
 
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As always an informative and much appreciated post, Stalker.

BTW Wyo is coming to Crawford for a scrimmage next Saturday morning against the Knights.
 
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As always an informative and much appreciated post, Stalker.

BTW Wyo is coming to Crawford for a scrimmage next Saturday morning against the Knights.
Ok MDW, thank you....and also for the reminder on Wyo's scrim at NPenn. Wyo's OL will push around NP's D-Line (good test) if they're not stable. And thanks everyone for tolerating the typos.

**** Just edited rankings to add Central York in 'others'.
 
* Just added Northern to "Other' group, still working on Berks Catholic.

* Will also post on Roman-Wilson with more info in on Wilson that may be of interest and relevant to the game.
 
Tough one Fletch. At CD it's all about attitude as they have the coach, the numbers and tradition, not having a losing season since 95. Anything I'm hearing is all good with the off season seeing ramped up enthusiasm in the weight room, etc. 5-3 pissed a lot of people off, especially missing 2 games per covid and subsequently the post season in the 9-slot field of 8.
With McDevitt and Harrisburg having extraordinary teams, CD has taken a rare back seat in the media, in some regards with good reason.

Harrisburg: are awesome, at worst, the 2nd best team in the state. I know, sounds like a Homey but we'll see.
McDevitt: like Harrisburg, a 'title team' in waiting.
CD East: Young dynamic coach has them believing, plus a decent Qb
Cumberland Valley: 3rd year with Spread probably taking root and everyone back.
Carlisle: LOADS of talent and appear to be putting it together. Finally, the sleeping giant may be awakening.
State High: Always in the picture with good athletes that can disappoint but capable every week as per last year upsetting Harrisburg.
Altoona: Coach Nedimyre is making clear gains
Chambersburg is the only Commonwealth team struggling.

They had big grad losses especially on offense but return good talent on defense that may hold til (if?) the O gets there. A couple of real nice backs and decent OL as always but especially the return of RB Devin Shepard from East Pennsboro (499ry).
We'll know early with them again reaching out to quality programs early playing at Central York, then Wilson and Coatesville.
 
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