Mid State Preseason Report: District 3, Berks and York-Adams teams.
Berks Inter County Conference, Section 1
Governor Mifflin (7-5, 5A)
Governor Mifflin finished with a flurry last year, setting the stage for real improvement this year with a solid core of returning players. Expectations are always high at a power like GM (104-39 since 2006), perhaps more so this year with many other powers going through a rebuild similar to the one GM experienced last year. Last year’s young group struggled early losing to Cedar Cliff (10-3) 30-0, Wilson (8-4) 42-28 and Cocalico (10-3) 35-21, before finishing on a 7-2 run with losses to Conrad Weiser (9-3, Berks Cty-1 champ) 17-7 and 5A runner-up Manheim Central (14-1) 51-14. The only win of note was Exeter (6-5) 34-17. Starting at quarterback this year should be last year’s sophomore Kolby Reese (5-11, 175). Soph standout Nick Singleton (5-11, 185, 1045 yards, offers from Pitt, PSU) returns at tailback with Jaden Quilles (5-8, 175, sr). They’ll miss lineman Jordan Espinosa (5-11, 230), Sam Mueller (6-1, 240) and Cooper Henry (5-10, 245) but return promising Dominic Sheidy (6-2, 260, jr), C/NG Steve VanPelt (6-2, 220, sr) and Gian Diaz (5-9, 210, sr). Another standout is at linebacker in Cam’Ron Stewart (6-4, 225, jr). He’s a load! This year’s slate mimics last year’s except that Cedar Cliff (opener) followed by Wilson, play them in Shillington as does Exeter. Look for a significant turnaround this year with the Mustangs making major impact in District 3’s 5A Classification. Watch these Mustangs!
Conrad Weiser (9-3, 4A)
Conrad Weiser is that other team from the Berks Inter County Football Conference-Section One. Like so many quality programs across the state, they languish in the long shadow of another whose success is such a constant, in this case, Governor Mifflin, that they can go unnoticed, unendingly. You’d think a 12 year run of 95-48 might stand out more. Having said that, you got to beat these guys! And that’s what the Scouts did last year at Governor Mifflin winning 17-7. The win secured the conference title at 7-0, edging the Mustangs 6-1 and Exeter 5-2. This year’s edition has to replace Qb Alex MacKenzie who was a force passing for 963 yards, rushing for 733 (#1 runner) and an All-Conference selection in the secondary with 38 tackles. Lead receivers Gio Pacheco (DE, 6-4, 195, 24/483, 57 tackles), C, OL/DL/TE-10/141, RB-32/167, Jared Sadowski (6-2, 225, 49 tackles) and OG Brenner Redcay (5-8, 205) plus All-Conf Aidan Kreitz linebacker with 65 stops graduated. But their other backs return in Dalton Moyer (118/562r, 10/83p), Owen Dautrich (95/332r, 10/118p) and CJ Civello (24/140, 3/30). The line misses a few but returns All-Conf tackle Adam Kase (6-2, 260, sr) and All-Conf PK/P Matt Noll. The D returns 2 to the secondary, LBs Matt Pauley (5-11, 170) and FB/LB Josh Nihart (5-9, 190), DE/DT Josh Pichler (6-0, 210) and Kase at DT. With last year’s success comes this year’s reality of having the target on your back. They open at home with their neighbor to the south (10 miles) against tough as nails Cocalico who edged them last year 21-13 in Denver.
Exeter Township (6-5, 5A)
Returns good numbers with experienced QB Colin Payne (29/3/413, 4/3, soph) spelling graduated Kolby Haag (1648, 64%, 16/2), with most of their backs including Jeremiah Nixon (176/920, 9/184, sr), and Alex Javier (22/190, 35/708, sr), their principal receiver, along with receiver Devon Flores (42/504, sr). Lost good backers, notably LB/SS Matt Feeney (6-1, 230, 86 tackles), Mike Stout (6-0, 205, 51 tackles) and Riley Knapp (5-8, 195, 42 tackles) and a few on the lines, especially Mike McNish (6-2, 285, 28 tackles) and David Filippello (6-4, 245, 21 stops). Last year’s team couldn’t beat the quality on their schedule losing to Berks Catholic (10-3), Spring Ford (8-3), Weiser (9-3), Gov Mifflin (7-5) and Cedar Cliff (10-3). They open with Berks Catholic.
Berks Section 2
Berks Catholic (10-3, 4A)
Berks Catholic had some impressive games last year, getting edged by Central Dauphin 7-0, beating McDonogh 14-13 then losing to Malvern Prep 42-32 before losing in the district final to McDevitt 41-31. For the coming season, key players like quarterback Terrance Derr (1243, 56%, 17/4) and FB/LB/DL Brandon George (959 rushing) graduated. In fact, 17 starters graduated. But they return Abdul MacFoy (227/1013, All-State, 4.4 speed) who is a monster in the open field….and some impressive sophomores of last year, particularly Colby Newton (5-8, 190, sr, 27/295 rushing) and Nolan Larkin (5-10, 165, 21/145). Steven Rose (126/814, sr) transferred in from Exeter Township but was deemed ineligible. They’ll get traction behind a line (starters, co-starters) that returns Andrew Chiarelli (6-2, 270), Jackson Gofus (6-3, 270) and Jase Fowler (5-11, 215). It’s a war for the Qb spot between Schuylkill Valley transfer Brad Hoffman, Jack Burke (5-10, 165, sr) and Ryan Madrak (6-1, 185, jr). Hoffman (6-1, 190) got time last year at SV as a freshman completing 19/47 for 187 yards, 2/1 ratio, 66 rushing on 17 carries. With the D shortages he probably projects to SS, or LB per size; OLB per quickness. The D is almost a total wipeout losing 645 tackles while returning 226. DLs Mark McFadden (6-2, 230, sr), James Woodcock (6-2, 230, jr) and Luke Hughes (6-1, 195, jr) are penciled in with linebackers Victor Viera (55-9, 180, jr), CJ Carwll (5-11, 195, sr, 71 stops) and Newton back plus Muhlenberg transfer Justin Smalls. Coach says they have great speed on offense, explosive, with the question being the defense. It’s BC, and with a record of 99-18 since their inception you know they’ll be there. And they can hang with the best, recently stepping up in class to play teams like CD, Exeter, McDonogh and Malvern Prep, making them nearly unbeatable in conference action and a tough out in the post season.
York Adams-1
Exciting football here in the York area featuring explosive offenses and high scoring games. Last year saw Red Lion and York deadlocked at 6-1, followed by Central York in 2nd at 5-2. Dallastown and Northeastern came in 3rd at 4-3.
Red Lion (8-3)
Last year’s team couldn’t beat “quality” losing to Chambersburg 25-19 and Wilson 36-0 (post season) after running through the YAIAA with relative ease. For this season, they lost a solid quarterback in Zach Mentzer (1785, 21/3) and their primary running backs from a team that scored 31ppg. That may be compounded with heavy D losses making it look like a serious rebuild. But an opening slate of McCaskey and Waynesboro could offer a 2-0 start before their home opener with rejuvenated Chambersburg.
York High-William Penn (11-2, 5A)
Super explosive team last year that averaged 47ppg behind the talents of receiver Rob Rideout and running back Dayjure Stewart who rushed for 3091 yards last year. The Bearcats had little trouble with most YAIAA teams excepting the 21-20 loss at Red Lion. Then came Cocalico’s Veer in the postseason and that was all she wrote where they went down hard, losing 61-35. They’ve got some bodies but nothing like Stewart and Rideout for the opener at Pittsburgh Central Catholic where they will likely get swamped.
Central York (8-3)
At 38ppg, they were a load especially with Cade Pribula under center throwing for 2725 yards with a 30/7 Td-Pick ratio. He’s gone, but brother Beau (6-2, 200, jr) is right there waiting to take over. Wide out Taylor Wright-Rawls (33/873) is back but 3 other leading receivers are gone plus their top 3 running backs. They have some soul searching to do after last year’s 8-1 start crumbled with a 0-2 finish, losing to York 54-14 and Central Dauphin 49-21. Defenses allowing 27ppg will do that. I can tell you their second game of the year will be a hard one under the lights in Mechanicsburg taking on Cumberland Valley in their home opener looking for payback after last year’s 31-14 defeat.
Dallastown (5-5)
The Wildcats were an exciting bunch last year with stellar back Nyzair Smith running all over everyone to the tune of 1988 yards. Qb Jordan Cook only passed for 568 yards (47%, 3/8) but rushed for 1025 yards. Both he and Smith graduated with two of their top three receivers. At 26ppg, the team was never about defense and may not improve on that with huge grad losses on that side. Dtown was an exciting bunch last year with Smith and Cook but just couldn’t finish, losing to Hempfield 25-19, Central York 35-28 and Red Lion 17-10.
Northeastern (5-6, 5A)
Bobcats return a lot of firepower with most of the skill back on the O side; Zach Sanderson (6-4, 210, jr) who completed 47% for 1208 yards (9/5 ratio) on a young team, Rb Manny Capo (5-11, 180, jr) with 864 yards on 162 carries (6/18 receiving), and senior wide outs Jordan Lagana (5-9, 160, 26/538) and Kaden Hamilton (6-0, 160, 12/184). They had difficulty getting any kind of rhythm with so young a group plus having to face explosive offenses on a weekly basis in the York-Adams. But by mid-year, they were upsetting conference co-champ Red Lion 23-16 followed by narrow losses to York 32-28 and Shippensburg (10-2) 6-0 in the playoffs. All this followed a 0-2 start losing to Solanco and Carlisle. Nice bounce for the young team! Maybe the Bobcats grow into Wildcats this year.
Berks Inter County Conference, Section 1
Governor Mifflin (7-5, 5A)
Governor Mifflin finished with a flurry last year, setting the stage for real improvement this year with a solid core of returning players. Expectations are always high at a power like GM (104-39 since 2006), perhaps more so this year with many other powers going through a rebuild similar to the one GM experienced last year. Last year’s young group struggled early losing to Cedar Cliff (10-3) 30-0, Wilson (8-4) 42-28 and Cocalico (10-3) 35-21, before finishing on a 7-2 run with losses to Conrad Weiser (9-3, Berks Cty-1 champ) 17-7 and 5A runner-up Manheim Central (14-1) 51-14. The only win of note was Exeter (6-5) 34-17. Starting at quarterback this year should be last year’s sophomore Kolby Reese (5-11, 175). Soph standout Nick Singleton (5-11, 185, 1045 yards, offers from Pitt, PSU) returns at tailback with Jaden Quilles (5-8, 175, sr). They’ll miss lineman Jordan Espinosa (5-11, 230), Sam Mueller (6-1, 240) and Cooper Henry (5-10, 245) but return promising Dominic Sheidy (6-2, 260, jr), C/NG Steve VanPelt (6-2, 220, sr) and Gian Diaz (5-9, 210, sr). Another standout is at linebacker in Cam’Ron Stewart (6-4, 225, jr). He’s a load! This year’s slate mimics last year’s except that Cedar Cliff (opener) followed by Wilson, play them in Shillington as does Exeter. Look for a significant turnaround this year with the Mustangs making major impact in District 3’s 5A Classification. Watch these Mustangs!
Conrad Weiser (9-3, 4A)
Conrad Weiser is that other team from the Berks Inter County Football Conference-Section One. Like so many quality programs across the state, they languish in the long shadow of another whose success is such a constant, in this case, Governor Mifflin, that they can go unnoticed, unendingly. You’d think a 12 year run of 95-48 might stand out more. Having said that, you got to beat these guys! And that’s what the Scouts did last year at Governor Mifflin winning 17-7. The win secured the conference title at 7-0, edging the Mustangs 6-1 and Exeter 5-2. This year’s edition has to replace Qb Alex MacKenzie who was a force passing for 963 yards, rushing for 733 (#1 runner) and an All-Conference selection in the secondary with 38 tackles. Lead receivers Gio Pacheco (DE, 6-4, 195, 24/483, 57 tackles), C, OL/DL/TE-10/141, RB-32/167, Jared Sadowski (6-2, 225, 49 tackles) and OG Brenner Redcay (5-8, 205) plus All-Conf Aidan Kreitz linebacker with 65 stops graduated. But their other backs return in Dalton Moyer (118/562r, 10/83p), Owen Dautrich (95/332r, 10/118p) and CJ Civello (24/140, 3/30). The line misses a few but returns All-Conf tackle Adam Kase (6-2, 260, sr) and All-Conf PK/P Matt Noll. The D returns 2 to the secondary, LBs Matt Pauley (5-11, 170) and FB/LB Josh Nihart (5-9, 190), DE/DT Josh Pichler (6-0, 210) and Kase at DT. With last year’s success comes this year’s reality of having the target on your back. They open at home with their neighbor to the south (10 miles) against tough as nails Cocalico who edged them last year 21-13 in Denver.
Exeter Township (6-5, 5A)
Returns good numbers with experienced QB Colin Payne (29/3/413, 4/3, soph) spelling graduated Kolby Haag (1648, 64%, 16/2), with most of their backs including Jeremiah Nixon (176/920, 9/184, sr), and Alex Javier (22/190, 35/708, sr), their principal receiver, along with receiver Devon Flores (42/504, sr). Lost good backers, notably LB/SS Matt Feeney (6-1, 230, 86 tackles), Mike Stout (6-0, 205, 51 tackles) and Riley Knapp (5-8, 195, 42 tackles) and a few on the lines, especially Mike McNish (6-2, 285, 28 tackles) and David Filippello (6-4, 245, 21 stops). Last year’s team couldn’t beat the quality on their schedule losing to Berks Catholic (10-3), Spring Ford (8-3), Weiser (9-3), Gov Mifflin (7-5) and Cedar Cliff (10-3). They open with Berks Catholic.
Berks Section 2
Berks Catholic (10-3, 4A)
Berks Catholic had some impressive games last year, getting edged by Central Dauphin 7-0, beating McDonogh 14-13 then losing to Malvern Prep 42-32 before losing in the district final to McDevitt 41-31. For the coming season, key players like quarterback Terrance Derr (1243, 56%, 17/4) and FB/LB/DL Brandon George (959 rushing) graduated. In fact, 17 starters graduated. But they return Abdul MacFoy (227/1013, All-State, 4.4 speed) who is a monster in the open field….and some impressive sophomores of last year, particularly Colby Newton (5-8, 190, sr, 27/295 rushing) and Nolan Larkin (5-10, 165, 21/145). Steven Rose (126/814, sr) transferred in from Exeter Township but was deemed ineligible. They’ll get traction behind a line (starters, co-starters) that returns Andrew Chiarelli (6-2, 270), Jackson Gofus (6-3, 270) and Jase Fowler (5-11, 215). It’s a war for the Qb spot between Schuylkill Valley transfer Brad Hoffman, Jack Burke (5-10, 165, sr) and Ryan Madrak (6-1, 185, jr). Hoffman (6-1, 190) got time last year at SV as a freshman completing 19/47 for 187 yards, 2/1 ratio, 66 rushing on 17 carries. With the D shortages he probably projects to SS, or LB per size; OLB per quickness. The D is almost a total wipeout losing 645 tackles while returning 226. DLs Mark McFadden (6-2, 230, sr), James Woodcock (6-2, 230, jr) and Luke Hughes (6-1, 195, jr) are penciled in with linebackers Victor Viera (55-9, 180, jr), CJ Carwll (5-11, 195, sr, 71 stops) and Newton back plus Muhlenberg transfer Justin Smalls. Coach says they have great speed on offense, explosive, with the question being the defense. It’s BC, and with a record of 99-18 since their inception you know they’ll be there. And they can hang with the best, recently stepping up in class to play teams like CD, Exeter, McDonogh and Malvern Prep, making them nearly unbeatable in conference action and a tough out in the post season.
York Adams-1
Exciting football here in the York area featuring explosive offenses and high scoring games. Last year saw Red Lion and York deadlocked at 6-1, followed by Central York in 2nd at 5-2. Dallastown and Northeastern came in 3rd at 4-3.
Red Lion (8-3)
Last year’s team couldn’t beat “quality” losing to Chambersburg 25-19 and Wilson 36-0 (post season) after running through the YAIAA with relative ease. For this season, they lost a solid quarterback in Zach Mentzer (1785, 21/3) and their primary running backs from a team that scored 31ppg. That may be compounded with heavy D losses making it look like a serious rebuild. But an opening slate of McCaskey and Waynesboro could offer a 2-0 start before their home opener with rejuvenated Chambersburg.
York High-William Penn (11-2, 5A)
Super explosive team last year that averaged 47ppg behind the talents of receiver Rob Rideout and running back Dayjure Stewart who rushed for 3091 yards last year. The Bearcats had little trouble with most YAIAA teams excepting the 21-20 loss at Red Lion. Then came Cocalico’s Veer in the postseason and that was all she wrote where they went down hard, losing 61-35. They’ve got some bodies but nothing like Stewart and Rideout for the opener at Pittsburgh Central Catholic where they will likely get swamped.
Central York (8-3)
At 38ppg, they were a load especially with Cade Pribula under center throwing for 2725 yards with a 30/7 Td-Pick ratio. He’s gone, but brother Beau (6-2, 200, jr) is right there waiting to take over. Wide out Taylor Wright-Rawls (33/873) is back but 3 other leading receivers are gone plus their top 3 running backs. They have some soul searching to do after last year’s 8-1 start crumbled with a 0-2 finish, losing to York 54-14 and Central Dauphin 49-21. Defenses allowing 27ppg will do that. I can tell you their second game of the year will be a hard one under the lights in Mechanicsburg taking on Cumberland Valley in their home opener looking for payback after last year’s 31-14 defeat.
Dallastown (5-5)
The Wildcats were an exciting bunch last year with stellar back Nyzair Smith running all over everyone to the tune of 1988 yards. Qb Jordan Cook only passed for 568 yards (47%, 3/8) but rushed for 1025 yards. Both he and Smith graduated with two of their top three receivers. At 26ppg, the team was never about defense and may not improve on that with huge grad losses on that side. Dtown was an exciting bunch last year with Smith and Cook but just couldn’t finish, losing to Hempfield 25-19, Central York 35-28 and Red Lion 17-10.
Northeastern (5-6, 5A)
Bobcats return a lot of firepower with most of the skill back on the O side; Zach Sanderson (6-4, 210, jr) who completed 47% for 1208 yards (9/5 ratio) on a young team, Rb Manny Capo (5-11, 180, jr) with 864 yards on 162 carries (6/18 receiving), and senior wide outs Jordan Lagana (5-9, 160, 26/538) and Kaden Hamilton (6-0, 160, 12/184). They had difficulty getting any kind of rhythm with so young a group plus having to face explosive offenses on a weekly basis in the York-Adams. But by mid-year, they were upsetting conference co-champ Red Lion 23-16 followed by narrow losses to York 32-28 and Shippensburg (10-2) 6-0 in the playoffs. All this followed a 0-2 start losing to Solanco and Carlisle. Nice bounce for the young team! Maybe the Bobcats grow into Wildcats this year.
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