Mid State Preseason Report: District 4, 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!
District 4:
Southern Columbia (16-0, 2A)
Like St. Joseph’s Prep and Downingtown West, and to a lesser degree State High and Manheim Central, they return a pile of starters for 2019. While Qb Stone Hollenback is gone after completing 64% for 1737 yards with a 28/4 Td/Pick ratio, their #2 is back in Preston Zachman (6-2, 205, 29/44/597, 66%, 8/1 ratio), who stepped in for Hollenback who missed almost half the year. All the backfield returns; Gaige Garcia (5-10, 210, 205/2042, 13/284 pass yards), his younger brother Gavin Garcia (5-8, 165, 101/ 1179, 6/139 pass yards), Ty Roadarmel (5-11, 190, 74/417) and super receiver Julian Fleming (6-3, 210, 78/1524) who also had a 41 punting average. Two starting lineman return in OL/DL Lear Quinton (6-2, 220), OL/DL Cole Schankweiler (6-0, 280), two to the secondary and quality senior linebackersCal Halladay (6-1, 190, 131 tackles) and Max Tiller (6-0, 190, 123 tackles) plus Wade Kerstetter (5-11, 180, 74 tackles), their outstanding sophomore backer of last year. Unless another Double-A rises to the occasion, it looks like Southern will be the strong favorite to snag yet another state title.
Mount Carmel (10-3, 2A)
After a strong 2018 campaign, the Red Tornadoes appear ready for another successful season that may see them as a threat to Southern Columbia’s historic dominance of 2A. They lose a few lineman, notably OL/DT Zack Artman (6-0, 270) and Wm. Anderson (6-2, 275) plus DE Mike Hood (6-0, 210, 66 stops), Rb/LB John Ayres (155/1358, 76 tackles) and DBs Avery Demko (32 stops) and Tanner Karycki (50 stops) who were stand-outs. Otherwise, almost everyone returns including over 550 tackles from a group that allowed 15ppg. Qb Tom Reisinger (6-3, 215, 5-10, 180, sr, 1468, 53%, 17/8) is back with running back Shane Weidner (126/930r, 21/320p) and 5 other backs with 133 carries for 902 yards. TE/OLB Jack Chapman (6-3, 220, sr, 30/612, 94 tackles) is back with OT/DT Colin Herb (6-1, 275, sr), C/DT Brad Shurock (6-2, 250, sr), OG/DL Conner Krakowski (5-11, 210, sr) et al to name a few. In a word, they’re loaded. Last year’s team lost twice to Southern Columbia, 41-7 then 39-14 in the postseason, with a loss to North Schuylkill (11-2) 33-21 in between. Southern looks strong again albeit with some significant losses. But we’ll know early in game #2 whether MCA has closed the wide gulf between the two. The schedule is challenging, opening at Central Columbia (7-4), then SCA before tackling Lewisburg (7-5), a strong looking Jersey Shore (7-6) team then a road trip to the always powerful North Schuylkill (11-2) Spartans.
Jersey Shore (7-6, 4A)
There could be some very exciting football out of the Heartland Conference this year with so many teams playing a ton of youth last year. The Bulldogs were one of them. With 7 back on each side after facing a tough slate, they look ready to make significant improvement from last year’s 7-6 group that suffered a number of narrow losses, losing to Bellefonte (9-3, 4A) 17-14, Bald Eagle (11-3, 3A) 24-23 and Pottsgrove (12-2, 4A) in the postseason 14-10. This, after winning District 4 with that young team. Nice! Like MCA, nearly everyone is back including QB Tanner Lorson (6-2, 190, sr, 1694, 48%, 14/9, 308rush), their 3 primary runners (Malicky, Seacrest, K. Tomb) with 378 carries netting 1989 yards and 3 receivers with 644 yards on 48 receptions. They’ve had success the last 5 years going 43-18 and look ready to build on that. The schedule is no joke, opening at D6’s Bellefonte (9-3, 4A), home to Selinsgrove then trips to Montoursville (11-3, 3A) and Mount Carmel. Upper tier 4A Mountain Conference teams (Clearfield 6-0, Bellefonte 5-0, Bald Eagle 5-1..3A) are tough at home, meaning JS faces a real challenge getting past Bellefonte in the opener.
Selinsgrove (5-7, 4A)
Selinsgrove had a rare losing season, their second in over 30 years going 5-7. In what seems to be a trend with some of the smaller schools in the mid-state, definitely Heartland Conference schools, they’ve gone to underclassmen more often than not putting a pile of youth on the field last year. Smaller rosters? 3 sophomores and 3 freshman had significant pt last year with 3 sophs starting on defense and 1 frosh. The starting Qb Dan Shoch (6-3, 210) was a freshman! Selinsgrove is long established as a power in the state, one that doesn’t have to play freshman at such key positions. Their record from 2003 to 2018 is 154-56 with a 3A state title in 2009, ending with wins against Allentown Central Catholic (12-2) 31-10, Archbishop Wood (9-3) 28-0 and Manheim Central (15-1) 10-7. Knowing that, the youth movement is possibly a reflection of superior talent, however young. As shown above, the Seals are a program! With most of last year’s team returning, Qb Shoch will be throwing and handing off to numerous experienced players, namely running backs Dean Hollenbach (5-7, 180, sr, 67/311) and Nate Schon (6-0, 220, jr, 74/456) and receivers Josh Nylund (5-7, 160, sr, 36/470) and Wyatt Metzger (6-0, 195, sr, 17/22). The D will be led by LBs Miciah Showers (5-10. 210, sr, 85 tackles), Ryan Aument (6-0, 200, jr, 83 stops), Nick Sheaffer (6-2, 215, sr, 68 tackles), SS Teague Hoover (5-10, 150, soph, 62 tackles), LBs Nate Schon (6-0, 220, sr, 59 stops) and Coy Bastian (6-0, 180, jr, 42 stops), plus DE Wyatt Metzger (6-0, 200, sr, 28 stops) and CB Josh Nylund (5-7, 160, sr, 27 tackles). The home opener vs Lewisburg gets it going then Jersey Shore away and Southern Columbia home.
Others
Danville (10-3, 3A)
Looks like the Ironmen are going to have another powerful line and team with big bodies up front and Kayden Riley (6-1, 175, sr) back under center where he threw for 2550 yards with a 22/11 ratio and 57% completion rate. His primary receivers are back (3 with 133 receptions for 710yds) as they rebuild the defense that graduated 563 tackles from a unit that allowed 18ppg. Will say the 32-0 no-show vs Montoursville (11-3) in the 1st round is puzzling, after beating them 52-26 mid-season. But they’re proven winners with an 82-38 record the last 10 years.
Central Columbia (7-4, 3A)
Young team last year that came close at Mount Carmel, losing 21-13 but showed their youth after beating Lewisburg in the regular season 42-16, by losing to them in the playoffs first round, 7-6. Played 5 juniors, 5 sophs and a frosh at times last year hoping for dividends this year. Both sophomore Qbs are back in Trey Devlin (6-0, 185, transferred?) and Garrett McNellis (6-2, 180), dueling it out. 7 players received All-Conference 1st, 2nd or HM awards. They scored 31ppg last year and allowed 19. Let’s see how they do in their opener at home vs Mount Carmel.
District 6
State College….see Mid Penn Commonwealth.
Hollidaysburg (9-5, 5A)
Looks like a serious rebuild on both sides but especially on offense graduating a lot of production in Brady Waters at quarterback. He was integral to the offense last year, throwing for 1679 yards (56%, 18/12) while rushing for another 1114 yards. Rb/LB Nate Fisher (66 tackles) also grad with 938 yards and 13 receptions with their 2 leading receivers; Jacob Sensenig with 540 on 34 catches, Austin Weakland on 20 receptions for 217 yards. WR/DB Bryce Martellaci (6-1, 165, jr, 16/189) and DeShawn Moss (6-1, 185, jr, 10/153) are back. Powerful Hunter Barr (6-0, 220, sr) returns as the featured back after rushing for 740 yards and catching 13 passes for 144 yards. He was #3 tackling with 83, behind cornerback DJ Heim (5-9, 165, sr) with 86 who also returns. Hunter Gibons (6-1, 200, sr, 18) and Ian Dipangrazio (5-11, 195, 17) are also back after getting time at linebacker where they return considerable experience. The secondary returns experience while the lines see the return of senior starters and 2nd unit personnel Jaren Dick (5-11, 240), Michael Scarpelli (5-10, 215, sr) and Nate Bettwy (6-0, 220, sr), plus junior Gavin Amick (6-0, 210). Last year’s schedule afforded little time for back-ups under center playing State College 12-2, Mifflin County 6-5, Cedar Cliff 10-3, Fort Hill-MD 13-0 (won another 1A title) and Archbishop Wood 9-4, making that the priority for 2019. The schedule mimics last year’s opening with district foes Altoona, Mifflin County and State College before Cedar Cliff and Fort Hill.
Bellefonte (9-3, 4A)
Has some good moving parts returning CJ Funk (6-0, 215, sr) and his 1475 yards rushing (20 Tds), speedster Mason Grey (5-8, 170, 248yds), C/DE Julian Emel (6-0, 240) and a QB/OLB being talked up on Media Day in Ethan Rossman (6-3, 190, sr), said to have a rocket of an arm. He’ll throw to multiple receivers with 730 yards in receptions of 1158 returning. And the ground game is in great hands with Funk and Grey (above) plus others totaling 2299 rush yards returning of last year’s 3112 total. Seniors JD Besch (6-2, 270), Logan Thompson (6-0, 265) and Andrew Hollars (6-4, 280) are back on the lines. 287 tackles return with 244 graduating in 5 starters. Excepting the Penns Valley upset, Bellefonte rolled through last year’s schedule with other losses to and the excellent Clearfield (12-1) team, twice, by the same 49-21 score. If they can past Jersey Shore they could make a real run with a very promising schedule.
District 9
Clearfield (12-1, 4A)
Clearfield graduated their best offense ever that churned out 44ppg with a pounding running game and an excellent quarterback. Caleb Freeman rushed for 1014 yards while wide out Taye Lynch had 45 receptions for 996 yards. Record setting quarterback Isaac Rumery (6-0, 190) threw for 2526 yards at a 69% completion rate with a 26/5 Td-Pick ratio. He also rushed for 554 yards, finishing his career as Clearfield’s all time passer with 7006 yards. All those players graduated. But they do return FB News 4A 1st teamers OG Quenti Bloom (6-2, 205, sr), FB Brett Zattoni (5-11, 190, sr, 1062 yards), wide out Jake Lezzer (6-1, 185, sr, 46/1038) and OT/DT Oliver Belloti (6-4, 220, soph, 62 stops). Zattoni was also FB News 4A 1st team. They’ll be good as always but not at last year’s level that was special. A self-destructing performance against Cathedral Prep, losing 55-21 preventing others appreciating how good they were last year.
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!
District 4:
Southern Columbia (16-0, 2A)
Like St. Joseph’s Prep and Downingtown West, and to a lesser degree State High and Manheim Central, they return a pile of starters for 2019. While Qb Stone Hollenback is gone after completing 64% for 1737 yards with a 28/4 Td/Pick ratio, their #2 is back in Preston Zachman (6-2, 205, 29/44/597, 66%, 8/1 ratio), who stepped in for Hollenback who missed almost half the year. All the backfield returns; Gaige Garcia (5-10, 210, 205/2042, 13/284 pass yards), his younger brother Gavin Garcia (5-8, 165, 101/ 1179, 6/139 pass yards), Ty Roadarmel (5-11, 190, 74/417) and super receiver Julian Fleming (6-3, 210, 78/1524) who also had a 41 punting average. Two starting lineman return in OL/DL Lear Quinton (6-2, 220), OL/DL Cole Schankweiler (6-0, 280), two to the secondary and quality senior linebackersCal Halladay (6-1, 190, 131 tackles) and Max Tiller (6-0, 190, 123 tackles) plus Wade Kerstetter (5-11, 180, 74 tackles), their outstanding sophomore backer of last year. Unless another Double-A rises to the occasion, it looks like Southern will be the strong favorite to snag yet another state title.
Mount Carmel (10-3, 2A)
After a strong 2018 campaign, the Red Tornadoes appear ready for another successful season that may see them as a threat to Southern Columbia’s historic dominance of 2A. They lose a few lineman, notably OL/DT Zack Artman (6-0, 270) and Wm. Anderson (6-2, 275) plus DE Mike Hood (6-0, 210, 66 stops), Rb/LB John Ayres (155/1358, 76 tackles) and DBs Avery Demko (32 stops) and Tanner Karycki (50 stops) who were stand-outs. Otherwise, almost everyone returns including over 550 tackles from a group that allowed 15ppg. Qb Tom Reisinger (6-3, 215, 5-10, 180, sr, 1468, 53%, 17/8) is back with running back Shane Weidner (126/930r, 21/320p) and 5 other backs with 133 carries for 902 yards. TE/OLB Jack Chapman (6-3, 220, sr, 30/612, 94 tackles) is back with OT/DT Colin Herb (6-1, 275, sr), C/DT Brad Shurock (6-2, 250, sr), OG/DL Conner Krakowski (5-11, 210, sr) et al to name a few. In a word, they’re loaded. Last year’s team lost twice to Southern Columbia, 41-7 then 39-14 in the postseason, with a loss to North Schuylkill (11-2) 33-21 in between. Southern looks strong again albeit with some significant losses. But we’ll know early in game #2 whether MCA has closed the wide gulf between the two. The schedule is challenging, opening at Central Columbia (7-4), then SCA before tackling Lewisburg (7-5), a strong looking Jersey Shore (7-6) team then a road trip to the always powerful North Schuylkill (11-2) Spartans.
Jersey Shore (7-6, 4A)
There could be some very exciting football out of the Heartland Conference this year with so many teams playing a ton of youth last year. The Bulldogs were one of them. With 7 back on each side after facing a tough slate, they look ready to make significant improvement from last year’s 7-6 group that suffered a number of narrow losses, losing to Bellefonte (9-3, 4A) 17-14, Bald Eagle (11-3, 3A) 24-23 and Pottsgrove (12-2, 4A) in the postseason 14-10. This, after winning District 4 with that young team. Nice! Like MCA, nearly everyone is back including QB Tanner Lorson (6-2, 190, sr, 1694, 48%, 14/9, 308rush), their 3 primary runners (Malicky, Seacrest, K. Tomb) with 378 carries netting 1989 yards and 3 receivers with 644 yards on 48 receptions. They’ve had success the last 5 years going 43-18 and look ready to build on that. The schedule is no joke, opening at D6’s Bellefonte (9-3, 4A), home to Selinsgrove then trips to Montoursville (11-3, 3A) and Mount Carmel. Upper tier 4A Mountain Conference teams (Clearfield 6-0, Bellefonte 5-0, Bald Eagle 5-1..3A) are tough at home, meaning JS faces a real challenge getting past Bellefonte in the opener.
Selinsgrove (5-7, 4A)
Selinsgrove had a rare losing season, their second in over 30 years going 5-7. In what seems to be a trend with some of the smaller schools in the mid-state, definitely Heartland Conference schools, they’ve gone to underclassmen more often than not putting a pile of youth on the field last year. Smaller rosters? 3 sophomores and 3 freshman had significant pt last year with 3 sophs starting on defense and 1 frosh. The starting Qb Dan Shoch (6-3, 210) was a freshman! Selinsgrove is long established as a power in the state, one that doesn’t have to play freshman at such key positions. Their record from 2003 to 2018 is 154-56 with a 3A state title in 2009, ending with wins against Allentown Central Catholic (12-2) 31-10, Archbishop Wood (9-3) 28-0 and Manheim Central (15-1) 10-7. Knowing that, the youth movement is possibly a reflection of superior talent, however young. As shown above, the Seals are a program! With most of last year’s team returning, Qb Shoch will be throwing and handing off to numerous experienced players, namely running backs Dean Hollenbach (5-7, 180, sr, 67/311) and Nate Schon (6-0, 220, jr, 74/456) and receivers Josh Nylund (5-7, 160, sr, 36/470) and Wyatt Metzger (6-0, 195, sr, 17/22). The D will be led by LBs Miciah Showers (5-10. 210, sr, 85 tackles), Ryan Aument (6-0, 200, jr, 83 stops), Nick Sheaffer (6-2, 215, sr, 68 tackles), SS Teague Hoover (5-10, 150, soph, 62 tackles), LBs Nate Schon (6-0, 220, sr, 59 stops) and Coy Bastian (6-0, 180, jr, 42 stops), plus DE Wyatt Metzger (6-0, 200, sr, 28 stops) and CB Josh Nylund (5-7, 160, sr, 27 tackles). The home opener vs Lewisburg gets it going then Jersey Shore away and Southern Columbia home.
Others
Danville (10-3, 3A)
Looks like the Ironmen are going to have another powerful line and team with big bodies up front and Kayden Riley (6-1, 175, sr) back under center where he threw for 2550 yards with a 22/11 ratio and 57% completion rate. His primary receivers are back (3 with 133 receptions for 710yds) as they rebuild the defense that graduated 563 tackles from a unit that allowed 18ppg. Will say the 32-0 no-show vs Montoursville (11-3) in the 1st round is puzzling, after beating them 52-26 mid-season. But they’re proven winners with an 82-38 record the last 10 years.
Central Columbia (7-4, 3A)
Young team last year that came close at Mount Carmel, losing 21-13 but showed their youth after beating Lewisburg in the regular season 42-16, by losing to them in the playoffs first round, 7-6. Played 5 juniors, 5 sophs and a frosh at times last year hoping for dividends this year. Both sophomore Qbs are back in Trey Devlin (6-0, 185, transferred?) and Garrett McNellis (6-2, 180), dueling it out. 7 players received All-Conference 1st, 2nd or HM awards. They scored 31ppg last year and allowed 19. Let’s see how they do in their opener at home vs Mount Carmel.
District 6
State College….see Mid Penn Commonwealth.
Hollidaysburg (9-5, 5A)
Looks like a serious rebuild on both sides but especially on offense graduating a lot of production in Brady Waters at quarterback. He was integral to the offense last year, throwing for 1679 yards (56%, 18/12) while rushing for another 1114 yards. Rb/LB Nate Fisher (66 tackles) also grad with 938 yards and 13 receptions with their 2 leading receivers; Jacob Sensenig with 540 on 34 catches, Austin Weakland on 20 receptions for 217 yards. WR/DB Bryce Martellaci (6-1, 165, jr, 16/189) and DeShawn Moss (6-1, 185, jr, 10/153) are back. Powerful Hunter Barr (6-0, 220, sr) returns as the featured back after rushing for 740 yards and catching 13 passes for 144 yards. He was #3 tackling with 83, behind cornerback DJ Heim (5-9, 165, sr) with 86 who also returns. Hunter Gibons (6-1, 200, sr, 18) and Ian Dipangrazio (5-11, 195, 17) are also back after getting time at linebacker where they return considerable experience. The secondary returns experience while the lines see the return of senior starters and 2nd unit personnel Jaren Dick (5-11, 240), Michael Scarpelli (5-10, 215, sr) and Nate Bettwy (6-0, 220, sr), plus junior Gavin Amick (6-0, 210). Last year’s schedule afforded little time for back-ups under center playing State College 12-2, Mifflin County 6-5, Cedar Cliff 10-3, Fort Hill-MD 13-0 (won another 1A title) and Archbishop Wood 9-4, making that the priority for 2019. The schedule mimics last year’s opening with district foes Altoona, Mifflin County and State College before Cedar Cliff and Fort Hill.
Bellefonte (9-3, 4A)
Has some good moving parts returning CJ Funk (6-0, 215, sr) and his 1475 yards rushing (20 Tds), speedster Mason Grey (5-8, 170, 248yds), C/DE Julian Emel (6-0, 240) and a QB/OLB being talked up on Media Day in Ethan Rossman (6-3, 190, sr), said to have a rocket of an arm. He’ll throw to multiple receivers with 730 yards in receptions of 1158 returning. And the ground game is in great hands with Funk and Grey (above) plus others totaling 2299 rush yards returning of last year’s 3112 total. Seniors JD Besch (6-2, 270), Logan Thompson (6-0, 265) and Andrew Hollars (6-4, 280) are back on the lines. 287 tackles return with 244 graduating in 5 starters. Excepting the Penns Valley upset, Bellefonte rolled through last year’s schedule with other losses to and the excellent Clearfield (12-1) team, twice, by the same 49-21 score. If they can past Jersey Shore they could make a real run with a very promising schedule.
District 9
Clearfield (12-1, 4A)
Clearfield graduated their best offense ever that churned out 44ppg with a pounding running game and an excellent quarterback. Caleb Freeman rushed for 1014 yards while wide out Taye Lynch had 45 receptions for 996 yards. Record setting quarterback Isaac Rumery (6-0, 190) threw for 2526 yards at a 69% completion rate with a 26/5 Td-Pick ratio. He also rushed for 554 yards, finishing his career as Clearfield’s all time passer with 7006 yards. All those players graduated. But they do return FB News 4A 1st teamers OG Quenti Bloom (6-2, 205, sr), FB Brett Zattoni (5-11, 190, sr, 1062 yards), wide out Jake Lezzer (6-1, 185, sr, 46/1038) and OT/DT Oliver Belloti (6-4, 220, soph, 62 stops). Zattoni was also FB News 4A 1st team. They’ll be good as always but not at last year’s level that was special. A self-destructing performance against Cathedral Prep, losing 55-21 preventing others appreciating how good they were last year.
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