ISAAC CARTER RETURNS TO GRIDIRON, SOCCER PITCH
NEW COACHES TAKE OVER AT 3 VALLEY PROGRAMS
STARS RETURN FROM INJURIES
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When the 2023 football season kicks off this month, it will do so with a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, along with the return of some well-known names.
Southern Columbia won another state title in 2022 — a record sixth in a row — and coach Jim Roth thinks the Tigers have a defense that could rival the 2019 team some argue is the best ever in the Valley. A confident Roth — already the state’s all-time winningest coach who is closing in on 500 career wins — feels like a bad omen for others.
The Tigers’ Isaac Carter enters his senior season following a surprising evolution last fall, which is our cover story. Carter is a star on Southern’s boys soccer team and has spent years doubling as the kicker for the football team. After the Tigers’ soccer team was eliminated from the district playoffs, Carter turned into a defensive wrecking ball in the football playoffs as he helped lead SCA to a state-record 13th all-time PIAA title.
Last year was marked by key injuries to key players, who are now expected to be back in the fold this fall.
Milton junior running back Chris Doyle returns. He ran for more than 1,000 yards as a ninth-grader but missed his entire sophomore season with a knee injury. Southern Columbia all-state linebacker Garrett Garcia tore his ACL on the opening kickoff last fall. He returns after racking up more than 200 tackles as a sophomore.
Also returning from injury is Lewisburg all-stater Jeremiah Davis — he also missed all of the 2022 season — and Shikellamy quarterback Brody Rebuck, who was the Braves’ starter as a freshman until he broke his leg.
There are new faces in new places as well. Coming of three consecutive District 4 3A titles, Danville has a new coach with former Northwest mentor Carl Majer taking over. Marc Persing, a former Lewisburg coach, takes over at his alma mater, Shamokin, and Curt Zettlemoyer is the new boss of a Milton program expected to contend for league and district titles.
This marks the third installment of InsidePA Game Night Magazine and is once again loaded with stats, previews, photos and more. Now, we just can’t wait to get to Friday night.
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AUG. 25
Delaware Valley at Selinsgrove:
The Seals have big expectations in 2023, and no better way to test them than an early-season battle against the Class 5A Warriors. Delaware Valley returns all-state linebacker Justin Kalitsnik, who led the team with 142 tackles, and Stanford commit Aiden Black at tight end. It will certainly be a test a for Selinsgrove team that returns plenty in its skill positions — quarterback Mark Pastore, tailback Tucker Teats and receiver Gavin Bastian all return. The Seals return starters on each level of their defense as well. It’s the beginning of a stretch of three state playoff teams to open Selinsgrove’s season — as Juniata and Jersey Shore follow.
Lewisburg at Shamokin:
A perfectly fun opener last year that saw the Indians outlast ... oh, who am I kidding, this became an interesting game for one reason in early July when Henry Hynoski resigned at Shamokin to take the high school principal’s job at his alma mater, Southern Columbia. Marc Persing takes over, and the former Shamokin quarterback opens the year with a game against the team he was head coach for four seasons, before resigning after the 2020 season. Shamokin must replace its leading passer, receiver and rusher from last season, while the Green Dragons are looking to bounce back from a two-win season a year ago, and junior Jeremiah Davis returns from missing his sophomore season.
Milton at South Williamsport
It will be the first look for two other first-year coaches. Curt Zettlemoyer takes over for Phil Davis at Milton, and the Black Panthers still have high expectations despite losing key offensive threat Xzavier Minium, who matriculated to Lock Haven University. Junior Chris Doyle returns from a torn-ACL after rushing for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman. There is enough talent back for the Black Panthers for another playoff berth.
Bloomsburg at Danville
There might not be more pressure on any first-year coach than Carl Majer at Danville. The Ironmen have won three straight District 4 Class 3A titles, and despite the losses of four all-staters from last year’s state quarterfinalist, there is certainly enough talent left in the cupboard for another run at a district title.
SEPT. 1
Mifflin County at Shikellamy:
One wonders how the Braves’ season would have worked out if things had gone differently in Lewistown last year. Shikellamy dropped an overtime contest in its opener, and then had a chance against Mifflin County, but Shikellamy couldn’t deal
with Mifflin County quarterback Deakon Sheaffer, who threw for 256 yards. It will be interesting to see if the Braves get off to a good start this year what kind of season they could have.
Midd-West at Halifax:
The only win for the Mustangs last year, and it was a dominant performance on both sides of the ball for Midd-West. Like Shikellamy, a win would go a long way boosting this team’s confidence.
Line Mountain at Danville:
The Eagles have high hopes in the Liberty Division of the Mid-Penn Conference, and the Ironmen can certainly still provide a measuring stick game for the Eagles. Between a scrimmage with Muncy along with a game with Athens in the opener, we will find out quickly how good Line Mountain will be.
SEPT. 8
Jersey Shore at Selinsgrove:
The Bulldogs dominated HAC-I last season, and the Seals took two beatings from Jersey Shore — once in the regular season and another in the District 4 Class 4A championship game. A lot of talent graduated up in Lycoming County, but it seems like Tom Gravish just reloads. Senior Jerrin Loomis will take over under center for Brady Jordan and defenders like Hayden Packer and Kooper Peacock will be tough to replace. By the time kickoff rolls around, it will be five years since the last time Selinsgrove beat Jersey Shore.
Southern Columbia at Loyalsock:
A rematch of last year’s game when the Lancers became the first District 4 team to beat the Tigers in the regular season since 2011. The Lancers won’t have Davion Hill, he’s playing basketball at Missouri State, but quarterback Tyler Gee and wide receiver Jaylen Andrews both return for Loyalsock. Andrews was uncoverable as a junior. Southern Columbia will be looking for an unprecedented seventh-straight state championship. The Tigers might not have Braeden Wisloski or Wes Barnes, but Louden Murphy and Carter Madden will still provide plenty of big-play potential.
SEPT. 15
Mount Carmel at Milton:
The Black Panthers gave the Red Tornadoes, in the midst of an undefeated regular season, their toughest test in that span, at least for half. Will Milton have an answer for a Mount Carmel offense that scored four second-half touchdowns last season to break open a close game? Will Milton be able to test a veteran Mount Carmel defense with its own offense without Xzavier Minium?
Loyalsock at Danville:
A potent Lancers’ offense was stymied just twice all season
in 2022 — both times by the Ironmen. Even without all-state safety Zach Gordon, Danville’s secondary should be one of the best in District 4 once again. So this should be a fun matchup with the earlier mentioned Lancers’ passing attack. Probably the first of two meetings once again between the two periennal District 4 Class 3A contenders.
SEPT. 22
Danville at Southern Columbia:
If you got a chance to watch “Roar!,” the documentary on Southern Columbia’s 2022 season, you saw one of the rare times at the Jim Roth gets truly upset. Danville beat the Tigers for the first time since 2010, and doled out Southern Columbia’s worst loss in more 40 years. It’s not something the program a caliber of Southern Columbia would forget. Both teams’ talent levels makes this one a chance for a playoff-type atmosphere midway through the regular season.
Warrior Run at Northwest:
The Defenders entered this game winless in 2022, while the Rangers were undefeated. A young Warrior Run team broke a 22-game losing streak, and the passing game of quarterback Ryan Newton, and his two favorite targets, Samuel Hall and Carter Marr, all return. Warrior Run might not be able to sneak up on people this year, but the Defenders are poised to take a big step forward this season.
SEPT. 29
Mifflinburg at Selinsgrove:
A key HAC-I matchup once again, the Wildcats beat the Seals for the first time since 2011, and quarterback Troy Dressler became the school’s all-time leading passer, but the biggest story in that game was the shutout posted by the Mifflinburg defense. If Jersey Shore happens to sputter, one of these two teams should be HAC-I champion, and we’ll know by this game. Both teams will have played the Bulldogs by this point in the season.
OCT. 6
Bloomsburg at Milton:
The battle of the jungle cats — Black Panthers vs. Panthers — caused Milton some issues last season. The Black Panthers nearly got caught looking ahead, and Bloomsburg’s Madden Locke put together a monster performance on defense for Bloomsburg — Locke had 22 tackles, including five for a loss — but Milton recovered to win. Bloomsburg will be young this year, but once against this one comes before a big game with Mifflinburg on the schedule.
OCT. 13
Danville at Berwick:
The Ironmen make the trip to Crispin Field, and it’s the first time coach Carl Majer has ever coached a team against his alma mater, certainly should be an interesting night for him. Tailback Bo Sheptock played for the Bulldogs last year, and will now suit up for Danville. Berwick will be looking to avenge a mercy-rule loss to the Ironmen in Danville last year.
Milton at Mifflinburg:
The vagaries of scheduling this is the first time in three
meetings that the Wildcats have played host to Milton. Mifflinburg has had two strong teams the last two years, but for some reason couldn’t close out victories over Milton. The Black Panthers rallied two years ago in the final two minutes, and then came back from two scores down after the first play of the third quarter in 2022 to beat Mifflinburg. Don’t think the Wildcats have forgotten either game.
Southern Columbia at Mount Carmel:
The Tigers began their run to the state title last year at the expense of Mount Carmel’s undefeated season, beating Mount Carmel at the Silver Bowl for the District 4 Class 2A title. If there is a theme to this week of the regular season, it will be revenge. Don’t think the Silver Bowl faithful, the Red Tornadoes, have forgotten the pain of the snowy night last November in the playoffs.
OCT. 20
Mifflinburg at Warrior Run:
We’ll know how good the Defenders are by this point in the season, and between the two teams, this game has a chance to be an offensive showcase. These teams met twice last season — both won by Mifflinburg at home pretty easily. Mifflinburg has some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but that should be figured out by this point in the season. The Defenders have the chance to be one of the best offenses in the district, but will they be able to defend some of the better offenses in the area?
Juniata at Line Mountain:
Either the Indians or Upper Dauphin have been the class of the MPC-Liberty Division since the Tri-Valley League folded. The Eagles have aspirations to joiin them. If last season is an indicator, Line Mountain should be in the thick of the running for a home playoff game, and probably will need a win against the Indians and the Trojans to end the season.
Canton at Milton:
The Bulldogs have been one of the top programs in Class A over the past five years in District 4. They’ve suffered some graduation losses from a squad that’s gone 26-3 over the last two seasons, but will still provide quite a challenge at Alumni Field.
OCT. 27
Executive Education Charter at Danville:
Huntingdon suffered a 70-8 loss to the Ironmen in Week 10 last year, and ended the series. The school out of Allentown has made great strides over its two seasons of existence, winning the District 11 Class 2A title a season ago. Unlike last year, when Danville won its final two games 135-8, the Ironmen should get a stern test before the playoffs.
Mifflinburg at Lewisburg:
The Little Brown Jug has been one of the best football games of the season over the last two years. The Green Dragons took a playoff berth from the Wildcats with a win in the rain in 2021, while last year, Mifflinburg drove 99 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Curt Zettlemoyer has been tied to Milton’s football program for years. He played for Dave Six in the early 1990s and coached under every Milton coach since Dave Fortunato.
And with being the police chief in Milton, he never had the desire to be the head coach at his alma mater. But when Phil Davis resigned in April, and with a senior in the program — his son Hunter is a two-way lineman for the Black Panthers — Zettlemoyer felt he couldn’t turn down the opportunity.
“I’ve been around these seniors since they started flag football,” Zettlemoyer said.
Zettlemoyer is one of three new coaches in the Valley this year, one of two returning to their alma mater. At Shamokin, former Lewisburg High coach and Shamokin alum
Marc Persing takes over for Henry Hynoski, who left Shamokin to return to his alma mater at Southern Columbia as an administrator.
The third new coach is Danville’s Carl Majer, a former Berwick standout who takes over the Ironmen after two stints at Northwest.
Zettlemoyer is a former Milton quarterback that graduated in 1994, and played at Mansfield University, doesn’t play on changing
“I’VE BEEN AROUND THESE SENIORS SINCE THEY STARTED FLAG FOOTBALL.”
— CURT ZETTLEMOYER
many things since being hired in April.
“I didn’t want to force the kids to learn something all new that late in the offseason,” Zettlemoyer said.
So he went about putting together a staff he felt he could trust, and, or, had ties to the Milton program. Todd West and Mike Bergey are both former Milton standout football players like Zettlemoyer. Rich Shnyder, the brother of the late former Milton coach Max Shnyder, is also joining the staff this season. He also talked to former Lewisburg quarterback and Bucknell University offensive coordinator Mike O’Connor, now a business teacher in the district, to volunteer on staff.
Maybe the biggest change Zettlemoyer plans to make is having more players play offense and defense.
“We don’t have enough depth not have our best 11 football players on the field at all times,” Zettlemoyer said.
Majer previously coached at Northwest where he won a District 2 title and three Wyoming Valley Conference titles in his first stint. He returned for one season in 2022 and takes over for Mike Brennan, who won three straight District 4 Class 3A titles before deciding to retire as a football coach and take a job in his home school district of Pottsville.
Majer was a three-year starter at linebacker for George Curry at Berwick and left as the school’s all-time leading tackler when he graduated in 1987. He played at Temple University, and played semi-pro football until 2002, including running his own team, the Columbia Colts. He was elected to the semi-pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Being around Curry, running his own football team, along with coaching the Rangers have Majer prepared to take the reigns in Danville. There is enough talent to contend for another district title.
And it’s not just the talent that has Majer excited.
“It’s a group that understands the game,” Majer said. “I’m really excited to get going.”
Another improvement for Majer is Danville’s numbers. With Northwest being just a Class A or 2A school in his tenure, the Rangers usually had 30 kids out, good numbers for a small school.
Danville has 40 players out this year, and it makes a
difference in practice, Majer said.
“It seems like only 10 players, but that is the difference in being able to go live (in practice),” Majer said. “It’s also huge to have depth, of course.”
Like Zettlemoyer, Persing takes over at his alma mater, where he played quarterback.
He coached for four seasons in Lewisburg, stepped down in 2020 before signing on as an assistant in Shamokin, where is a teacher. He said he was grateful for the opportunity to get head coaching experience.
“I’d be lying if I said (taking the head coaching job at Shamokin) never crossed my mind,” Persing said. “I didn’t think it would happen as soon as it did, but I am thankful for Lewisburg giving me the opportunity to try things out, and see what I liked and what I didn’t like. I’m glad my first time (as a head coach) wasn’t at Shamokin.’’
“IT’S A GROUP THAT UNDERSTANDS THE GAME. I’M REALLY EXCITED TO GET GOING.”
— CARL MAJERMetroCreative Library
“I DIDN’T THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS IT DID, BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR LEWISBURG GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THINGS OUT, AND SEE WHAT I LIKED AND WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE. I’M GLAD MY FIRST TIME ( AS A HEAD COACH ) WASN’T AT SHAMOKIN.’’
MARC PERSING
Jeremiah Davis admits it’s been a long year. Standing on the sidelines in 2022 didn’t suit Lewisburg’s junior running back in the least. With the new season drawing closer, he finds himself getting more and more excited for the 2023 season.
“I’ll be sitting around, and just daydreaming of game situations,” Davis said “I’m really excited and anticipating this season.”
It’s a feeling that Southern Columbia’s Garrett Garcia and Milton’s Chris Doyle know as well. Both were recordsetting producers in 2021. Doyle never played a down as a sophomore in 2022; Garcia was injured on the opening kickoff in the opening game. Both suffered knee injuries.
Shikellamy quarterback Brody Rebuck was just getting started when his freshman season ended in the fourth game last fall.
All four return to their respective teams this year, healthy and looking to make up for lost time.
Davis was an all-state selection as a freshman as a kick returner. He injured his knee in early August ahead of his sophomore year and had to watch the Green Dragons suffer through a 2-9 season, a season in which he expected to play a big role.
“It was really hard. The games like Jersey Shore, seeing the team struggle, while not being able to play,” Davis said. “It was tough.”
Doyle’s injury came about five plays into Milton’s scrimmage with Montgomery last season.
“You hate to see it happen to any kids, but if you had any part in the Milton program, it was like a punch in the gut when it happened,” new Milton coach Curt Zettlemoyer, who was an assistant coach on last year’s team, said.
Doyle ran for 1,184 yards and 19 touchdowns in his freshman season.
“To see him in a pair of should pads, and ready to go,” Zettlemoyer said, “I’m more than excited to see him on the field.”
Garcia started from day one as a linebacker for the Tigers in his freshman season. In his sophomore year, he set the school single-season record for tackles, topping 200 in 16 games.
He started to receive Division I looks — his two other brothers, Gaige and Gavin are both in DI backfields now — and then it all ended on the opening kickoff against Berwick when Garcia hurt his knee.
He’s back at linebacker for his senior season, and coach Jim Roth expects not only Garcia to anchor the defense, the third Garcia brother will get to show what he can do in the backfield this season.
“Garrett is going to be the fullback. He’s such a physical player,” Roth said. “We’ll play it by ear because his No. 1 position will be linebacker, but he’s going to be doing a little more rotating at fullback.”
It’s something the Tigers coaching staff has gone through before. Senior Dom Fetterolf hurt his knee in the 2021 state championship game, and returned in that 2022 Berwick
season opener.
“We didn’t see much difference in Dom,” Roth said. “The nature of the rehab is supposed to make the ACL just as strong or stronger, and that’s what happened with Dom.”
Davis echoed that.
“The injury rehab definitely helped,” Davis said. “My left leg — the knee I injured — is a little bit stronger than my right leg, now.”
Rebuck was the day one starter at quarterback for Shikellamy before he was injured in the fourth game. He threw for 171 yards and two scores and ran for two more TDs before he was lost for the season. He returned to wrestle and reached the Class 3A regional, winning 29 matches.
Now, with a new, more open offense, coach Jim Keiser said the sophomore has thrived.
“He’s still young, so he’s going to make some mistakes, but he really wowed people this summer,” Keiser said.
The time frame from this story came before any of these players had played in live contact in a game this fall.
“It’s only natural to worry about it. I don’t think I’d be normal if I wasn’t,” Davis said. “I’m pretty sure though, once that first hit comes, it will be fine, and those thoughts will leave my head.”
Story by Todd Hummel
It will be a season of change in the Danville football program.
The players that left the Ironmen program — Carson Persing (53 catches, 1,222 yards, 24 TDs, and the school’s all-time leader in all receiving categories), Zach Gordon (2,227 yards, 34 touchdowns, three interceptions at quarterback, four interceptions as a safety), Army West Point plebe Ty BrownStauffer (1,176 yards rushing, 19 TDs) and Mason Raup (152 tackles, 18 catches 381 yards, 4 TDs at TE) — will be remembered forever.
It’s a graduated senior class that produced three straight District 4 Class 3A titles, the school’s first appearance in the state semifinals and two quarterfinal appearances. The numbers the team produced in last year’s 12-1 season included outscoring opponents, 617-77.
Also, the coach for those three titles — Mike Brennan — opted to retire from coaching and took a job in the Pottsville School District back home.
Carl Majer — a former player at Berwick
and coach at Northwest — takes over for Brennan. The Ironmen certainly have some giant holes to fill, but it would be a surprise if they take a huge step back.
“It’s hard to replace what we’ve lost of course, but with that, I don’t think we’re on anybody’s radar right now,” Majer said.
That would be a mistake because Danville certainly has enough pieces to make a run at a fourth straight district title.
First off, Gordon was stellar last season, but junior Madden Patrick got the bulk of the work under center when Gordon was hurt in the fourth game of two seasons ago. In 2021, Patrick was 85-of-155 for 1,357 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a ninth-grader. Though Majer said the Ironmen will mix in some I-formation, they’ll still mainly be a spread team.
“That kid is very special. He’s put the time in. He knows how to make reads downfield. He can recognize man or zone very well for a junior in high school,” Majer said. “He knows how to throw the bubble
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 Bloomsburg
Sept. 1 Line Mountain
Sept. 8 at Central Columbia*
Sept. 15 Loyalsock*
Sept.
Sept.
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
2022 RESULTS (13-1)
(screen in the spread).”
Another senior — Aaron Johnson — has been a big-time contributor since his freshman season, and expect the speedster — who played tailback as an injury replacement for Brown-Stauffer as a freshman — and slot receiver the last two seasons to be the big-play replacement for Persing. He’s 96 yards rushing short of finishing his career with 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving.
“He’s just so fast, and, when he gets into the open field, he’s tough to catch,” Majer said.
Bo Sheptock, son of former Mount Carmel standout Shawn Sheptock, transfered from Berwick. The junior ran for 487 yards, and had 20 catches for another 317 yards last year for the Bulldogs. He’ll fill two big holes for the Ironmen. In addition to tailback, Sheptock had 140 tackles as a safety as well. He’ll share time with Cameron Kiersch and Johnson at tailback.
“I’ve never been a guy that needs to have one back carry the ball, and we’ll have plenty of depth (at tailback),” Majer said. “Another big thing for all three guys is they can catch the ball out of the backfield.”
One thing that will help the offense: Danville’s line depth. Declan Aikens and Gunner Treibley have graduated, but the Ironmen still have four returning starters on the offensive line, and all three on the defensive line as well. Justin Kutcher is going into his fourth year as a starter on the offensive line, while Lincoln Diehl is a first-team all-Daily Item selection on the defensive line from last season.
Kiersch will also soften the loss of Raup, a four-year starter and the school’s all-time leader in tackles. Kiersch, a junior who is starting for the third season, had 89 tackles, including 18 for a loss. He had four sacks and was named to the Pennsylvania Football News all-state team as a sophomore.
Once again, Danville should be favored in its first three games — Bloomsburg, Line Mountain and Central Columbia — before a rematch from last year’s District 4 Class 3A championship game with Loyalsock on Sept 15. The regular season schedule includes three teams ranked in the top 10 statewide preseason poll: Loyalsock, Southern Columbia (Sept. 22) and Executive Education (Oct. 27).
“I’VE NEVER BEEN A GUY THAT NEEDS TO HAVE ONE BACK CARRY THE BALL, AND WE’LL HAVE PLENTY OF DEPTH ( AT TAILBACK ). ANOTHER BIG THING FOR ALL THREE GUYS IS THEY CAN CATCH THE BALL OUT OF THE BACKFIELD.”
— CARL MAJER
Story by Todd Hummel
Eric Wicks thought the best plan last year was an Air Raid offense for his Lewisburg Green Dragons. However, a switch to a more smash-mouth style midway through the season, helped Lewisburg rally for a playoff berth.
With a commitment to the running game from the beginning of preseason and returners at all levels of his defense, Wicks and his Green Dragons expect an improved start to lead to bigger, and better things in the third season under Wicks.
“When we went to a more pro-style offense, and how our opposition plays,” Wicks said, “we can put the ball in anybody’s hand during the game, and keep defenses guessing.”
With the graduation of his big-play guys on the offense — Cam Michaels (also a four-year starter on defense), Devin Bodden and Shea Girton — along with quarterback Wade Young, the running backs in the Lewisburg systems will be getting plenty of carries.
Ryan Opperman (432 yards, 2 TDs) and Sean Field return in the backfield along
with Michael Casale. The Green Dragons will have junior tailback Jeremiah Davis back in the field. Davis tore his ACL right before the season last summer. He was an all-state kick returner as a freshman. Wicks also said that sophomore Nick Coleman, who started at corner last season as a freshman, will see time at tailback this season.
That running game will allow Chase Wenrich, who Wicks says leads the race to replace Young, or senior Derek Asche, who came back out to the team after not playing last year as a junior, time to grow early in the season under center.
“That was our biggest question mark, but we went to three different 7-on-7s this summer, and both guys built my confidence that our passing game is going to be okay,” Wicks said. “I told both of them that.
“I have a lot of confidence in our passing game (this season).”
“WE
STAFF HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE HIM WHAT KIND OF FOOTBALL PLAYER HE CAN BE, AND I THINK HE UNDERSTANDS. HE’S GOING TO DO A LOT OF THINGS FOR US AT TIGHT END, LINEBACKER, LONG SNAPPER AND SPECIAL TEAMS. HE MIGHT KICK, AND HE’S EVEN WORKED SOME AT QUARTERBACK.”
. “We as a coaching staff have been trying to convince him what kind of football player he can be, and I think he understands. He’s going to do a lot of things for us at tight end, linebacker, long snapper and special teams. He might kick, and he’s even worked some at quarterback (in the offseason).”
Blough is going to be part of a linebacker corps that will be one of the tops in the area. The top four tacklers return in linebackers Casale, Blough and Quin Michaels along with safety Ryan Opperman.
Hayes Schumaker and Nate Malusis will anchor the defensive front.
Besides the running game, Jack Blough will provide the help in a way only a 6-foot-3, 220-pound tight end can provide an offense. He averaged 16.9 yards per grab, and tied Cam Michaels for the team lead with three touchdown catches. He also had 51 tackles a season ago as a linebacker.
“I think he thought of himself more as a baseball player before last season, but he started making plays (on the football field).
“Even with some of the offenses that we face (Jersey Shore, Southern Columbia, Loyalsock, Danville and Mifflinburg), all teams that averaged 30 points per game offensively, I think defense will be our strength especially that corps of linebackers,” Wicks said. “We’ve done a lot of work on our defensive line as well. Coach (Dean) Battenberg has some different things he wanted to do that I think will be great for our defense.”
Again it will go back to the start for the Green Dragons. After a road opener with Shamokin — a game Lewisburg dropped in overtime at home last year — Lewisburg plays Jersey Shore, Southern Columbia, Mount Carmel and Danville in four of the first six games of the season.
AS A COACHING
— ERIC WICKS ON JACK BLOUGH
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UPMCOrthopaedicCareunderstandsthatathletes requirespecialcarebothwhenthey’re healthyandwhenthey’reinjured.Our expertshave astrong commitmenttoproviding student athleteswithpersonalizedcaretotreat andpreventsportsinjuries. We valueour partnershipswithlocalschooldistricts, colleges,universities,and athleticprograms.
To learnmore, or to scheduleanappointment,visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA orcall 570-321-2020.
To learnmore, or to scheduleanappointment,visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA orcall 570-321-2020.
Story by Michael Bullock
After enduring elevator rides each of the past few seasons — slow starts and disappointing setbacks mixed in with stretches of successes — this might be the year a seasoned Line Mountain football program goes strong from start to finish.
Veteran head coach Brandon Carson, a former Eagles quarterback, believes his club can use the regular season and, he hoes, November to accomplish some neat things and
and, he hoes, November to accomplish some neat things and make lasting grid memories.
And the tight-knit bunch that bounces onto Glenn Ressler Field for home games — from all indications — feels the same. Sporting Friday night experience throughout its oldest three
classes, Line Mountain (4-7 overall, 3-3 in Mid-Penn Liberty) hopes to turn those reps into satisfying results that lead to tangible rewards and more.
“I’m hoping for a home playoff game,” admitted Carson, whose Eagles were housed in the opening round of the District 4 Class 2A playoffs by eventual state champ Southern
Columbia. “Hoping for a league title.”
While just seven seniors are listed on the Eagles’ preseason
While just seven seniors are listed on the Eagles’ preseason roster, a number of upperclassmen seem to have been logging varsity minutes since the trees were knocked down a
decade or so ago at Ressler’s east end.
“We don’t have many seniors again, but Chandon (Maurer)
is a three-year starter,” Carson said. “(Nolan) Baumert is a four-year starter. Dunk (Quinn Dunkelberger) is a three-year starter. Colby Rebuck is a fouryear starter. Those are basically our only seniors. Yari (Johnson), I think, is coming back out, so that would be a three-year starter.
“We don’t have a lot of seniors, but they’ve played a lot. Even our rising juniors have played a lot. Our sophomore class is a really good class — and they played a lot last year.”
Since only two regulars graduated in 2022 (Brayden Boyer and Josh Scott), several others spent chunks of last season in the training room nursing injuries, the Eagles can deploy vets everywhere.
While Ian Bates (187 carries for 1,219 yards, 15 touchdowns) last season became the first Eagles sophomore to run for more than 1,000 yards — he was the Liberty’s offensive player of the year — Carson hopes he can give his diminutive burner breathers when Baumert, Maurer and Dunkelberger take handoffs and pitches from sophomore QB Kaiden Maurer.
Max Johnson is the lone tight end returning, but Dalton Schadel logged plenty of snaps on the perimeter as did Chase Zerbe. Bates, Baumert, Maurer and Dunkelberger can all catch the ball out of the backfield.
All-Liberty selections Rebuck and Kohen Shingara will return to the interior of the Eagles’ offensive front, but soph Jackson Kauwell started all of 2023 and towering junior twins Jack and Jacob Rebuck also are back. If Yari Johnson does return, he’ll add more bulk and brawn to a forward wall that,
except for Shingara, is quite large.
“We’re going to be able to rest people on offense,” Carson said. “We can fly around on defense and rest people on offense because we have skill people.”
Max Johnson is the latest of Line Mountain’s terrific pass-rushing ends — he finished with 22.5 tackles for loss and seven quarterback sacks — while 280-pound Colby Rebuck is tough to move inside. Both were divisional all-stars. So was linebacker Chandon Maurer, who totaled 100plus tackles, fellow backer Dunkelberger and D-back Bates.
And Baumert, who missed much of last season with an ankle injury, will fit somewhere. As will freshman inside linebacker Noah Ringes, a heat-seeking missile with a thorough knowledge of what everyone around him should be doing, Carson said. He’ll also run the ball.
“He’s going to be a piece we’ve kind of been missing,” Carson said.
Well, the Eagles will find out what works and what doesn’t work when Athens visits in late August. Once divisional play begins — Danville, Tri-Valley and Middletown are the other non-league dates — finishing in front of defending champ Upper Dauphin, Juniata and Susquenita may yield a league crown.
“I feel like we have talent and ability, but the key now is confidence,” Carson suggested. “You don’t gain confidence unless you have experience and the experience we’ve gained is invaluable.
“I like this team a lot. They get along really well. They’ve been working really hard.”
“WE DON’T HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS, BUT THEY’VE PLAYED A LOT. EVEN OUR RISING JUNIORS HAVE PLAYED A LOT. OUR SOPHOMORE CLASS IS A REALLY GOOD CLASS AND THEY PLAYED A LOT LAST YEAR.”
— BRANDON CARSON
CLASS A
2022: Steelton-Highspire
2021: Bishop Guilfoyle
2020: Steelton-Highspire
2019: Farrell
2018: Farrell
2017: Jeannette
2016: Bishop Guilfoyle
2015: Bishop Guilfoyle
2014: Bishop Guilfoyle
2013: North Catholic
Clairton
Clairton
Clairton
Farrell
Southern Columbia 1993: Duquense 1992: Scotland School
Schuylkill Haven 1990: Marian Catholic 1989: Dunmore
Camp Hill
CLASS 2A
2022: Southern Columbia 2021: Southern Columbia 2020: Southern Columbia 2019: Southern Columbia
Southern Columbia
2005: South Park
2004: Lansdale Catholic
2003: Aliquippa
2002: Mount Carmel
2001: Washington
2000: Mount Carmel
1999: Tyrone
1998: Mount Carmel
1997: South Park
1996: Mount Carmel
1995: Bishop McDevitt
1994: Mount Carmel
1993: Dallas
1992: Valley View
1991: Aliquippa
1990: Hanover Area
1989: Hickory
1988: Bethlehem Catholic
CLASS 3A
2022: Belle Vernon
2021: Central Valley
2020: Central Valley
2019: Wyoming Area
2018: Aliquippa
2017: Quaker Valley
2016: Beaver Falls
2015: Imhotep Charter
2014: Archbishop Wood
2013: Archbishop Wood
2012: Cathedral Prep
2011: Archbishop Wood
2010: Allentown CC
2009: Selinsgrove
2008: Thomas Jefferson
2007: Thomas Jefferson
2006: General McLane
2005: Franklin Regional
2004: Thomas Jefferson
2003: Manheim Central
2002: Hopewell
2001: West Allegheny
2000: Strath Haven
1999: Strath Haven
1998: Allentown CC
1997: Berwick
1996: Berwick
1995: Berwick
1994: Berwick
1993: Allentown CC
1992: Berwick
1991: Erie Strong Vincent
1990: Bethlehem Catholic
1989: Perry Academy
1988: Berwick
CLASS 4A
2022: Bishop McDevitt
2021: Aliquippa
2020: Thomas Jefferson
2019: Thomas Jefferson
2018: Cathedral Prep
2017: Cathedral Prep
2016: Cathedral Prep
2015: Cathedral Prep
2014: St. Joseph’s Prep
2013: St. Joseph’s Prep
2012: North Allegheny
2011: Central Dauphin
2010: North Allegheny
2009: LaSalle COllege
2008: Bethlehem Liberty
2007: Central Catholic
2006: Upper St. Clair
2005: McKeesport
2004: Central Catholic
2003: North Penn
2002: Parkland
2001: Neshaminy
2000: Cathedral Prep
1999: Central Bucks West
1998: Central Bucks West
1997: Central Bucks West
1996: Downingtown
1995: Penn Hills
1994: McKeesport
1993: North Hills
1992: Cumberland Valley
1991: Central Bucks West
1990: North Allegheny
1989: Upper St. Clair
1988: Central Catholic
CLASS 5A
2022: Pine-Richland
2021: Penn-Trafford
2020: Pine-Richland
2019: Archbishop Wood
2018: Penn Hills
2017: Archbishop Wood
2016: Archbishop Wood
CLASS 6A
2022: St. Joseph’s Prep
2021: Mount Lebanon
2020: St. Joseph’s Prep
2019: St. Joseph’s Prep
2018: St. Joseph’s Prep 2017: Pine-Richland
2016: St. Joseph’s Prep SOURCE: PIAA
Story by Michael Bullock
Following a second straight difficult campaign, Lance Adams and his Midd-West coaching staff went back on the prowl to search for something, anything that might provide a sustainable boost to his struggling football program.
While the on-field successes eventually
will come to a program entering its sixth season of varsity play, Adams believes his youngsters must consistently empty their tanks for 48 minutes as they learn how to win.
And it doesn’t matter if the Mustangs are leading by three scores or trailing by a simi-
lar number. Just continue to compete.
“The biggest thing is playing through four quarters, regardless of the score and regardless of what people think is going to be the outcome of the game,” said Adams, whose Mustangs have gone 1-9 each of his two seasons. “I thought one of the big things we have to start overcoming is if we get down a score or two it’s over. We have to get past that mentality.
“We had a great team camp where we worked on those types of things and not just the physical aspects of the game, but the mental aspects,” added Adams, whose squad is about to embark on its fourth Pennsylvania Heartland Conference season (Division III). “It’s also that chicken-and-egg thing, where you have to have it happen before you believe it.”
Hence, the need to find every way possible to remain buoyant and upbeat while embroiled in the fray.
“We’ve got to milk the clock, we’ve got to be able to run between the tackles, we’ve got to be able to keep their offense off the field,” said Adams, whose Mustangs were troubled by yielding untimely big plays. “They can’t score if they’re not on the field. They can’t have quick strikes if they’re not on the field.”
While Adams admits his club’s overall team speed puts them at a disadvantage, having senior linemen Landon Lauver and Dominic Andretta return means the Mustangs have several individuals that have a chance to plug up opposing run games and hopefully pressure quarterbacks looking to deliver the football.
Lauver landed all-league recognition defensively, while Andretta’s all-league laurels were the product of his offensive performance. Those two also will be important to a Midd-West running game that hopes to run inside, control the clock and piece together lengthy marches that keep opponents on the field and neutralize their attacks.
“We expect big things from Landon,”
Adams said. “We’ve talked about being way more balanced and way more disciplined on the defensive side. Just not give up the big plays.”
Offensively, Adams believes he has an assortment of backs that can make the run game operate efficiently, players such as senior Bryce Hackenburg, senior Colby Brower, sophomore Kyle Shupp and youngster James “J.J.” Barber.
Barber also will play safety.
“Between the four of them we feel pretty confident in what we’re doing as far as running the football,” Adams said. “As far as throwing (the ball), we need to find ways to be creative by using play action and generate more possession by receiving more than down-the-field throws.”
Ready to go after recovering from an ACL injury that occurred in last season’s ninth game, junior Jasher Wolf has a better understanding of the quarterback position after shifting from tight end prior to the 2022 campaign.
“I’ve been super pleased with (Wolfe),” Adams said. He also performed a similar role at Line Mountain, his alma mater. “He’s been progressing as a quarterback and hopefully we’re going to take some steps forward with him.”
The Mustangs have a rugged PHACIII slate awaiting — along with nonleague dates against Mifflinburg, Halifax, Lewisburg, Central Mountain and Selinsgrove — but their new stadium is finished and ready to crank up the lights. So, that’s another significant intangible that could provide plenty of energy when Midd-West plays at home.
A tough ask, yet winning those little battles could lead to something much grander.
“We have to build quarter by quarter, half by half, go from there and develop the mentality where we’re going to play for four quarters regardless of the score,” Adams said. “That’s what the focus is.”
ifflinburg had one of its best seasons in many years in 2022, finishing 9-3 and making the District 4 Class 3A semifinals in a highly-competitive field.
But the Wildcats may have been the hardest hit by the graduation of any team in the area, save for Danville. Andrew Diehl (1,359 yards, 20 touchdowns), their top two tacklers in Lucas Whittaker and Jon Melendez, a four-year, two-
year starter in Emmanuel Ulrich, three of its linebackers, and Mifflinburg’s entire secondary all graduated in June.
Throw in an arm injury in baseball season to quarterback Troy Dressler, the school’s all-time leading passer — who finished last year with 2,176 yards and 17 touchdowns — and the Wildcats will certainly have a different look.
With a scholarship for baseball to Wake Forest, Dressler will move over to wide receiver after
being cleared to play in early August.
And though there are a lot of holes to fill — and just 11 upperclassmen — the young Wildcats will still have some talent. If last year was fun for its successes, 2023 will be fun in a different way for coach Jason Dressler and his staff.
“I’m anxious with so many young guys, but I’m always excited to see what this young talent is capable of,” Jason Dressler said. “I’m excited to see them grow into their roles, and I love their personality. It’s a good team atmosphere.
“I’m really looking forward to this season.”
Sophomore Chad Martin will take over for Troy Dressler at quarterback. Martin was 6-of-9 for 213 yards and three touchdowns in limited action last season.
“Having Chad has made not having Troy for his senior season a little more tolerable,” Jason Dressler said. “He’s thrown the ball very well, but he’s young, and we still have work to do, but Chad will be fine.”
Martin will be a twoway starter. He’ll return to a linebacker role where he had 55 tackles as a freshman starter.
“We aren’t going to put any limits on him. He has different goals than Troy (who wanted to play baseball in college),” Jason Dressler said. “He wants to play football in college, and he’s an outstanding linebacker. He’s going to be on the field a lot.”
There will be a battle to replace Diehl at running back. Ben Reitz, Kaiden Kmet and Radwell Susan are all battling it out at tailback. All three had minimal varsity
carries last year with Kmett leading the way with 12 carries.
“We’re going with the guy that takes advantage of the opportunities,” Jason Dressler said.
Sean Grodotzke is the top returning receiver on the outside, though the team’s leading receiver — 6-foot-8 Kyler Troup (29 catches, 425 yards and 5 TDs) — does return. Sophomores Jackson Griffith and Landen Murray both had long touchdown catches in the district semifinal loss to Loyalsock, and Dressler at 6-foot-4 would certainly be another big target for Martin.
Xavier Croll is the only returning lineman, and coach Dressler expects four new starters up front, but Mifflinburg should have more size he said.
“The potential is there to have a very good offensive line,” Jason Dressler said. “They have to gain experience, and learn the cohesiveness you need, but the pieces are there (for a strong line).”
Despite the graduation losses, Jason Dressler isn’t quite as worried about the offense as he is about the defense. Troup, who led the team with eight sacks, returns as a defensive end, Brian Reader joins Martin as a returning linebacker, and that is it from a unit that ended up pitching four shutouts and two other games with just one score.
“A lot of those guys we lost on offense, were three and four-year guys on the defense,” Jason Dressler said. “It’s not just the talent. It’s knowledge and experience. Again the kids are talented on that side, it’s just a matter of experience.”
“HAVING CHAD HAS MADE NOT HAVING TROY FOR HIS SENIOR SEASON A LITTLE MORE TOLERABLE. HE’S THROWN THE BALL VERY WELL, BUT HE’S YOUNG, AND WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO, BUT CHAD WILL BE FINE.”
JASON DRESSLER
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Two things had an indirect but decidedly key role in the resurgence of the Southern Columbia defense last football season.
One makes sense.
The doctor that got Wes Barnes’ injured shoulder — we found out this spring in the WVIA documentary “Roar” the injury was a torn labrum — well enough to play in the Tigers’ six-game run to its sixth straight state championship.
The other might seem to be a bit of a stretch.
The East Juniata boys soccer team.
Without the Juniata County Tigers soccer team rallying over Southern Columbia in the District 4 Class A semifinals last season, we might not have seen Isaac Carter the football player.
Or Isaac Carter, a dual-sport athlete.
“We were ahead by two goals at halftime, and gave up three goals in the second half (to lose the game),” Carter said. “It really got me mad, and I had to use that anger in a good way.”
Carter, who has kicked for the Tigers since his freshman year, never played offense or defense. Suddenly, when soccer season ended, he emerged as an on-field weapon for Southern Columbia.
It’s something Jim Roth and defensive coordinator Andy Mills had joked with Carter about — harboring dreams of getting the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder soccer player who lifted weights like the football players on the gridiron.
“I’d always joke around with him, and ask him when he was going to start to play football,” Mills said. “But we had kind of accepted he’d just be punting and kicking.”
Roth mentioned after a state semifinal win over Northern Lehigh in 2021 that he thought Carter could be a defensive contributor for the Tigers in football. Carter’s dad, Aron, would also ask him whether or not he’d ever play on the field again.
It’s not like Carter had never played before. He played
in junior high because soccer season was in the spring. But when the seasons began to overlap in high school, he stuck with soccer.
“It was my main sport. I played football because it didn’t interfere with club soccer,” Carter said. “I’d say at least since fifth grade, soccer was my sport.
“But my dad was always joking with me about playing football again.”
Back to the aftermath of the District 4 soccer semifinal. This time when Mills made the joke about football, he got a shocking answer.
“I asked him,” Mills said. “He said, ‘Yes.’”
Roth said Carter came to him, and said he wanted to contribute on the field in the playoffs, not just perform the kicking duties.
“(Carter) initiated it, and it’s pretty impressive how quickly he picked (defensive line) up,” Roth said. “He’s a smart kid, and a very good athlete, it only took a few practices for him to pick things up.
“It was perfect because we were really thin at the defensive line at that point.”
Mills gave Carter a bit of playing time in the district quarterfinal win over Line Mountain. By the time the District 4 Class 2A title game rolled around against an undefeated Mount Carmel team in the Silver Bowl with a pop-up snow squall, Carter knew he was in his element.
The Tigers avenged an earlier drubbing by the Red Tornadoes to win the district title. The Tigers gave up 311 yards on the ground in the regular-season loss to Mount Carmel, and just 30 yards in the rematch in the title game.
“The Mount Carmel game is where it clicked for me. It was the biggest game of my career in any sport,” Carter said. “I’ll never forget the feeling of playing in that game, and winning it for the rest of my life.”
“THE MOUNT CARMEL GAME IS WHERE IT CLICKED FOR ME. IT WAS THE BIGGEST GAME OF MY CAREER IN ANY SPORT. I’LL NEVER FORGET THE FEELING OF PLAYING IN THAT GAME, AND WINNING IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.”
By the time, the PIAA playoffs rolled around, Carter was being game-planned for Trinity when it came to Selinsgrove for the PIAA Class 2A semifinal.
“That’s the most amazing thing about the whole story to me,” Mills said. “I went from spotting him in the district quarterfinal, and nearly a month later, he’s being doubleteamed in the state semifinals.”
All that success in the state playoffs started things rolling for this season. Carter spent the spring and early summer trying to decide what sport to play his senior season.
The decision began to eat at him a bit. Of course, he felt a great amount of loyalty for a soccer team that he’d been a part of for his high school career. But his success on the gridiron also greatly intrigued him to see what he could do in football.
“If I play only one sport, I feel like I’m letting the team I’m not playing for down,” Carter said.
So in Jim Roth’s nearly 40 years as the head man at Southern Columbia, Carter’s going to attempt something that’s hasn’t happened before in Roth’s career: Be full-time in two sports.
“We’ve never had that, and I don’t think many athletes would be comfortable doing this,” Roth said. “But I think he’s a guy that can do both. One he’s a great athlete, but it’s mostly because of his attitude, and his intelligence. His strength (work) and training are the best of anybody.”
So Carter set about getting his body ready to play two varsity sports at a high level.
“I’ve definitely put in a lot of work over the summer (to do both). At my peak, I was at 220 pounds, but I went to run a mile, and now I’m down to 210,” Carter said. “My endurance (for that mile) was where it needed to be.”
Carter is going to have to be in great shape. In soccer, the midfielder is expected to be one of the leaders of a young Southern Columbia team that again has big expectations in District 4 Class A.
“We are going to be really young, but talented,” Carter said. “The way (the soccer season) ended really sucked, and I think it will motivate us.”
On the football side, Mills and Roth have big plans for Carter. Mills said that in the playoff run, they really just “unleashed” Carter.
“We didn’t really teach him a lot of technique last year when he came out,” Mills said. “We told him what to
expect in certain situations, but we really just let him go to work.
“We just told him to be as disruptive as he can.”
Now with a full preseason under his belt, Mills can’t wait to see what happens on the football field.
“With Isaac, Colden (Bloom) and Ethan Makowski, we have some defensive lineman that can really run,” Mills said. “We can do line stunts and other things. We should be able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback (with our defensive line) without doing our normal amount of blitzing.”
This story wouldn’t be possible though without Carter’s attitude and personality, the coaches said. Watching “Roar” this spring it was on full display. His attitude was key to the Tigers’ run along with his play on the field.
“There is no question his personality and attitude played a big part in it,” Roth said. “Coming into the middle of a season on a new team, he wasn’t a vocal leader, but his attitude was contagious.
“He’s a great kid,” Mills added. “He’s one of the most respectful kids I’ve ever been around,” Mills said. “He’s just a joy to be around, and I think that’s a credit to his parents.”
Carter is also quick to point to his parents, Aron and Janel, as the reason as well.
“I love competition, and it really makes me happy to compete in sports,” Carter said. “My dad was in the Navy, and he really instilled that I should try my best at everything (I do).”
Carter says he hopes to continue the military tradition. His dream is an appointment to West Point, and both Roth and Carter think Army wants him to punt.
“I expect to hear something during the season or right after the season,” Carter said.
Carter actually said that punting might be the best part of his game, but it isn’t something he’s had to do much with the Tigers in his career. His 24 punts last season were a career-high.
As a senior in both football and soccer and with his military aspirations, Carter is also working on his leadership skills on both teams.
“It’s my final year, so I feel obligated to help everyone have a great experience and that we win,” Carter said.
If that West Point appointment comes through, the Black Knights probably aren’t just getting a punter, either.
“If they let me, it’s my grand plan to play on the field,” Carter said. “That would be awesome.”
“WE’VE NEVER HAD THAT, AND I DON’T THINK MANY ATHLETES WOULD BE COMFORTABLE DOING THIS. BUT I THINK HE’S A GUY THAT CAN DO BOTH. ONE HE’S A GREAT ATHLETE, BUT IT’S MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HIS ATTITUDE, AND HIS INTELLIGENCE. HIS STRENGTH ( WORK ) AND TRAINING ARE THE BEST OF ANYBODY.”
— JIM ROTH
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Story by Todd Hummel
Right off the bat, first-year Milton coach Curt Zettlemoyer didn’t want to put pressure on any one player to say they could replace the graduated all-stater Xzavier Minium.
“I’m not ready to declare anybody to be that guy, it wouldn’t fair to them or to Xzavier and all he did for this team,” Zettlemoyer, who is the police chief in Milton and a former quarterback for the Black Panthers. “Those are really big
shoes to fill.”
So it might not be just one player that picks up the slack for Minium and his 803 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, but there is enough in the cupboard for the Black Panthers to return to the playoffs for the third straight season.
And Zettlemoyer expects his senior core to contribute on both sides of the ball this season.
“I feel like we have to have our best 11 on the field at all times, and that means guys going
both ways,” Zettlemoyer said.
So expect Peyton Rearick, an all-Daily Item selection at safety to play at wideout, defenders Chase Snyder and Trey Locke will play on the offensive line, and Zettlemoyer’s son Hunter will see more time on the defensive side of the ball adding to his offensive line duties.
One thing that will go a long way in helping those players go both ways is Milton’s commitment to its weight program. Former Southern Columbia and Lebanon Valley College standout Trent Donlan is the new strength and conditioning coach.
“I can’t put a value on the district’s commitment to athletics from the facilities like our stadium, and weight room to hiring a fulltime strength coach for the district,” Curt Zettlemoyer said. “Our superintendent, Dr. (John) Bickhart, is at every event. The school board, the principals at the high school in Mike Bergey and Andy Rantz all have ties to Milton. There are not a lot of schools with the level of commitment.”
Cale Bastian returns under center for the Black Panthers. He was on second on team in rushing with 537 yards and seven scores, while throwing for 969 yards and nine scores. Zettlemoyer feels like to beat the better teams on their schedule the Black Panthers will need to be a bit more balanced than last year when they ran three times for every pass they threw.
“We definitely have to throw the ball to beat good teams. We have the vertical threats,” Zettlemoyer said. “We need some of those four, and five-yard throws in our offense. Those were always my favorite
(plays) when I played quarterback.”
Sophomore Monte Fisher and junior Chris Doyle will be in the backfield. Fisher ran for 367 yards and averaged nearly eight yards per carry plus had two punt return touchdowns. Doyle topped 1,000 yards on the ground as a freshman but missed last season with an injury.
Zettlemoyer also said tight end Ashton Krall will be tough to replace upfront.
“Our coaching staff felt he was one of the more underrated guys in the area. He did so many little things for us in the running game last year,” Zettlemoyer said.
The offensive line will also be a strength. Alex Krall will take over at center, but Locke, Snyder, Zettlemoyer and Gary Verndinelli have experience up front.
Locke, Zettlemoyer and Verndinelli are all three-year contributors on defense, while Snyder was the leading tackler from his linebacker position. Rearick has been one of the top safeties in the area. A full season of health for Rearick will be huge for the Black Panthers this season.
“I’ve always been on the offensive side of the discussions on how much to play somebody, but as the final decision maker, I feel like Peyton has to be on the field as much as possible — on both sides of the ball,” Zettlemoyer said. “It’s his senior season, I don’t feel like I should put any limits on him.”
Once again Milton’s shot at a Division III title probably comes down to its game at home with Mount Carmel. The Black Panthers led the game at the half last year before Mount Carmel took control in the second half.
“I CAN’T PUT A VALUE ON THE DISTRICT’S COMMITMENT TO ATHLETICS FROM THE FACILITIES LIKE OUR STADIUM, AND WEIGHT ROOM TO HIRING A FULL-TIME STRENGTH COACH FOR THE DISTRICT.”
CURT ZETTLEMOYER
Story by Harold Raker
Not since the program’s every-otheryear run of state championships (1998 through 2004) did Mount Carmel Area field such a dominating football team as the one coach John Darrah put on the field last season.
Mount Carmel rolled through the regular season without a loss, and that included a rare win over rival powerhouse Southern Columbia. Although the Tigers avenged that loss by winning the District 4 Class 2A championship game, Darrah’s Tornadoes left 2022 behind with a 12-1 record and the program’s first
Heartland Athletic Conference Division III title in 11 years.
The good news for the Red Tornadoes and their legion of rabid fans is that the cupboard is anything but bare for 2023. They have enough stock remaining to allow them to feast on opponents once again.
A whopping 17 players who either started or played meaningful minutes last season were underclassmen. That includes all three quarterbacks.
You read that correctly – three quarterbacks.
Starting sophomore quarterback Cole Spears sustained what was initially thought to be a season-ending
ACL tear at Bloomsburg in week five. His replacement, sophomore Matt Balichik, was knocked out for the rest of the season with an injury three weeks later, giving way to third-string signal-caller freshman Gavin Marshalek.
All three performed well and Spears returned in week nine. Now all three, two juniors and a sophomore are available to line up behind the center to run the Tornadoes highly effective single-wing style offense.
“That’s our deepest position on the field,” said Darrah, who added that Balichik and Marshalek also play defensive roles.
In addition, the rest of the offensive backfield will look familiar as last year’s top two rushers return. Senior Xavier Diaz ran for 909 yards and 13 touchdowns last year while junior Luke Blessing picked up 654 yards and a team-leading 14 TDs.
“It’s nice to have those two guys back,” said Darrah, who added that senior fullback Ryan Weidner also returns.
Diaz will move into the wingback spot where graduates Michael Farronato and Garrett Varano rotated last year. Sophomore Jabari Kines, juniors Ben Miller and Al Bailey and seniors Orville Fesniak and Jacob
The top wide receivers, Garret Varano and Farronato, are gone, but senior Orville Fesniak and junior Tait Adams will see a lot of action and track standout Diaz is a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
Senior tight end Jacob Schultz returns as another receiving threat after getting teamhighs last season in receiving yards with 539 and seven TDs. Matt Scicchitano (10 passes, 174 yards, four TDs) graduated, but now junior Chase Balichik is also back.
“I think we have a lot of good players returning, especially at the skill positions,’’ Darrah said. “One of our goals is to build depth.’’
To that end, he said, they were able to substitute a lot of players into games last season when they had a lead or there were injuries.
The most significant losses in the offensive line are the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Schicchitano, who led the way for the Tornadoes ground game, and is playing at
Division I Coastal Carolina, along with Kelin Geary, Nick Nestico and Michael Langton. Matt Kelley also graduated, but his fine career was cut short last season after two games because of health issues.
But the front row should still be solid, and large, with junior all-stater Noah Shimko (6-5, 300), senior Maddox LaMas (6-1, 265), Weidner (6-2, 230), junior Jagr Delaney (6-2, 245)and sophomore Logan Herb returning. They are joined by sophomore Logan Herb (6-3, 265), senior Derek Smith and sophomore Jabari Kines.
Gone from the defensive line are Scicchitano, Nestico, Langton and Gary, along with Kelley.
The returning starters are led by all-stater Noah Shimko, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior. He will be joined by returning starters LaMas (6-1, 265) and Weidner (6-2, 230) along with 6-2, 290 senior Smith (6-2, 290). Others expected to see action are freshman Matt Karycki (6-1,205) and sophomore Seth Spears (6-2, 220).
Blessing and Lamas return at inside linebacker, along with Bailey, who saw action there last season.
Besides quarterback, the area with the most depth and experience will be the secondary where Cole Spears and Chase Balichik (five interceptions last year) return. They will be complemented by junior Michael Kimsal, Fesniak, freshman Jaylen Delaney and Lukoskie.
Junior Bobby Schoppy will take over the kicking duties from Drew Yagodzinskie, who is not playing this season. The latter was also a starting linebacker.
Darrah, whose teams had been run-heavy for a few years, were more balanced last season.
The coach said, “Balance is what you always strive for, but, to me, balance is not necessarily being 50-50 (run-pass). If you want to run the ball, you have to be able to throw, but balance is being able to do the opposite when you absolutely need to.”
Darrah added, “It’s important to do that because it makes you a little more difficult to prepare for.’’
The biggest thrill for Derek Hicks This preseason has been the health of his team. Almost every significant contributor to last year’s team missed time in 2022. The Seals lost senior defensive lineman Steven Miller for the season in the scrimmage, quarterback Mark Pastore missed two games and wasn’t 100% for nearly a month, Steven’s brother linebacker Ethan missed four games at the beginning of the season and Tucker Teats topped 1,000 yards despite missing two games.
With Pastore out, that moved top receiver
Gavin Bastian over to quarterback, taking away Selinsgrove’s top deep threat.
All return in 2023 except for Steven Miller.
With a game to open the season with Class 5A Delaware Valley — a team ranked seventh statewide to start the year and with playoff aspirations of its own, led by tight end Aiden Black, a Stanford University commit — Selinsgrove feels like it is ready to compete on a state-level with one caveat.
“We’re also two injuries away to the wrong people,” Hicks said. “But, I think that’s how most high school football teams are.”
There is also the specter of Jersey Shore looming over Selinsgrove’s chances for a Heartland Athletic Conference Division I title and District Class 4A championships. The Seals haven’t beaten Jersey Shore at Thompson Street Stadium since 2016. The two teams have met in the regular season and playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons. This season’s regularseason game is at Harold L. Bolig Memorial Stadium on Sept. 8, so grabbing home-field advantage for the playoff could be key for Selinsgrove’s season.
The Seals have experience back all over the field. Besides those offensive stalwarts, and Ethan Miller back at middle linebacker, Hicks calls his offensive line the deepest he’s ever had. The Seals have Hicks’ son returning at cornerback in Caleb, who picked off six passes last year, along with Ryan Gavason and Gavin Bastian at safety along with Teats and Andrew Sassaman outside linebacker.
and has looked really good at that spot,” Derek Hicks said.
Derek Hicks’ biggest concern entering the season is his defensive front, mainly at nose guard. Juniors Devon Mitchell and Jarrod Bulligton were seeing a lot of time at defensive end thanks to injuries near the end of their sophomore seasons.
“WE PLAYED THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR WITHOUT A HEALTHY TUCKER TEATS. MARK CAME BACK AFTER TWO GAMES, BUT PROBABLY WASN’T RIGHT FOR A MONTH. GAVIN HAD TO MOVE TO QUARTERBACK. WE GET THESE GUYS ALL CLICKING FROM WEEK ONE, WE’LL SCORE SOME POINTS.”
“We’ve got three pretty good pieces back in the secondary, along with our outside linebacker, so I think our pass coverage will be good,” Derek Hicks said.
Selinsgrove lost Corey Rumberger to graduation — its leading tackler — but a full year from Ethan Miller (80 tackles, 21.5 for a loss) will be a huge help with that. Senior Luke Smith will most likely step in for Rumberger at an inside linebacker spot.
“Luke’s put a lot of time in the weight room,
“We have enough depth (in our offensive line), that hopefully we go one-way on both sides of the ball, and one of those big guys can step up into the nose guard role,” Derek Hicks said.
With health in its skill positions, the Seals should have a wide variety of ways to score. Pastore threw for 1,221 yards and 11 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Teats ran for 1,072 yards and 10 scores, while Bastian had 35 grabs for 681 yards and seven scores.
— DEREK HICKS
“We played the first half of the year without a healthy Tucker Teats. Marc came back after two games, but probably wasn’t right for a month. Gavin had to move to quarterback,” Derek Hicks said. “We get these guys all clicking from week one, we’ll score some points.”
The only hole to fill is the two other receivers in the Seals three-wide sets. Derek Hicks looks to his son to fill the other role on the outside, while sophomore Wyatt Teats — Tucker’s brother — and Carlos Studder will look to fill the hole at slot receiver.
Marc Persing did not want his first head coaching job to be at his alma mater.
After playing quarterback for the Indians and the Wilkes Colonels, he spent his next decade as an assistant coach at three high schools before taking his fi rst head coach position, at Lewisburg High School. He stepped away to spend more time with his family.
Meanwhile, after Shamokin produced nine wins and 43 losses for four seasons, the program took a step forward under new coach and former New York Giants Super Bowl winning fullback Henry Hynoski.
Like Persing, Hynoski had other priorities for his life, and resigned to take an administrative position at his alma mater, Southern Columbia.
Persing spent last season as an assistant coach for his longtime friend and will try to continue the job that Hynoski started.
“I’d be lying if I said (taking the head coaching job at Shamokin) never crossed my mind,” Persing
said. “I didn’t think it would happen as soon as it did, but I am thankful for Lewisburg giving me the opportunity to try things out, see what I liked and what I didn’t like.’’
Persing, hired this summer to coach the Indians, added, “I’m glad my first time (as a head coach) wasn’t at Shamokin.’’
But the Shamokin high school math teacher is happy now to take over his old program.
The days of winless and one-win seasons disappeared under Hynoski’s watch, and now Persing has a vision of bigger accomplishments.
“My goal is to win games and close the gap on the Jersey Shores and Mount Carmels,” he said. “We can’t continue to go up there and lay an egg. We have to show the community we can close the gap on these quality teams.’’
Persing conceded that his team will be extremely young, but believes the talent is there to move the program forward.
“We’re going to be a young team, but I don’t want that to be an excuse. We have a fresh-
man class that went undefeated and beat Southern and Mount Carmel,” he said.
“We are going to continue to build on that and get some of these kids ready and look for leadership from the senior and junior classes.
“So far, the reception (to my taking over the program) has been great,” Persing said. “I am a Shamokin kid, lived in Shamokin most of my life and I still have a lot of ties in the area.’’
In addition to more wins on the football field, Persing also wants to change attitudes.
Hynoski, Persing and the rest of the coaches were optimistic last season with an offense featuring a pair of talented senior skill players in quarterback Brett Nye and wide receiver Ryder Zulkowski.
But injuries to both players kept them from teaming up until late in the season as the Indians finished 5-6.
“I really believe we would have been 7-4 if they had not been hurt,” said Persing, who was the quarterbacks coach a year ago.’
The quarterback position became a nightmare for the Indians in 2022 with both the second- and third-string QBs knocked out by injuries and the versatile Chase Pensyl taking over in what became more of a run-first offense.
But the Indians open this season with the promising Brad Latsha slotted to start behind center and Persing believes he will do well.
“The offense is going to look the same, but it’s going to have its tweaks because I’m not naive enough to think that Brad’s going to be able to do the same things that Brett did,” Persing said. “It’s a different skill set. Brad is an athlete, he’s a very athletic kid playing the position and he’s figuring out how to throw the ball and throw the ball on the run.
“You’re going to see more designed plays where the quarterback is out in space and is able to use his natural ability,” he said.
Persing said he has two exciting young
players at running back with sophomores Jace Ginck, who got some carries last year, and Zakem Clinton.
“He’s special,” Persing said of the 6-foot, 205-pound Clinton.
The coach said that Clinton has the potential to step in and replace last year’s rushing leader, the graduated Wisdom Artis-Jones.
Pensyl will lead a receiving corps that will also include track standout Ben Delbaugh, Rylan Price from the basketball team and newcomer Jenssyn Shuey. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior, is the starting forward for the Indians’ basketball team.
“Pensyl does everything for us,” Persing said, noting that he can play all of the receiver positions as well as wingback, running back and quarterback.
“Chase is going to be all over the place for us, but it’s for good reason,” Persing said. “He’s a special athlete, high football IQ. If we could clone him for 10 other positions, it would be fantastic.”
“There’s some really promising things that if everything comes to fruition, (the Indians could have a good season).”
The front line should be a strength with the return of three starters: senior Hunter Wertz (6-3, 330) at right tackle, junior Blake Hockenbroch (6-2, 230) at guard and junior center Ty Kurtz (5-10, 225).
Hockenbroch was a quarterback two years ago and, at Persing’s suggestion, he moved to guard last year.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, he can run and pull. He volunteered to make the switch, he took off for us last year and he is an all-state candidate, he was that good last year and he’s only bigger, faster and stronger,” Persing added.
The three frontline offensive holdovers, Wertz, Hockenbroch and Kurtz will man the offensive line with others, including sophomore Chase Anderson, rotating in. The secondary will consist of Pensyl, Price, Delbaugh, Ginck and freshman Logan Steele.
Aug. 25 Lewisburg
Sept. 1 at Southern Columbia
Sept. 8 at Mifflinburg*
Sept. 15 Selinsgrove*
Sept. 22 at Central Mountain*
Jim Keiser’s beloved Wing-T is gone at Shikellamy High School, and so is the grass at Shikellamy Stadium.
Offensive coordinator Logan Leiby — a record-setting quarterback at rival Selinsgrove — has fully installed the spread offense, and the long-time Wing-T proponent is a believer after watching his sophomore quarterback Brody Rebuck and his speedy receivers operate this summer.
“I don’t see us in any Wing-T, Logan has eased me into it since last season,” Keiser joked about the former Seal quarterback, who graduated as
the third all-time leading passer in state history.
Keiser had nothing but praise for his young quarterback, who played just three-and-half games last season before breaking his leg.
“What a summer he’s had. He’s making throws I’ve not seen a high school kid make. We went undefeated at Penn State 7-on-7, and really tried to make the rounds,” Keiser said of Rebuck. “He’s still young, so he’s going to make some mistakes, but he really wowed people this summer.”
Senior Luke Snyder will move all over the field once again and will be Rebuck’s top target. He’ll also play halfback and maybe even quarterback at
times Keiser said.
A.J. Benedict, Luke Keally and Bysaire Baez will also be in the mix in the backfield. All are inexperienced — Baez is a 5-foot-6, 180-pound freshman — but Keiser said he has confidence in all three of them.
“All of them are fast, and all of them can lower their shoulder and pick up the extra yard,” Keiser said.
In addition to Snyder in the passing game, junior Asher Moyer, sophomore Conner Fasterbinder and junior Owen Elliot are expected to be at receiver.
“Asher has looked fantastic in the summer. Elliot came back out after a year, and had looked solid,” Keiser said.
Keiser also said not to be fooled by the size of freshman Thomas Pollock if you see him on the field for the Braves.
“He’s not much more than 120 pounds, but he’s one of the fastest kids I’ve ever seen,” Keiser said. “He’s slippery, and he has a great set of hands.”
The question marks for the Braves come up front and on the defensive side of the ball.
Keiser expects to start two freshmen — 180-pounder Noah Johnson, who Keiser calls the best blocker on the team — and Jacob Rosinski, a 260-pounder up front along with another new starter in Isaiah Rivera. Nick Bradigan and John Rosinski are the returners up front for the Braves.
“The spread will allow us to run some quick things to protect the linemen a little bit early in the season,” Keiser said.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Braves have already been bitten by the
injury bug. Derek Turber-Ortiz will miss the season. He had 99 tackles, including 16 for loss last season as a sophomore, while defensive tackle Luke Wetzel will miss at least the first half of the season.
That leaves an already inexperienced Braves’ crew even more callow. Snyder led the team with 121 tackles, but Keiser isn’t sure who is going to join him at inside linebacker. Moyer and Rebuck will be the outside linebackers.
“I really wish we didn’t have to use Brody both ways, but he’s a real good linebacker,” Keiser said. “We can’t afford not to.”
Things are looking up for Shikellamy after back-to-back 1-9 seasons. Shikellamy Stadium will have new artificial turf that is being installed this summer. The Braves’ first home game will be on the turf, before the track is installed, against Mifflin County on Sept. 2. The next two “home” games will be played at Shamokin.
Shikellamy will be young this year, but Keiser feels his freshmen built some confidence this summer.
“We went to Penn State and Whitehall and did really well at both spots, and I think the kids built a lot of confidence,” Keiser said.
The Braves were successful in their younger programs as well and their numbers have been up at the upper level.
“It’s going to be exciting to see,” Keiser said. “We’re going to be much better. We’re young, we’re going to make mistakes, but I think we’re going to improve a lot this season.”
“I REALLY WISH WE DIDN’T HAVE TO USE BRODY BOTH WAYS, BUT HE’S A REAL GOOD LINEBACKER. WE CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO.”
— JIM KEISER
The Southern Columbia football program went through an unprecedented regular season in 2022, losing more games than it had in 13 seasons.
However, the Tigers bounced back with one of their most amazing state playoff runs in program history, claiming a record sixthstraight PIAA football title. Now the Tigers have the makings of their best defense since the 2019 team had four FBS or FSC linebackers on its squad.
That defense was the issue in the regular season in 2022 as teams like Loyalsock, Mount Carmel, Wyomissing and Wyoming Area shredded it on the ground thanks to a combination of inexperience and injuries. Don’t forget all-state linebacker Garrett Garcia was lost for the season on the opening kickoff of the year at Berwick’s Crispin Field.
But oh how it shined in the postseason, helped by Isaac Carter coming over from soccer — the 6-foot-2, 220-pound kicker/defensive lineman is going to play both sports this fall — and the return to health of the now departed Wes Barnes. It helped Southern Columbia end Mount Carmel’s undefeated run in the District 4 Class 2A title game to avenge an earlier loss to their rival and stymie Penn State walk-on Karson Kiesewetter of Bishop Guilfoyle and future Division I-back Messiah Mickens of Trinity in the PIAA playoffs.
Southern Columbia returns with a wealth of experience at all levels of its defense with Carter and Colden Bloom up front. All four linebackers are back — Garcia and fellow all-stater Dom Fetterolf will be joined by outside linebackers Garrett Bloom and Carter Madden.
Southern Columbia coach Jim Roth expects the Tigers to be able to make teams onedimensional like that 2019 team did.
“I think we’ll be extremely good against the run, and make teams predictable (on offense),” Roth said.
With three starters back in the secondary — Kyle Christman and Jake Hoy at corner, along with Louden Murphy at safety — all with good size (all three players are taller than 6-0), the Tigers’ pass defense should be pretty good as well.
“We should be a strong unit as long we stay away from any significant injuries,” Roth said.
Things are a little more unclear on offense, but maybe not as dire as first thought. Yes, of course, state player of the year Braeden Wisloski — now a receiver at the University of Maryland – and Barnes — wrestling at Clarion University — will be tough to replace. Wisloski scored 48 touchdowns over the last two seasons, and Barnes combined bruising blocking at fullback along with 32 TDs of his own in 2021 and 2022.
“Those two guys were Division I-level running backs. Wes didn’t have the size, but he was an extremely high-level running back,” Roth said. “They’ll be difficult to replace.”
Murphy (509 yards, 10 TDs) and Madden (424, 12 TDs) will step more into the mix this season at halfback, after splitting time next to Wisloski last season in the Tigers’ Delaware Wing-T offense.
“I think we’ll be okay. I think both guys will be real good,” Roth said. “They’ll both be more involved and be able to get more in a rhythm carrying the football.”
Roth also said he expects to see more of
Garcia at fullback as well.
“I think we’ll have a real good backfield. If he can hold up — and we expect him to be able to — he gives us a physical blocker,” Roth said. “His No. 1 position will be linebacker, but I expect Garrett to see a lot of time at fullback as well.”
When Garcia isn’t at fullback, the Tigers can put Jack Beiermass in his place. The senior split time at linebacker and fullback last season.
Blake Wise has struggled at times throwing the ball, but Roth expects a big improvement in that area this season. Wise, now a senior, has plenty of experience with 27 starts.
“We threw the ball pretty well in team camp against some 5A and 6A schools,” Roth said.
Wise will have some big-play potential in the passing game. Christman ran an 11.1 in the 100 this spring in track, and will be the speed element. Roth was excited about Hoy, who led the team in interceptions last year with five.
“He high-pointed the ball real well this summer, did a great job of taking the ball away from defenders. He’s shown some real good ball skills,” Roth said.
Roth’s also excited about freshman Jace Malkowski, who played receiver for the Tigers’ junior high team last year, but will slide inside for the varsity.
“He’s already 6-foot-2, and growing. He gives us a weapon (in the passing game) at tight end, which we haven’t had in a while,” Roth said. “He runs real well, too.”
That brings us to the Tigers only question mark for the season, and it’s a big one.
“If the offensive line isn’t very good, it doesn’t matter how good your skill position kids are,” Roth said.
Chris Treshock, Brett Horton and Logan Sharrow all graduated along with Ryan Kerstetter at tight end for the Tigers. Southern Columbia returns just one starter — junior Jude Bremigen — and one rotational lineman from last year’s team.
“It might not be as big as a concern (now),” Roth said. “They seemed to do pretty well against some bigger schools at team camp. Even though we don’t hit, it gives a good chance to evaluate kids in our running game, and we were pretty pleased.”
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Story by Michael Bullock
Derrick Zechman is finding out what other coaches already discovered — at least those going from season No. 1 into year No. 2 — that things are much easier the second time around.
Just knowing the youngsters he’s coaching is a plus. So is dealing with the administrative necessities.
Yet when most of the program returns, not having to start over again is a bonus.
“To already have the offense (and) defense in, the playbook, I just feel we’re way ahead of the game
compared to where we were last year,” said Zechman, Warrior Run’s second-year head coach. “And I think that’s going to pay big dividends.”
Since the Defenders (3-8 overall, 1-4 in Pennsylvania Heartland Conference Division III) shrugged off a testy 0-4 start last season, halted a double-digit losing skid and reached the District 4 Class 3A playoffs, having plenty of skill people returning means Warrior Run should be able to move the football.
Veteran quarterback Ryan Newton, a 6-foot-4,
170-pound senior who landed all-PHAC-III recognition last season, will again trigger an offense with quick-strike capability. Newton completed nearly 44 percent of his passes (93-for-214) for just over 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns but was picked off 20 times.
All-league selections Sam Hall and Carter Marr return on the flanks — Hall hauled in 52 passes for 1,136 yards and eight scores, while Marr latched on to 27 throws for 641 yards and eight TDs — Newton has other targets such as Cohen Zechman and Ian Jones to throw to. Jones returns after missing 2022 with injuries.
“We’re going to have all the skill players back, which is rare for someone to say they have everyone back,” Zechman said. “And then adding kids back that we were missing last year due to injuries. So, I think we’re going to be ahead of the game.
“We have some depth at receiver. We have some depth at running back. We have some weapons; we have a lot of good athletes. We’ve just got to get them on the field and utilize them the best that we can for our game plan.”
Although Warrior Run struggled to run the ball a season ago, the Defenders do have some depth in the backfield with the likes of Colby LeBarron, Thomas Royles and Stone Allison. While Hall also can run the ball, the Defenders don’t have anyone who gained more than 200 yards rushing in 2022.
All-league pick Connor Parker packs size up front, but he might be surrounded by youngsters.
“We’ve got to do a better job on offense of running the ball,” Zechman said. “The line has been committed this offseason. We’ve been having more linemen come out to practices this summer than we ever have, so we’re excited about that. … We have a couple seniors we’re going to be counting on, but we’ve got other young linemen coming out.
“If we can run the ball a little bit more effectively, it’s going to set up the pass even more. We were heavily pass last year, but I think we can be more balanced this year which I think will open things up a lot more for us.”
LeBarron (57 tackles) was an all-league choice at linebacker, Isaiah Betz (63 tackles/3 sacks) landed similar honors at defensive end and Hall (41 stops/2 picks) was among PHAC-III’s top defensive backs. If Ulrich (71 tackles) does not return, that’s a huge loss since he led the Defenders in stops as a freshman while earning all-league recognition.
“The kids are starting to believe, starting to put in extra work,” Zechman said. “We have a goal to send the seniors off with a home playoff game – and that’s a big goal.”
Since Warrior Run played the home portion of its 2022 schedule in its refurbished playpen — and that helped generate excitement and more interest — Zechman’s Defenders do appear to be on an uptick. Although the PHAC-III slate is one thing, a non-league plate filled with Muncy, Hamburg, Northwest, Montgomery and Mifflinburg adds meat. Said Zechman: “We’re definitely going in the right direction.”
“THE KIDS ARE STARTING TO BELIEVE, STARTING TO PUT IN EXTRA WORK. WE HAVE A GOAL TO SEND THE SENIORS OFF WITH A HOME PLAYOFF GAME AND THAT’S A BIG GOAL.”
— DERRICK ZECHMAN
Story by Todd Hummel
Bloomsburg relied a lot last season on Madden Locke, the do-it-standout on offense and defense who is now at Lock Haven University.
The two-way star for the Panthers led the team in rushing, receiver and tackles last season, and certainly can’t be completely replaced by one player.
“We have to find a workhorse (at running back),” Bloomsburg coach Mike Kogut said.
In addition to Locke, Nick Wharton also graduated. The two combined for 250 tackles last season. Plus third-leading tackler, Wyatt Brosious, will take over under center for Liam Zentner. Nasir Heard, a four-year starter on both sides of the ball, also graduated.
“We lost (a lot of) kids from our senior class last year. That’s a lot of skill and depth to replace,” Kogut said.
That’s not to say the cupboard is
bare for the Panthers — they’re just young.
Brosious will be the full-time starter. He threw 14 passes a season ago and ran for 100 yards. The Panthers expect that Brosious will add a bit more of an athletic option at quarter for the Panthers’ multiple I-set.
Junior Blake Ziesloft will take over the duties as the main option in the backfield for Locke. Zeisloft rushed for 418 yards and three touchdowns as the fullback, but will move back to tailback this season.
Though the skill positions are inexperienced, Bloomsburg has six linemen back that started or played last season. Of the six seniors returning, three are starters on the offensive line.
“We might be bigger than we were last year,” Kogut said. “But we need to be more consistent.”
And that could be Kogut’s biggest
concern going into the season. One never knew which Bloomsburg team would show up a year ago. They beat playoff teams like Hughesville and Warrior Run last season and gave Class 4A semifinalists Milton all it could handle before falling by a score.
However, Bloomsburg also lost to the Spartans in the District 4 Class 2A semifinals and was never in games against teams like Danville, Loyalsock and Mount Carmel.
“A lot of problems came with mistakes, and that’s something we’ve been working on (in the preseason),” Kogut said.
Mount Carmel is the clear favorite once again in Division III of the Heartland Athletic Conference, but again the Panthers fit into that group behind the Red Tornadoes that could certainly challenge for a home playoff game if the cards fall right.
E.J. Smith knew what needed to happen. And whether it was watching his Central Columbia football program struggle in off-season competitions or during a dust-up with a fellow Pennsylvania Heartland Conference Division II side, the conclusion he reached never wavered.
So, once Smith’s Blue Jays polished off a 3-7 campaign (1-4 in PHAC-II) the message to his returning players was direct, “Fellas, we need to hit the weight room and hit it hard.”
Now, just weeks away from a season-opening scrap with Shikellamy, Central’s second-year skipper is extremely pleased about the beef and brawn his Jays added.
“We’re much stronger than we were last year … and you’re starting to see the kids have really bought into the weight room,” said Smith, the former Berwick player/assistant coach who prior to last season ascended to Central’s top job after toiling as the Jays’ defensive coordinator.
One player who made significant strides in the offseason was two-way junior lineman Kole Hummer, a firstteam PHAC-II performer who in 2022 piled up 40 stops, 11 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback sacks.
“Kole Hummer led District 4 in sacks last year as a sophomore,” Smith gushed. “He should be unstoppable this year. He did that last year without really working out, but now he lifts (regularly). He’s going to be a big-time player.”
Although the 6-0, 250-pound Hummer will draw loads of attention from opposing coaching staffs, Smith believes linemen such as Alex Zeisloft, Dylan Shultz, Josh Worthington and Barron Oyar will perform at higher levels after spending hours lifting. Oyar likely will play on the nose — and see time at fullback.
Smith also is excited about returning junior linebacker Gaje Gombert. Gombert, who will get plenty of touches offensively, may be undersized (5-9, 170), yet the ball seems to find him.
While the Jays need to replace do-everything standout Greyson Shaud — he was an all-league honorable mention selection at four positions in 2022 — one aspect not likely to change is getting the ball frequently to senior burner Eli Book. Book averaged nearly 20 yards per catch on 21 receptions, scoring four TDs as well.
Story by Michael Bullock
Compete for regular-season crowns and make a handful of postseason appearances — in merely six seasons at the helm — Kent Smeltz’s unsatisfiable desire to return luster to a once-powerful Upper Dauphin football program is in full swing.
Now, despite the graduations of 17 productive performers, the seventh-year head coach wants more.
“There’s been a standard somewhat established, and everybody doesn’t want to be on that team that falls below that standard,” said Smeltz, whose Trojans claimed Twin Valley and Mid-Penn Liberty titles while just missing on two others. UDA (8-3 overall, 6-0 in Liberty). They also reached postseason play four times in six seasons, winning a District 3 Class 2A crown (in 2019) before advancing to states.
And that was one full season before
any of these Trojans were handed varsity jerseys.
“Going for another league title,” senior tight end/middle linebacker Tegan Engle said of UDA’s expectations. “We won that last year. Make it past the first round of districts. It’d be nice to go to another district championship.”
Yet before the Trojans can contemplate a sparkling postseason run, filling holes is the priority.
Of the 17 players who moved on, 11 landed all-league recognition.
Since talented players such as Brady Morgan, Branden Fetterhoff, Peyton Wentzel, Alex Hepler and Landon Mace are gone — along with the significant production they accrued — Smeltz has been trying to retool on both sides of the football.
“We lost a lot of good players from last year’s team,” Smeltz admitted. “It’s
something I’ve really tried to emphasize to the seniors as to the chemistry of the team. They’re the leaders.”
Yet Smeltz believes quarterback Aidan Bingaman is ready to lead, meaning the 6-2, 175-pound junior may need to shoulder a sizable part of the offensive load until a refurbished line and skill group have fully congealed.
Despite early troubles — and mentored by ageless UDA quarterback guru Tom Hain — Bingaman last season completed 58 percent (88-for-152) of his passes for 1,264 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was picked off three times.
“Aidan’s come a long way,” Smeltz said. “Last year, he started out the season kind of rough, but he took to the hard coaching and ended up being second-team all-league. At the end of the year, he was playing at a really high level.”
