2022 Lancaster-Lebanon High School League Football by LNP Media Group, Inc.

Ex pe rience th e difference. Opening Oc t. 3 LMC-19194 -23 18 6253 081622 LANCASTER-LEBANON LEAGUE L-L LEAGUE WELCOMES 13 NEW TEAMS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW AUGUST 24, 2022

Penn Manor quarterback Eli Warfel looks for a teammate to hand off to against Conestoga Valley at Millersville University’s Biemesderfer Stadium on Aug. 27, 2021. As opening night 2022 approaches, Warfel will be back with the Comets for another

Wilson is the defending section champ and last year’s District Three Class 6A runner-up, but the Bulldogs must replace their QB, running back and 13 starters overall. Still, Wilson has shown the ability to reload year after year, and has one of the most dynamic weapons in the league in receiver/returner/D-back Cam Jones, an all-state pick last fall. Manheim Township returns 2,000yard passer Hayden Johnson, but both the Blue Streaks and Hempfield have plenty of fresh faces up front.

Exeter is the defending District Three Class 5A champ, but lost a ton of talent to graduation. Still, the Ea gles return two-way lineman Anthony Caccese (University of Delaware commit), O-lineman Lucas Palange (all-Berks last season) and tight end Joey Schlaffer (Penn State commit), who might play QB this season. Governor Mifflin and Warwick should remain competitive, though it’s still too early to know their makeup with so many new faces. Conestoga Valley, Lebanon and Muhlenberg hope to take steps for ward.

LNP | LANCASTER, PA2 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE

L-S, after reaching a district title game the last three years and coming away with two district crowns, returns four O-linemen and should be strong on defense. If the Pioneers can fill in the gaps at QB, running back and tight end, they should be in contention.

RACES

Cedar Crest should remain com petitive, while McCaskey and Reading hope to take steps forward.

Meanwhile, Annville-Cleona and Schuylkill Valley had a combined five wins last season but are optimistic in their abilities to be competitive this fall.Lancaster Catholic and Northern Lebanon are both youthful in terms of varsity reps, but should have enough pieces to make things interesting. Kutztown and Pequea Valley had a combined five wins last season and hope to take steps forward this fall. n John Walk covers high school football for LNP. Email him at jwalk@lnpnews.com, and fol low him on Twitter at @JWalkLNP.

Section Two

Expect to again see Wilson, Hemp field and Manheim Township near the top, while Penn Manor potentially knocks on the door.

JOHN WALK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

SECTIONAL

Section Three This section might be as wide open as any in the league. The early con tenders appear to be Solanco, Twin Valley and possibly Elizabethtown. While Solanco will need to find a fullback to carry the load, its tripleoption scheme will be steered by a re turning QB, a speed back and a strong O-line.Twin Valley is coming off its first district playoff appearance and will return its QB and entire O-line. E-town returns its QB, top six ball carriers, four of its top six receivers, its entire O-line and plenty of pieces on defense for a new head coach who has injected energy into a program in need of Danielit.Boone, Ephrata, Fleetwood and Garden Spot should all be com petitive as well.

Penn Manor finished 5-5 overall a year ago — the Comets’ first non-los ing season since 2014 — but just one win came in section play. Now PM has one of the most veteran lineups in the league and aspirations to compete for a section crown.

In the mix: Berks Catholic and Co calico. Competitive: Donegal and Elco. To be determined: Conrad Weiser and Octorara.

Larger league has new competition landscape Here’s a snapshot at each of the five potential section races in the 37-team Lancaster-Leb anon League, now featuring Berks League opponents, this fall.

Section One

The early favorites appear to be Ex eter and Manheim Central. The Barons have a new QB and a few new O-linemen, but should give ev eryone a game while gathering power points for the District Three Class 4A bracket, where MC could potentially make a deep November push.

Section Five Hamburg, after picking up its first district playoff win last season, might be the early favorite. The Hawks are experienced on D, and their O is using the spread to take advantage of the cannon arm of returning QB Xander Menapace, who has some weapons on the outside and three returning O-linemen.IfColumbia, with 15 starters back from last year’s district semifinal team, can get things squared away at QB, the Crimson Tide should have few problems putting up points, while new coach Brady Mathias attempts to tighten up the defense.

ANDYseason.BLACKBURN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Section Four Wyomissing is your favorite. That’s to be expected, considering the Spar tans reached the state finals in backto-back years, are 42-3 in their last 45 games and haven’t lost a regular season game since 2018. They’re high lighted by O-lineman Jven Williams, a Penn State recruit. Wyo’s Week 10 matchup with Lampeter-Strasburg could decide the section crown.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 3AUGUST 24, 2022 Sports Medicine Specialists No matter how you like to be active, our Sports Medicine team provides non-surgical care for a wide range of injuries and conditions, from muscle strains and joint pain to nutrition counseling. We are here to get you back to your game. Schedule an appointment with our Sports Medicine team at LGHealth. org/SportsMed or call 717-627-7675. LIFE AT FULL SPEED Sports Medicine Lititz, Elizabethtown and Parkesburg L-L League Football 2022 IN THIS ISSUE • Season Overview: What’s in store this year 2 • Cover Story: 13 teams from Berks County join forces with L-L to make up a 37-team super-conference ..............4-5 • Section One: Capsule previews of Cedar Crest, Hempfield, Manheim Township, McCaskey, Penn Manor, Reading and Wilson ..........................................6-7 • 2022 Schedule: Team-by-team grid 8-9 • Section Two: Capsule previews of Conestoga Valley, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Lebanon, Manheim Central, Muhlenberg and Warwick 10-12 • Section Three: Capsule previews of Daniel Boone, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Fleetwood, Garden Spot, Solanco and Twin Valley 13-15 • Section Four: Capsule previews of Berks Catholic, Cocalico, Conrad Weiser, Donegal, Elco, Lampeter-Strasburg, Octorara and Wyomissing ................. 16-17 • Section Five: Capsule previews of ON THE COVER Berks Catholic’s Jay Jay Jordan takes part in a photo shoot at Exeter High School on Aug. 9. Look for a gallery from the shoot and a time lapse video at LancasterOnline.com. Photo by Chris Knight, cover design by Chris Emlet. Special thanks to Wyomissing’s Jven Williams, Exeter’s Joey Schla er and Berks Catholic’s Jordan for their patience and cooperation as well as Exeter AD Tom Legath for facilitating the use of their auxiliary gym for the shoot, and Je Pittenger and Je Reinhart for their assistance. EDITOR Laura Eckert Thompson SPECIAL SECTION WRITERS Jeff Reinhart • John Walk PHOTOS Andy Blackburn • Chris Knight Mark Palczewski Full team previews will appear in LNP and LancasterOnline.com/SportsatPREVIEWWRITERS David Bohr • Dave Byrne Mike Gross • Jason Guarente Andrew Kehe • Andrew Koob Brian Markley • Kyle Morgan Jeff Reinhart • Brian Rippey Daryl Simione • John Walk Annville-Cleona, Columbia, Hamburg, Kutztown, Lancaster Catholic, Northern Lebanon, Pequea Valley and Schuylkill Valley 18-19

COVER STORY

BRING ON, BERKS

| STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER EXPANSION, page 5

JEFF REINHART HIGH SCHOOL

An idea first hatched in 2018 is coming to fruition as 13 Berks League football teams are ready to kick it off with the L-L League It’s finally happening. After a proposal, a multitude of meet ings, a vote and a couple of long years crossing off dates on the calendar, the time is now for the new-look Lancaster-Leba non League football circuit, with 13 Berks County gridiron programs coming aboard as associate members to form a 37-team, five-section colossal conference. There’s been plenty of jostling and tweaking going on behind the scenes since the Berks League representatives first approached L-L League officials about a potential alliance back in 2018. The L-L Secondary Association voted to approve the Berks pigskin programs as associate

FOOTBALL

LNP | LANCASTER, PA4 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE 705 OLDE HICKORY ROAD LANCASTER, THPA ROWING TOUCHDOWNS SINCE ‘76. 717-560-9733

From left, Berks Catholic’s Jay Jay Jordan, Exeter’s Joey Schlaffer and Wyomissing’s Jven Williams are among the standout players join ing the Lancaster-Lebanon League landscape for the 2022 season.CHRISKNIGHT

Expansion

“We’ve created a super league,” L-L League Board of Control president Bill Giovino, Lebanon’s former football coach, said after that much-anticipated vote.

Some four years later, after all of those meetings, a vote and waiting out the countdown clock, the L-L League/Berks League partnership is finally on the launchpad. As associate members, the 13 Berks programs can only vote on L-L League football-related issues moving forward.“It’sbeen a bit of a process to get to this point, but we’re excited that it’s all worked out, especially for the kids,” Con rad Weiser coach Alan Moyer said. “This is going to be great for everybody. We were cautiously optimistic at the start, but it was definitely time to do this. Now we’reThehere.”keysare in the ignition, and after a week of heat acclimatization practices, training camp and a scrimmage, the Week One games are on tap and all systems are go for the much-anticipated L-L/Berks liftoff.Three teams will be making a return trip to the L-L League; Governor Mifflin

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 5AUGUST 24, 2022

Continued from 4 (1975-2003), Muhlenberg (1975-80) and Reading (1987-2009) are back for their second tours of duty in the conference.

“I was all for it,” Wilson coach Doug Dahms added. “Not that it affects us much, but it really helps the smaller schools, and helping them out with scheduling. The bottom line is this: It’s going to be week in and week out for ev erybody. And that’s why I thought it was an awesome move.”

members — by a 19-5 count, with one abstention — on May 6, 2020.

Wilson, which is situated in West Lawn in Berks County, joined the L-L League as an associate football member back in 1975 and never left. There is one other Berks County school that has a football program, but won’t be joining the L-L League; Boyertown par ticipates in the Pioneer Athletic Confer ence in suburban Philadelphia, and the Bears are staying put there. With 13 Berks Country teams now join ing the L-L League, that signals the end of the Berks League — formerly the Berks Intra-County League, or I-C for short — which was on the books for 65 glorious years. The L-L League, which debuted in 1972, is set for its 51st season of football this“Thisfall.is good for the L-L League, and it’s really great for Berks,” said Donegal coach Chad Risberg, who is the L-L League Quarterback Club president. “I know this is really going to help out the smaller schools for both leagues. Everyone is playing pretty much to their classifica tion, and that’s a good thing.” The five sections were aligned by PIAA classification. There are seven teams each in the top three sections, and eight teams apiece in the lower two sections. One of the issues in the Berks League over the years was scheduling headaches. That will no longer be an issue, which was a huge selling point to the smaller programs in the L-L League when this process began four years ago. “In Berks Section One, we only had five league games, so we had to go out and find five nonleague games every year,” longtime Berks Catholic coach Rick Keeley said. “Now, to be playing teams in this league that are our own size, we’re really excited about that. I’m excited this happened, and I’m excited to get into a new league and create some new rivalries. This seems like a great fit.” Especially if you enjoy heated sec tion races. The Section One landscape shouldn’t change too much with just the addition of Reading. But Section Two, with heavyweights like Manheim Central, Warwick, Governor Mifflin and defend ing District Three Class 5A champ Exeter, is shaping up to be a terrific race. Mean while, Section Four features three-time reigning District Three Class 3A champ and back-to-back PIAA finalist Wyomiss ing, plus longtime district powers like Berks Catholic, Lampeter-Strasburg and Cocalico.TheSection Three race and the Section Five race, meanwhile, should be wide open, with plenty of contenders stepping up to the “There’splate.nolonger like a top 1-2 in each section,” Manheim Central coach Dave Hahn noted. “It’s going to be like fourdeep — if not more — in all the sections.” And ultimately, that’s why the Berks County folks pushed for this: Easing up the scheduling process for all teams involved, and competition across the board, for the brand-name schools in the upper classifications, and especially for the smaller schools who are looking to gain some traction in their football programs.“Iwasfor it because I didn’t want it to get to the point where teams were drop ping football,” Exeter coach Matt Bauer said. “I thought this was the right thing to do all along, and we never had any reservations about doing it. I look at the teams in Section Five. Those teams will really benefit from this. Schuylkill Valley. Kutztown. Hamburg. Heck, for all of Berks football, this was a great thing.”

n Jeff Reinhart covers high school football for LNP. Email him at jreinhart@lnpnews.com, and follow him on Twitter at @JeffReinhart77.

Berks County Interscholastic Ath letic Association director Kerry Ciatto, Governor Mifflin athletic director Pat Tulley and Hamburg athletic director Aaron Menapace initially approached L-L League football chairperson Tommy Long, Annville-Cleona’s athletic director, about the Berks teams potentially joining forces in January 2018.

CHRIS KNIGHT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTOS

Wyomissing’s Jven Williams, above, and Exeter’s Joey Schlaffer, below, are among the new wave of players coming into the L-L League from Berks County this season.

It’s been a bit of a process to get to this point, but we’re excited that it’s all worked out, especially for the kids. This is going to be great for everybody. We were this.definitelyoptimisticcautiouslyatthestart,butitwastimetodoNowwe’rehere.

— Alan Moyer, Conrad Weiser coach

QUESTION MARKS

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 6A n Head coach: George Eager (third season, 11-9) n Base offense: Pro Style n Base defense: 3-4 n 2021 results: 7-5 (3-2 L-L) n Key players returning: WR-DB Gabe Benjamin, K Cannon Biscoe, DB Braydon Felsinger, WR Andy Garcia, WR Micah Gates, RB-LB Grant Hoover, TE-LB Jacob Karkoska, RB Stephen Katch, OT-DE Deyvid Palepale, OG-DT Mike Shaffer, TE-LB Aidan Shorter, DB Brian Williams. MARKS Who replaces all-star dual-threat QB Cam Harbaugh behind center? Here are three names to familiarize yourself with: Cody Gehres, who took some snaps last fall, Jackson Landis and Katch, a former QB in the system, are listed on Eager’s preseason notables. As an added bonus, whoever wins the QB job will have plenty of returning skill-kid talent flanking him.

QUESTION

n There are any number of key — and beefy — O-line guys to replace up front; Wes Hoffman, Quinn Kavannaugh, Michael O’Hara, Alex Romano and Carter Rusnak, who were all trench stalwarts and people-movers for the Streaks, have exited stage left. Township must also replace Big 33 pick and Penn State recruit Anthony Ivey on the flanks, scat-back Isaiah Jones (Coastal Carolina recruit) out of the backfield, gritty ’backer and D ringleader Ty Washington, and specialist du jour Matt O’Gorman. Among others. Can’t lie: The Streaks’ key-players-lost list makes you scratch your head. But Evans’ preseason roster is a sturdy 73 players deep, so the reinforcements are coming.

n Despite the loss of Harbaugh, there is plenty to like in Landisville. Like the return of two-way thumper Palepale to anchor both lines. He has scholarship offers from Temple and Louisville in his back pocket, before playing a single down in his junior season. More good news: Reliable safety-men Felsinger and Williams are back to patrol the deep middle, and cover-man Benjamin returns to help anchor the secondary. Hempfield should also be strong at linebacker, where Hoover, Karkoska and Shorter return to inflict more damage there. Hoover and Katch are reliable ballcarriers out of the backfield, and those guys, plus Garcia and Gates returning on the flanks, will help out the new QB. Hempfield will also feature one of the top returning specialists in the league in Biscoe. Do not underestimate that. Some grad losses, sure. Hey, it happens. But there is a lot of good momentum flowing in the Knights’ camp. Definitely keep an eye on what this crew is doing, especially when the Section One race starts percolating.

OUTLOOK n Skill kids aplenty due back for Cedar Crest, including a veteran passer in Huber behind center, plus a trio of pass-catching stalwarts in wideouts Groff and Heisey and Schomp at TE. As mentioned, Richards and his sleek, make-people-miss abilities will be missed. But Marquez, Abreu and Gonzalez all got ample touches out of the backfield last fall, combining for 486 yards on 98 carries with four TD runs. It’s their time to shine now. And in McLaughlin, the Falcons will feature a dynamic edge rusher to spark the defense. The Falcons always find a way to navigate their way through the Section One thicket and make everyone sweat it out. Ask Hempfield and Manheim Township in recent years. The O playmakers are definitely here to keep everyone’s D coordinators up late at night in front of the video machine. KNIGHTS

EvansMark

n Head coach: Mark Evans (11th season, 79-36) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 3-5 n 2021 results: 6-5 (3-2 L-L) n Key players returning: RBLB Declan Clancy, C-LB Austin Day, RB-DB Nick Good, QB Hayden Johnson, WR Landon Kennel, WR-DB Charlie Kingsbury, RB-LB Jake Laubach, DE Eli Rodriguez, DB Asher Wolfe.

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BLUE STREAKS

n PIAA: Class 6A

GeorgeEager WildasinRob

THE PLAYBOOK

HEMPFIELD BLACK

OUTLOOK

QUESTION MARKS

OUTLOOK

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n Find some new O-line road graders up front, and the rest of the offense is in great shape with Johnson, a 2,000-yard passer last fall, back for his junior season. He’ll have a couple of sure-handed wideouts at his disposal in Kennel and Kingsbury, giving the Streaks an outstanding pitch-and-catch trio. The backfield is also in good shape with Good and Laubach returning to get carries and keep an eye on safety-man Wolfe in the back, and Clancy, who had a hello-world freshman season last fall. There are some big holes to spackle in the Streaks’ camp, so it might look a bit different when Township hits the field at Cumberland Valley in Week One. But we don’t think it will take very long for Evans and his lieutenants to get said holes smoothed over and have the Streaks very much in the thick of the Section One chase when crunch time rolls around.

The obvious one is the loss of Aadyn Richards, a four-year contributor, ace ballcarrier and tackle machine. He’ll be missed on both sides of the ball. Keep an eye on the line of scrimmage; the Falcons, who are the smallest Class 6A outfit in the L-L League, and the second-smallest big-school team in all of District Three behind Red Lion, are going to need some trench depth playing in the beefy confines of what is the vaunted Section One race. Schwartz and Lambros return to anchor the O-line, but they’ll have some newbies flanking them.

LNP | LANCASTER, PA6 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION ONE: TEAM BY TEAM CEDAR CREST FALCONS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 6A n Head coach: Rob Wildasin (seventh season, 41-38) n Base offense: Spread, Zone Run n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 5-4 (3-2 L-L) n Key players returning: RB-DB Alex Abreu, LB Roman Brummel, RB-DB Isaiah Gonzalez, WR-DE Nolan Groff, WR-DE Ethan Heisey, QB Jay Huber, C Nick Lambros, RB-LB Fernando Marquez, DE Eric McLaughlin, TE Aiden Schomp, OT-DT Connor Schwartz.

MCCASKEY RED TORNADO THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 6A n Head coach: Ben Thompson (second season, 2-8) n Base offense: Multi Motion n Base defense: 3-4 n 2021 results: 2-8 (0-5 L-L) n Key players returning: WR Will Almeyda, TE-LB Jose Garcia, QB Matthew Remash.

Head coach: Troy Godinet (first season) Base offense: Shotgun Spread n Base defense: Multiple n 2021 results: 1-7 (0-4 Berks)

QUESTION MARKS n Can the Comets build off last season’s success, and keep developing the intestinal fortitude to annually compete with the elite Section One programs?

Key players returning: DB Xavier Beatty, QB-DB Amier Burdine, OL Romeo Fuentes, LB Gabe Laws, DL Karim Martinez, DB David Philistin, OL Jose Torres.

THE PLAYBOOK PIAA: Class 6A Head coach: Doug Dahms (17th season, 17035)

Base offense: Zone Read Base defense: 4-4, 4-3 2021 results: 9-4 (5-0 L-L)

Remash sets to fire a pass downfield on Sept. 10, 2021. ANDY BLACKBURN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER H M I ALDEMAN ECHANICAL NC. 717-665-6910 Sales and 24-Hour Service www.haldemanmechanical.com PLUMBING - HEATING - COOLING WATER CONDITIONING PA7777 Service Since 1939 Ser ving Lancaster Since 1968 Lancaster ’s #1 Cheesesteak! GOOD LUCK MCCASKEY! 600 W. Orang e St. Lancast er • 717-392- 9929 ThompsonBen L-L SECTION ONE: TEAM BY TEAM

QUESTION MARKS

READING RED KNIGHTS

OUTLOOK n Wilson does return some serious studs, and Dahms is particularly A-OK with the Bulldogs’ returning D talent. That includes ’backers Farrell and McMillian, Weitzel, an edge rusher, and Cam Jones, the reigning Section One DB of the Year. Dendall and Hopp return to anchor the O-line, Rada — who booted the gamewinning FG in the waning seconds to beat Central York in the district semifinals last fall — is back, and the new QB will have an ultra-reliable target in Kline, a bluechip TE. We’re anxious to see how Jones follows up his jaw-dropping junior season, when he returned seven kickoffs/punts for touchdowns, piled up 1,375 all-purpose yards and scored 13 touchdowns in all. He’s a can’t-miss talent. JEFF

REINHART

QUESTION MARKS n Fresh faces aplenty in Tornado Alley, where Thompson, now the full-time skipper after guiding McCaskey in an interim role last fall, must replace 16 total starters, including nine offensive weapons from 2021. That includes the Tornado’s entire starting O-line, so McCaskey will be breaking in a gaggle of first-time starters up front in the all-important trench department. Keep your eyes peeled on that group’s maturation process.

OUTLOOK n Godinet says his squad should be strong up front — Fuentes and Torres return to anchor the O-line — and that’s certainly a great start for Reading, as it rejoins the L-L League and preps to see plenty of big boys in the trenches in the coming months. The Knights lost some key-cog playmakers to graduation — WR DeShawn Wilson scored five touchdowns in a nonleague victory over Lebanon last fall — but the return of Burdine to pilot the ship should definitely help, as Reading says hello to some old 6Afriends.title game, must replace Hoffman behind center, and Dahms’ preseason notes have Tommy Hunsicker and Adam Woods looking to win that job. Replacing Jones as the feature back won’t be easy, but look for Cleveland Harding and Nick Fiorino to get more carries moving forward, as Wilson must replace 13 total starters in all.

Key players returning: DB Eddie Case, DB Nick Cracona, OT Jack Dendall, LB Landon Farrell, OG Brendan Hopp, TE Brady Kline, WR-DB Cam Jones, LB Ryan McMillian, K Ben Rada, DB Spencer Thenga, DE Nick Weitzel.

Burdine returns under center after missing all of last season with a cranky shoulder. The quicker he can get cozy, the better, as the Knights will have a new WILSON BULLDOGS

PENN MANOR COMETS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 6A n Head coach: John Brubaker (eighth season, 16-52) n Base offense: Triple Option, Spread n Base defense: 4-2-5, 3-3 n 2021 results: 5-5 (1-4 L-L) n Key players returning: RB Noah Bolin, LB Adam Ditmer, TE-DE Mike Evans, WR-LB Q.J. Hanna, RB-LB Jimmy Keck, OG-DE Jordan Martin, RB-LB Jon Osman, DT Sebastian Rivera, K-P Peter Skiadas, WR-DB DeShawn Staley, RB-LB Spencer Stuart, C-DT Kyle Sullenberger, WR-DB Clark Wagstaff, QBDB-P Eli Warfel, OT-DT Ty Washington, C-DT Peyton Witmer.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 7AUGUST 24, 2022 BrubakerJohn GodinetTroyDougDahmsMcCaskey QB

leader in Godinet, a former standout player for Reading. He’s spent the last four years as the Knights’ linebacker coach and D-coordinator, and he slides in for Andre Doyle in the captain’s seat this season. Godinet has seized the reins and hit the ground running, as Reading, which is just 1-12 over its last two seasons, looks to get things turned around.

QUESTION MARKS Wilson lost a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Jadyn Jones and Brad Hoffman, so finding some new go-to, playmaking skill kids in the backfield will be a top priority. The Bulldogs, fresh off a trip to last year’s District Three Class Matthew help out in the pitch-and-catch department. Meanwhile, Garcia returns to anchor the D from his LB spot. Should be plenty of athletes in tow for McCaskey. But keep an eye on both lines, especially the new-look O-line corps. They’ll need to bond. Quickly. Brubaker certainly hopes so, after watching his team pull off some excellent late-game heroics last fall. Ask Warwick and Solanco. The pieces are here; check out that lengthy key-players-returning list. Now it’s up to the current batch of players to take the next step and start climbing the Section One leaderboard.

OUTLOOK n Thompson’s biggest scheme tweak will come on the defensive side, where he’s installed a 3-4 look after McCaskey went 4-2-5 on D last fall. The best news in Tornado camp is that Remash returns for his third season behind center, and he has a big arm. Having Almeyda back on the flanks will

OUTLOOK n Some great news first: Penn Manor is set to return 16 total starters, and that’s an awesome start for a program itching to turn the corner. Warfel returns to pilot the offense, and he should get plenty of protection from a veteran O-line, anchored by Martin, Sullenberger, Washington and Witmer. Bolin and Osman both got ample carries out of the backfield last fall, while Staley, Hanna and Wagstaff are experienced flank pass-catchers; Wagstaff hauled in the Hail Mary TD pass from Warfel to stun Warwick at the horn last fall. Keep an eye on Ditmer from his LB slot, and Skiadas returns as a reliable booter. Have to believe Penn Manor keeps trending upward this time around. A win over one of those usual-suspect Section One favorites would certainly get everyone’s attention.

CAPSULES BY

THE PLAYBOOK PIAA: Class 6A

LNP | LANCASTER, PA8 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ALL GAMES START AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTEDDenotes HOME games Facebook, Twitter & Instagram Connect with us SECTION ONE AUG. 26 SEPT. 2 SEPT. 9 SEPT. 16 SEPT. 23 SEPT. 30 OCT. 7 OCT. 14 OCT. 21 OCT. 28 CEDAR CREST FALCONS Abraham Lincoln CentralEastDauphin Warwick Penn Manor Wilson Reading TownshipManheim McCaskey Hempfield Lebanon HEMPFIELD BLACK KNIGHTS Dallastown York Central York McCaskey TownshipManheim Penn Manor Wilson Exeter Cedar Crest Reading MANHEIM TWP. BLUE STREAKS CumberlandValley Dallastown Harrisburg (Sept. 10, 1 p.m.) Spring-Ford Hempfield McCaskey Cedar Crest Reading Penn Manor Wilson McCASKEY RED TORNADO John Bartram at Villanova Stadium (Aug. 27, 1 p.m.) Elizabethtown Cedar Cliff Hempfield WhitemarshPlymouth- TownshipManheim Reading Cedar Crest Wilson Penn Manor PENN MANOR COMETS Conestoga Valley Lampeter-Strasburg Solanco Cedar Crest Reading Hempfield Daniel Boone Wilson TownshipManheim McCaskey READING RED KNIGHTS CentralEastDauphin Muhlenberg Red Lion Wilson Penn Manor Cedar Crest McCaskey TownshipManheim Central York Hempfield WILSON BULLDOGS Roman Catholic Central Dauphin MartinKingLuther Reading Cedar Crest Gov. Mifflin (Oct. 1, 1 p.m.) Hempfield Penn Manor McCaskey TownshipManheim SECTION TWO AUG. 26 SEPT. 2 SEPT. 9 SEPT. 16 SEPT. 23 SEPT. 30 OCT. 7 OCT. 14 OCT. 21 OCT. 28 CONESTOGA VALLEY BUCKSKINS Penn Manor Daniel Boone Garden Spot Warwick Solanco Lebanon Gov. Mifflin Manheim Central Exeter Muhlenberg EXETER EAGLES Daniel Boone Boyertown West York Gov. Mifflin Lebanon Warwick Muhlenberg Hempfield Conestoga Valley Manheim Central GOVERNOR MIFFLIN MUSTANGS Spring-Ford Carlisle Boyertown Exeter Muhlenberg Wilson (Oct. 1, 1 p.m.) Conestoga Valley Lebanon Manheim Central Warwick LEBANON CEDARS Palmyra Garden Spot Ephrata Muhlenberg Exeter Conestoga Valley Manheim Central Gov. Mifflin Warwick Cedar Crest MANHEIM CENTRAL BARONS WestEastChester Immaculata Cocalico Susquehannock Warwick Muhlenberg Lebanon Conestoga Valley Gov. Mifflin Exeter MUHLENBERG MUHLS Octorara Reading Daniel Boone Lebanon Gov. Mifflin Manheim Central Exeter Warwick Ephrata Conestoga Valley WARWICK WARRIORS Cocalico Ephrata Cedar Crest Conestoga Valley Manheim Central Exeter Souderton (6:30 p.m.) Muhlenberg Lebanon Gov. Mifflin SECTION THREE AUG. 26 SEPT. 2 SEPT. 9 SEPT. 16 SEPT. 23 SEPT. 30 OCT. 7 OCT. 14 OCT. 21 OCT. 28 DANIEL BOONE BLAZERS Exeter Conestoga Valley Muhlenberg Garden Spot Ephrata Elizabethtown Penn Manor Solanco Twin Valley Fleetwood ELIZABETHTOWN BEARS Donegal (Aug. 27, 10 a.m.) McCaskey Lower Dauphin at HersheyparkStadium Red Lion Twin Valley Daniel Boone Solanco Fleetwood Garden Spot Ephrata EPHRATA MOUNTAINEERS Red Lion Warwick Lebanon Solanco Daniel Boone Garden Spot Fleetwood Twin Valley Muhlenberg Elizabethtown FLEETWOOD TIGERS Kutztown Conrad Weiser PerkiomenUpper Twin Valley Garden Spot Kennard-Dale (Oct. 1, 7 p.m.) Ephrata Elizabethtown Solanco Daniel Boone GARDEN SPOT SPARTANS Conrad Weiser Lebanon Conestoga Valley Daniel Boone Fleetwood Ephrata Twin Valley Central Mountain Elizabethtown Solanco SOLANCO GOLDEN MULES Lampeter-Strasburg Cocalico Penn Manor Ephrata Conestoga Valley Twin Valley Elizabethtown Daniel Boone Fleetwood Garden Spot TWIN VALLEY RAIDERS Schuylkill Valley Lower Dauphin Conrad Weiser Fleetwood Elizabethtown Solanco Garden Spot Ephrata Daniel Boone Hatboro-Horsham

Pottsville Trinity (Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m.) Berks Catholic Elco Donegal Cocalico (Oct. 8, 1:30 p.m.) Conrad Weiser Octorara Lamp.-Strasburg (Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m.) 26 SEPT. 2 SEPT. SEPT. SEPT. OCT. OCT. OCT. OCT. 28

COLUMBIA York Hanover Elco LancasterCatholic Annville-Cleona Pequea Valley Schuylkill Valley NorthernLebanon Kutztown Hamburg Annville-Cleona Kutztown LancasterCatholic Pequea Valley Schuylkill Valley NorthernLebanon Columbia York Tech (Sept. 3, 1 p.m.) Nativity BVM Schuylkill Valley Hamburg Annville-Cleona NorthernLebanon LancasterCatholic Columbia Pequea Valley CATHOLIC Catholic Delone Catholic (Sept. 1, 7 p.m.) Octorara Columbia NorthernLebanon Hamburg Annville-Cleona Kutztown Pequea Valley Schuylkill Valley LEBANON Grove SusquehannaTownship York Tech Pequea Valley LancasterCatholic Schuylkill Valley Kutztown Columbia Hamburg Annville-Cleona Octorara Hanover NorthernLebanon Schuylkill Valley Columbia Hamburg Annville-Cleona LancasterCatholic Kutztown Valley PerkiomenUpper Susquenita Kutztown Pequea Valley NorthernLebanon Columbia Hamburg Annville-Cleona LancasterCatholic

KUTZTOWN COUGARS Fleetwood

FOUR

VIKINGS Pine

Solanco Penn Manor Kennard-Dale

Starting with this special capsule edition, plus full season previews of all 37 teams in print and online this week, we’ll have you covered for all your L-L football needs this season. Each week offers several ways to find football content beyond our traditional previews, features and game coverage.

OCTORARA BRAVES Muhlenberg Pequea Valley

Kennard-Dale (Aug. 27, 1:30 p.m.)

HAMBURG HAWKS Halifax Warrior Run Fairfield

PEQUEA VALLEY BRAVES Biglerville

WYOMISSING SPARTANS

CRUSADERS York

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 9AUGUST 24, 2022 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ALL GAMES START AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTEDDenotes HOME games

Donegal Cocalico Octorara Berks Catholic Elco Conrad Weiser Wyomissing (Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m.)

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY PANTHERS Twin

SEPT. 9

COCALICO EAGLES Warwick Solanco Manheim Central Octorara Lampeter-Strasburg Elco Wyomissing (Oct. 8, 1:30 p.m.) Donegal Berks Catholic Conrad Weiser

Sports writer Jeff Reinhart interviews Manheim Township’s Hayden Johnson in the video suite during this year’s Lancaster-Lebanon League high school football media day, held at the LNP offices in Lancaster on Aug. 5.CHRIS | PHOTOGRAPHER

CONRAD WEISER SCOUTS Garden Spot Fleetwood Twin Valley Elco (Sept. 17, 6 p.m.) Octorara Berks Catholic Donegal Wyomissing Lampeter-Strasburg Cocalico

Littletown Hamburg Columbia Kutztown LancasterCatholic Pequea Valley Schuylkill Valley NorthernLebanon

NOR.

CRIMSON TIDE Eastern

LANC.

ANNVILLE-CLEONA DUTCHMEN Hanover Elco (Sept. 1, 7 p.m.)

York Suburban Palmyra Lampeter-Strasburg Berks Catholic Wyomissing Conrad Weiser Cocalico Elco Octorara ELCO RAIDERS West York Annville-Cleona (Sept. 1, 7 p.m.) Columbia Conrad Weiser (Sept. 17, 6 p.m.) Wyomissing Cocalico Octorara Lampeter-Strasburg Donegal Berks Catholic

SECTION FIVE AUG.

LancasterCatholic Cocalico Conrad Weiser Lampeter-Strasburg Elco Berks Catholic Wyomissing Donegal

Midweek, go online for the L-L Football Roundtable, where writers Jeff Reinhart, John Walk and Mike Gross interview players and coaches, recap the previous week’s action and preview the coming week’s matchups. In a new feature starting with Week One’s Warwick at Cocalico game, our video team will go live with a pregame report from the field about 15-20 minutes before gametime at our Game of the Week. That can be found via our weekly live scoreboard every Friday night at FiveLancasterOnline.daysaweek you can have the “L-L Football Exclusive” newsletter, curated by staff writer Jeff Reinhart, sent right to your email inbox. Each entry brings you news, notes and more. Or, if you want ALL the sports and stats, you can sign up for our LNP Sports Pass — a sports-only digital subscription — for just $4 a month. For more information or to sign up, visit LancasterOnline.com/sports WHO’S READY?

LAMP.-STRASBURG PIONEERS

DONEGAL INDIANS Elizabethtown (Aug. 27, 10 a.m.)

SECTION AUG. 26 SEPT. SEPT. SEPT. SEPT. SEPT. OCT. OCT. OCT. OCT. BERKS CATHOLIC SAINTS Loyalsock atEducationExecutiveAcad.MuhlenbergColl. Pope John Paul II (Sept. 10, 1 p.m.) Wyomissing Donegal Conrad Weiser Lampeter-Strasburg Octorara Cocalico Elco

STAFF

KNIGHT

OUTLOOK

n Key players returning:

LEBANON CEDARS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 6A n Head coach:

OUTLOOK

The reigning District Three Class 5A champs must replace two offensive and two defensive linchpins; QB Colin Payne, RB Eric Nangle, and hit-machine linebackers Ty Yocum and J.R. Strauss have all moved on after helping the Eagles claim their first district crown last fall. That’s a lot of yards, touchdowns and tackles to replace.

The good news is that there is a clean slate in the Cedars’ camp. Last year’s 0-10 mark is a distant memory, and with 18 total starters due back from last season, there should be plenty of familiarity in Lebanon’s locker room. The tricky news is that the Cedars have to get it turned around against a pretty dastardly schedule. They’ve spent the last two cycles down in Section Three to get the program sorted out and back on track. After a couple of momentum-building seasons — before last year’s winless campaign — now Lebanon must compete with the Manheim Centrals, Warwicks, Governor Mifflins and Exeters of the world, while lugging a 12-game losing skid into the season. Are they ready for what’s next? Isenberg sure hopes so.

n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Matt Bauer (14th season, 9352) n Base offense: Multiple n Base defense: 4-4 n 2021 results: 10-4 (3-1 Berks) n Key players returning: LB Miles Brandt, OT-DT Anthony Caccese, WR Isaiah Choy, WR-DB Jovan Hollis, RBTE-DE Richie Karstien, OG-DT Kyle Lash, OG-LB Lucas Palange, WR-DB Nathan Pashley, WR-DB Carter Redding, TE-DE Joey Reedy, TE Joey Schlaffer, TE-LB Zach Zandier.

(third season, 3-13) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 3-4 n 2021 results: 0-10

Conestoga Valley’s Nick Tran (3) stiff-arms Lampeter-Strasburg’s Beau Heyser during second-half action of an L-L football game in Witmer on Sept. 10, 2021. Tran, a 700-yard rusher last fall, is back for another go-round with the Bucks.

Brickle,

EXETER EAGLES

THE PLAYBOOK

The columnkey-players-lost-to-graduationwasnotkindtotheMustangs, who were absolutely humming right along last fall before being tripped up by rival Exeter in the district title game. The biggest graduation hit was Penn State recruit Nick Singleton, the top rusher and scorer in Berks County history. All he did last fall was gallop for 2,000-plus yards and score 44 touchdowns, while earning Gatorade National Player of the Year and Maxwell Club Player of the Year honors. Needless to say, he’ll be missed.

QUESTION MARKS

CHRIS KNIGHT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

Head coach: Jeff Lang (sixth season, 43-13) Base offense: Midline Option, Veer Base defense: 4-2-5 2021 results: 10-1 (3-0 Berks) Key players returning: RB-DB Ayden Martin, DB Gerrell McNeil, QB-DB Delsin McNeil.

OUTLOOK n Some key players to replace, yes. But the pantry is not empty at Exeter, especially in the all-important trench department, with hammer O-guards Palange and Lash and OT people-mover Caccese — a Delaware commit — all due back for more hand-tohand, line-of-scrimmage patrol. And this: Schlaffer, a Penn State commit and all-state TE returns, coming off back-to-back Berks Section One Receiver of the Year honors. He might have some QB duties in his immediate future; a former signal-caller in the Eagles’ pipeline, Schlaffer is in the mix for that job along with senior Mason Rotelli, according to Bauer’s preseason notables. Stay tuned. If Schlaffer doesn’t get that gig, he’ll be a terrific target up top for the Eagles, who will be retooling a tad. But the momentum in this program is sky-high. the Bucks will have plenty of it at QB, where Kneisley returns for his third season behind center. He must fiddle with two things: First, mastering CV’s new-look Pistol Wing-T scheme implemented by Scepanski, a QB at Solanco during his prep playing days, and a fresh face in Witmer after a long stint as Northeastern York’s skipper. Second, the Bucks will be breaking in pretty much an entirely new O-line, with just one full-timer, Stoltzfus, due back in the trenches. Two more names to remember: Swift is a stick machine, and Tran was a 700-yard rusher last fall.

LNP | LANCASTER, PA10 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION TWO: TEAM BY TEAM CONESTOGA VALLEY BUCKSKINS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Jon Scepanski (first season) n Base offense: Pistol Wing-T n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 3-7 (1-4 L-L) n Key players returning: QB Liam Cheek, QB Garrett Daniels, WR Kyle Jankowski, QB Macoy Kneisley, OT-DT Soren Stoltzfus, LB Robby Swift, RB-DB Nick Tran, TE-DE Wyatt Wolgemuth. QUESTION MARKS n Depth is a good thing, and

OUTLOOK n Heavy hearts in Buckskin Country, where these players and coaches are trying to cope with the loss of teammates Tyreese Smith and Tyler Zook, who died earlier this summer. Safe to say CV will dedicate its season to their fallen classmates, as they navigate a bumpy Section Two landscape.

ScepanskiJon BauerMatt

GOVERNOR MIFFLIN MUSTANGS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n

n Safe to say things will look a bit different in Shillington this time around, with plenty of fresh faces in any number of key places. Keep an eye on a trio of key returning players: Martin, Gerrell McNeil and Delsin McNeil are back to anchor the secondary on defense; Martin slides in for Singleton at RB while Delsin McNeil should get the full-time snaps behind center, after he went 6-for-6 passing in backup duty last fall. Lang must replace 17 total starters in all. That’s a big number for any program. But this program has been on a different level, and is aiming to stay there — new faces or otherwise. Frank Isenberg (0-5 L-L) WR-LB Braylon Beaver, RB-LB Adam Bowers, OG-DT Corbett WR-DB Derrick Briddel, OT Keith Ellis, TE-LB Will Figueroa, OT Colin Johnson, WR-DB Munir Lower, QB-LB Emanuel Mason, RB-DB Alexandel Orosco, RBLB Stephon Prester, WR-DB Julian Selmon, WR-DB Robert Spivey-Nickerson, WR-DB Zahir Stoner, RB-DE Jerry Torres, OG-DE Josiah Wright.

Plenty of familiar faces return on both sides of the ball for the Cedars, including some beef up front and a plethora of skill kids, including Mason, a dual-threat QB, behind center, plus pass-catching vets like Stoner, Selmon and Lower. The backfield should also be in good shape with Bowers and Orosco returning to tote the rock. Keep an eye on Lebanon’s defense, which yielded 2,000-plus rushing yards and more than 350 yards a game last fall. If the Cedars want to get everyone’s attention, they must stop people. Period.

IsenbergFrank

Jeff Lang

QUESTION MARKS

MANHEIM CENTRAL BARONS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 4A n Head coach: Dave Hahn (eighth season, 69-17) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 9-2 (4-1 L-L) n Key players returning: RBLB Rocco Daugherty, K Luke Forwood, OG-DT Cole Groff, QB-P Zac Hahn, WR-DB Brady Harbach, RBLB Nick Haas, OT-DT Wyatt Kupres, WR-DB Landon McGallicher, WR-DB Bode Sipel, TELB Kahlen Watt, RB-DE Jaden Weit. QUESTION MARKS n Central was back in 2021, erasing an un-Barons-like 3-5 campaign in COVID-19ravaged 2020. Central found itself back in the Section Two winner’s circle with gaudy numbers across the board, before getting bumped off by Exeter in the first round of the district playoffs. That should provide plenty of motivation for this crew, which will play in Class 5A-heavy Section Two, while gathering power points for the Class 4A bracket. And they’ll have to do it with 10 total new starters, including a bit of a retooled O-line. OUTLOOK n

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 11AUGUST 24, 2022 L-L SECTION TWO: TEAM BY TEAM

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While some big players — all-star linemen Ryland Fittery and Jeff Hauser and dual-threat QB Judd Novak — were lost to graduation, it’s not like Hahn and his staff are starting from scratch. First and foremost, the D is in terrific shape, with LB hammers Watt, Daugherty and Haas, plus Weit, an edge-blower-upper, all returning. More good news: O-line vets Groff and Kupres are due back in the trenches, where they’ll open holes and keep newbie QB Zac Hahn — the coach’s son — upright in his first season with an extended varsity run. Hahn showed off a big arm in backup duty last fall, and he should have the keys to the Barons’ sleek spread O this time around, with veteran wideouts Harbach, McGallicher and Sipel all due back. Weit also returns to the backfield to join Brycen Armold, a name you need to know moving forward. There’s plenty to like in Central’s camp. Tack on seven home dates, including five in a row early in the season, and the Barons should be thinking big.

HahnDave

Manheim Central’s Kahlen Watt (86) runs back an interception for a touchdown against Hempfield during the first half of an L-L football game at Elden Rettew Stadium in Manheim on Sept. 3, 2021.

Tucker Bellanca, WR-DB Giovanni Cavanna.

n Reed, who slung it around the lot last season for 2,431 passing yards with 20 TD strikes, returns. He knows Warwick’s offense inside and out, and despite the loss of Eckert, Fink and Royer, he’ll have plenty of talent at his disposal, including a trio of experienced backs in McClune, Winters and Snyder — who’s back from an injury that cost him most of last season — plus pass-catchers like Evans, Jeanes and Weik on the flanks. With Hess gone, keep an eye on McKnight to be the D ringleader, as the “Road Warriors” prep for an us-against-theworld kind of a season. C-LB

MARKS n

The Warriors, who are set to play eight road games as construction continues at refurbished Grosh Field, will have a heap of receptions, receiving yards and rushing yards to replace, now that playmakers Cooper Eckert, Ryan Fink and Christian Royer have skedaddled from last year’s Section Two tri-title squad. They’ll also miss Aaron Hess’ tough-as-nails leadership and blocking/tackling abilities on both sides of the ball. But it’s been a terrific era of gridiron success in Lititz, and with so many key-cog kids due back, we’re expecting Warwick to very much be in the race — even with that goofy, load-up-the-bus schedule looming.

OUTLOOK n Having Adonis, a two-way terror, and Bellanca, a Berks all-star pick last fall, back to anchor the O-line and defense is a solid start, and in Cavanna, Muhlenberg features a sure-handed flank veteran who will keep opposing D-backs busy in the passing game. Speaking of which, the Muhls need a new full-time QB behind center; keep an eye on Drew Fidler, Alberto Cruz, Isaiah Dobson and Aaden Lopez to duke it out for those duties. Kind of a tall task in this brutal section for this crew. Baby steps, Laureldale. Be patient. LorchakJohn Warwick QB Jack Reed passes for a touchdown on the opening drive against Hempfield Week action 2021.

in Lititz on Sept. 24,

OUTLOOK

QUESTION The Muhls are kicking and clamoring to snap out of this funk — they are just 2-27 in their last 29 outings — and now they’ve been slotted into Section Two, which will be anything but a cakewalk for all parties involved this fall. Lorchak has 16 total starters to replace, as the Muhls look to improve on the fly, while keeping everyone honest.

LNP | LANCASTER, PA12 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION TWO: TEAM BY TEAM LockerBob

MARK PALCZEWSKI | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE H M I ALDEMAN ECHANICAL NC. 717-665-6910 Sales and 24-Hour Service www.haldemanmechanical.com PLUMBING - HEATING - COOLING WATER CONDITIONING PA7777 Service Since 1939 GOOD LUCK WARWICK WARRIORS! PA7515 Cabinetr y For All Your Needs! 740 Rothsville Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 Phone: (717) 625-4456 • PA#025192 www.redrosecabinetr y.com GO WARRIORS! CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

MUHLENBERG MUHLS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: John Lorchak (third season, 1-16) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-4 n 2021 results: 1-9 (1-4 Berks) n Key players returning: TE-DE Mehki Adonis,

WARWICK WARRIORS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Bob Locker (22nd season, 113-107) n Base offense: 1-back Pistol n Base defense: 3-4 n 2021 results: 7-5 (4-1 L-L) n Key players returning: WR-DB Trevor Evans, TE-DE Thomas Jeanes, K Ian Jerchau, RB-LB Andrew McClune, DT Harman McKnight, OG Cody Miller, QB-P Jack Reed, RB-LB Brendon Snyder, LB Mahkel Tate, OG-LB Evan Tejada, WR-DB Tanner Weik, RB-DB Colin Winters, C-DE Ethan Zipko.

QUESTION MARKS

OUTLOOK n Now the good news, as Daniel Boone is set to return nine offensive weapons, including O-line stalwarts Meyer, Rulli, Quinter and Smith to anchor the trench unit. That can only help Rotter, who stepped in at QB last year in Week One when all-star Carter Speyerer went down with a cracked ankle. Rotter will have Burns back on the flanks as a go-to target, but the Blazers need to find some reliable ballcarriers out of the backfield. Still, it looks as if Daniel Boone will have the horses to make the O go, after going to the district playoffs last year. But they’ll need to stop people with a fresh D look to be frontrunners in the Section Three hunt.

THE PLAYBOOK

ELIZABETHTOWN BEARS

OUTLOOK

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 13AUGUST 24, 2022 L-L SECTION

n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Keith Stokes (first season) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 4-6 (1-4 L-L) n Key players returning: OT Bradley Candy, RB-DB Cade Capello, WR-DB Braden Cummings, RB-LB Hayden Haver, C Collin Huggins, RB-LB Logan Lentz, OT-DT Zack Lippold, RB-LB Elijah Macfarlane, OG Corbin Robinson, QB Josh Rudy.

n Base

n Start with Rudy, an 1,800-yard passer last fall, who loses Gilhool on the flanks, yes. But Cummings is a legitimate, deep-threat all-star playmaker. Remember that pitch-andcatch combo moving forward. More good news: Candy, Huggins, Lippold and Robinson are back to anchor the gotta-have O-line, and the defensive trio of Haver, Lentz and Macfarlane can all swarm and make sticks. Looking for a sleeper team to do damage in 2022? Hello, E-town. THREE: TEAM BY TEAM

Head coach: Rob Flowers (fifth season, 15-23) offense: Spread Base defense: 3-4 2021 results: 5-4 (2-1 Berks)

QUESTION MARKS

DANIEL BOONE BLAZERS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 4A n

FlowersRob StokesKeith Elizabethtown QB Josh Rudy, right, throws a pass under pressure from Solanco’s Cole Gladfelter during L-L League Week 10 action at Elizabethtown on Oct. 29, 2021. The Bears are welcoming back Rudy, who was an 1,800-yard passer last season. He’s lost his top target from a year ago to graduation, but this season has several other options with whom to connect, including wideout Braden Cummings.

QUESTION

The Blazers must replace seven defensive starters, including some veteran D-backs in the secondary. In anticipation of some new starters on that side of the ball, Flowers flushed Daniel Boone’s 4-4 scheme and installed a 3-4 D look heading into camp. We’ll see how that clicks, with the Blazers also needing to replace two D-tackles and a pair of linebackers — plus all-state kicker Nate Millard and all-star WR Alex Vassallo as Daniel Boone dips down to Class 4A from Class 5A last year.

Key players returning: WR Robbie Burns, TE-DE Draven Klick, LB Ethan Kryman, OT-DE Jordan Meyer, OG George Quinter, QB Dean Rotter, OG Tony Rulli, OT Jessie Smith, LB Ryan Souder. MARKS

n Stokes, a former college (East Carolina University) and pro (Canadian Football League, Arena Football League) standout, has taken the reins of the Bears’ program, and he hit the ground running, putting his troops through team-building conditioning drills this summer. There were some key losses in E-town after last season — Patrick Gilhool started out his prep career as a QB but ended up as a sure-handed wideout, and Riley Runnels was a twoway line terror, and now they’ve both moved on. But there is a lot due back in the Bears’ camp this season. And with Section Three there for the plucking, E-town has the weaponry to challenge for its first section title in 15 years. Safe to say the Bears are due to hoist some hardware.

CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

LNP | LANCASTER, PA14 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION THREE: TEAM

EPHRATA MOUNTAINEERS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Kris Miller (seventh season, 20-37) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 5-5 (2-3 L-L) n Key players returning: OG-DT MacGyver Balmer, WR-DB Evan Boley, TE-DE Cole Freeman, LB Seth Heinsey, K Chad Jones, WR-DB Jeremiah Knowles, TE-LB Quintin Pfautz, LB Travis Martin, QB-DB Sam McCracken, WR Mikey Nixon, OT-DT Weston Nolt, WR Clay Ringler, RB-DB Andre Weidman. QUESTION MARKS n Ephrata must replace some studs up front. Nolt, healthy after missing some time last fall, is back to anchor the trench units, and that’s a good thing, but there will be a lot of newbie faces joining him along the lines. Other than that, Ephrata is set to bring back a lot of firepower for a program that continues an upward trend. This team didn’t win for years and years and years. Now, thanks to Miller’s tutelage and a better-stocked feeder system, the Mounts have turned the corner. Now, can they punch their playoff tickets for just the second time in program history? That and making a run in the Section Three race should be a legitimate goal for this crew, which hasn’t played in a postseason game since 1987.

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QUESTION

MillerKris

OUTLOOK n Here are five names to know: Svoboda, Hare, Cody Harders, Leister and Yourkawitch. Set to anchor the O-line, those guys will be relied upon to keep Riffle upright. Do so, and he’ll have reliable receivers like Musitano, McFarland and Tomes at his disposal. Pangburn must replace 14 total starters in all. If the new guys can get up to speed quickly, there’s certainly enough momentum in the Tigers’ camp to make another postseason push, coming off last year’s trip to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

OUTLOOK n Welcome back, Mr. Weidman. The Mounts’ ace will be one of the top two-way talents in the league, coming off a dazzling 1,400-yard rushing season and all-star nods aplenty on his resume. Knowles, a special teams and open-field fiend, is another player to watch, and McCracken returns after taking over the QB duties midway through last season. There will be some new O and D linemen, as mentioned, but there are some key cogs due back on both sides of the ball, making Ephrata a serious threat every week out. BY TEAM

Ephrata’s Andre Weidman finds some running room in a game against Muhlenberg on Aug. 28, 2021. In 2022, Weidman is looking for a solid follow up to the 1,400-yard season he posted for the Mounts in 2021. Noah Yourkawitch. MARKS Pangburn, who supplanted Steve Beatty in the coaching seat, said his squad’s defense took some heavy graduation hits, and Fleetwood must also replace all-star QB Tanner Maddocks, who took his talents to Villanova. Replacing those D guys is a must, and it looks like Riffle, who got some backup time behind center in his ninth-grade season last fall, will slide into the full-time QB duties, piloting an offense that returns eight starters to a team that dips from Class 5A down to Class 4A this fall.

Head coach: Matt Zamperini (13th season in second stint, 63-71) Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-4 2021 results: 5-5 (3-1 L-L)

OUTLOOK

Key players returning: OT-DE Reed Gruber, QB Kye Harting, OG-DT Tyler Hurst, WR-DB Zac Nagle, OT Gabe Smeltz, TE-LB Blake Weaver, OGDT Cullen Witmer.

n If you’re talking Solanco football, it all starts with a blue-collar O-line opening holes in the Mules’ powerful triple-option scheme. They lost some key pieces along the line, but veteran holdovers Defrancesco, Furches, Pittman and Sankus are back to patrol the trenches. And that’s a solid start, with another vet, Mellinger, returning as the pitch-man and O maestro. Solanco must find an all-important fullback to carry the load. But in Forren, a real burner, the Mules have a trusty speed-back. Forren and Cunningham return to man the secondary. They are wily two-way vets in Solanco’s attack. PLAYBOOK PIAA: Class 4A Head coach: Brett Myers (first season) Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-2-5 2021 results: 6-5 (3-2 Berks) Key players returning: WR-DB Ethan Ameisen, OL Aris Drake, RB-LB Nick Harris, RB-DB Evan Johnson, OL Mason Ketner, DE Kyle Kline, OL Paul McClune, QB-DB Evan Myers, OL-DT Markell Norris, RB-DB Jordan Rose, OL-DE Ben Savidge, RB-DB Ben Taggert, RB-DL Ean Winchester. MARKS How long will it take the Raiders to get used to a new voice? Myers, an administrator in the school district who sports a 94-70 career coaching record with previous stops at Middletown and Pottstown, came on board during summer drills, replacing Kris Olsen. Everyone is hoping for a smooth transition, especially after the Raiders made a spirited run to the postseason for the first time in program history last fall. Myers’ coaching resume certainly speaks for itself — ask the good people in Middletown, who watched him guide the Blue Raiders to three district TonyCox MyersBrett

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 15AUGUST 24, 2022 L-L SECTION THREE: TEAM BY TEAM ZamperiniMatt

CAPSULES

TWIN VALLEY RAIDERS THE

n Myers gets to coach his son, Evan Myers, who took over the QB duties last fall in his ninth-grade season. According to Coach Myers’ preseason notes, five seasoned O-linemen are due back, along with a veteran wideout and five ball-carriers out of the backfield. Their task: Replacing Dom Caruso, the school’s all-time leading rusher, and Trey Freeman, who has the most career receiving yards in Berks County history. Sounds like a lot to replace. But there’s some good mojo going on at Twin Valley, which drops down from Class 5A to Class 4A this season.

MARK PALCZEWSKI | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE titles and three PIAA finals appearances in a row from 2016-18 — so here’s thinking everything will be A-OK in Elverson.

SOLANCO GOLDEN MULES

QUESTION MARKS n Depth, especially in the trenches, will be something to keep an eye on with the Mules, who are itching to get back with the lead pack and make a playoff push. Gut hunch is that if they do what they do best — beat you up in the trenches and unleash a run-first attack that’s not easy to prep for — Solanco will be in the race come late October, especially with 26 chiseled seniors on Cox’s roster.

QUESTION MARKS n Can the Spartans keep the momentum going and make a serious push for Section Three gold and a postseason invite? There are certainly some terrific vibes flowing in the program after last year’s finish, and with some key pieces back in the fold, Garden Spot should have some hefty expectations. Zamperini’s biggest concern: Developing depth, while getting some young players ready to go for their maiden varsity voyages. The Spartans, who bump up from Class 4A to Class 5A this fall, must also replace PIAA record-breaking K Walker Martin.

QUESTION

Solanco’s Josiah Forren leapfrogs a would be tackler from Lampeter-Strasburg on his way to a touchdown during the annual Milk Jug game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School on Sept. 17, 2021.

OUTLOOK

Good Luck Spartans! SUPERIOR PAINT AND COLLISION WHEN QUALITY MATTERS 717-354-6621 308 N. Hoover New Holland, PA

GARDEN SPOT SPARTANS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n

Garden Spot’s Zac Nagle takes off after a catch against Conestoga Valley on Sept. 3, 2021.

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 5A n Head coach: Tony Cox (ninth season, 43-49) n Base offense: Triple Option n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 3-7 (1-4 L-L) n Key players returning: WR-DB Noah Baber, RB-DB Elijah Cunningham, OT-LB Nick Defrancesco, RB-DB Josiah Forren, OG-DE Logan Furches, OT-LB Logan Pittman, OG-DT John Sankus, WR-DB Landon Steele, QB Brody Mellinger.

MARK PALCZEWSKI FOR LNP LANCASTERONLINE BY JEFF REINHART

OUTLOOK n Start with Hurst, who is a dynamite two-way player and line anchor, who will help keep Harting upright, while piling up tackles and big sticks on D. Speaking of Harting, the dual-threat wizard took over the starting duties midway through last season, and he fit in quite nicely steering the O. He’ll have a deep-threat WR in Nagle back as a go-to target. Three more names to remember: Gruber, Smeltz and Witmer must help out Hurst in the trenches. If the team can quickly recapture last year’s momentum, don’t sleep on Sparty Nation.

DONEGAL INDIANS

OUTLOOK

n Plenty of firepower due back for Donegal, and after a postseason run last fall, the Indians are hoping for a carryover in the momentum department. Three key kids are due back in the backfield, including dual-threat QB Baughman — back to 100% in the health department after an elbow injury — and reliable backs Rohrer and Holmes. Baughman will have Amaro back on the flanks, and TE Turbedsky will help out in the pass-catching and blocking departments. He’ll chase you down from his D-end spot, too. Rohrer will be the D ringleader from his ’backer slot, with Holmes and Miller also teeing off in the middle. The secondary is also in very good hands with Baughman, Hammaker and Mumper all due back. Sleeper team alert, especially if the new-look O-line comes around sooner rather than later.

QUESTION MARKS n Can’t help but notice the heavy graduation losses along the O-line in Mount Joy. Those stick out like a sore thumb, especially when you’re talking about trench protection and pulling, hole-opening capabilities in Donegal’s punishing Wing-T attack. Tippett is the lone returning starter in the trenches, and he’ll have some fresh faces flanking him up front. With some solid skill kids coming back, all eyes on the Indians’ O-line to jibe. Pronto.

BERKS CATHOLIC SAINTS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 3A n

OUTLOOK n It’s not a total tear-down and rebuild in Robesonia, with some key pieces due back. Like Parham, who should do plenty of damage on both sides of the ball. And Dianna, who learned the wideout ropes playing alongside Feliciano the last couple of years. And Rex, who returns for his third season in the trenches to anchor the O-line, where he’ll be joined up front by Casiano and Britting, who is switching from center to O-tackle. And remember Donovan Gingrich’s name; he’s penciled in to replace Klitsch behind center. Those are some pretty big spikes to fill, but here’s thinking Gingrich and the rest of the Scouts will be up for the challenge. They’ll have a scintillating three-week stretch to cap the regular season, as they’ll draw Wyomissing, L-S and Cocalico. Conrad Weiser will have an enormous say in who survives this titanic race. Buckle up.

COCALICO EAGLES THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA:

QUESTION MARKS

LNP | LANCASTER, PA16 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION FOUR: TEAM BY TEAM StrohlBryan RisbergChad KeeleyRick MoyerAlan H M I ALDEMAN ECHANICAL NC. 717-665-6910 Sales and 24-Hour Service www.haldemanmechanical.com PLUMBING - HEATING - COOLING WATER CONDITIONING PA7777 Service Since 1939 GOOD LUCK INDIANS! West Main WeAuto st Main Auto 717-653-1761 14 West Main St., Mount Joy jimrobertswestmainauto.com • Mon-Fri 9-4, Sat 9-2 717.283.4737 • MyDigitalConversion.com •100 West Market Street, Marietta, PA We restore VHS, Film, Audio, and more Wishing the Indians a Memorable Season! Returning Donegal quarterback Landen Baughman fires a pass against Columbia on Sept. 3, 2021. ANDY BLACKBURN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

THE PLAYBOOK

Head coach: Rick Keeley (37th season, 270148-3; school was Holy Name prior to merger)

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 4A n Head coach: Alan Moyer (20th season, 133-80) n Base offense: Multiple n Base defense: 5-3 n 2021 results: 7-4 (4-2 Berks) n Key players returning: OT Kaleb Britting, OL-DT Nate Casiano, WR Trey Dianna, QB Donovan Gingrich, RB-LB Sevon Parham, OG Ethan Rex.

QUESTION MARKS n Must start with QB, where Moyer has to replace all-star dual-threat Logan Klitsch. And his favorite go-to target, Aanjay Feliciano, has also moved on. Additionally, the Scouts must replace heavy hitter Brett Organtini, who piled up 150 tackles last fall on the way to being named Berks Section Two Linebacker of the Year. Moyer must replace 16 total starters in all, as the Scouts have to finagle their way through a bit of a retool — and a headache-inducing Section Four slate — if they want another district playoff trip.

The Saints must replace a pair of playmakers right out of the chute in QB Mitchell Gatz and RB Christian Cacchione. In fact, one of the first items on Keeley’s to-do list heading into camp is revamping Berks Catholic’s passing attack — although the Saints won’t go up top all that often out of their trusty Wing-T scheme. Still, Berks Catholic will need a new triggerman behind center, and the Saints, who aren’t all that far removed from seven district finals trips in a row, must plug in six new starters in all on O. There are also a few question marks on D, where Berks Catholic must replace eight full-timers, including ’backer du jour Trace Brown. There is still a lot of talent here — the key-players-returning column isn’t too shabby — but the Saints will have to figure some things out playing in one of the most grueling sections anywhere.

n PIAA: Class 4A n Head coach: Chad Risberg (fifth season, 22-15) n Base offense: Wing-T n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 7-3 (3-1 L-L) n Key players returning: WR-DB Zeke Amaro, QB-DB Landen Baughman, QB-DB Brock Hammaker, RB-LB Jon Holmes, RBLB Cooper Miller, RB-DB Ruben Mumper, RB-LB-K Noah Rohrer, C-DT Casey Tippett, TE-DE James Turbedsky.

OUTLOOK n Jordan, a real scat-back, DB wiz and two-way Berks all-star pick last fall, returns. Don’t miss him. Keeley is also excited about his O-line, with Barreto, Collazo, Haas and Reber all returning to the trenches. Find a game-manager QB — William Hess and Aidan Curley are mentioned as potential starters in Keeley’s preseason notables — and a slugger fullback to replace Luke Hughes, and the Saints, who will dip down from Class 4A to Class 3A this season, should have the weapons to be players in the race, and make another district run. Class 5A n Head coach: Bryan Strohl (third season, 10-9) n Base offense: Flexbone n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 6-5 (4-1 L-L) n Key players returning: RB-LB Tyler Angstadt, WR-LB Dane Bollinger, WR-DB Ethan Brown, TE-DE Logan Brubaker, OT-DT Chuckie Drain, RB-DB Brayden Eppinette, OG-DT Hunter Frable, RB-DB Jacob Kohl, LB Carter Getz, OG-DT Adam Laudenslager, RB-DB Aaryn Longenecker, QB-DB Josh Myer, QB-DB Bryce Nash, P-K Cole Roos, RBLB Sam Steffy, C-DT Chase Tucker, RB-DE Owen Weaver.

CONRAD WEISER SCOUTS

The crazy thing is that despite some wholesale losses, Cocalico’s key-playersreturning list is deep — albeit a bit wet behind the ears — and features trenchkid and skill-kid talent aplenty, even as Strohl is tasked with replacing 13 total starters. Some names to know: Angstadt is a veteran two-way performer; Drain is a two-way line punisher; Eppinette and Longenecker can both scoot out of the backfield; and Tucker knows his way around the line of scrimmage. The Eagles will need to pick a new full-time QB — holdovers Myer and Nash are in that mix — and then hope that youth will indeed be served while navigating the choppy Section Four waters.

QUESTION MARKS There are no two ways around it: Cocalico lost some studs, especially in the trenches — Ryan Brubaker, a Big 33 participant, who has now taken his talents to South Carolina in the SEC, and Jared Stauffer, the Section Two Outstanding O-lineman of the Year last fall — and on the D side. The Eagles, who go up from Class 4A to Class 5A this fall, also need a new QB to pilot their trusty Flexbone, and they must replace RB Anthony Bourassa, last year’s L-L League leading rusher. OUTLOOK n

Base offense: Wing-T n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 7-5 (3-2 Berks) Key players returning: RB Marvin Armistead, C Ty Barreto, DT-OT Jacob Collazo, WR-DB Jaxon Geddio, OG Jackson Haas, RB-DB JayJay Jordan, OG Owen Reber.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 17AUGUST 24, 2022 L-L SECTION FOUR: TEAM BY TEAM RidenourVictor KingJedMillerBob WolfrumBob newplayersreturningtheColemanonalduringagainstsomeColemanburg’sLampeter-StrasCarsongarnersyardageSolancotheannuMilkJuggameSept.17,2021.isonePioneers’skillintheseason. MARK PALCZEWSKI | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE LAMPETER-STRASBURG PIONEERS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 4A n Head coach:

n The Pioneers’ key-players-lost list is an attention-grabber, and includes two-way terrors Nick Del Grande and Beau Heyser, plus playmaking QB Berkeley Wagner. Those guys were blood-andguts team leaders and will be missed. But it’s hardly the end of the world at L-S, which found its way back to the Class 4A district finale for the third year in a row last fall under Ridenour, who now firmly has his fingerprints all over the program. There will be some holes to plug at L-S, yes. But there is certainly enough returning talent for the Pioneers to angle for a fourth straight trip to the district title game. They just have to navigate that sticky Section Four slate first.

ELCO RAIDERS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA:

OUTLOOK n It will start up front for the Spartans, with all eyes on Williams, the punishing Penn State commit, returning to anchor the O-line. He’ll be flanked by more holdover trench talents in Young, Gartner and Ziegler, giving Zechman, who returns behind center, and backs Eisenhower, Kramer and McIntyre plenty of protection. Wyo? In the L-L League? You betcha. Section Four favorite? Check. District Three Class 3A favorite? Check. All systems are go for this crew. Keep your hands, feet, arms and legs inside the car at all times, and enjoy the ride. Class 4A Head coach: Bob Miller (11th season, 52-47) Base offense: Veer n Base defense: 4-4 n 2021 results: 4-6 (3-2 L-L) n Key players returning: OG-DT Colin Daub, TE-LB Aidon Fritsch, OT-DE Jaron Garcia, K Landon Gettle, TE-LB Elliot Kreider, OTDE Ricardo Lebron-Muniz, WR Sara Miller, WR-DB Aiden Stickler, QB-DB Dom Thornton, RB-LB Jake Williams.

Base offense: Wing-T Base defense: 3-4 n 2021 results: 15-1 (6-0 Berks)

n Base offense:

CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

(second season, 11-2) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 3-stack OCTORARA BRAVES THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA:

THE

Head coach: Bob Wolfrum (36th season, 337-86-1)

Key players returning: RB-DB Drew Eisenhower, OG-NG Jack Gartner, RB-LB Matt Kramer, RB-DB Charlie McIntyre, OG-DE Jven Williams, OT-DT Cooper Young, QB Ben Zechman, OT-DT Pacen Ziegler.

OUTLOOK n No Henson and no Sky up front, OK. But Daub, Garcia and Lebron-Muniz are set to return to the trenches, and that’s an excellent start. More good news: Fritsch is back to catch passes and do damage from his ’backer spot, along with Kreider, and those guys will flank Williams in the middle. Stickler and Miller — the coach’s daughter — are also back to help out in the pass-catching department for the new QB. Victor Ridenour Class coach: Jed King (15th season, 40-92) Wing-T 4-3 8-3 (4-1 L-L) returning: WR-DB Chris Busby, RBDB Colton Focht, RB-DE Mekhi Murray, WR-DB Kaden Norrat, RB-LB Zion Raison-Peters, OG-DE Josh Wentz. QUESTION MARKS It’s been a somber offseason of sorts for the Braves. First, two-way standout Mason Ellingsworth was severely injured in a farming accident. Then Paulie Murray, one of Octorara’s top tacklers, suffered a serious knee injury, ending his senior season before it even started. Steele Wrigley, a solid two-way player with breakaway ability out of the backfield, decided not to come back out to the team. And Corey D’Antonio, who hauled in four TD catches in a win over Elco last fall, transferred out of the school district. Octorara must also replace team leader Mike Trainor, trench stalwart Kaden King, and multi-purpose QB Weston Stoltzfus, who was the league’s top-rated passer last season, when he had 22 TD tosses against just one pick.

OUTLOOK n Plenty to like here, especially with Spahr, Coronado, Reed and Showers all due back in the trenches. You can trace L-S’s recent success to line domination, and the Pioneers are ahead of the curve in that department. As for the skill kids, explosive backs Coleman, Mellinger and Lopez are all due back. Keep an eye on the QB spot, where Ridenour must name a new triggerman: Hildenbrand, a standout wideout and DB, plus Trent Wagner — Berkeley’s younger brother — are in line for those duties. L-S is also in great shape defensively, with veteran tacklers Heeter, Frank and Hines all back. Gotta believe this crew keeps on swinging, and slugs its way into the Section Four lead pack.

QUESTION MARKS n Hard to find many, quite frankly, considering the roll the Spartans are currently on. Wyo is 42-3 in its last 45 games, with three perfect regular season rides in a row, plus three straight district crowns and back-to-back PIAA finals trips. They haven’t dropped a regular season game since 2018, and they’re hoping to keep it cruising right along this time around, albeit in an incredibly difficult Section Four hunt. Every guy on the Spartans’ key-players-lost list will be missed — including a staggering six all-state performers — no doubt. But there’s still tons to like in Wyo’s camp.

OUTLOOK n Octorara now has firm footing and its roots are growing in the L-L League, and the Braves are coming off a spirited run to the playoffs for just the second time in the history of the program. King and his crew will certainly need to channel those good vibes after a challenging offseason. Some good news: Raison-Peters is poised for a breakout season on both sides of the ball, and Focht and Mekhi Murray both had ample carries out of the backfield last year. They’ll run behind Wentz, who returns to anchor the O-line. Keep an eye on newbie QB Braedon Wood, who is one of the candidates to steer the Braves’ Wing-T ship.

QUESTION MARKS

QUESTION MARKS n The Raiders must replace the fearsome foursome of O-line stalwarts Nate Henson, Cody Sky, jack-of-all-trades kid Cole Thomas, and four-year starter and two-way beast Luke Williams. Elco will welcome back Jake Williams — Luke’s little brother — who missed nine games last fall with an injury. If he can slide into a feature-back role, and if he can be a D ringleader from his LB spot, super. The Raiders must also install a new Veer QB; Miller mentioned Thornton and Gavin Bicher as potential newbie starters. Some horses to replace, for sure. But the cupboard is not bare in Elco’s camp. We’re anxious to see how this bunch stacks up against the Section Four power punchers.

n 2021 results:

n Base defense:

n 2021 results: 11-2 (5-0 L-L) n Key players returning: RB-DB Carson Coleman, OG-DL Landon Coronado, TE-LB Drexton Frank, LB Jackson Heeter, WR-DB Hunter Hildenbrand, DE Luke Hines, RB-LB Julian Lopez, RB-DB Jonathan Mellinger, OT-DL Jeremy Reed, OG Tristen Showers, C-DL Tre Spahr.

4A n Head

n Key players

WYOMISSING SPARTANS PLAYBOOK PIAA: Class 3A

OUTLOOK

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 3A n Head coach: Larry Chester (ninth season, 23-54) n Base offense: Power-T n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 2-8 (0-6 Berks) n Key players returning: C-DT Ryan Cardinale, OT-DT Tyler Hallock, WR-DB Ethan Lafferty, QB-DB Jacob Lafferty, RB-LB Dakota Thomas.

Hoffert (first season) n Base offense: Spread, Zone Read n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 7-4

n The million-dollar question on the hill is this: Who supplants Footman behind center? Mathias, who slides in for Bud Kyle, circled Daezjon Giles and Calvin Hagen as potential starters. Whoever gets the gig will have an experienced receiving corps at his disposal; Dominic Diaz-Ellis, Poindexter and Simms are all veteran pass-catchers. Three more wily vets to know: Nell and Sabino return to anchor the line, and Rivas is back to take the rock on O and make sticks on D. It might look a little different at the outset for the Tide — they’ll miss Footman and his leadership abilities, while getting used to Mathias’ voice and tweaks — but there are a lot of weapons here. Matt (2-3 Alex Bentz, Brown, Brown, WR Cohen Correll, C Kamp, Pierce Mason, WR-DB Kevin McFarland, QB Xander Menapace, WR Leland Moore, DL Ronnie Parra, LB Aiden Readinger, RBDB Derek Ruiz, TE Mason Semmel, OTDE Charles Sheppard, LB Tyler Shuey, OG-DT Evan Snyder, DB Ty Werley, LB Bradley Zettlemoyer.

OT Christian

QUESTION MARKS

COLUMBIA CRIMSON TIDE THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 2A n Head coach: Brady Mathias (first season) n Base offense: Spread n Base defense: Multiple n 2021 results: 8-2 (5-0 league) n Key players returning: RB-LB Stoudamire Campbell, RB-LB Darius Diaz-Ellis, WRDB Dominic Diaz-Ellis, C-DT Dom Nell, WR-LB Artie Poindexter, RB-LB Steven Rivas, OG-DT Chris Sabino, WR-DB Demari Simms.

RB Parker Folk,

KUTZTOWN COUGARS

Bryce

OUTLOOK n A couple of scheme tweaks for the Cougars, as Chester changed his D look from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5. And on offense, Kutztown will go from a triple-option attack to a Power-T scheme. Good news: Jacob Lafferty, a dual-threat QB, returns to pilot the O, and he’ll have a couple of holdover weapons, Thomas at RB and Ethan Lafferty at wideout, at his disposal. Thomas should also be a D ringleader from his LB spot, another area Chester is excited about, as his Cougars continue to take some baby steps — this season in a new league that should suit them a lot better.

n There’s a big hole at QB, as Columbia must replace all-state talent Robert Footman, who did something last fall that no other player in the history of the L-L League ever accomplished: Footman passed for 3,000 yards, rushed for 500 yards and accounted for 50 total touchdowns in a single season — and in 10 games, no less. The Tide must also replace one of Footman’s top targets, J’von Collazo, who set a PIAA single-game record with his dazzling 357yard receiving performance in the playoffs vs. Upper Dauphin. Footman piled up 536 passing yards that night, another L-L League single-game mark. Columbia also lost line stalwarts Collin McCarty and Joel Ober, who were the unsung leaders during last year’s scoreboard-popping, joyride to the Section Four crown.

OUTLOOK n There’s a lot to like in Annville, starting with Long, a blue-chip two-way talent who could be ticketed for more carries out of the Veer this fall, and he’s one of the best tacklers in the L-L League from his safety/LB spot. More good news: Music, a multi-purpose back, returns, as well as Keller at QB, and he’ll have some veteran talent in the trenches to keep him upright, with Bomgardner, Lindsay, Miller, Nagle and Riggenbach all back in the mix. Keep an eye on Shay; he can go up and catch it from his TE spot, and he made a splash blitzing off the edge on D last fall. Same goes for Connelly, who will anchor the secondary. If things click for the Dutchmen, they have the weapons to be with the lead pack come late October.

LNP | LANCASTER, PA18 AUGUST 24, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDE L-L SECTION FIVE: TEAM BY TEAM MathiasBrady HoffertMattGingrichMatt CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART H M I ALDEMAN ECHANICAL NC. 717-665-6910 Sales and 24-Hour Service www.haldemanmechanical.com MBING - HEATING - COOLING WATER CONDITIONING PA7777 Service Since 1939 Modest Funerals • Plain Coffins Philip W. Furman, F.D. Home for Funerals Since 1952 59 W. Main St. · Leola, PA 17540 717-656-6833 · FurmanFuneralHome.com Go Co ne stoga Vall ey! 313 Primrose Ln. Mountville, PA 17554 Wishing you a season to smile about! Readers’ Choice Favorite 15 years Accepting new patients! Call to make an appointment today! BENDER Dent al Gr oup 717.285.3030 to new patients! 2022 717.283.4737 • MyDigitalConversion.com •100 West Market Street, Marietta, PA We restore VHS, Film, Audio, and more Wishing the Crimson Tide a Memorable Season!

HAMBURG HAWKS THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 3A n Head coach:

OG Carson

n Base

n 2021

QUESTION MARKS Can the Hawks keep the good vibes flowing after last year’s district playoff journey? They’ll have to do it under Hoffert, who supplanted Jeff Chillot as coach, but he certainly knows his way around Hamburg’s facility; he’s been an assistant for the Hawks, so we’re expecting a smooth transition in that department. Hamburg must also replace all-state RB Diohnny Ruiz — the program’s all-time leading rusher and scorer — and DB wiz Cameron Harris. OUTLOOK n Some fantastic news right out of the chute, with Menapace due back behind center. He can wing it, and he’ll have McFarland back on the flank as a go-to receiver. And this: Kamp, Sheppard and Snyder are due back to anchor the O-line, giving Menapace some peace of mind. Tackle-maker linebackers Readinger, Shuey and Zettlemoyer are also slated to return to spark the D, which is another plus. Gut-hunch here is that the Hawks will very much be in the hunt come the top of the stretch drive in October.

QUESTION MARKS n Finally, some common ground for the Cougars, who have struggled in the win-loss column over the years; Kutztown dropped its last 74 Berks Section Two games, dating back to a 21-20 victory over Fleetwood on Nov. 6, 2009. But they’ve landed safely in Section Five, where they’ll match up with teams with similar roster sizes and in their PIAA classification. Chester’s to-do list heading into camp included beefing up his receiving and secondary corps. Kutztown must also replace Lennon Neiman, who was one of the top rushers in Berks last fall. He rushed for 330 yards with six TD romps in Kutztown’s crazy 76-37 nonleague win over Pequea Valley. The rematch is in Week 10, this time as section foes.

RB-LB

DUTCHMEN THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA:

ANNVILLE-CLEONA Class 2A Head coach: Matt Gingrich (eighth season, 39-32) offense: Veer n Base defense: 4-2-5 results: 3-6 (2-3 L-L) Key players returning: OT Preston Bomgardner, QB-DB Cameron Connelly, RB-DB Cael Harter, TE Darrian Holloway, QB Gavin Keller, OG Josh Lindsay, RB-LBDB Alex Long, OG Damien Miller, RB-DB Phoenix Music, OT-DE Chris Nagle, OG-DT Logan Riggenbach, TE-DE Jon Shay.

QUESTION MARKS n A-C must replace 1,000-yard back Rogan Harter, a real speed demon and open-field playmaker. Rugged twoway line leader Ethan Schriver has also departed, as has jack-of-all trades kid Chase Maguire, an every-down grinder who rarely came off the field for four years. All-star DB Ethan Missimer is also gone. Gingrich must replace eight starters in all, but the good news is that A-C, which drops from Class 3A to Class 2A this fall, is set to welcome back 14 total full-timers from last year.

Berks) n Key players returning: WR

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 3A n Head coach: Bruce Harbach (second season, 2-9) Base offense: Multiple-I, Shotgun, Spread n Base defense: 4-3 n 2021 results: 2-9 (1-5 Berks) Key players returning: TE Dimitri Aletras, WR-DB Colby Crills, OT-DT Christian Davila, OG-LB Paul Engleman, RB Dominic Giuffre, QB-DB Michael Goad, LB Jaden Gulley, WR Julian Kemmerer, C-DE Sabier Mateo, LB Jake Stelluti, DT Jadon Swain, OG Gage VanKeuren, RB-DB Brayden Woods, TE-DE Theo Wysocki.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GUIDELANCASTER, PA | LNP 19AUGUST 24, 2022 L-L SECTION FIVE: TEAM BY TEAM MaiorinoChris HarbachBruceMikeChoiJasonRice 3952

Lancaster Catholic must replace Isaiah Crane, who was a real thumper along the line. He’ll be missed, as well as shifty RB Tony Cruz, multi-purpose threat Mason McClair, and one of the best specialists to ever come through the L-L League, Villanova recruit Daniel Mueller. n Plenty of good news in the Crusaders’ camp, especially in the skill-kid department. Cranford returns for his third season behind center to steer the ship, and he’ll have holdover wideouts Parker and Gonzalez at his disposal. Meanwhile, edge pass-rushers Murphy and Eddie Dresch are also back in the fold, and ’backers Zach Dresch, Crawley and Wassell are all due back to do plenty of ball-hawking. Crawley should also help out in the running game on offense, as the Crusaders, it says here, have the weapons to run with the lead dogs. Don’t sleep on this crew, which is licking its chops for a repeat trip to the district playoffs.

THE PLAYBOOK PIAA: Class 3A n Head coach: Chris Maiorino (third season, 6-13)

QUESTION MARKS Harbach made an immediate impact; Lancaster

Key players returning: C-DT Hayden Adams, OT-DE Jared Ecenroad, WR-LB Tanner Feagley, WR-DB Moises Gonzalez, RB-LB Eli Ostermayer, TE-LB Luke Shaffer, QB-DB Grady Stichler, OT-DE Eli Thompson, WR-DB James Voight, RB-DB Myles Watson. some growing pains the O-line for the Vikings, so keep an eye on that crew. Ecenroad, the lone senior up front — and one of just five total seniors on the preseason roster will anchor the group. Rice is hoping sophomores Adams and Thompson, who got some time along the line as ninthgraders last fall, can kick it up another notch and become reliable trench stalwarts. Safe to say two-way beast Kalani Adams, and another two-way all-star, Mitchell Hetrick, will be missed. They were key cogs and team leaders in Northern Lebanon’s charge back to the postseason last fall. OUTLOOK n If the O and D lines can get it figured out, there is certainly enough firepower in the skill-kid department for the Vikings to make plenty of noise. Stichler, who went from QB to RB in-season last fall, is back at QB, and he’s a shifty one. Also keep an eye on Gonzalez, a real burner who can beat you deep and on special teams. Voight, Feagley, Watson and Ostermayer are also due back to help out offensively. And here’s a name to remember: Shaffer will be a nice target up top for Stichler, and he’ll be one of the top ball-hawking ’backers in the section. Sensing another step in the right direction for the Vikings, who should use last year’s progress to their advantage, as they go up from Class 3A to Class 4A this season. Columbia Ave., W. Hempfield Twp., PA 717-285-5443

CAPSULES BY JEFF REINHART

QUESTION MARKS

PEQUEA VALLEY BRAVES THE PLAYBOOK n

QUESTION MARKS n How long will it take for the Braves to get used to a new voice? We’re thinking not very long, as Choi returns for his second skippering stint in Kinzers. He certainly knows his way around the practice field, and his only major tweak will come on the offensive end, where he junked the Braves’ spread look for a ground-and-pound Wing-T scheme. Choi must replace some go-up-and-get-it wideouts — Jon Carter, Billy Johnson and Dominic Wallace were all fleet, sure-handed receivers — but with some beef due back in the trenches, plus a veteran QB in Temple, Choi thought the time was right to go run-first with his O. OUTLOOK n Temple has a season under his belt taking snaps, and while he loses that flock of wideouts to graduation, Orlando Stoltzfus, a scat-back with breakaway speed, returns to spark the running game. These are the guys you’re going to need to know this fall: Garber, Hollenbaugh, McGrane and Evan Stoltzfus. They’ll be the road-graders up front, and they’ll have to master all the intricacies of pulling and blocking in a Wing-T set. McGrane had a breakout season last fall, and he can do damage from his ’backer spot. Otstot got off to a hot start last year, but he dealt with some nagging injuries that kept him off the field. Choi got things turned around at Pequea Valley in his first sideline stint there. Here’s thinking he’ll slide right back in and get the Braves pointed in the right direction yet again.

PIAA: Class 3A Head coach: Mike Choi (first season in second stint, 18-32) Base offense: Wing-T n Base defense: 4-4 n 2021 results: 2-8 (0-5 L-L) n Key players returning: OT-DT Jeremiah Garber, OG-DE Zach Hollenbaugh,WR-DB J.T. Hoops, C-LB Logan McGrane, RB-LB Zach Otstot, RBDB Dontae Petersheim, OG-DE Evan Stoltzfus, RB-LB Orlando Stoltzfus, QB-DB Peyton Temple.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY PANTHERS

THE PLAYBOOK n PIAA: Class 4A n Head coach: Jason Rice (second season, 4-7) Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 4-7 (1-4 L-L)

QUESTION MARKS n Could be

Catholic’s wildly successful former skipper — his teams went 139-55 with a pair of PIAA titles in 16 years — dove in head-first, implementing a winning culture and beefedup work ethic in the weight room. It paid off with a couple of wins and a trip to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Now a year in, Harbach is thinking bigger. He’ll have some key kids to replace — including QB Drew Campbell — but Schuylkill Valley has some loftier goals with Harbach calling the shots in Leesport.

n Keep an eye on the trenches at the outset, as the Crusaders will be breaking in some new O-line and D-line starters;

NORTHERN LEBANON VIKINGS

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Base offense: Spread n Base defense: 4-2-5 n 2021 results: 4-7 (1-4 L-L) Key players returning: QB-DB Will Cranford, RBLB Terrell Crawley, TE-DE Eddie Dresch, TE-LB Zach Dresch, WR-DB R.J. Gonzalez, OT-DE Kellan Murphy, WRDB Jaevon Parker, TE-LB Kyle Wassell.

OUTLOOK

LANCASTER CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

along

OUTLOOK n Start with the skill kids; in his preseason notes Harbach called them best group of runners, passers and pass-catchers he’s been around since Lancaster Catholic’s 2011 bunch, which won state gold. That’s some lofty praise. One of those skill guys is Crills, an all-star wideout, who can go and get it on the flanks. If you scour the Panthers’ list of returning players, you’ll notice four holdover O-line protectors and a pair of TEs. Also keep an eye on Giuffre; Harbach said he’d like to use that veteran O-line crew and establish a solid rushing attack.

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