A team-by-team glance at Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League
2024 Berks football coverage
presented by UECU
Coming tomorrow: A team-by-team glance at Section 4.
Manheim Central Barons
Classification: 5A
Coach: Dave Hahn, 10th season, 91-21
Last season: 6-0 Section 2 champ, 11-2 overall
| Projection |
| 1. Manheim Central |
| 2. Garden Spot |
| 3. Cocalico |
| 4. Conrad Weiser |
| 5. Warwick |
| 6. Fleetwood |
| 7. Solanco |
2023 postseason: Beat Susquehanna Township and Twin Valley before losing to Bishop McDevitt 23-17 in District 3 Class 4A championship game.
Need to replace: QB and Offensive Back of the Year Zac Hahn, all-league RB Brycen Armold, Receiver of the Year and all-league KR Aaron Enterline, all-league WR, DB and LS Bode Sipel, Defensive Lineman of the Year Xander Kolk, Defensive Back of the Year Body Sipel, all-league PK Drew Greiner.
Who’s back: QB Ray Lewis, QB Gavin Jahnigen, RB Logan Geib, H-B/DE Noah Templin, SB Cody Hess, second-team all-league C/DT Tyler Groff, second-team all-league G Hunter Garber, all-league DT Jason Daugherty, all-league LB Brodie Daugherty, LB Zion Rolon, FS Jayvior Morales, SS Dylan Werner, CB Asher Cook.
Key early game: Week 2 at Ephrata will be biggest test of the first month for Barons.
Outlook: It’s a re-load for the Barons, not a rebuild. Despite losing some top-shelf talent the Barons bring back 12 starters, including four O-linemen, always a good place to start. Defense features seven returning players, including D1 prospects Zion Rolon at LB and Jayvior Morales at SS. New section, same story for the Barons.
Garden Spot Spartans
Classification: 5A
Coach: Matt Zamperini, 15th season, 79-77.
Last season: 5-1 Section 3 tri-champ, 9-2 overall.
2023 postseason: No. 4 seed lost at home to Ephrata 31-10 in District 3 Class 4A quarterfinals.
Need to replace: QB and Offensive Back of the Year Kye Harting, all-league T and DE Reed Gruber.
Who’s back: QB and all-league DB AJ Hurst, second-team all-league RB/WR Gabe Martin, RB Andrew Pemberton, all-league WR Jace Conrad (46 receptions, 7 TDs), Wide Receiver of the Year and all-league DB Trenton Hoober (33 receptions, 14 TDs), all-league T Tommy O’Neil, all-league second-team DT Joe Cruz, all-league second-team DE Kyle Denlinger, all-league second-team LB Cole Humphreys, all-league second-team LB Max Davis.
Key early game: Week 3 rematch vs. former section rival Ephrata.
Outlook: What will life be like in New Holland without play-maker Kye Harting having his hands on the ball every play? The Spartans certainly have enough talent, with 10 all-league players returning, to make another run at the title after sharing it last season.
Cocalico Eagles
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Bryan Strohl, fifth season, 32-16.
Last season: 7-0 Section 4 champ, 12-2 overall.
2023 postseason: Beat Conestoga Valley, Cedar Cliff, and Ephrata to win second straight District 3 Class 5A championship; lost to Peters Township 14-9 in PIAA opener.
Need to replace: All-League RB Sam Steffey, all-league RB, KR, and Defensive Back of the Year Aaron Longenecker, all-league T and DE Logan Brubaker, C Hunter Frable, DE Owen Weaver, DB Bryce Nash, PK Todd Becker, P Trent Dickson.
Who’s back: QB Josh Myer (820 rushing yards, 12 TDs), RB and all-league LB Dane Bollinger, RB/DB Brayden Eppinette, FB Dane Horning (777 yards, 10 TDs), all-league second-team OL Thomas Dattoli, OL/LB Jerry McArdle, OL/DL Nick McArdle, WR/DB David Betz.
Key early game: Week 4 at Garden Spot will get league play started in a big way for Eagles.
Outlook: After back-to-back district titles, the Eagles figure to take a step back this season. They need to replace 20 seniors and 13 all-league picks, including Section 4’s top play-maker last season, Aaron Longenecker. It’s a big ask to rebuild and finish ahead of the programs in front of them.
Conrad Weiser Scouts
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Alan Moyer, 22nd season, 138-95.
Last season: 2-5 Section 4, 2-8 overall.
2023 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: RB/LB Sevon Parham, RB Ousmane Conde, C Aiden Fitzgerald, WR Josh Miller.
Who’s back: All-League second-team QB and all-league P Donovan Gingrich (963 yards, 10 TDs), RB Jonathan McQuillen, Wide Receiver of the Year and all-league DB Evan Rittle, TE/DE Evan Miller, all-league second-team G Kaleb Holl, T Kaleb Britting, T Charlie Shimp, DE Mason Gechter, DL Ashton Keibach, LB Brody Morgan, LB Na’Air Robinson.
Key early game: Home-opener against Abington could be a tone-setter for a Scouts team in need of a confidence boost.
Outlook: Scouts took their lumps last season but bring back a lot of firepower, including a three-year starter at QB in Donovan Gingrich. They’re deeper and more experienced and ready to move back up after some down seasons.
(Look for a more in-depth report on the Scouts
next month on MikeDragoSports.com.)
Warwick Warriors
Classification: 5A
Coach: Bob Locker, 24th season, 121-119.
Last season: 2-4 Section 2, 3-7 overall.
2023 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: QB/FS Trevor Evans, RB/WR Keldyn Loraw, RB/LB Andrew McClune, all-league WR Thomas Jeanes, C Nick Maher, LB Jack Koons.
Who’s back: QB Thomas Myers, RB/LB Gabe Sanchez, WR/DB Quinn Care, WR/S Tyler Musser, OL/DT Owen Rowe, OL/DT Calvin Bent, OL/DT Wes Brunken, all-league DE Owen Hursh, LB Jackson Shelby.
Key early game: Week 2 at Lampeter-Strasburg will provide a true test for the Warriors.
Outlook: Warriors need to replace most of their key skills people and lost more starters than any team in the section. They return nice size on the line; that’s always a good place to start.
Fleetwood Tigers
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Steve Pangburn, second season, 8-13.
Last season: 2-4 Section 3, 6-5 overall.
2023 postseason: Beat Shamokin 42-41 for Eastern Conference Class 4A title.
Need to replace: QB Jack Riffle, all-league RB Czion Brickle, all-league WR Mason Musitano, G Hunter Leister, T Hunter Svoboda, all-league PK William Maurek.
Who’s back: QB/WR Tristan McFarland, QB/WR Chase Domenech, RB/LB Jason Petion, RB/DE Landon Hare, RB/LB Trey Killian, WR/DB Davyan Moore, WR/DB Brody Nowotarski, WR/DB Chase Adams, TE/DE Bryce Ryan, T/DL Brandon Delgrosso, OL/DL Cody Harders, OL/DL Noah Rothermel, OL/DL Ryan Shay, T/DE Shane Pekuri.
Key early game: Nothing like starting the season off with a big rivalry game at Kutztown.
Outlook: Tigers saw some huge producers walk across the stage in June but there are play-makers and linemen returning. Need to find the right fit at QB and develop some new leaders to chase that .500 mark again.
(Look for a more in-depth report on the Tigers
next month on MikeDragoSports.com.)
Solanco Mules
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Tony Cox, 11th season, 57-47.
Last season: 2-4 Section 3, 3-7 overall.
2023 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: Section 3 Offensive Lineman of the Year Gavin Cox, all-league G Landon Dunlap, all-league DT Jordan Kephart, LB Landon Steele, DB Donovan Peters.
Who’s back: QB Ausin Jarabak, all-league FB Johnny Garcia (1,371 yards, 13 TDs), RB/DB Kris Burgos Wise, RB/DB Gabe Forren, WR/LB Braighton Lenhart, OL/DL Jordan Murray, OL/DL Desmond Ferguson, OL/DL Noah Gote, OL Tyler Kreider, DL Evan Kurtz, DL Frank Lucarino, LB Thomas Leibley.
Key early games: A Week 1 smackdown with Lampeter-Strasburg will get the Mules’ attention right away.
Outlook: Mules need to replace four all-league players from a defense that allowed nearly 35 points per game last season in Section 3 games, as well as their best lineman, Gavin Cox.
