Difficult season a learning experience for young Red Knights
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Andrew Clauser — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
It was yet another one-win season for the Reading High Red Knights, but one that could be a stepping stone for future success.
Reading’s season ended Friday night with a 43-6 loss to Hempfield in its Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 finale at Shirk stadium, finishing its season with a 1-9 record.
The loss was similar to the others that came before it in that it was plagued with turnovers, miscues, and untimely penalties — things a young team is likely to endure.
| Final | |
| Hempfield | 43 |
| Reading | 6 |
While the score was lopsided the stats were not. Hempfield (4-2, 6-4) outgained Reading High by only 33 yards. The difference was three fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown; a blocked punt for a safety; and a shanked punt that led to another Hempfield score.
Freshman quarterback Elijah Fleming started for the Red Knights and found receiver Idris Weaver for big gains of 36 and 46 yards in the first half. The latter set up a 5-yard TD run by Reading lineman Emere Woods, cutting Hempfield’s lead to 3 in the second quarter.
That’s when the game went off the rails for the Red Knights (1-6, 1-9), starting with a controversial fumble return by Hempfield linebacker Lucas Weisglass. What should have been a false start by Reading turned into six points for Hempfield and a long discussion between a referee and Red Knights coach Troy Godinet.
“I came back to the team and said to not let this dictate what we have been doing,” Godinet said. “Earlier in the season they would have given up but instead they kept fighting and competing.”
Reading High had a lot of underclassmen playing this season, especially on the offensive side starting with Fleming, two freshman receivers, two sophomores at running back and an entirely new offensive line.
| SECTION 1 | League | Overall |
| Manheim Twp. | 6-0 | 9-1 |
| Wilson | 5-1 | 8-2 |
| Hempfield | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| Cedar Crest | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| Penn Manor | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| Reading High | 1-5 | 1-9 |
| McCaskey | 0-6 | 0-10 |
“Now we have to build on that if we want to succeed as a program,” Godinet said. “It starts with competing and dealing with adversity and we have shown that in the last few games.”
It will be an important offseason for the Red Knights if they want to return to relevancy.
“We’ve discussed it and they know what they have to do,” said Godinet. “Our standard is to always compete on and off the field.”
Key play
A controversial moment midway through the second quarter occurred when Hempfield linebacker Lucas Weisglass picked up what looked like a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, swinging momentum towards the Black Knights.
Stars of the game
Hempfield backup quarterback Landon Charles was 12-for-18 for 170 yards and no interceptions, filling in for the injured Derek Katch.
Reading senior wide receiver Idris Weaver caught four passes for 124 yards.
Quotable
“People may think I am crazy but I took this job for a reason. I truly believe we will bring this program back to the glory it deserves.” – Reading coach Troy Godinet
Up next
Hempfield clinches a District 3 Class 6A playoff berth.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Hempfield | 9 | 20 | 14 | 0 | 43 |
| Reading | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Hempfield | Rice, 21 run (Biscoe kick) | 7:37 |
| 1 | Hempfield | Safety, blocked punt in end zone | 6:10 |
| 2 | Reading | Woods, 5 run (run failed) | 8:49 |
| 2 | Hempfield | Poole, 16 pass from Charles (Biscoe kick) | 6:57 |
| 2 | Hempfield | Weisglass, 51 fumble return (kick failed) | 5:02 |
| 2 | Hempfield | Abrams, 24 pass from Charles (Biscoe kick) | 0:42 |
| 3 | Hempfield | Rice, 1 run (Biscoe kick) | 9:39 |
| 3 | Hempfield | Rice, 1 run (Biscoe kick) | 0:02 |
Team statistics
| HEMPFIELD | READING | |
| First downs | 17 | 9 |
| Rushes-yards | 26-92 | 31-91 |
| Passing yards | 170 | 138 |
| Total yards | 262 | 229 |
| Passes | 12-18-0 | 5-12-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 3-2 | 3-3 |
| Punts-average | 0-0 | 5-14.4 |
| Penalties-yards | 2-15 | 8-50 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Hempfield: Rice 11-70, Lyles 4-19, Conrad 2-12, Abrams 2-2, Ruiz 3-0, Charles 4- (-11).
Reading: Wilkins 11-47, Weaver 6-11, Bradley 3-10, Nunn 3-9, Munoz 1-9, Woods 1-5, Fleming 6-0.
PASSING
Hempfield: Charles 12-18-0—170.
Reading: Fleming 5-12-0—138.
RECEIVING
Hempfield: Abrams 8-114, Poole 4-56.
Reading: Weaver 4-124, Plylaharn 1-14.
