Wyomissing ready to put Section 4 title on the line against Lampeter-Strasburg
Even after three shutouts over the first five games Bob Wolfrum wasn’t quite sure how good his Wyomissing defense was.
It wasn’t until a 38-7 Week 7 win over Cocalico — a game which saw the Spartans limit the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s second-best rushing attack to two first downs and 14 total yards in the first half — that he was sold.
“We weren’t getting tested (before that),” Wolfrum said. “I was very, very impressed with how the kids handled that (Veer). We did a great job with it.”
| Section 4 | League | Overall |
| Wyomissing | 6-0 | 9-0 |
| Lampeter-Strasburg | 6-0 | 8-1 |
| Cocalico | 4-2 | 5-4 |
| Berks Catholic | 3-3 | 3-6 |
| Conrad Weiser | 2-4 | 3-6 |
| Donegal | 2-4 | 3-6 |
| Elco | 1-5 | 4-5 |
| Octorara | 0-6 | 1-8 |
The Spartans had a great defensive unit, allowing just 8.1 points per game, when they won a District 3 Class 3A championship in 2020.
They had another stellar defensive unit, just as good, last season when they returned to the PIAA championship game for the second straight year.
This year’s defense is allowing fewer points (7.7) than it did while winning each of the last three district titles.
It has allowed fewer points than any of the other 36 teams in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. It’s ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 in pass defense and No. 4 against the rush.
“They tackle extremely well,” said Lampeter-Strasburg coach Victor Ridenour, “and they rally to ball. Everything about them is good.”
That goes for the offense, Ridenour said. And the special teams. And the coaching staff. And the Spartans home field, where Ridenour and the Pioneers will be Saturday afternoon to decide the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 championship in the regular season finale.
The Spartans (6-0, 9-0) have been, as Ridenour said, “as good as advertised.”
They were picked in the preseason to win the section title and haven’t given a hint that they won’t. They have won their league games by an average of 35.3 points. They have mercy-ruled seven of nine opponents. They have trailed just twice all season — both times by only a field goal, both times only briefly.
Cocalico coach Bryan Strohl called them “a juggernaut.”
No doubt, Lampeter-Strasburg (6-0, 8-1) will be the biggest challenge to Wyomissing’s first Section 4 title. The Pioneers have been one of the league’s strongest programs in recent years — they won District 3 Class 4A titles in 2019 and 2020 and reached the title game year — and are but a couple plays from being unbeaten.
They lost their season opener 40-35 against Section 3 leader Solanco when they gave up a pair of late scores. Solanco remains unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the District 3 Class 5A power ratings; Wyomissing is No. 1 in 3A.
“I learned a lot about our kids in that game,” Ridenour said of the season-opener. “We lost, but we fought to the end and gave ourselves a chance until the final seconds. We almost pulled that thing off.”
What Ridenour’s learned more recently is that his team will have to be at its best to stop the Spartans, who are third in the league in scoring and rushing yards and fourth in total offense despite the fact that their starters are generally off the field midway through the third quarter.
“They’re gonna grind you down,” Ridenour said. “They’ve got a lot of size up front, and their backs, they’re not little and they can run. All three of their backs, they run hard, they run low. They’re just a physical team all around.”
Wyomissing halfbacks Charlie McIntyre and Drew Eisenhower are each averaging better than 12 yards per carry; fullback Matt Kramer is averaging 9.1 yards, with a team-leading 17 TDs. Quarterback Ben Zechman is completing nearly 77 percent of his passes, with 10 TDs.
The key to all of that, of course, is an offensive line that includes three Division I prospects — Penn State recruit Jven Williams, tackle Pacen Ziegler and tight end Caleb Brewer. That’s practically unheard of at a small public school.
The Pioneers are strong on defense — they’re ranked No. 2 in the league in total defense and No. 3 in scoring defense — but they will be severely out-sized up front. Lampeter’s front seven includes only one player heavier than 215 pounds. The 6-5, 295-pound Williams eats that much for lunch.
“That’s what it comes down to,” Ridenour said, “blocking and tackling. If you can do that (successfully), you give yourself a pretty good chance.”
The Pioneers, averaging more than 40 points per game, will be the most explosive offense the Spartans have faced.
The key guy is do-it-all senior Hunter Hildenbrand, who plays wide receiver and occasionally lines up as a Wildcat quarterback. He’s averaging 24 yards on his 27 receptions and 25 yards on 12 carries.
“He’s really a good football player,” Wolfrum said. “He’s got great speed and he can go the distance. He’s somebody we’ve got to take care of.”
Hildenbrand was considered for the starting quarterback job before the season but is too valuable elsewhere, so Ridenour went with Trent Wagner behind center. Wagner has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,319 yards and 18 TDs; he’s among the top-rated passers in the league.
“Our offense is better as a whole with (Hunter) at receiver,” Ridenour said. “That gave us more options and more athletes on the field.”