‘Special group’ nets four Class 5A All-State selections for Exeter
Matt Bauer’s said it time and again over the past two seasons: Exeter’s linemen were the heart and soul of the team and the key reason for the Eagles’ success.
People took notice.
Exeter landed four players on the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State team Friday, each of whom played on the line.
Lucas Palange and Anthony Caccese were selected as offensive linemen, Kyle Lash was selected for the defensive line and Joey Schlaffer was selected at Athlete. It’s the second straight selection for Schlaffer, who made the team as a tight end as a junior and played tight end, as well as wide receiver, this season.
Lash was also a starting guard for the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 champs. With Palange, a guard, Caccese, a tackle, and Schlaffer that meant the Eagles were often running behind four All-State players.
“That is very impressive,” said Bauer, “but it’s an impressive group. That’s the best line I’ve had in my 14 years as a head coach. It’s a testament to these kids because they worked so hard for our program. It’s a special group.”
Exeter’s four selections, all seniors, are tied for the most, along with Roman Catholic.
PIAA Class 5A champ Pine-Richland had three selections, as well as Player of the Year for quarterback Ryan Palmieri and Coach of the Year for Jon LeDonne. The Rams defeated Imhotep Charter 28-14 in the championship.
Exeter’s four selections are among 10 for the Lancaster-Lebanon League. District 3 champ Cocalico had three: Running back Sam Steffey, defensive lineman Chuckie Drain and linebacker Tyler Angstadt. Also selected were wide receiver Braden Cumming of Elizabethtown, defensive lineman Tyler Hurst of Garden Spot and defensive back Josiah Forren of Solanco, at Athlete.
Schlaffer, who will enroll at Penn State next month, where he is a tight end recruit, was a four-year starter for the Eagles. He began as a wide receiver, moved to tight end, and added defensive line and part-time quarterback duties this season.
He leaves as Berks’ all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,504) and TD receptions (31), and with a program-record 122 career receptions. For the season he averaged 23 yards on 39 catches, with 11 TDs. He also averaged 17.2 yards on 15 carries with three TDs and completed 4-of-6 passes.
Over his four seasons he grew about three inches, added around 50 pounds and expanded his game in other ways.
“Joey grew up the most (of the four),” Bauer said, “from a maturity standpoint, in taking a leadership role, and in understanding the big picture.”
Palange was a three-year starter on the offensive line and a two-year starter and the Eagles’ leading tackler this season at linebacker. He was named Outstanding Lineman, Offensive Lineman and Linebacker of the Year in Section 2 of Lancaster-Lebanon League, and Linebacker of the Year in Berks.
He was a vital part of the Eagles’ drive to their first District 3 championship last season and to a program-record 12 wins this season.
“Lucas was intense (as a ninth-grader) and his intensity continued to grow from year to year,” Bauer said.
Palange is drawing interest from Division II college program but may choose a school based on academics. He’s a top student and has an offer from Carnegie Mellon.
Caccese, who will play at the University of Delaware, was an all-league and All-Berks offensive tackle, helping pave the way for an offense that averaged 226 rushing yards. On defense he led the team in sacks and hurries.
“From midway through his sophomore year there wasn’t a week he didn’t get better, all the way through for 2 1/2 years,” Bauer said. “He really took a great leadership role with our younger linemen. He’s just a tremendous all-around player on both sides of the ball.”
Lash transferred from Wilson before his sophomore season. He made an immediate impact.
“His motor was unmatched,” Bauer said. “He never stopped. He was very raw, very physical, very quick; it just took us a little while to hone some of his skills. Both sides of the ball he went as hard as he could on every play.”
Lash was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in Berks and in Section 2 after helping the Eagles rank No. 1 in the Lancaster-Lebanon against the rush and No. 2 in total defense and scoring defense. He was also an all-league and All-Berks offensive guard.
Last year Exeter had five All-State picks: Linebackers Ty Yocum and J.R.Strauss, running back Eric Nangle, offensive lineman Kyle Helm and Schlaffer, who was selected at tight end.
Players were nominated by and selected in a vote of sportswriters across the state.
The All-State team for 6A will be announced later today.
Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State Team
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Palmieri, Pine-Richland
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jon LeDonne, Pine-Richland
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Ryan Palmieri, Pine-Richland – 5-10, 175 senior
Colin O’Sullivan, Upper Dublin – 5-11, 180 senior
Jalen Harris, Chester – 6-1, 175 sophomore
Running Back
Sam Steffey, Cocalico – 5-10, 180 junior
Jabree Wallace-Coleman, Imhotep Charter – 6-1, 195 sophomore
Nigel Linton, Whitehall – 5-8, 175 senior
Tavon Cooper, Greencastle-Antrim – 5-10, 163 senior
Wide Receiver
Tyseer Denmark, Roman Catholic – 5-11, 185 junior
Braden Cummings, Elizabethtown – 6-0, 185 senior
Wakeem Page, Erie Cathedral Prep – 5-10, 170 senior
Thomas Smyser, Dover – 5-10, 165 junior
Tight End
Aiden Black, Delaware Valley – 6-3, 225 junior
Markus Dixon, Archbishop Wood – 6-5, 230 senior
Offensive Line
Ryan Cory, Pine-Richland – 6-4, 280 junior
Joe Enick, Penn-Trafford – 6-3, 295 senior
Anthony Caccese, Exeter – 6-7, 280 senior
Andrew Kirlin, Marple Newtown – 6-6, 305 junior
Lucas Palange, Exeter – 6-1, 236 senior
Athlete
Joey Schlaffer, Exeter – 6-6, 215 senior
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Jamieal Lyons, Roman Catholic – 6-5, 257 senior
Kyle Lash, Exeter – 6-0, 220 senior
Kyree Butler, Upper Dublin – 6-0, 315 senior
Chuckie Drain, Cocalico – 5-11, 215 senior
Jason Patterson, Roman Catholic – 6-3, 230 senior
Tyler Hurst, Garden Spot – 5-10, 215 senior
Linebacker
Max Heckert, Pine-Richland – 6-1, 217 senior
Jordan Montgomery, Roman Catholic – 6-2, 225 senior
Semaj Bridgeman, Imhotep Charter – 6-2, 230 senior
Gavin Moul, Bethel Park – 6-1, 217 senior
Tyler Angstadt, Cocalico – 5-8, 165 senior
Jyree Roberts, Erie Cathedral Prep – 6-1, 235 senior
Defensive Back
DaMario Crawford, Erie Cathedral Prep – 5-11, 170 senior
Andrew Osmun, Spring Grove – 6-1, 205 senior
Dallas Harper, Gateway – 6-1, 185 senior
Kenneth Woseley, Imhotep Charter – 6-0, 185 junior
Idriz Ahmetovic, New Oxford – 6-0, 175 junior
Specialist
Ben Sosnowski, Hollidaysburg – 6-1, 192 senior
Mason Yohn, Northern York – 6-0, 175 senior
Athlete
Cole Bartram, Northern York – 5-10, 180 junior
Josiah Forren, Solanco – 6-0, 170 senior
