Berks stars pumped for final high school game, chance to shine vs. Lancaster stars
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Jayden Ware flashes a huge smile when he thinks about an enticing rematch Friday night in the 24th annual Tri-County All-Star Game at Manheim.
Exeter’s All-State safety is pumped by the prospect of competing with the best football players in Berks, Lebanon, and Lancaster counties, but what has him particularly revved up is the chance to get on the field again with players from rival Conestoga Valley, especially quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s gonna spark a little something in me,” Ware said enthusiastically.
Exeter and Conestoga Valley have clashed repeatedly over the past two seasons, each taking a big chunk out of the other. The Buckskins won each of the regular season matchups, and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 titles that came with them. The Eagles returned serve each season in the district playoffs, ending the Buckskins’ unbeaten seasons.
Esbenshade, the Offensive Back of the Year in Section 2 last season, was a focal point in each of those games. He threw for nearly a thousand yards in those four meetings, along with 10 TDs. He also ran for a pair of scores.
The Eagles, with one of the league’s best defenses, had trouble stopping him. They intercepted him just once in 111 throws.
Ware, the Defensive Back of the Year in Section 2 and one of the key defenders on the Berks/Lebanon roster, is hoping to change that.
“It would be good if I got one (this time),” he said. “I was definitely close (before). I got my hands on a couple (of his throws). He’s a good quarterback and it’s nice to play against someone with that type of talent.”
That’s one of the major draws for all of the players in the game: The chance to compete against top-shelf talent. Almost every player in the game is going on to play at the college level.
“It’s going to be a good experience to be able to compete with people at your (level),” said Muhlenberg all-league wide receiver Michael Miller Jr., who’s going on to play at Clarion. “It’s exciting.”
The Berks/Lebanon roster is stuffed with top-notch talent: Ware is one of six All-State picks, along with Exeter teammate and center Joel Ummarino, Schuylkill Valley linebacker Logan Cammauf, Twin Valley linebacker Ryan Rementer, Muhlenberg tailback Cameron Small and Annville-Cleona defensive end Hudson Sellers.
The Berks/Lebanon side will need top games from each of its top players because the Lancaster roster features All-State picks Johnny Garcia and Gabe Forren of Solanco and Vincent Bagonis of Warwick, along with Section 1 Defensive Lineman of the Year Cadyn Buckwalter of Hempfield, Section 2 Linebacker of the Year Chase Prange of Ephrata, Section 3 Receiver of the Year Cody Hess of Manheim Central and Section 2 Receiver of the Year Josiah Garcia – Esbenshade’s favorite target at Conestoga Valley.
The Lancaster stars have dominated the series, winning each of the three games since the format was changed and all the Berks teams were included. Lancaster won 49-39 last season; the Berks/Lebanon team didn’t score in the first two meetings.
“I’ve seen the (game) the last couple years and saw Berks not doing so good,” said Twin Valley center Noah DiGiacomo, “but I think we’ve got a really good group of guys that are gonna come out on Friday and we’re gonna flip the script.”
DiGiacomo is part of what could be the strength of the Berks/Lebanon roster: The offensive line. It is deep and includes talents such as Ummarino – the Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year in Section 2 – as well as first-team all-league picks Andre Osborne of Exeter, Nate Gilfert of Conrad Weisier, Jesse Etchberger of Wilson and Palmer Reber and Anthony Zatorski of Berks Catholic.
Developing a cohesive offensive line takes time, and practices have been limited, but Berks/Lebanon coach Alan Moyer of Conrad Weiser is counting on his guys to come through and create some running lanes for Small, Muhlenberg’s all-time rushing leader and a two-time All-State pick.
“We’re hoping that the run game is going to be a strength for us,” Moyer said. “We want to maintain the ball, keep it out of their hands, and try to run off some clock and hope for some big plays.”
A number of top Berks players are not available for the game due to spring sports, injuries, or other commitments. The Berks/Lebanon team is without Twin Valley All-State picks Drew Engle, Grayson Miller, and Ben Grundy, each of whom plays a spring sport; Exeter All-State tailback Leo Brown; and Wilson All-State defensive back Jaiden Carpenter.
Also, Governor Mifflin players can’t participate because of graduation ceremonies that night.
The Lancaster team is without All-State wide receiver Daryus Dixon, who was recently added to the Big 33 Classic roster.
Despite potential obstacles the Berks players are excited for their final high school game.
“We all have the common goal of wanting to win this game,” DiGiacomo said. “We’re all competitive, and I think that’s helped us jell.”
