Lampeter-Strasburg ready to challenge Wyo in newly formed Section 4
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Wyomissing ended its run in the Berks Football League with three straight section titles and 16 straight league wins. Things figure to be more challenging for the Spartans with their move to Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Seven of the eight teams in the newly formed section reached the District 3 playoffs last season. Four of the programs own district champships; three others have reached a district final.
“When you look at that section, it’s just loaded with great tradition,” said Lampeter-Strasburg head coach Victor Ridenour.
Lampeter has a resume similar to Wyomissing’s with a pair of district titles in the past three seasons and an overall 31-6 record in that span.
The teams met in a preseason scrimmage last year, and it was closely played. The Spartans went on to win a District 3 Class 3A championship and finish 15-1; the Pioneers finished 11-2.
“It was a good battle” Ridenour said of the scrimmage. “It was a good test for us.”
The Pioneers won the past two Section 3 titles, beating out Donegal, Ephrata, Garden Spot, Lancaster Catholic and Lebanon. On Donegal remains in their section. They know they’ll see an uptick in competition this season.
“Seven of the eight teams made districts last year,” said Pioneers senior Hunter Hildenbrand. “That is really hard to do. It’s a hard section. You have Conrad Weiser who’s usually good. ‘Wyo,’ they go to state championships in 3A. It’s like a mini district, that’s how I like to look at it. Every game you have to step on the pedal right away.”
Section 4: 5-year scan*
| Section 4 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 5 seasons |
| Wyomissing | 10-0 | 5-0 | 10-0 | 8-2 | 9-1 | 42-3 |
| Berks Catholic | 6-4 | 5-3 | 6-4 | 8-2 | 10-0 | 35-13 |
| Cocalico | 6-4 | 4-4 | 8-2 | 8-2 | 9-1 | 35-13 |
| Lamp.-Strasburg | 9-1 | 7-0 | 7-3 | 5-5 | 6-4 | 34-13 |
| Conrad Weiser | 7-3 | 6-0 | 5-5 | 8-2 | 5-5 | 31-15 |
| Donegal | 7-2 | 3-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 5-5 | 27-19 |
| Elco | 4-6 | 6-0 | 7-3 | 8-2 | 2-8 | 27-19 |
| Octorara | 8-2 | 6-2 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 20-28 |
It was no surprise to see Bishop McDevitt and Lampeter-Strasburg meet for the District 3 Class 4A title last season. Since 2018 either the Crusaders or Pioneers have taken home the district trophy. McDevitt won in 2018 and L-S in 2019 and 2020.
The Crusaders ground out a 7-0 victory last year. That loss still stings in Lampeter.
“I definitely think we have some unfinished business,” Hildenbrand said. “It’s definitely an unsettling game to think about but it’s more about getting there. (Our) first goal is to win the section and take it on from there.”
The Pioneers and Crusaders are the only current Class 4A programs with multiple District 3 titles. All other programs are now in other classifications: Cumberland Valley (6A), Wilson (6A), Cedar Cliff (5A), Central Dauphin (6A), Berks Catholic (3A) and Lower Dauphin (5A).
The Pioneers are heavyweights in their classification and want to keep it that way.
Lampeter-Strasburg’s football program has been solid for years; it won a district championship in 2007 and appeared in the title game again in 2011. This recent stretch has seen the Pioneers reach new heights.
Ridenour, a longtime assistant, took over last season for John Manion, who coached the program for 23 years and amassed a 177-84 record.
The Pioneers went to the district final for the third consecutive season. They had success even with a major offensive change which saw them switch from a Pistol Wing T to a zone-read.
“What made it easy was the culture,” Ridenour said of the transition. “The expectations had already been built. I was part of that staff for a long time and John is a good friend. I think the challenges were just trying to maintain that and keeping the kids hungry to get better each and every week.”
Hildenbrand, who is battling Trent Wagner for time at quarterback, credited the program’s consistent success to the coaching staff and a more dedicated approach in the weight room.
“Our coaching staff really prepares each week, watches tons of film,” Hildebrand said. “(On defense) they call out plays before the play even happens. The main thing is how good we got in the weight room (the past several years).”
The Pioneers need to replace 11 all-league picks, including Section 3 Linebacker of the Year and Offensive Lineman of the Year Nick Del Grande, who’s heading to Coastal Carolina; Defensive Back of the Year and quarterback Berkeley Wagner, now playing at Susquehanna University; and all-league tight end and linebacker Beau Heyser, who’s now at East Stroudsburg,
“They were huge parts of the team and kept us all together,” Hildenbrand said. “You can’t replace those guys. Beau could catch anything, Nick could block anything, and Berkley was so smart on the field.
“I think with the guys coming in, this team is going to be quick, fast, explosive. I think it might be as explosive as L-S has seen.”
There’s a lot of returning talent, especially along the trenches, with all-league defensive linemen Luke Hines and Landon Coronado, all-league center Tre Spahr, Tristen Showers and Jeremy Reed.
Linebacker Jackson Heeter is among nine experienced players returning to defense.
“I really like the big guys up front,” said Hildenbrand. “We have four guys back up up front, which is really nice. It’s more about playing together, playing as a family, getting to know each other and getting to trust each other.”
Ridenour says he’ll know how steep the learning curve is for the new starters after a few weeks.
“There’s a practice speed and a game speed,” he said. “You can look great in practice and feel confident going in but when you see those kids under fire that’s when you really start to know where they’re at.
“Fortunately, a lot of those kids got a lot of playing time last year so it won’t be new to them, but carrying more of a load will be a little bit different for them.”
Hildenbrand and the younger Pioneers learned a ton from the graduating class. They know the expectations coming off three straight district championship appearances. Now it’s their turn.
“(If) you get through our section and you’re fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs you’re going to be battle-tested,” Ridenour said. “It’s going to be competitive. It’s old-school, good football. It’s going to be a physical section.”