Season preview: Daniel Boone Blazers
PIAA classification: 5A
League: Berks Section 1
Schedule: Click here
Last season: 1-3 league, 2-6 overall
Last District 3 playoff appearance: 2014
Head coach: Rob Flowers, fourth season, 10-19.
Key losses: All-league C Jake Dwinchick, WR Krystian Hornberger, S Wyatt Smith.
Top offensive players: All-league second-team QB Carter Speyerer, all-league second-team RB AJ Hofer, RB Ethan Kryman, RB JT Hogan, TE Jimmy Woodcock, TE Daven Klick, all-league WR Alex Vassallo, WR Jaxson Mace, WR Cam Hirshman, C Jesse Smith, G Tony Rulli, all-league second-team T Colin Leahy, T Brian Hollis, all-league second-team PK Nate Millard.
Top defensive players: E Jimmy Woodcock, E Draven Klick, all-league T Colin Leahy, NG Leon Davis, ILB Ryan Souder, ILB AJ Hofer, ILB Riley Brady, OLB Jaxson Mace, all-league SS Carter Speyerer, FS Jared Hewitt, all-league second-team CB Alex Vassallo, CB JT Hogan, all-league P Nate Millard.
Notable: The Blazers won or shared Berks League section titles in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Did you know? Tanner Vanderslice is the only Berks running back to rush for 400 yards in a game. He went for 403 and four TDs in a 42-19 win at Muhlenberg in 2019.
Quotable: “We have the positions needed to be successful. We have linemen, a kid that can run it and throw it at quarterback, a kid that can run it, a kid that can catch it. Defensively, we have some guys that understand what’s going on and just like to fly around and play.” — Blazers coach Rob Flowers.
Outlook: The Blazers are a candidate for the Berks breakout team of 2021. They are in their fourth year under head coach Rob Flowers, have 19 seniors and eight starters returning on each side of the ball. The seniors were around when the Blazers last reached the postseason, in 2018; they won an Eastern Conference championship. Four of those seniors – Carter Speyerer, Alex Vassallo, Ashton Bean and Nate Millard — were on the varsity roster for that playoff experience.
The offense is in good hands with the return of Speyerer, one of the top dual-threat QBs around. He threw for 945 yards and seven TDs and ran for five scores in eight games last season. His top target, Alex Vassallo, who led the league with 41 receptions, returns, as well. Speyerer will be working behind an offensive line that brings back four starters, including all-league tackle Colin Leahy. Leading rusher AJ Hofer returns. Sophomore RB Ethan Kryman could be an impact player.
The Blazers were next-to-last in Berks in total defense last season and allowed 37.6 points per game. They’ll need to get better on that side, and should, with all-league picks Speyerer (at safety), Vassallo (at cornerback) and Leahy (at end or tackle) back in the fold.
The kicking game should be a strength, with Millard handling placements, kickoffs and punts. He’s got a big leg and will be a weapon on both offense and defense.
The Blazers get a big test right off the bat with a season-opener against state-ranked Wyomissing. The second half of their schedule will be rough, with Section 1 match-ups against Berks Catholic, state-ranked Gov. Mifflin and Exeter. Their depth and experience will be tested.
At the wire: Could challenge for a postseason berth.
