Starting Lineup: Lucas Palange earns high marks on and off the field for Exeter
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the 12 top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers and specialists.
“Starting Lineup” is presented by GoBigRecruiting.com.
Players were selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration. One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked 1 thru 12). Former NFL lineman and recruiting expert Ross Tucker offers comments on each selection.
Lucas Palange, Exeter
| 6-0 | 240 | Senior | G/LB/DE |
BACKSTORY: Palange didn’t rest after earning All-State honors as a junior. He hit the weight room harder than before, tacked 30 pounds onto his 6-foot frame and is stronger than ever.
He was plenty strong last season when he played guard, linebacker and on all the Eagles’ special teams units. He was at his best on the offensive line, where he earned the highest blocking grades on an exceptional unit and helped pave the way for Eric Nangle to run for a program-record 1,814 yards. Many of Nangle’s yards came during a stirring playoff run that saw the Eagles win three straight games on the road, including at Gov. Mifflin, where they knocked off the top-ranked Class 5A team in the state to win their first District 3 championship. On defense he made 91 tackles and had eight sacks.
Palange earned all-league, All-Berks and Pennsylvania Football News All-State honors as a guard.
He showed off his strength at the annual Chris Nunn Memorial Berks Football Combine in May, where he won the bench press competition by doing 30 reps at 185 pounds, four better than the closest competitor.
A few weeks later he helped the Eagles take second place at Penn State’s Big Man Challenge in June.
“He made leaps and bounds (in the offseason),” Exeter coach Matt Bauer said. “He had a breakout junior year, no question about it, but he’s really committed himself to the gym. He put on good weight; it’s not slowing him down at all. He’s committed to playing at the next level.”
Palange is even stronger in the classroom than he is on the field: He has a 4.0 GPA and scored a 1440 on the SATs (that’s in the 97th percentile nationally). He’s already taking college-level courses and should have nearly a semester’s worth of college credits by the time he graduates.
At this level he’s a standout and will be a key helping the Eagles compete in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League where they’ll challenge Manheim Central, Gov. Mifflin and Warwick for the title.
ROLE: Palange will continue to be a key three-way player for the Eagles, helping anchor what could be the best O-line in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. He’ll be one of the league’s top linebackers, as well. Among his special teams duties is long-snapping.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Despite his superb football and academic resumes Palange he has not gotten much attention from colleges recruiters, other than offers from Carnegie Mellon and Alvernia. His lack of height and overall size is a drawback.
TUCKER’S TAKE: “Height will limit his college options but he is an outstanding high school football player who was one of Exeter’s best a year ago on a loaded team that won the District 3 championship. Controls what he can control which is his strength and effort. Fun player to watch on both sides of the ball.”
The “Starting Lineup” team was selected by MikeDragoSports.com, with input from Berks coaches and Ross Tucker, co-founder and CEO of GoBigRecruiting.com and a former NFL lineman. Tucker, who played at Wyomissing, has deep contacts throughout college football and remains dialed into Berks football.
After the “Starting Lineup” team has been presented MikeDragoSports.com will publish the “Berks Watch List,” which will include 50 more other top players to watch this season.
