Top players to watch in Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League in 2023
Hempfield navigated its way to a perfect run through Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League last season, edging top rivals Manheim Township 17-14 and Wilson 20-16 — both on the road.
The Black Knights boasted the section’s most dominant lineman, junior Deyvid Palepale, who recently committed to the University of Southern California.
The section’s other most dominant player, Cam Jones of Wilson, graduated after being named both Offensive Back and Defensive Back of the Year.
The Blue Streaks return the most talent, with nine all-league picks back in the fold, including six first-team selections. Palepale returns for the Black Knights, as does quarterback Jackson Landis.
Here’s a look at the top players in Section 1 for the 2023 season:
Edison Case, Wilson
Lanky, athletic wide receiver developed cohesive partnership with QB Tommy Hunsicker and pulled in team-high 25 receptions as a junior. At 6-3 he towers over high school defensive backs and is able to go up and over them for the ball; dangerous after the catch too, as his 19.6 yards-per-reception average shows.
All-League first-team pick at WR is now attracting college interest.
He’ll be an impact player at safety, as well.
Declan Clancy, Manheim Township
Two-way terror earned a pair of Section 1 first-team all-league honors as a sophomore, at running back and linebacker, as Township went all the way to the District 3 Class 6A finale.
Rushed for 848 yards, averaged 7.6 yards per carry and had 13 TDs, along with 13 receptions.
On defense, the 5-9, 185-pound linebacker made a team-high 127 tackles.
Jack Dendall, Wilson
The 6-3, 270-pounder emerged as one of the top left tackles in the league, helping keep Bulldogs QB Tommy Hunsicker upright and leading the way for a rushing attack that netted 200 yards per game.
Earned first-team all-league honors.
Picked up a handful of Division I offers in the offseason; likely more on the way.
Hayden Johnson, Manheim Township
All-State pick threw for a league-leading 2,621 yards, clicking on 240-of-330 attempts with 26 TDs. The 6-1, 180-pound junior was a unanimous first-team pick among Section 1 quarterbacks.
Also averaged 36 yards per punt to nab a second-team all-league spot.
Three-year starter is poised for a huge senior season. He enters with 4,640 career passing yards.
Landon Kennel, Manheim Township
Shared the league lead with 65 receptions for 736 yards with 15 TD grabs and was named Section 1 co-Receiver of the Year, along with Reading High’s Ruben Rodriguez. The 6-3, 200-pound receiver averaged 11.3 yards per catch.
PA Football News All-State pick committed to play at Monmouth this summer.
Will add full-time duty on defense this season.
Logan Kurzweg, Wilson
Intense run-blocking center regularly drove defenders into the second level as he paved the way for strong rushing attack that carried Bulldogs into playoffs.
The 5-11, 275-pounder was a first-team all-league pick as a junior. He’ll be used on defensive line more this season.
Attracting Division III college interest.
Jackson Landis, Hempfield
Dual-threat quarterback had a breakout season, hitting on 146-of-242 passes for 1,767 yards with 13 TDs in leading the Black Knights to the Section 1 title.
The 6-1, 185-pound rising senior is also a threat on the ground: He ran for 13 TDs last season.
He averaged 35.8 yards on punts and was a second-team all-league special teams pick.
Gabriel Laws, Reading High
Generated college interest after breakthrough sophomore season that saw him record 14 tackles for loss from his linebacker spot, with two forced fumbles.
The physical 6-foot, 210-pounder will be a leader and playmaker on both sides of the ball, including running back.
(Chris Knight/LancasterOnLine photo)
Deyvid Palepale, Hempfield
Massive two-way interior lineman dominated up front, collected every award around and anchored Black Knights’ run to the Section 1 title.
The 6-3, 305-pound junior was named both the Offensive Lineman and Defensive Lineman of the Year in Section 1 and earned All-Status from both the PA Football Writers and PA Football News.
He had 32 tackles, three sacks and recovered a pair of fumbles, taking one back to the house.
Announced after last season that he was leaving Hempfield to play at IMG Academy in Florida, then reversed course a few months later.
Surprised people earlier this summer when he spurned Penn State and announced decision to play at Southern Cal, the Trojans’ first major Pennsylvania recruit in years.
Aiden Schomp, Cedar Crest
The 6-6, 230-pound junior emerged as one of the top tight ends in the league last season, catching 22 passes, with four TDs. Earned second-team all-league honors.
Big offseason on camp circuit has helped him pull in offers from Penn, Colgate and Sacred Heart.
Will also see time at defensive end.
Dhamir Wesley, Penn Manor
Returns as one of the top two-way lineman in the section
The 6-5, 260-pound junior had 18 catches for 191 yards and three TDs to earn all-league first-team status at tight end.
Defensive end made 33 tackles with two sticks for losses.
No offers yet but his big frame and rapid development have landed him on the radar of several Power-5 programs.
Asher Wolfe, Manheim Township
Two-way playmaker is ultra dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Steady free safety had 42 tackles and broke up a couple of passes.
Lanky, 6-3, 200-pound receiver had a breakout season, catching 35 passes for 479 yards with a pair of TDs, including the game-winner in the waning seconds in Township’s thrilling non-league win at Harrisburg.
Others to watch
- Xavier Beatty, DB, Reading High
- Tom Capizzi, OT, Manheim Township
- Owen Chernich, WR-DB, Cedar Crest
- Jackson Custer, QB, Cedar Crest
- Keyshawn Efese, OT, Reading High
- Micah Gates, WR-DB, Hempfield
- Nick Good, RB-DB, Manheim Township
- Tommy Hunsicker, QB, Wilson
- DeAndre Jones, WR-KR, McCaskey
- Julian Larue, DT, Manheim Township
- Steven Lavender, RB-LB, McCaskey
- Tristan Long, OL-DT, Cedar Crest
- Ryan McMillan, G-LB, Wilson
- Nick Palumbo, WR, Manheim Township
- Ben Rada, PK, Wilson
- Eli Rodriguez, DE, Manheim Township
- Zion Rolon, LB, Cedar Crest
- Mike Shaffer, G-DL, Hempfield
- Antonio Vazquez, WR-DB, Manheim Township
- Christian Weaber, G-DL, Cedar Crest
Others stories in this series:
Top players to watch in Section 2
Top players to watch in Section 3
