What to expect in Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season
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Manheim Township Blue Streaks
Classification: 6A
Coach: Mark Evans, 12th season, 88-40.
Last season: 4-2 league, 9-4 overall.
2022 postseason: No. 5 seed won two games before losing to No. 3 Harrisburg 44-6 in District 3 championship game.
Need to replace: The Blue Streaks graduated fewer starters than any team in the section.
What’s back: The Streaks had the most productive pass-catch combination in Section 1 last season and both QB Hayden Johnson and WR Landon Kennel are back, as are seven other all-league picks, including RB Declan Clancy. Johnson, an all-league pick, threw for a league-leading 2,621 yards, much of it to Kennel, who shared Receiver of the Year honors with Ruben Rodriguez after catching 65 passes, 15 for TDs. Both are getting Division I looks. Clancy was also a first-team all-league pick at LB, one of three returning all-leaguers on defense.
Key early game: Week 3 vs. Harrisburg. Could be a playoff preview. Blue Streaks pulled it out last season with late TD, 24-20.
At the finish: Blue Streaks have more top-shelf talent and more experience returning than any team in the section. However, they play both Wilson and Hempfield on the road, which will make winning a section title all the harder.
Wilson Bulldogs
Classification: 6A
Coach: Doug Dahms, 18th season, 178-38.
Last season: 5-1 league, 8-3 overall.
2022 postseason: No. 6 seed lost to eventual champ Harrisburg 32-21 in District 3 quarterfinals.
Need to replace: The Bulldogs graduated the most versatile and dangerous player in Section 1, Cam Jones, along with five other all-league defensive players. Jones was the section’s Offensive Back and Defensive Back of the Year and one of the greatest kick returners in league history.
What’s back: The Bulldogs have a pretty good pass-catch combination of their own in QB Tommy Hunsicker and WR Eddie Case, who’s 6-2 and can go up and get it. Hunsicker came on strong in the second half of the season and finished with 1,065 passing yards; Case averaged 19.6 yards on his 25 receptions. They’ll be supported by a veteran offensive line that includes all-league center Logan Kurzweg.
Key early game: Week 1, at Roman Catholic. Bulldogs got trounced by Cahillites in opener last year. Need to make better showing.
At the finish: In the hunt for a record 29th Section 1 title.
Hempfield Black Knights
Classification: 6A
Coach: George Eager, fourth season, 20-12.
(Chris Knight/LancasterOnLine)
Last season: 6-0 league, 9-3 overall.
2022 postseason: No. 1 seed lost to Manheim Township 42-7 in District 3 semifinals.
Need to replace: Black Knights graduated 11 all-league players, none more important than Section 1 Linebacker of the Year Jacob Karkoska and first-team RB Grant Hoover.
What’s back: The league’s most dominating lineman, Deyvid Palepale, thought about transferring to an academy school but had a change of heart and returned. The USC recruit, who collected both Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors as a junior, is major force along both lines. QB Jackson Landis, who threw for over 1,600 yards, will have his top target, all-league WR Micah Gates, to throw to once again.
Key early game: Week 3 at Central York; clash of two of the top big-school programs in the district.
At the finish: The Black Knights snuck past Wilson and Township by a combined seven points last season to win their first outright title since 1994. It’ll be harder this season but they do get their top two rivals at home.
Cedar Crest Falcons
Classification: 6A
Coach: Rob Wildasin, 10th season, 46-43.
Last season: 2-4 league, 5-5 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: Two-way all-league lineman Connor Schwartz.
What’s back: Strong lines, led by first-team all-league guard Christian Weaber and second-team all-league TE Aiden Schomp.
Key early game: Week 3 at Warwick will be a key measuring stick for the Falcons.
At the finish: Middle of the pack. Falcons always lack the depth to play with the top-tier teams.
Penn Manor Comets
Classification: 6A
Coach: John Brubaker, ninth season, 21-57,
Last season: 3-3 league, 5-5 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: Two-way all-league pick Jordan Martin, a first-team G and second-team DE.
What’s back: Dhamir Wesley, a two-way all-league end, is 6-4, 260 and getting big-time college looks. He anchors solid lines.
Key early game: Winning season-opener against Conestoga Valley again is imperative, because Comets face Lampeter-Strasburg and Solanco in Weeks 2 and 3.
At the finish: Will struggle to see .500 again.
Reading High Red Knights
Classification: 6A
Coach: Troy Godinet, second season, 3-7.
Last season: 1-5 league, 3-7 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: Amier Burdine, an all-league pick on both offense and defense, and Ruben Rodriguez, the Section 1 co-Receiver of the Year, were two of the best athletes – and leaders — in the league.
What’s back: LB Gabe Laws didn’t earn any kind of league honors as a sophomore but he should be an impact player this season. Line-play should be strong, with two big, impressive-looking athletes in Keyshawn Efese and Michael Oyedemi and all-league G Romello Fuentes.
Key early game: Week 2 vs. Muhlenberg. Win last season at Muhlenberg was one of only two for the Red Knights.
At the finish: Red Knights won’t challenge the league’s top teams but could be poised to take a step up.
McCaskey Red Tornado
Classification: 6A
Coach: Ben Thompson, third season, 3-17.
Last season: 0-6 league, 1-9 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: LB Jose Garcia is the lone all-league first-team pick lost through graduation.
What’s back: QB Jalen Cintron is among 15 return starters.
Key early game: Season-opener against John Bartram might be best chance for a win; it was Red Tornado’s only victory last year.
At the finish: Back of the pack.
