What to expect in Section 2 of the Lancaster Lebanon League this season
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What to expect in Section 1 this season
Manheim Central Barons
Classification: 4A
Coach: Dave Hahn, ninth season, 80-19
Last season: 5-1 league, 11-2 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost to Bishop McDevitt in District 3 championship game.
Need to replace: Linebacker of the Year Rocco Daugherty and seven other all-league picks.
What’s back: Offensive Back of the Year Brycen Armold, Receiver of the Year Aaron Enterline, Defensive Back of the Year Body Sipel and quarterback Zac Hahn, who threw for over 2,220 yards and 28 touchdowns. Enterline and Sipel were each two-way, first-team all-league picks.
Key early game: Week 3 at Cocalico. Collision of perennial district title contenders and old Section 2 rivals.
At the finish: Looking at unbeaten run through league after just missing last season, when they lost to Exeter in Week 10 battle of unbeatens.
Exeter Eagles
Classification: 5A
Coach: Matt Bauer, 15th season, 105-53.
Last season: 6-0 league, 12-1 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost to Cocalico 34-14 in District 3 championship game.
Need to replace: Arguably the greatest senior class in program history, one that included the program’s all-time leading receiver and Penn State recruit Joey Schlaffer, Offensive Lineman and Linebacker of the Year Lucas Palange, Defensive Lineman of the Year Kyle Lash, Delaware recruit Anthony Caccese and three other first-team all-league picks.
What’s back: Coastal Carolina TE recruit Zack Zandier, all-league defensive back Nathan Pashley and returning offensive linemen Matt and Ryan McConnell.
Key early game: Season-opener vs. Daniel Boone; rebuilt Eagles should expect a fight from rival Blazers in Pig Iron Bowl.
At the finish: Challenging for another league title; back in the district playoffs.
Gov. Mifflin Mustangs
Classification: 5A
Coach: Jeff Lang, seventh season, 46-20.
Last season: 2-4 league, 3-7 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League C Damien O’Brien, who graduated, and all-league DE Mykel Ford, who transferred to Roman Catholic.
What’s back: Some big linemen, including college prospect Kabine Toure at DE, and most of the starting defense.
Key early game: Week 1 at Spring-Ford; Mustangs need to set the tone early coming off rough season.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Warwick Warriors
Classification: 5A
Coach: Bob Locker, 23rd season, 118-112.
Last season: 4-2 league, 5-5 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League QB Jack Reed and three other key offensive skills players.
What’s back: Two-time all-league DB Trevor Evans, who adds QB duties to his resume, WR Thomas Jeans and seven return starters on defense.
Key early game: Week 1 vs. Cocalico; Warriors will find out right away if they are a playoff team.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Conestoga Valley Buckskins
Classification: 5A
Coach: Jeff Scepanski, second season, 5-5.
Last season: 3-3 league, 5-5 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: RB/DB Nick Tran, a two-way all-league pick, four other all-league picks and nine graduated starters.
What’s back: Two-way all-league lineman Soren Stolzfus is the Bucks’ top returning player.
Key early game: Week 2 at Daniel Boone; chance for Bucks to gain some early momentum.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Muhlenberg Muhls
Classification: 5A
Coach: John Lorchak, fourth season, 3-24.
Last season: 1-5 league, 2-8 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: 1,000-yard RB Gio Cavanna and several key defensive linemen.
What’s back: All-League C Tucker Bellanca, RB/KR/LB Michael Miller, and TE/LB Wes Clemison lead the way.
Key early game: Week 2 at Reading High; Battle of the Border has become biggest game of the season for the Muhls.
At the finish: Playing catch-up with the top programs in this top-heavy section.
Lebanon Cedars
Classification: 6A
Coach: Frank Isenberg, fourth season, 3-23.
Last season: 0-6 league, 0-10 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: QB Emanuel Mason and all-league receivers Alex Orosco and Zahir Stoner.
What’s back: All-League lineman Josiah Wright, all-league DB Errick Briddell and OL/DL Corbett Brickle lead the way.
Key early game: Week 1 vs. Palmyra; Cedars need to avenge season-opening loss last season.
At the finish: Playing catch-up with the top programs in the section.
