What to expect in Section 3 of the Lancaster Lebanon League this season
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Others in this series:
What to expect in Section 1 this season
What to expect in Section 2 this season
Twin Valley Raiders
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Brett Myers, second season, 7-5.
Last season: 3-3 league, 7-5 overall.
2022 postseason: Raiders earned first district playoff victory, beating Milton Hershey, before losing to eventual champ Bishop McDevitt in the semifinals.
Need to replace: All-League FB/P Jaydon Goebel, C Masen Ketner, LB Nick Harris.
What’s back: Third-year starting QB Evan Myers, two-way all-league pick Ean Winchester, two-way all-league pick Drew Engle, leading rusher and scorer Evan Johnson (993 yards, 17 TDs) and a massive O-line which averages 6-3, 281 yards.
Key early game: Week 1 against Schuylkill Valley; Panthers will be looking for payback after a 39-12 spanking in last year’s opener.
At the finish: Seeking first league championship since 2007.
Garden Spot Spartans
Classification: 5A
Coach: Matt Zamperini, 14th season, 70-75.
Last season: 4-2 league, 7-4 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost to Dover in opening round of districts.
Need to replace: Six all-league, first-team selections, including Defensive Lineman of the Year Tyler Hurst; leading receiver Zac Nagle; and INT and TDs leader Blake Weaver.
What’s back: All-League QB Kye Harting, who passed for 1,974 yards and 20 TDs and led team in rushing with 1,110 yards and scored 13 TDs; two-way all-league lineman Reed Gruber; and WR Jace Conrad (20 receptions).
Key early game: Week 1 against Conrad Weiser will be a tone-setter.
At the finish: Talented Kye Harting makes Spartans a contender for league title and district playoff berth.
Ephrata Mountaineers
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Kris Miller, eighth season, 26-41.
Last season: 3-3 league, 6-4 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: Offensive Back of the Year Andre Weideman (1,262 yards, 16 TDs), Offensive Lineman of the Year Weston Nolt and nine other starters.
What’s back: QB Sam McCracken, who threw for 2,002 yards and 21 TDs; two-way first-team all-league pick Jeremiah Knowles (team-high 37 receptions); two-way all-league pick (TE/LB) and Division I prospect Quintin Pfautz; and key special teams personnel.
Key early game: Will find out if they’re of playoff caliber Week 2 at Warwick.
At the finish: Top contender.
Solanco Mules
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Tony Cox, 10th season, 54-40.
Last season: 6-0 league, 11-1 overall.
2022 postseason: Top seed beat Shippensburg in quarterfinals before losing to eventual champ Cocalico 32-8 in semifinals.
Need to replace: 23 seniors, 17 starters and 15 all-league players, including Linebacker of the Year Nick DeFrancesco and Defensive Back of the Year Josiah Forren, a three-way, first-team all-league pick.
What’s back: All-League center Gavin Cox, all-league DE Jordan Kephart.
Key early games: Open with Lampeter-Strasburg and play at Cocalico in Week 2; that’s a daunting start.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Fleetwood Tigers
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Steve Pangburn, second season, 2-8.
Last season: 0-6 league, 2-8 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League DE Owen Kotsch, C Noah Yourkawitch, LB Ty Wamsher.
What’s back: QB Jack Riffle, all-league WR Mason Musitano, William & Mary line recruit Hunter Svoboda, RB/CB Dakota Thomas (Fleetwood transfer).
Key early game: Week 2 vs. Conrad Weiser; Scouts always give the Tigers fits.
At the finish: Could move up after winless debut in Section 3.
Elizabethtown Bears
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Keith Stokes, second season, 8-3.
Last season: 4-2 league, 8-3 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost in opening round 42-2 to eventual champ Cocalico.
Need to replace: 18 seniors, 16 starters and eight all-league picks, including QB Josh Rudy and Receiver of the Year Braden Cummings.
What’s back: TE Ian Brosey, DB Drew Hitz, RB Hayden Haver.
Key early game: Will be challenged in Week 1 by Donegal.
At the finish: Falling back after heavy graduation losses.
Daniel Boone Blazers
Classification: 4A.
Coach: J.D. Okuniewski, first season.
Last season: 1-5 league, 2-8 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League LB Ryan Souder and most of offensive and defensive lines.
What’s back: QB Dean Rotter (1,208 passing yards), all-league receivers Anthony High and Max Heffner, line anchor Jordan Myer, LB Ethan Kryman.
Key early game: Season opens with “Pig Iron Bowl” vs. Exeter; nothing’s bigger than that.
At the finish: Chance to move up if things fall into place quickly under new coaching staff.
