What to expect in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season
2023 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Wyomissing Spartans
Classification: 3A.
Coach: Bob Wolfrum, 37th season, 350-87-1.
Last season: 7-0 league, 13-1 overall.
2022 postseason: Beat West Perry 63-7 for District 3 championship, lost to Neumann-Goretti 20-17 in PIAA semifinal.
Need to replace: Offensive Lineman of the Year Jven Williams, Linebacker of the Year Matt Kramer, all-league S Drew Eisenhower, all-league OT/DT Pacen Ziegler.
What’s back: Two-way all-league T and Penn State recruit Caleb Brewer, all-league LB Ryker Jones, all-league WR Ethan Brower, FB/LB Collin Niedrowski, FB/LB Chase Eisenhower, HB/LB Drew Forrey, S (and QB) Logan Hyde, freshman DB Justice Hardy.
Key early game: Week 3 at Trinity; Shamrocks may offer only true challenge until October.
At the finish: Chasing a fifth straight league title and fifth straight District 3 championship.
(Tim Macrina photo)
Cocalico Eagles
Classification: 5A.
Coach: Bryan Strohl, fourth season, 20-14.
Last season: 5-2 league, 10-5 overall.
2022 postseason: Beat Exeter 34-14 for District 3 championship, lost to Pine-Richland 34-12 in PIAA semifinals.
Need to replace: Defensive Lineman of the Year Chuck Drain, all-league LB Tyler Angstadt, all-league OL Chase Tucker.
What’s back: All-League RB Sam Steffey (1,829 yards, 23 TDs), QB/DB Josh Myer, all-league RB & DB Aaryn Longenecker (1,600 all-purpose yards, 13 TDs), all-league WR Bryce Nash, key return starters on OL and DL and 21 seniors.
Key early game: Week 3 vs. Manheim Central. Barons likely best team on Eagles’ schedule.
At the finish: Challenging for league title.
Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Victor Ridenour, third season, 20-5
Last season: 6-1 league, 9-3 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost to Manheim Central 52-6 in District 3 quarterfinals.
Need to replace: Receiver of the Year Hunter Hildenbrand, all-league OL Tre Spahr, all-league OL Jeremy Reed, all-league DL Luke Hines.
What’s back: All-League RB Carson Coleman (1,110 yards, 18 TDs), all-league QB Trent Wagner (1,668 yards, 21 TDs), all-league WR Dean Herr (25.6 yards per catch), LB Jackson Heeter, TE/LB Drexton Frank, RB/DB Jonathan Mellinger, DE Ezechial Lukusa.
Key early game: Week 1 at Solanco; edged 40-35 last season by the Mules.
At the finish: Top contender.
Berks Catholic Saints
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Rick Keeley, 38th season, 275-154-3.
Last season: 4-3 league, 5-6 overall.
2022 postseason: Beat Pine Grove 49-14 for Eastern Conference Class 4A championship.
Need to replace: Defensive Back of the Year Josiah Jordan, all-league DE Jackson Haas, all-league DE Nafis Blythe (transferred to Upper Dublin), all-league C Ty Barreto, all-league SE & LS Jaxon Geddio, PK Andrew Kurtas.
What’s back: All-League OL Owen Reber, TE/DE Joey Polinsky (moving to OT), FB/LB Devin Garcia, QB Will Hess, RB/DB Michael Bradley, LB Connor Pennington, LB Luke Impellizzeri, G Ayden Jimenez.
Key early game(s): Week 1 at Loyalsock . . . Week 2 at Executive Education . . . Week 3 at Pope John Paul II. . . Saints have the toughest opening-month schedule of any team in the section.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Conrad Weiser Scouts
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Alan Moyer, 21st season, 136-87.
Last season: 2-5 league, 3-7 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League DT Nate Casiano, all-league WR Trey Dianna, all-league PK/P Adam Noll.
What’s back: QB Donovan Gingrich, all-league DE Evan Miller, all-league S Evan Rittle, WR Josh Miller, RB/LB Sevon Parham, TB/CB Osumane Conde, RB/LB Jonathan McQuillen.
Key early game: Week 3 vs. Twin Valley; Scouts will find out what they’re made of against Section 2 favorite.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Elco Raiders
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Bob Miller, 12th season, 56-53.
Last season: 1-6 league, 4-6 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League DL Ricardo Lebron Muniz, all-league DL Jaron Garcia, QB Dom Thornton, four starting OL.
What’s back: Offensive Back of the Year Jake Williams (1,824 yards, 18 TDs), all-league TE Elliot Kreider, WR/DB Justin Smucker.
Key early game: Week 2 vs. Annville-Cleona.
At the finish: Middle of the pack.
Donegal Indians
Classification: 4A
Coach: Anthony Sottasante, first season.
Last season: 3-4 league, 4-7 overall.
2022 postseason: Lost to York Suburban in opening round of District 3 Tournament.
Need to replace: All-League RB & LB Noah Rohrer, QB/S Landon Baughman.
What’s back: All-League LB James Turbedsky, all-league DB Ruben Mumper, RB/LB Tyler Sload, T/LB Brycen Rineer.
Key early game: Week 3 at Lampeter-Strasburg. Indians lost 35-0 a year ago to Pioneers.
At the finish: Back of the pack.
Octorara Braves
Classification: 4A.
Coach: Ed Smith, first season.
Last season: 0-7 league, 1-9 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Need to replace: All-League WR & DB Chris Busby.
What’s back: QB Braeden Wood, all-league RB Colton Focht, all-league LB Austin Kurtz, C Kyle McCaw, G Ben Eberhart, DE Shaun Myrick.
