What’s next for the . . . Wyomissing Spartans?
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(This is the second of a series as MikeDragoSports.com takes an offseason dive into Berks’ top programs.)
You might think that after losing some of the best players in program history – multi-year starters and all-league picks Justice Hardy, Chase Eisenhower and Tyler Niedrowski – the Wyomissing Spartans might be looking at a step back.
You might think their streak of five straight 10-win seasons could be in jeopardy, as would their chances to contend for another District 3 championship.
Think again.
No doubt the Spartans took a blow to the solar plexus when Hardy, a two-time All-State pick, transferred to Wilson in December. He’ll be one of the five best players in the entire 37-team Lancaster-Lebanon League next season and clearly would’ve been the centerpiece of the Spartans’ offense in his senior season.
The loss of a Division I prospect who stands out in all three phases of the game is going to leave a sizable dent into even the strongest program. No question Wyomissing would’ve been a much more formidable team with him.
That said the Spartans will be just fine. They return a dozen starters, including quarterback Brady Eisenhower, and should be deep and experienced on both sides of the line.
With Twin Valley now playing in Section 3 it’s safe to call the Spartans a top contender, maybe even the early favorite, for the Section 4 title. And now that they’re back at the Class 3A level you can expect them to be a major player in the District 3 playoff chase, too.
There will be no replacing Hardy. He’s a halfback with blazing speed and has game-changing ability in pass coverage and as a kick-returner. He’s been in Wyo’s starting lineup since he was a freshman and was on the verge of setting program career records for touchdowns, points and rushing yards.
His loss hurts even more because the Spartans are not deep at his positions, halfback and defensive back. They’ll have to rely on guys at other positions to do the heavy lifting.
Start with the quarterback, Brady Eisenhower, who had a terrific sophomore season. He completed nearly 62 percent of his passes and threw 13 touchdown passes – a big number considering he attempted only 55 passes.
More importantly than the numbers he was an effective game-manager; he’s fundamentally sound and carries out his fakes well. Those are critical skills for a Wing-T quarterback in long-time Wyomissing coach Bob Wolfrum’s mind.
“I’m really looking forward to having him,” said Wolfrum, gearing up for his Berks-record 40th season as head coach. “He did a lot of good stuff as a sophomore, and he’s going to take on a bigger role.”
Read that to mean he’ll be called upon to throw the ball downfield more often; with the return of two wide receivers, all-league pick Andrew DiFabrizio and Brady Focht, and tight end Diamante Strong he’ll have capable targets. Expect Eisenhower to get his number called more often as a ballcarrier, too.
He’ll be able to do it all behind a much more experienced and deeper offensive line where three starters return: Center Robbie Martino and tackles Christian Kauffman and Malachi Bosch. What was a problem area entering last season will be a strength.
Zander Westwood will benefit from that. He didn’t line up often at fullback as a junior because of the presence of Chase Eisenhower and Niedrowski. He easily could’ve been a starter and 1,000-yard rusher, given the opportunity. Now he’ll have it.
“He’s the real deal,” Wolfrum said. “We’ve had some Division 1 coaches (come through in the offseason) and they all seem to have an interest in him.”
The defensive side took a bigger hit, with the loss of four all-league picks: End Andrew Bresnahan, linebackers Chase Eisenhower and Niedrowski, and Hardy, the Section 4 Defensive Back of the Year.
Don’t fret. Many of the same key offensive guys will play pivotal roles on that side.
Kauffman and Martino were starters on the defensive line. Westwood and Strong could emerge as all-league linebackers; Teddy White saw a lot of time there, and at end.
Some new names will need to step up in the secondary, where DiFabrizio returns at corner. Expect Ryan Delp and Eisenhower to see time in the secondary, too.
Special teams coach John Zima will have his work cut out for him finding a suitable replacement for Keeghan Maher, an all-league punter and the Berks Specialist of the Year.
Much as it hurt, you won’t hear Wolfrum crying about the loss of Hardy. He’s only concerned now about developing other backs.
“He was with us, and he’s not there now,” Wolfrum said. “I wish him luck, but we don’t talk about him.”
Wolfrum didn’t complain about playing at the Class 4A level the past two seasons due to the PIAA’s Success Formula but he’s no doubt happy to return to 3A, where the Spartans won five district championships and made two PIAA championship-game appearances between 2019-23.
“That’s where we belong,” he said. “Wherever they want to put us is fine. We like to play (a schedule) as tough as we can during the season. Come playoff time, to play your own-sized schools makes sense to me.”
