For the first time since 2019 the Mid-Penn Keystone Division will crown a champion not named Bishop McDevitt.
That’s because the high-powered Crusaders have made the move to take on the 6A giants of the rugged Commonwealth Division. McDevitt leaves behind Keystone playmates Hershey, Lower Dauphin, Palmyra, Mifflin County, and Red Land, with the new-look division being rounded out by former Colonial squads Gettysburg Mechanicsburg, Northern, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro.
What do all 10 of these teams have in common? None finished higher than third in their respective division last year, meaning that no matter which team wins this fall, it will be a surprise.
Picking a winner in a division full of underdogs is no easy undertaking, but we’re going to take a shot.
With defense setting the tone, we like Lower Dauphin and Mechanicsburg to lead the way with their groups of returning players, with Hershey, Northern York, Shippensburg, and Gettysburg giving close chase. We’ve picked Red Land, Palmyra, Waynesboro, and Mifflin County to round out the standings, but make no mistake there are no easy outs in this division.
Our crystal ball tells us this division will beat up on itself every week, and we could very well see a division champion with two or more losses. Buckle up!
Projected division standings: Lower Dauphin, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Northern York, Shippensburg, Gettysburg, Red Land, Palmyra, Waynesboro, Mifflin County.
Lower Dauphin Falcons
Predicted finish: 1st
Coach: Josh Borreli
Record last season: 6-5, 4-3 Keystone (3rd place)
Team outlook: With a solid group of returning all-stars, Lower Dauphin is optimistic about the prospect of moving up the Keystone pecking order. It starts on defense for the Falcons, who return All-Keystone LBs Hunter Strohm (6-1, 205) and Owen Tucker (6-2, 210), as well as DB Wes Heagy (5-11, 180). Strohm and Tucker combined for more than 130 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, while Heagy racked up 64 tackles and defended two passes. Expect Lower Dauphin to move the ball offensively, as the team returns its top passer and receiver, along with junior Hunter Stoak, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound OL. The Falcons are projected to return starting QB Carter Burton, who threw for 872 yards and five TDs, while also rushing 120 times for 784 yards and 13 TDs. Heagy, who caught 11 passes for 250 yards and 3 TDs last season, will be counted on for increased production this fall, as will RB Gerald Sanders (89-612-6). Games in the Keystone could be tight this season, so look for punter/kicker Brandon Fritz to be a difference-maker in the win-loss column.
One player to watch: Carter Burton. There’s not a high school football team in America that wouldn’t want an experienced senior QB in saddle for the upcoming season. Lower Dauphin happens to have a good one in 6-foot, 205-pound signal-caller Carter Burton. His presence in the backfield forces opponents to account for his quick legs, which benefit the Falcons in both the passing and rushing attack. Burton can scramble away from a broken pocket and deliver strikes on the run, but his biggest value to Lower Dauphin just might be his efficiency on designed QB running plays. An elusive runner who is good at following his blockers, Burton averaged 6.5 yards per carry last fall and found the end zone 13 times. With Burton running the show, look for Lower Dauphin’s offense to be calm and productive in the storm that is the Keystone Division.
Mechanicsburg Wildcats
Predicted finish: 2nd
Coach: Dave Heckard
Record last season: 5-5, 4-3 Colonial (4th place)
Team outlook:Â Already known as one of the top wrestling coaches in the area, Heckard will put his football know-how to the test as takes over a Wildcats program seeking its first winning season since 2021. Heckard, also the head coach of Mechanicsburg’s wrestling squad, inherits an intact Wildcats team with quality returners on both sides of the ball. Two returning all-star defensive ends — junior Collin Stare (6-2, 210) and senior Willie Travis (6-1, 180) — combined for four sacks last season and will be looking to once again make life miserable for opposing QBs. Look for the Stare-Travis combo to create rushed passes, creating open season in the secondary for DBs Jack DeLuca (5-10, 155) and Josh Smith (6-1, 170) to go hunting for interceptions. Speaking of Smith, he will be counted on to provide the spark as a WR after generating a 1,000-yard season last fall. Throwing the passes to Smith will be senior QB Eli Reider (6-1, 175), who completed 175 of 278 passes for 2,358 yards, to go along with 25 TDs and nine INTs. Reider’s backfield mate, RB Isaac Dollman, combined for nearly 900 rushing and receiving yards last fall. If the Wildcats can quickly adapt to their new coach, look for them to, at the very least, finish in the top half of the standings.
One player to watch: Josh Smith. Mechanicsburg is lucky to get one more season with senior WR/DB Smith, who set Mechanicsburg’s single-season TD reception record with 16 scoring grabs last fall. Standing at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, Smith’s height makes him a tough receiver to cover, especially near the end zone, where a pass lofted in Smith’s direction is about the closest thing you can get to a guaranteed TD. Smith, who totaled 72 catches for 1,022 yards last fall, has superb footwork that enables him to shake off diving tacklers and run right around DBs. With crisp route running and reliable hands, look for Smith to once again shine as one of the division’s premier wide receivers. We could stop the conversation right there with Smith’s abilities as a pass catcher, but that would be a disservice to his defensive prowess, which made a First Team Colonial selection at DB last fall. Smith registered 25 tackles, while picking off a pass, recovering a fumble, and blocking two extra points. With a been-there, done-that guy in Smith to lead Mechanicsburg, look for the Wildcats to hang tough in a challenging Keystone Division.
Hershey Trojans
Predicted finish: 3rd
Coach: Mark Painter
Record last season: 9-4, 4-3 Keystone (4th place)
Team outlook: Hershey took a step forward last season with a pound-the-rock offense led by a battering ram of a running back, Angel Cabrera, who accounted for nearly 1,800 yards and 26 TDs. Cabrera is gone this fall, as are fellow First Team Keystone all-star linemen Tucker Valoczki and Cory Schaffer. That leaves Carter Kelin (84-365-2) as Hershey’s top returning rusher, along with QB Cam Sweeney (56-258-3). The Trojans will need increased production from these two players — as well as returning all-star center Ethan Castillo — as Hershey spends the early part of the season discovering its identity. Sweeney, who threw for 737 yards and four TDs last season, will be aiming to deliver the ball to a new stable of ball-catchers: TE Aiden Edelman (6-0, 205) and WRs Grant Later (5-11, 165) and James Campbell (6-5, 215). The Trojans return seven starters on defene, including Keystone First Team DB Sweeney (26 tackles, 3 INTs) and Second Team LB Sean Elliot (70 tackles). Hershey’s success this season will depend greatly on how fast the team’s new group of role-players can gel against a division that is trying to tear the Trojans down on a weekly basis.
One player to watch: Cam Sweeney. The top returning playmaker for Hershey will need a big season if the Trojans are hoping to repeat their success from 2023. Sweeney, a 6-foot-2 QB and DB, showed flashes of greatness as a sophomore last season. At QB, Sweeney showcased his skills as both a runner and a scrambler. When Sweeney is in motion, he is athletic enough to take off and run for the first down, and also possesses the awareness to keep his eyes downfield and deliver clutch throws. Defensively, Sweeney boasts solid field vision and not only has a strong sense of where the ball is, but also where it will be delivered. Sweeney is a solid fundamental tackler, who also has the hops to go up with a receiver and wrestle the ball away.
Northern York Polar Bears
Predicted finish: 4th
Coach: Bill Miller
Record last season: 3-7, 2-5 Colonial (7th place)
Team outlook: There’s no question about it, the Polar Bears are going to miss the mythical Cole Bartram, the man who once ran for NINE touchdowns in a single high school football game. It’s impossible to completely fill the shoes of the Colonial’s Offensive and Defensive POY, but the Polar Bears are set to give it a shot. Northern’s defense should be able to adjust well to the graduation of Bartram, with a solid core of returning all-stars that include DL Trey Tyree, LB Brandon Wiley, and DB Austin Miller, a group that accounted for more than 160 tackles last fall. Replacing Bartram on offense will be much harder, but RBs Tyree (11-63-0) and Gabe Johnson (12-57-1) will look to make the most out of more carries. QB Grady Bonin returns for his junior season after throwing for nearly 700 yards and 4 TDs last season. Our crystal ball tells us points will be hard to come by for Northern, but if the Polar Bears can keep games close this year, look for their special teams to give them a much-needed edge. Northern has a pair of reliable kickers in Nolan Wimbrough (4 for 4 field goals, 49.0 kickoff average) and Anna Lehman (22 of 25 extra points), not to mention a solid punter (33.0 average) and kick returner (15.6 average) in Johnson.
One player to watch: Gabe Johnson. For the past eight years, Northern has developed the blueprint on how to develop the ideal high school RB/LB combo: Find the toughest wrestler, put him on the field as a freshman, and watch him become a stud by his senior year. Opponents who have had to face Cole Bartram, and Kyle Swartz before him, should know this formula all too well. Only time can tell, but it appears Northern has found another man, Johnson, to help shoulder the load for the Polar Bears. As a freshman last fall, Johnson was a regular in Northern’s linebacking corps, and he also gave his team solid reps as a rusher, punter, and kick returner. Did we mention he also won 33 matches and a section title as a wrestler? On the football field, Johnson’s strength is in his defense, where the hard hitter excels in disguising blitzes and tracking down the ball carrier. Even if the play is on the other side of the field, he can create the angles to meet his opponents in a hurry. Johnson’s sample size as an RB is small, but on film, he protects the ball and rumbles through defenders with aggression. If Johnson continues to develop in his sophomore season, look for Northern to surprise opponents with a certain 5-foot-11, 180-pound wrecking ball leading the way.
Shippensburg Greyhounds
Predicted finish: 5th
Coach: Eric Foust
Record last season: 4-6, 3-4 Colonial (6th place)
Team outlook: There’s good news and bad news for Shippensburg, which makes a fresh start in the Keystone after suffering its first losing season since 2006 last fall. The good news is the Greyhounds return almost all of their skill players on offense, including junior QB Brady Maciejewski (5-9, 170), who completed 54 of 110 passes for 762 yards and 4 TDs last fall. He’s joined in the backfield by a trio of RBs who share the workload — Janye Statum (114-486-6), Patrick Eichelberger (108-446-4), and Mark Carothers (57-205-1) — and a couple of reliable WRs in Aydin Mentzer (15-119-0) and Elijah Bailey (7-140-1). A year older and a year stronger, we fully expect this collection of players to improve upon Shippensburg’s 2023 scoring average of 13.4 points per game. Ready for the bad news? The Greyhounds’ defense, which allowed just 16.5 points per contest last fall, has to pick up the pieces after graduating five players who earned Keystone all-star nods. If Ship can plug some of those defensive holes, we see no reason why the Greyhounds can’t return to their winning ways this fall.
One player to watch: Janye Statum. The Greyhounds’ top returning rusher is the prototypical Shippensburg running back. He picks up a head of steam in the backfield and from there, it’s all about using his 6-foot frame to punish defenders and break through one level after another. Statum seems to seek out contact and keeps his legs chugging, even when a tackle is all but completed. It’s not uncommon to see entire piles being moved, with Statum in the center of the scrum. His blue-collar running style generated 4.3 yards per carry and he also showed flashes of bright play catching passes in the flats and bowling over defenders who stood in his way. If Statum and his backfield mates — Patrick Eichelberger (4.1 ypc) and Mark Carothers (3.6 ypc) — can help Shippensburg control the clock on offense, it could make a world of a difference for a fresh-faced ‘Hounds defense looking to find its way.
Gettysburg Warriors
Predicted finish: 6th
Coach: Matt Heiser
Record last season: 4-6, 3-4 Colonial (5th place)
Team outlook: Gettysburg’s Warriors will be the first to tell you that last fall’s losing season — the first since 2015 — was a disappointment. They went 1-3 to start the season and ended their campaign with three straight losses, allowing 32.9 points per game in the process. The good news for Gettysburg is that it gets a fresh start in a new division this fall, with roster pieces that are more than capable of putting together a winning season. It starts with a potent offensive backfield that’s anchored by senior QB Brady Heiser (6-0, 200) and junior RB Preston Burnett (5-10, 180), a pair of Second Team Colonial all-stars who bring back more than 2,500 yards of combined offense. Heiser completed 143 of 242 passes for 1,868 yards, with 18 TDs and six INTs, while also rushing for more than 500 yards and 16 TDs. The offense will need to answer questions in the trenches, where the Warriors lose four all-star caliber players to graduation, and Heiser would be thrilled to have another target in the passing game to complement Shayde Shultz (41-582-5). On the other side of the ball, look for Gettysburg to generate pressure up front on the strength of DLs Charles Norman (6-2, 275) and Chris Miller (5-10, 205). Shultz, a second-team DB in the Colonial, will patrol the secondary alongside Honorable Mention selection Maurici Escobar. These players will be counted on to pick up the slack for a defensive unit that loses four all-star players to graduation. Expect Gettysburg to be competitive on a weekly basis in the Keystone, and perhaps reach a winning record for the 10th time in 12 seasons.
One player to watch: Preston Burnett. This 5-foot-10, 180-pound RB showcased sharp vision and patience while carrying the rushing load for Gettysburg as a sophomore last season. Burnett averaged 5.3 yards per carry in a season where he toted the ball 241 times for 1,279 yards and six TDs. He won’t simply rush a hole, but rather let the blocking develop and use quick acceleration to get himself to the next level and beyond. This field IQ pays off not only in the backfield, where Burnett thrives running between the tackles but also in the kickoff return game, where he can be trusted to make quick decisions in traffic. It takes more than one man to bring down Burnett, who possesses the technical skill to step around opponents and the strength to move entire scrums of players. Capable of catching the ball and making plays in open space, Burnett promises to be the straw that stirs the drink for Gettysburg and could be the difference for a Warriors squad that is trying to quickly back on a winning track.
Red Land Patriots
Predicted finish: 7th
Coach: Eric Depew
Record last season: 2-8, 1-6 Keystone (7th place)
Team outlook: There are no returning all-stars for Red Land, but the Patriots bring back a solid core of players who are hoping to nail down their first winning season since 2016. Junior QB Quinlin Shearer (6-3, 185) and senior RB Dominic Woodruff (5-11, 185) guide a balanced offense that will be aiming to improve upon last year’s scoring average of 13.7 points per game. Look for WRs Brady Seyler (6-1, 195) and Anthony Shay (5-10, 155) to help stretch the field for Shearer, and for OLs Devin Driscoll (6-3, 295) and Isaiah Ambush (6-0, 190) to hold down the front line. On the other side of the ball, Red Land returns a group of defenders that includes the likes of DE Ambush, CBs Seyler and Shay, OLB Woodruff, and NG Jake Owen. All of these returners, and the role players around them, will need to elevate their game on a weekly basis to take steps forward in the gauntlet that is the Keystone Division.
One player to watch: Quinlin Shearer. Just a junior, Shearer is lining up under center for his third year as Red Land’s starting QB. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller possesses a good pocket presence and knows how to step into a throw. A great scrambler under duress, Shearer exudes calmness and keeps his eyes downfield, making accurate throws even while being flushed out of the pocket. Blitzers beware, Shearer has the elusiveness to shake off would-be sackers and take off for big yardage. With a well-seasoned Shearer guiding the ship, Red Land has to be confident about its chances of moving up the ladder in the Keystone.
Palmyra Cougars
Predicted finish: 8th
Coach: Chris Pavone
Record last season: 2-8, 0-7 Keystone (8th place)
Team outlook: Palmyra wasn’t feeling sorry for itself after last year’s two-win campaign. That’s because the Cougars have been busy putting in at least three days of work a week in the weight room since Thanksgiving. At the center of the action has been Palmyra’s lone returning Keystone all-star: Senior OL Beau Toler. The 5-foot-11, 245-pound Toler recently power cleaned 275 pounds to shatter the school record, and now he and his Cougar cohorts are eager to test out their gains on a Keystone Division that has done some beefing up of its own. Toler, a 20-game starter in the trenches for Palmyra, will pave the way for a backfield that includes experienced RBs Braxtin Risser (113-661-5) and Justin Kaplan (66-375-3), with senior QB Ryan Kowalski (5-7, 150) ready to return for his second year leading the offense. Last year Kowalksi completed 96 of 194 passes for 994 yards and 7 TDs. Defensively, the Cougars will lean on a core group that includes LB Joey Altebrando (5-10, 165), DE/OLB Xavier Smith (6-1, 215), and LB Kaplan (6-0, 175). We’d be lying if we said this season, the 90th for the Palmyra football program, is going to be easy, but if there’s any Cougars’ group ready to take on the challenge, it’s this one.
One player to watch: Justin Kaplan. Somewhere, there is a college program that will appreciate the versatility and gumption of RB/LB/KR Kaplan, a 6-foot and 175-pound standout for the Cougars. Using patience and smooth, long strides to average 5.7 yards per carry last season, Kaplan excels at breaking through the initial tackler and reaching the next level. Good acceleration and ball protection make Kaplan an ideal kick returner, a role that saw him take a kickoff 95 yards to paydirt last fall. Look for Kaplan to also take on an increased workload on defense, where he totaled 20 tackles and two TFLs last fall. A breakout senior season from Kaplan could certainly have an impact on Palmyra’s win-loss record, and perhaps his own college stock, as well.
Waynesboro Indians
Predicted finish: 9th
Coach: Mark Saunders
Record last season: 2-8, 1-6 Colonial (8th place)
Team outlook: Just as expected last fall, Waynesboro’s youthful squad was repeatedly punched in the mouth throughout a two-win season. But the way the Indians responded — by spitting out the blood, flashing a smile, and giving it right back to their opponents — has us wondering if Waynesboro could be in for a big rebound season this fall. The Indians made the most of their field time, slugging it out in just about all of their games last season. In the process, several bright spots emerged, including an exciting young QB in Rayshawn Hewitt, a thudding LB in Andrew Florek, and a hard-nosed sibling duo in the Nolan brothers: Nathan and Hayden. With stats reported in nine of 10 games, Hewitt threw for more than 1,000 yards and 8 TDs with a whole stable of targets that includes Nathan Nolan (22-203-0), Hayden Nolan (19-222-5), Tank Benedict (15-118-1), and Calvin Myers (23-246-0). Waynesboro also boasts a wealth of capable ballcarriers in Nathan Nolan (55-427-0), Hayden Nolan (28-141-1), Anthony Ausherman (46-212-3), and Benedict (61-257-6). Defensively, look for senior leadership from Florek, a returning Second Team Colonial all-star, who totaled 88 tackles, including 17 TFLs, and two caused fumbles. Joining Florek as key players on the defense is who else but the Nolan brothers: OLB Nathan (35 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery) and CB Hayden (42 tackles, 3 INTs, 5 passes defended, 1 caused fumble). Look for the seasoned Indians, still bearing calluses from last season, to at the very least increase their win total from a year ago.
One player to watch: Rayshawn Hewitt. Waynesboro’s signal-caller showed plenty of flashes after being thrown into the fire as a sophomore last fall. Hewitt fires quick darts and can pick opponents apart with his short- and mid-range throws, with the capability of hitting open receivers with the long ball. There is an element of electricity to Hewitt that makes him a dangerous prospect for opposing defenses. Whether it is a designed run or a broken play, he has the speed to beat the defensive end to the edge. Hewitt’s quick legs also keep passing plays alive, allowing receivers to improvise and find holes in the secondary. Look for Hewitt to keep defenders on their toes all season, and for the big plays to happen more frequently as the confidence rises and the game begins to slow down.
Mifflin County Huskies
Predicted finish: 10th
Coach: Shane Breon
Record last season: 5-6, 3-4 Keystone (5th place)
Team outlook: The graduation gods have not been kind to Mifflin County, as the Huskies will have to press forward following the graduation of all of their top skill players. Quarterback Landen Eichhorn is gone, and so too are dynamic all-stars Deakon Scheaffer and Parker Kearns. The most notable returning skill player is WR Landon Haigh (21-324-3), so Mifflin County will need to try its luck in the Keystone with a fresh cast of characters. The defense will have to carry the day for the Huskies until the offense can get settled in. Keystone Honorable Mention selection Avery Aurand, a DE, will aim to create chaos at the line of the scrimmage after a junior season where he totaled 61 tackles. Will this be a rebuilding or reloading year for the Huskies? That all depends on how Mifflin County’s newest group of players adjust to playing under the bright lights of Friday night.
One player to watch: Avery Aurand. Mifflin County’s only returning all-star has beefed up since we last saw him and now the DE/TE will be looking to end his career with a boom. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Aurand made an impact as a rushing end last fall, totaling five sacks and two fumble recoveries, while also recording a pass defense. Aurand wrestles for the Huskies and it shows on the football field. He has an unrelenting engine, the strength to bull rush through a blocker, and the fleet of foot to hop around plodding offensive tackles. On the other side of the ball, Aurand will give Mifflin County’s newest QB a tall target with better hands than you’d expect from a tight end.
