By Adam Kulikowski
Coach: Scot Sechler
Classification: 6A
Division: Keystone
2019 record: 3-7 (2-4 Colonial)
Playoffs: did not qualify
Returning leaders
Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TDs
Chris Sheetz: 47-95, 666, 6
Brycen Hassinger: 28-72, 523, 5
Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg., TDs
Brycen Hassinger: 103-651, 6.3, 4
Gage Schaeffer: 110-584, 5.3, 6
Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg., TDs
Jayden Jackson: 18-450, 25.0 4
Key Players: Brycen Hassinger, sr., QB-OLB; Gage Schaeffer, sr., RB; Jayden Jackson, sr., WR-DB; Jacob Rhodes, sr., C-DL; Zach Williams, sr., FB-DE.
Outlook: During a year when the COVID-19 pandemic sapped teams from opportunities to participate in 7-on-7’s, Sechler and Co. should take advantage of a full compliment of returning skill position players led by Hassinger, Schaeffer and Jackson. That trio — a combined 2,200 yards of production — have a ready built rapport that could cause havoc as the Huskies move from the Colonial Division to the Keystone in 2020.
Three things to know:
- New-look offense: When the Huskies kick off their season Sept. 25 against Bishop McDevitt, Sechler’s crew will sport a new-look offense featuring a version of the triple option scheme. The shift in philosophies will capitalize on a loaded set of skill position players led by a trio of seniors — quarterback Brycen Hassinger, Gage Schaeffer, the 4.4-second (40-yard dash time) blazer at running back and the dynamic Jayden Jackson at wide out. “We completely revamped our offense to build around the offensive talent we have,” Sechler said. ”We also have another back coming back in Trey Kibe who will play football again this year. We have a quarterback who can run well and a great group of wide outs. … We’re not a college team, we’re not recruiting kids in so we have to fit our offense and defense into the talent we have. This is the best fit for us this year.”
- Pocket presence: Speaking of Hassinger, the 6-foot-2 signal caller should showcase growth in the pocket during his final abbreviated circuit through the Mid-Penn. Unlike in years past, Hassinger did not split time between football and baseball during the offseason. The added time honing his football skills should shine as the Huskies finally get to put the pads on today as heat acclimation begins in the Mid-Penn Conference. “Brycen has really developed well over the summer,” Sechler said. “Just his presence in the pocket, his comfort level has really grown leaps and bounds. He’s developing a great rapport with Jackson. It was a lot of work with his technique, his footwork, his vision. Just being able to read his keys and what combination of possibilities we had out there.”
- One to watch: On a defense loaded with returning talent, one man to watch resides on Mifflin’s defensive line. Kaden Bartley, an incoming senior, rotated in along the line last year. The 6-2, 230-pound lineman is already opening eyes heading into camp. “He’s a lot stronger than he was last year, and his speed is much better with his foot quickness,” Sechler said. “His hand motion and the way he is able to free himself is really phenomenal.”
