2020 Preview: Cedar Cliff Colts

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By Adam Kulikowski: 

Head coach: Colin Gillen, 7th season (57-16)

Classification: 5A

Division: Mid-Penn Keystone

2019 season: 10-3 (6-0)

Postseason: Lost to Cocalico 45-7 in the District 3 Class 5A championship.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att,Yards, TD

Gannon McMeans: 112-218, 1,442, 14

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Jontae Morris: 17-149, 8.8, 2

Jamir Reynolds-Vasquez: 9-66, 7.3, 1

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Ramon Garcia: 8-74, 9.3, 0

Elijah Ikeda: 7-61, 8.7, 2

Key returners: Seth Gillen, sr., OG; Antonio Rodriquez, sr., OT; Gannon McMeans, sr., QB; Elijah Ikeda, sr., FB-LB; Adam Enrico, sr., TE; Ramon Garcia, sr., WR; Jamir Reynolds-Vasquez, sr., FS-WR; Ben Eisenhower, sr., DL; Alex Widmer, sr., K; Matt Switzler, sr., P; Claude Godineaux, jr., OT; Jontae Morris, jr., CB.

Outlook: The back-to-back Keystone Division champion Colts possess plenty of pieces to compete for their third straight division title and more. Who they ride this year, however, will be far different from the 2019 campaign which featured a heavy dose of the Colts’ all-time leading rusher, Jaheim Morris, who toted the rock 365 times for more than 2,400 yards and 27 scores during his senior circuit in the Mid-Penn Conference. Look for Colin Gillen’s Colts to lean a little more on the arm of Gannon McMeans as a pair of young backs, Jamir Reynolds-Vasquez and Jontae Morris (yep, the younger brother of Jaheim), find their footing in the backfield. The Colts’ quest to repeat as division champs begins Friday against a more athletic — but still rebuilding — Lower Dauphin squad.

 1 Gannon ready for a bigger role: With a year of start experience under his belt, McMeans is ready for a bigger role in the offense. That’s good, because the Colts are breaking in a new stable of skill positions players after the departure of Morris and Gillen’s top five receivers from the 2019 campaign. Early indications are that McMeans, who worked through the offseason to improve his accuracy after completing 51% of his pass attempts as a junior, is ready for the challenge. “I was extremely pleased with our quarterback play,” Gillen said of the work done by McMeans and backup Ethan Dorrell during Friday’s scrimmage with East Pennsboro. “We have two very good quarterbacks in Gannon and Ethan Dorrell, a sophomore. Both made excellent decisions, and Gannon did a phenomenal job extending plays with his legs, keeping his eyes downfield. He’s a great leader and a kid that has learned the offense now with four years [of experience] reading the coverages.” Added Gillen: “Last year, we were asking our quarterback to be more of a game manager, whereas this year we are asking him to make more decisions. We will be more balanced 50-50 (run-pass) this year as we had been in years past. … I think he’s ready. Last year, when you are a first-year starter, having a returning tailback like we had and a great defense, it was easy to just have him manage the game. This year, we are going to be more dynamic on offense. We were one-dimensional last year, and that was something in the offseason that we really focused on. I think we are ready to take that step.”

2. Backfield rotation: The natural thing to think after your all-time leading rusher departs for Millersville University would be that the running game will take a step back. While there’s no doubt the Colt won’t call any back’s number more than 300 times during the 2020 season, Gillen believes his backfield has a pair of backs who would start on just about any team in the state. Enter Reynolds-Vasquez and Jontae Morris. Both are returning starters on defense — Reynolds at free safety and Morris at corner — and now each will have an expanded role on offense in the more-balanced Colts offense. “We have two stellar tailbacks,” Gillen said. “Jamir had a great night [Friday in the scrimmage]. Had a couple touchdowns — one of which was a long run that was like an ESPN highlight — and Morris, a different runner who is taller, leaner more of a slasher kid. He’s very physical. He reminds me of his brother with a little less wiggle. He’s a quick north-south kid who also starts at corner. I joke that we have two tailbacks who would start on 95 percent of the teams in Pa. Both are dynamic runners. Both are physical finishers.” Both will play key roles in the Colts success in 2020.

 3. The stoppers: One of the best defenses in the Mid-Penn Conference last year figures to rank among the best in the league again in 2020. Their strength starts up front with junior Claude Godineaux and Mid-Penn All-Star Ben Eisenhower anchoring the defensive line. Elijah Ikeda and Adam Enrico will provide stability to the linebacker group as other young lads find their varsity footing after the graduation of team-leading tackler Kevin Lusk. Add in an experienced secondary featuring Reynolds and Morris — and a newcomer in Trenten Smith, who has the potential to be a standout corner in his first campaign — and you see the ingredients needed for a defense who should keep opponents in check most Friday nights. “Our outside linebackers are young but have physical tools they need,” Gillen said. “They just don’t have a lot of game experience. So allowing them some time to develop will be critical. I’m really excited for us in the box. Teams are going to have very tough sleighing running in the box against us this year.”

Eric F. Epler’s State High School Football Rankings

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Eric F. Epler’s State High School Football Rankings

By Eric Epler: 

CLASS 6A – Record – Previous rank
1. Pittsburgh C.C. (7) – 2-0 – 2
2. Central Dauphin (3) – 0-0 – 3
3. North Penn (1) – 0-0 – 5
4. Delaware Valley (2) – 0-0 – 6
5. North Allegheny (7) – 1-0 – 10
6. State College (6) – 0-0 – 7
7. Easton Area (11) – 0-0 – 9
8. McDowell (10) – 2-0 – NR
9. Seneca Valley (7) – 1-0 – NR
10. Parkland (11) – 0-0 – NR
Teams to watch: Canon-McMillan (7) 1-1, La Salle College HS (12) 1-0, Nazareth (11) 0-0. 

CLASS 5A – Record – Previous Rank

1. Pine-Richland (7) – 2-0 – 1
2. Gateway (7) – 2-0 – 2
3. Warwick (3) – 1-0 – 3
4. Cathedral Prep (10) – 2-0 – 4
5. Peters Township (7) – 1-0 – 6
6. Governor Mifflin (3) – 1-0 – 8
7. Upper Merion (1) – 0-0 – 9
8. East Stroudsburg South (11) – 0-0 – 10
9. Upper St. Clair (7) – 1-1 – 7
10. Moon (7) – 2-0 – NR
Teams to watch: Brashear (8) 0-0, Shippensburg (3), 0-0, Woodland Hills (7) 2-0.

CLASS 4A – Record – Previous rank

1. Thomas Jefferson (7) – 2-0 – 1
2. Jersey Shore (4) – 2-0 – 2
3. Berks Catholic (3) – 1-0 – 3
4. Lampeter-Strasburg (3) – 1-0 – 4
5. Bishop McDevitt (3) – 0-0 – 5
6. Belle Vernon (7) – 2-0 – 6
7. Allentown C.C. (11) – 1-0 – 10
8. Aliquippa (7) – 2-0 – NR
9. Oil City (10) – 2-0 – NR
10. McKeesport (7) – 1-1 — 9 

Teams to watch: Berwick (2) 1-1, Chartiers Valley (7) 2-0, Harbor Creek (10) 2-0. 

CLASS 3A – Record – Previous rank
1. Central Valley (7) – 2-0 – 1
2. Wyomissing (3) – 1-0 – 2
3. Clearfield (9) – 1-0 – 4
4. Hickory (10) – 2-0 – 5
5. Middletown (3) – 0-0 – 6
6. Scranton Prep (2) – 0-0 – 7
7. Bedford (5) – 2-0 – 8
8. Montoursville (4) – 2-0 – 9
9. Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) – 2-0 – NR
10. Saint Mary’s (9) – 1-0 – 10
Teams to watch: Danville (4) 2-0, North Catholic (7) 2-0, North Schuylkill (11) 2-0.

CLASS 2A – Record – Previous rank

1. Southern Columbia (4) – 1-0 – 1
2. Wilmington (10) – 2-0 – 2
3. Dunmore (2) – 0-0 – 3
4. Berlin-Brothersvalley (5) – 2-0 – 4
5. Beaver Falls (7) – 1-0 – 5
6. Mount Carmel (4) – 0-0 – 7
7. Bellwood-Antis (6) – 2-0 – 9
8. Farrell (10) – 1-1 – 6
9. McGuffey (7) – 2-0 – NR
10. Washington (7) – 1-1 – 7
Teams to watch: Brentwood (7) 2-0, Richland (6) 1-1, Windber (5) 2-0. 

CLASS 1A – Record – Previous rank

1. Clairton (7) – 2-0 – 1
2. Old Forge (2) – 0-0 – 3
3. Jeannette (7) – 1-1 – 4
4. Canton (4) – 1-0 – 5
5. Bishop Guilfoyle (6) – 1-1 – 2
6. Steel-High (3) – 0-0 – 6
7. Muncy (4) – 2-0 – 7
8. Williams Valley (11) – 1-0 – 8
9. Portage (6) – 2-0 – NR
10. Our Lady of Sacred Heart (7) – 2-0 – NR
Teams to watch: Coudersport (9) 1-0, Rochester (7) 2-0), Tri-Valley (11) 0-0.

2020 Preview: Line Mountain

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2020 Preview: Line Mountain

By Michael Bullock: 

Coach: Brandon Carson, 5th season (21-25)

Classification: 2A

League/division: Mid-Penn Liberty

2019 record: 3-8 (3-6 Tri-Valley League)

Postseason: Lost to Troy 27-14 in District 4 Class 2A first round.

                                           Returning leaders

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TDs

Jacob Feese: 9-28, 213, 2

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TDs

Jacob Feese: 177-1,049, 5.9, 12

Receiving: Att-Yards, Avg, TDs

Aidan Herb: 19-375, 19.7, 5

Key Returning players: Dominick Bridi, sr., OG-DE; Jacob Feese, sr., QB-OLB; Garret Laudenslager, sr., RB-OLB; Cameron Smeltz, sr., WR-SS-K; Ki Phillips, sr., RB-ILB; Tyler Bradley, sr., WR-CB; Wyatt Shaffer, jr., OT-DT; Beau Keim, jr., RB-ILB; Aidan Herb, jr., WR-CB; Jace Hackenburg, jr., WR-SS.

Outlook: Unable to shake self-inflicted wounds such as turnovers and penalties, those inopportune mistakes bedeviled the Eagles for a second straight season in 2019. While the presence of Jacob Feese enabled Brandon Carson’s bunch to revive a ground game that had been inconsistent, Line Mountain’s passing game misfired repeatedly. So, if the Eagles can put both offensive elements together often enough — Carson’s bunch sports eight returning offensive starters — these guys can make a run at Liberty Division supremacy. Quite simply, early season positive results could light a lengthy fuse.

3 Things to Know:

1. Having Bridi back should provide options up front: Difficult to deal with when he’s rolling off the edge, 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior Dominick Bridi is big enough to cause all sorts of problems in the trenches yet athletic enough to line up at tight end if the Eagles want him there. Line Mountain’s top tackler (96) a season ago despite putting his hand in Tri-Valley League dirt every weekend, Bridi also posted a team-best 11 tackles for loss and registered 3.5 sacks. No wonder the four-year starter was tagged the Mid-Penn Liberty’s preseason defensive player of the year. And that’s coming off a junior campaign in which he landed TVL all-star honors on both sides of the ball. Imagine how happy brand new defensive line coach Ron Pratt had to be upon arriving from neighboring Shikellamy. Since Bridi will need to be accounted for on every snap, that could be the primary reason why ball-finding Jacob Feese likely will line up on the opposite end of the Mountain’s d-line. “We have two kids that really are physical and have a pretty good nose for finding the ball,” head coach Brandon Carson said. “With [Ki] Phillips and [Beau] Keim back at inside linebacker, those two guys can make plays right in front of them and then also kind of sideline to sideline. … We have a lot of kids that this will be their third year as starters, so it’s an experienced group.”

2. Feese hoping to refine passing skills as full-time QB: After gaining just over 1,000 yards while shifting between running back and quarterback — while averaging just south of 6 yards per crack — Carson & Co. are hoping Feese can stretch the field with his arm so the Eagles can avoid opponents opting to plan nine, 10 or even 11 defenders in the box. Since Line Mountain has several players out wide that can go yard at any time such as Garret Laudenslager, Aidan Herb and Cameron Smeltz, getting the ball in space or taking advantage of single coverage could add a dimension to an Eagles attack that’s been predictable. “Jacob worked really hard in the offseason on mechanics, and repetitions and trying to develop a little more finesse with some of his [throws] and touch where he needed touch,” Carson said. “So, he’s done a nice job understanding how some throws need to be thrown. We’re still working on some progression stuff and some pre-snap reads, but he has the ability to make all the throws. It’s just doing it consistently and then just understanding, from my standpoint, what he’s best at and make certain I take advantage of the stuff that he’s better at than other things.”

3. Early positive results could do wonders for experienced group: Despite qualifying for District 4’s Class 2A playoffs each of the past two seasons, Carson’s Eagles couldn’t avoid finishing with sub-.500 marks both years. What made last season’s finish even more difficult was Line Mountain closed the 2019 campaign with six consecutive setbacks. So, finding a way to skip past Camp Hill when the 2020 season finally gets going is a priority for a proud program with plenty of talent that goes into every year with expectations. Clipping backyard rivals Upper Dauphin and Halifax in Weeks 2 and 3 would be even better. “It’s pretty critical [to get off to a good start], because you just don’t want that doubt creeping in,” Carson said. “I want them to have a good feeling. Probably every coach is in the same boat, but if we can have some positive results early hopefully it steamrolls in the right direction.”

News and Notes: Schuylkill League

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News and Notes: Schuylkill League

By Michael Bullock: 

Pine Grove hoping to even early-season mark

Following last weekend’s season-opening 36-20 reversal to an explosive Notre Dame-Green Pond side at home, Pine Grove (0-1) will dive into Schuylkill League play Friday night at perennial hammer North Schuylkill (1-0). It’s the same North Schuylkill program that brought an end to the Cardinals’ 2019 campaign in the opening round of the District 11 Class 3A playoffs, as Frank Gaffney’s club tumbled 42-20 at North Schuylkill. And while Pine Grove was in at halftime in last season’s finale — North Schuylkill opened it up after the break — the Cardinals trailed NDGP 22-20 in the third quarter following Josh Leininger’s 10-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately for the Cards, the two-point try after Leininger’s score was turned aside by the visiting Crusaders. NDGP, which piled up 456 yards of offense, went on to open things up by tacking on two more touchdowns.

Matt Frauen rushed for 166 yards and 3 TDs for NDGP, while quarterback Collin Quintano completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 208 yards and two more scores. Brody Robinson had Pine Grove in front on a 15-yard touchdown run, but NDGP rattled off three scores and took a 22-8 lead at the break. While Shea Morgan’s 93-yard return of the second-half kickoff reignited the Cards and Leininger’s TD scamper had them within two, they never could pull even. Robinson finished with 92 yards on 13 attempts, while Leininger tacked on 70 yards on 12 tries. Leininger completed 8 of his 18 throws for 66 yards (2 interceptions), but was really impressive defensively, matching a single-game record by totaling 19 tackles. North Schuylkill encountered little resistance in its opener, handing veteran skipper Wally Hall his 100th victory following a 50-21 pasting of host Mahanoy Area. Jake Hall tossed four first-half touchdown passes for the Spartans, who were sitting on a 44-14 cushion at the halftime break.

Delayed Williams Valley will get going … in a hurry

On pause for the better part of a week courtesy of a COVID-19 flare-up, Williams Valley (10-3 in 2019) will have a bang-bang start to its 2020 campaign by playing twice in five days. While Tim Savage’s Vikings will entertain Shenandoah Valley (0-1) Friday night at The Stauff, the reigning District 11-1A champions will turn right around and visit Mount Carmel’s Silver Bowl on Tuesday night. With QB Bryce Herb, TE Jesse Engle and an experienced offensive front returning, the biggest question marks for Savage’s club are: (1) Who will carry the football and (2) just which untested wide receiver will Herb opt to target. Shenandoah Valley qualified for the District 11 playoffs a season ago, but low numbers caused the Blue Devils to close down early and forfeit games near the end of the season. Shenandoah Valley struggled in its opener, falling 49-7 to a rebuilt Tamaqua outfit that last season claimed District 11’s 3A crown. Mount Carmel (10-3 in 2019) had its own COVID-19 delay, so John Darrah’s Red Tornadoes will be taking the field for the first time when the Vikes venture to southeastern Northumberland County.

Darrah’s Tornadoes, whose three 2019 losses were handed to them by Southern Columbia, North Schuylkill and Southern Columbia, were hit hard by graduation. Yet the expectations always run sky-high in Mount Carmel, where the Tornadoes have captured a handful of state championships. They’ve also piled up a state-record 866 victories. Darrah, who grew up in Mount Carmel and played on two state championship teams, also has familiarity with Williams Valley since he served as Tri-Valley’s D-coordinator for five seasons, including the Bulldogs’ daring run to the 2009 PIAA Class A semis. 

2020 Preview: East Pennsboro Panthers

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2020 Preview: East Pennsboro Panthers

By Jake Adams: 

Head coach: John Denniston, 1st season

Classification: 4A

Division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 season: 3-7 (3-4 Capital)

Postseason: did not qualify

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TD

Zach Zeiders: 15-30, 208, 1

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Jacob Shermeyer: 155-596, 3.9, 6

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Jacob Shermeyer: 18-189, 10.5, 1

Daiquaan Everett: 8-78, 9.8, 0

Key returning players: Jacob Shermeyer, sr., RB-LB; Zach Zeiders, sr. QB-S; Gavin Garlinger, sr., TE-LB; Jude Gourdier, sr., OL-DL; Dominic Weaver, sr., OL-LB; Jacob Dein, jr., OL-DL; Jaren Boles, jr., OL-DL; Syrell Burgos, jr., RB-DB; Justin Moore, jr., OL-DL; Harrison Laman, jr., RB-LB; Joshua Wortherly, jr., WR-DB; Devin Shepherd, so., RB-LB; Colton Yohe, so., OL-DL.

Outlook: A new division, a new coach and a pandemic. No sweat, right? Denniston wishes. In steps a longtime assistant at Central Dauphin, replacing the Panthers’ longtime head coach, Todd Stuter, as East Penn slides from the Capital to the Colonial. None of this is to say the Panthers, a notoriously tough team for years, will be a pushover. They most certainly won’t. But this is a young group trying to acclimate to a new system. 

It’s a good group to make this kind of leap in 2020, though, Denniston believes. He’ll have a few years with the same linemen, and he inherits Jacob Shermeyer, and tireless two-way player who is aiming to crack 2,000 yards for his career.

3 Things to Know:

1. If there’s one thing to their advantage … It’s fitness. Like every other team, the Panthers lost valuable time in the weightroom this offseason due to the shutdown. But new head coach John Denniston said he had his players focus on “fitness, plyometric strength.” It may not translate to record numbers on the bench press, but Denniston feels the group won’t be too far behind the 8-ball. “As I look at it from 10,000 feet,” Denniston said, “I’m actually really content with what we have. I think we have a nice blend of size up front and we’ve got some playmakers. Now, we’ve got some unproven playmakers, but the challenge we have as coaches everyday is [to make them successful].”

2. Bringing a CD mentality: Denniston arrives after spending years in the Central Dauphin program, where he was tasked with integrating the middle school program with the high school. “I put a really nice model together there,” he said. Now, Panthers fans shouldn’t expect the team will become the Rams, one of the Mid-Penn’s most dominant teams, especially overnight. They are two very different schools. But he’s bringing over an emphasis on athletic, powerful, suffocating defense and incorporating it with East Penn’s established 4-4 formation, one in which defensive coordinator Joe Shermeyer is sticking around to lead. Denniston is a Trinity grad who went on to play football at Duquesne in the 1980s, so he has years of experience in the Mid-Penn but also has that D-I college pedigree. 

3. Jacob’s ladder to climb: Denniston also inherits a talented two-way player in Jacob Shermeyer, a running back/linebacker who has been with the program all four years. Two years ago, Shermeyer was one of the backs that attempted to replace Temple-bound Onasis Neely, one of the top backs in the state before his graduation. Shermeyer has put up a pair of 500-yard seasons since in the midst of the Panthers’ retooling. “Jacob’s definitely the leader of the team. He’s a three-year starter, four-year letter winner, terrific young man,” Denniston said. “High expectations for him. He’s run behind some very, very young lines the last couple of years.” Now he’s got one of the largest lines of his career to run behind, one that is 230-240 pounds across the board, his coach said. And the hope is with a new scheme and more experience, Shermeyer can explode with a big season. “We’re expecting a lot out of Jake,” Denniston said. “He’s very versatile, we can play him at any running back position, we can play him out of the slot, we can play him out wide.” Can’t forget his playmaking on defense last year, where he racked up 105 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, caused two fumbles and picked off two passes.

2020 Preview: Mechanicsburg Wildcats

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2020 Preview: Mechanicsburg Wildcats

By Jake Adams: 

Head coach: Anthony Rose, 3rd season (8-13)

Classification: 5A

Division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 season: 6-5 (3-3 Keystone)

Postseason: Lost to Warwick in District 3 Class 5A first round 34-6.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TD

Micah Brubaker: 53-90, 989, 12

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Micah Brubaker: 94-409, 4.4, 9

Caleb Brubaker: 33-151, 4.6, 1

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Caleb Brubaker: 13-290, 22.3, 4

Taylor Shearer: 16-230, 14.4, 2

Key returners: Caleb Brubaker, sr., WR-DB; Micah Brubaker, sr., QB; Taylor Shearer, sr., WR-DB; Tyree Morris, sr., TE-DE; Hoyt Lechthaler, sr., OL-DL; James Nguyen, sr., OL-DL; Nick Morrison, sr., WR-DB-K; Dominic Zeno, sr., RB-DL; James Anderson, sr., WR-DB; Cedar Brill, sr., OL-DL.

Outlook: There’s excitement Bru-ing in Mechanicsburg. The Wildcats are fresh off a surprisingly entertaining season that ended in the team’s first playoff berth in years. And another year with the dynamic Brubaker twins ensures a higher entertainment value in their senior years. 

Mechanicsburg’s addition to the Colonial, along with former Keystone foe Susquehanna Township, creates a ton of intrigue in the rejiggered division, which suddenly appears to be more competitive than ever. There’s no McDevitt or Cedar Cliff to fight through, but can the ‘Cats knock off Shippensburg, ‘Hanna, neighborhood rival Northern and and leap to the top of the pile? It’ll be fun to watch.

3 Things to Know:

1. Consistency the key: Last year’s upstart Wildcats were explosive, especially coming off defensive turnovers. Led by Micah Brubaker, the dual-threat QB who danced around defenses with the best of them, the ‘Cats routinely hit on shot plays for big yards. But there was a weakness — sustained drives. Undersized at several spots, Mechanicsburg struggled to grind down teams with short passes and the run game. Keegan Neill was a capable back, and Micah’s wheels were impressive, but it didn’t translate enough with 10-play, 80-yard drives. That’s something Anthony Rose recognizes. “We need to continue to improve up front, and that’s one thing I’ve been really impressed with offensive lineman [in the weight room],” the head coach said. “The main thing is we gotta be able to run the ball effectively.” Replacing Neill could be a committee of Taylor Shearer, Dom Snowden and Glen Robinson. The Brubakers, including Caleb on end-arounds, will also be included, but Rose said he wants to take some of the onus off Micah’s legs after he ended the season a bit banged up.

2. Tyree and the Troops: Brando Arristy and Tyree Morris were an impressive pair of bookends on the d-line a year ago. Now, it’s Morris headlining a group that hopes for bigger things from Dominic Zeno up front, Marlon Brando at linebacker and Caleb Brubaker and Nick Morrison in the backfield. Morris in particular can be a gamechanger; he had 79 tackles and eight sacks, two picks and two fumble recoveries at d-end. Mechanicsburg made strides last year on this side of the ball and needs to take another step if it wants to return to the postseason as one of just four Class 5A teams in districts this year. The ‘Cats were turnover machines a year ago, with 12 picks and multiple forced fumbles. But if they can shave just a little of the 4.5 yards per carry and 175.5 rush yards per game, it could make all the difference. “One positive thing is we have so many starters coming back,” Rose said. “I just think we turned the page defensively last year, especially in the (defensive backfield).”

3. Welcome to the neighborhood: The Wildcats tag along with Susquehanna Township as the newest tenants in the Colonial, a suddenly exciting division dominated for years by Shippensburg, a team that was undefeated in the regular season. The move was planned before Mechanicsburg’s resurgence a year ago. “It’s exciting times,” Rose said. “I like the fact that we’ll be facing Ship, they’ll offer a very stern test.”

2020 Preview: Northern York Polar Bears

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2020 Preview: Northern York Polar Bears

By Jake Adams: 

Head coach: Bill Miller, 19th season overall, 4th at Northern (26-17)

Classification: 5A

Division: Mid-Penn Colonial

2019 season: 7-4 (5-1)

Postseason: Lost to Governor Mifflin 54-14 in District 3 Class 5A first round.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TD

Jordan Heisey: 82-165, 997, 13

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Jordan Heisey: 73-480, 6.6, 9

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Tyler Weary: 9-148, 16.4, 2

Key returners: Jordan Heisey, sr., QB-DB; Hunter Fitterling, sr., OL-LB; Hunter Hertzog, sr., OL-DL; Nick Fekete, sr., OL-DL; Zach Mowchan, sr., RB-LB; Bay Blaschak, sr., OL-DL; Blake Cruz, sr., RB/WR-LB; Tyler Weary, sr., WR-DB; Jeff Wright, sr., RB-DL; Aidan Sherman, sr., TE-DE; Joe Kostelac, sr., TE-LB; Zach Beam, sr., WR-DB; Josh Ford, sr., OL-DL.

Outlook: With Mechanicsburg and Susquehanna Township joining the fray, the Colonial is suddenly incredibly top heavy. Northern’s been chasing Shippensburg the last few years, and things are suddenly much more difficult. And that doesn’t even account for the painful loss of two-way stud Kyle Swartz. 

Do not count out the Polar Bears. Even without Swartz and with new challengers in their way, this is still a team with a veteran QB in Jordan Heisey, veterans in the trenches and veterans elsewhere. This maybe isn’t the preseason division favorite, but they’re going to have a say in who comes out on top. 

3 Things to Know:

1. Lots of carries to replace: Life without RB-LB Kyle Swartz begins, and it’s not an envious position for Miller or the team. Swartz was a standout back and not too shabby on defense either, but he’s now wrestling at Army this winter. How do you replace a powerful back like Swartz who had 2,000 yards a year ago? “You don’t,” head coach Bill Miller said. “It’s that simple, you don’t. You can’t go into this saying well, you’re going to replace Kyle with anybody. Players like Kyle only come around once in a while. … The trick is to try to replace as much of his numbers as you can.” Miller likes CJ Wagner, who arrived this year “more focused,” and the other RBs fighting to step into the backfield vacancy. “As I’m sitting here driving home … I can’t tell ya [what our backfield will look like],” Miller said. “There’s a handful of kids who are all working hard, the tailback in that I offense. Kids want to be that. There’s a lot of kids vying for that position.”

2. Don’t forget the passing game: Some of the onus will also fall on veteran QB Jordan Heisey, who will no longer have the protection of one of the conference’s best runners. “We may be counting on Jordan for a little more production than he was used to last year or that he got at the end of the year,” Miller said. Not that he isn’t capable — Heisey tossed 13 TDs against five picks and also has some impressive legs, having rushed for 480 yards and nine scores, second most on the team last year. Miller hinted it may be time to cut Heisey loose. That probably doesn’t mean he’ll be slinging it 35 times a game — Northern still likes to run out of its I-formation — but it could mean more designed QB runs, more shots down field or just about anything.

3. Different tests on defense: The influx of new Colonial challengers presents different problems week to week for the P-Bears, who struggled in the run-centric 2019 version of the division, allowing 6.3 yards per carry and 233.4 rush yards per game. Mechanicsburg brings a spread look, East Pennsboro arrives with a pro-style offense and Susquehanna Township brings a roster full of athletes. Combine that with Ship’s speed and relentless run game, and Northern will have to prove versatile on defense while breaking in several new faces. The team’s top four tacklers are graduated. Blake Blaschak (65 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) does return, which is a key holdover on the d-line. And Miller has high hopes Zach Mowchan, who missed most of last year with an injury, can be a stopper in the middle of the defense.

2020 Preview: James Buchanan Rockets

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By Michael Bullock: 

Head coach: Cliff Pine (1st season)

Classification: 4A

League/Division: Mid-Penn Liberty

2019 season: 3-7 as an independent

Postseason: Did not qualify

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TD

Caden Stoner: 3-7, 47, 0

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Logan Miller: 68-250, 3.7, 1

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Caden Stoner: 34-310, 9.1, 1

Key Returning players: Caden Stoner, sr, QB-DB; Grant Ellis, sr, WR-LB; Hunter Smith, sr, RB-LB; Caleb Wise, sr, RB-LB; Mason Line, sr, RB-DB; Logan Miller, sr, RB.

Outlook: Dipping back into league play for the first since Cliff Pine’s seniors were just beginning the eighth grade, the Rockets are flashing plenty of enthusiasm as they begin their quest for a Liberty Division crown. If they can quickly dissect what an unfamiliar collection of opponents tends to do, a versatile group of upperclassmen may pack more than enough athleticism to put teams under duress. The big question mark is whether a youthful collection of linemen can gel quickly enough in a truncated setting.

Three Things to Know:

1. Following a four-season hiatus, James Buchanan marking return to Mid-Penn Conference grid action: Assigned to a Mid-Penn Liberty Division that includes six former Tri-Valley League residents, Cliff Pine’s Rockets are hoping that the chance to compete for league supremacy and spots on all-star teams may provide a timely boost of high-octane fuel. Particularly since not one of JB’s players — unless they shipped in from a different school — has ever chased league gold. “Our juniors and seniors now understand the reason why we (left) the Mid-Penn,” said Pine, the Rockets’ first-year skipper. “We needed to rebuild and we were trying to get things turned around at James Buchanan. So, going back to the Mid-Penn and sitting in the division we’re in and seeing what it’s going look like, the morale’s high. We feel that we can be in this Liberty Division and these guys are hungry. I’m not going to lie, our guys are hungry and they’re coming out ready to play.” Plus, there won’t be any lengthy jaunts to distant venues such as Clarion or Albert Gallatin (Uniontown). “We’re not taking any three, three-and-a-half hour trips this year,” cracked Pine.

2. Pine not an unfamiliar face to JB’s anxious players: Pine may be in his first season as JB’s head coach, but he’s actually followed a similar path to his latest role as any of the Rockets’ home-grown personnel. Following an extended stretch at the youth football level — Pine spent eight to 10 seasons mentoring future Rockets — he spent the past two seasons fronting JB’s junior high program before his March appointment as David Miller’s successor. “Being able to know these kids and know their abilities and what their strengths and weaknesses are is a level up for me because I’ve known these kids for a long time. We all play a factor with each other and it comes together with the team, as a coaching staff, the athletes … everybody fits great as a whole. I think that’s one of the most important things this year for James Buchanan.”

3. Experienced group of skill players, but guys up front must come together: Although James Buchanan hopes to employ its experienced group of experienced skill people wherever it makes sense, the Rockets may not have as much versatility and flexibility in the offensive and defensive trenches. Yet even though JB may wind up fielding a number of sophomores and freshmen up front, Pine believes his youngsters are ready to go. “We’re trying to get the best 11 guys on the field on any given Friday night, so we’re going to move kids to where we feel they’re going to best support the team and do what’s best for the team and it doesn’t matter what position that is.” As for grooming those youthful linemen, Pine offered this: “Our upfront guys are young and getting them to gel with our skill guys, who are versatile, is (key). I have no doubt that we can do it. I’ve seen it done in our team sessions and it’s coming together, so I feel confident that it’ll happen on Friday nights.”

News and Notes: Schuylkill League

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News and Notes: Schuylkill League

By Michael Bullock: 

Only Pine Grove slated to open up this weekend

With its regular-season schedule juggled yet again just last week by COVID-19, Frank Gaffney’s Pine Grove Cardinals will begin their 2020 campaign Friday night at home against Notre Dame-Green Pond instead of traveling to former Tri-Valley League playmate Williams Valley. And while this weekend’s dustup between Gaffney’s Schuylkill League newcomers (8-3 in 2019) and an experienced Crusaders group (7-4) doesn’t carry any conference implications, it could be an early look at a District 11 Class 3A confrontation — since both squads reached postseason play a season ago.

While Pine Grove returns dual-threat QB Josh Leininger, WR Shea Morgan and a pair of running backs in Brody Robinson and Ayden Ney that should see their touches increase dramatically. Athletic junior newcomer Dalton Geesey, a large target at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, could draw attention away from the explosive Morgan. What Gaffney is most concerned with is a reconstructed offensive front anchored by Ty Reynolds that could feature two sophomores and two freshmen. All of the youngsters possess size, but occupying defenders just long enough could provide the Pine Grove skills enough space to break off long-gainers or go yard. NDGP also returns some impressive skill-position players, as junior QB Collin Quintano (65-108-3) threw for nearly 900 yards and seven touchdowns in just five outings. Senior Matt Frauen racked up 1,155 rushing yards and 14 scores, logging eight 100-yard contests while averaging just south of 10 yards per attempt.

Three of Quintano’s top five receivers also return — junior Derek Berlitz (48-746, 3), senior Joe Galle (24-259, 2) and senior Izzy Rodriguez (23-248, 1) — to Phil Stambaugh’s high-octane attack. Stambaugh’s Crusaders also sport plenty of experience up front, but the defense should be in good hands since linebackers Jake Hull and Joey Rivituso totaled 96 stops apiece in 2019. DE William Jordan is another dandy. Should be a telling early-season contest for two teams anxious to get going, but Gaffney’s Cards are looking to prove something after relocating to the Schuylkill League. “Why not us?” said Gaffney, Pine Grove’s third-year skipper. “I’m not saying we’re going to go out and go undefeated, but I guarantee you we will play every week. When we went up to North Schuylkill (for the District 11 playoffs), we didn’t back down.”

2020 Preview: Cumberland Valley Eagles

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2020 Preview: Cumberland Valley Eagles

By Jake Adams: 

Head coach: Josh Oswalt, 10th season (48-57), 1st at Cumberland Valley

Classification: 6A

Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth

2019 season: 5-6 (3-4)

Postseason: Lost to Manheim Township 32-26 in District 3 Class 6A quarterfinals.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Comp-Att, Yards, TD

Alex Kovach: 40-83, 607, 4

Rushing: Att-Yards, Avg, TD

Kellan Walker: 61-318, 5.2; 1

Receiving: Rec-Yards, Avg, TD

Kellan Walker: 3-69, 23.0; 0

Key returners: Gavin Conklin, sr., WR-DB; Gabe Hayes, sr., RB-DB; Alex Kovach, sr., QB-DB; Derik Sauve, sr., RB-LB; Kellan Walker, sr., RB-DB; Luke Wellman, TE-DE.

Outlook: Oswalt is staying coy about the offense he’ll run this year, but if his track record says anything, it’s that the Wing-T will be officially retired at CV in 2020. How much of his patented no-huddle spread he brings to his alma mater is unclear, but the Eagles will likely be more dynamic on that side of the ball. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly the team adapts to the changes in a truncated season with just four playoff spots available. Does it translate into more wins against the Commonwealth’s elite (which CV prides itself in being a part of)? That’s the plan. 

A lot of the team’s success in the win column will depend on health (true for every team, especially this year), the offense coalescing quickly and the defense’s new parts stepping up in big ways against big, strong, challenging opponents.

3 Things To Know:

1. New coach, new scheme, new challenges: It can’t be easy to take over a new team in the middle of a pandemic. But Oswalt, one of two new skippers in Cumberland County this year, arrives with a leg up — he’s a CV grad and already has proven himself capable of quickly leaving his mark during his previous two stops at Carlisle and Central York, where he established dynamic no-huddle spread offenses. Oswalt joked repeatedly this summer he might run the Single Wing with CV this year. No chance that happens. Still, he’s spent the last few months socially distanced, trying to quickly install his offensive and defensive schemes. It’s not easy, but preparation has helped. “What people don’t understand — maybe they do — we are so to-a-tee organized and [regimented],” Oswalt said. “There’s no playbook for how you’re supposed to prepare your kids. … The big thing I’ve learned is always going to practice with a positive mind.”

2. Who benefits most? Quarterbacks: Oswalt’s offenses have a track record of producing good quarterbacks. At Carlisle, Billy Burger landed an offer from Dickinson and Eric Harris tried to walk on at Penn State. At Central York, Cade and Beau Pribula developed into Division I prospects. Now it’s Alex Kovach who stands to benefit. “Kovach is looking good, he’s really progressing,” Oswalt said. “He has grown a ton. He benefited from the pandemic, he benefited from being home March, April, May, June. … He doesn’t need the affirmation, he doesn’t need the pat on the back, but he needed to find confidence in himself.” But Kovach has to secure the job first. Oswalt told all the seniors he’s not reserving spots for them just because they’re seniors or started last year. The same stands for Kovach, who is being tested by junior JT Mazzie and sophomore Isaac Sines, Oswalt said. He’s been impressed by how all three have competed and worked, in Zoom meetings, practices and even video games, which have proven an entertaining source of bonding for the group and the team. 

3. On the lines: There’s going to be some changes in the trenches. The offensive lineman have to adjust after years of perfecting blocking technique for the Wing-T. Oswalt said “what fit for a Wing-T lineman might not fit for our offense,” but he feels good about the seniors in that group and the underclassmen depth. Defensively, Oswalt feels confident the Eagles can run rotations of 3-4 players at d-end and d-tackle, always a plus for a program. “[Defensive line coach Jordan Hill is] excited about a handful of guys on the defensive front,” Oswalt said. “He feels like we’re able to do more than we thought we would be able to do before we met them.”

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