Each week during the 2021 season we’ll offer some news, notes, tidbits and opinions from each of the five divisions in the Mid-Penn Conference.
Commonwealth Division
Harrisburg’s Williams a star in the making:
Another road trip, this one to Hazleton, for the 1-0 Harrisburg Cougars. There won’t be as much huff and puff over the upcoming contest as the opener against the defending PIAA Class 5A champion Pine-Richland. Kyle Williams is going to be a star for the Cougars this season, and up front is where this team will win more games and what makes this 2021 team different. They aren’t going to be as explosive overall, but they will make a big ask of their opponents.
Balanced Carlisle offense on tap in ’21?
Getting a peek at Carlisle in person I see some potential to be a more balanced offense this season. They have speed and athleticism at the wide receiver position, but the quarterback position was a huge question mark. The only way for the Herd to win in the past was a big game out of a running back. Junior Louis Shank is raw and undeveloped at the varsity level as a QB, but if he develops this offense could be sticky for teams to defend going forward.
Candid words from Cumberland Valley coach Josh Oswalt:
This is part of what Cumberland Valley head coach Josh Oswalt — a former Eagle in case you were not aware of that tidbit — said after getting rolled by Manheim Central: “I don’t know what the heck happened to our guys today. It’s to be expected in Week 1 to make some mistakes to squelch some drives. If you look at the first half, we had an inadvertent snap, we didn’t get pass protection calls. We were not disciplined at all on the offensive line, and it just makes me sick because all those guys are back. They’re great kids, but they’re selfish, selfish football players at times. It’s just sad to watch.” Josh calls them like he sees them.
