2026 Team Preview: The Mercyhurst Prep Lakers

Tagged under: District 10, News, Team Previews

Cody Brady | August 26, 2026

The Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Head Coach: Jeff Root
PIAA District 10
Class 1A
Region 2
2025 Season Record: 6-6

Key Starters Lost

Riley Hinterleiter
Zayyir Locket
Luca Cerminara
Caz Steinbaugh
Kingston Nolan

Returning Starters

OFFENSIVE
Adaris Bridgett WR 5’11” 175 2027
Ty Mimms WR 5’10” 145 2027
JT Jones WR 5’9” 165 2027
Eyon Sparks-Ellman Slot 5’10” 185 2027
Vinnie Feliciano RB 5’10” 185 2027
Everet Cotterill QB 6’2” 175 2027
Tyler Quinn FB 6’2” 245 2028
JJ Rowan C 6’1″ 255 2029
Zech Rupp G 6’ 210 2028
Joey Jordan T 6’3” 285 2028
DEFENSIVE
Adaris Bridgett DB 5’11” 175 2027
Vinnie Feliciano S 5’10” 185 2027
JT Jones DB 5’9” 165 2027
Eyon Sparks-Ellman OLB 5’10” 185 2027
Nick Vennare MLB 6’2 225 2027
Zech Rupp ILB 6’ 210 2028
Ryan Gaeta ILB 5’10 175 2029
Tyler Quinn DE 6’2” 245 2028
Joey Jordan N 6’3” 285 2028
JJ Rowan DE 6’1″ 255 2029

Key Newcomers 

Broderick Howard OT/DT
Chase Paskorz WR / LB
Daniel Beiger WR / LB
Chris Toran WR / DB
AJ Horton RB / S
Jadis Duke DB / WR

Season Outlook

We need the OL to step up for us. We will start 2 new young players with limited experience this season. It’s important for them to come together quickly as those young men up front are the heart and soul of this team. For us to be successful, they need to gel quickly as we have Vinnie Feliciano, a 2 time All State RB returning plus multiple skill players to touch the ball as well. The 2nd position that needs to step-up is our defensive unit. We played sound defense last season and with 10 returning starters we expect them to be an elite defensive group. We need to play physical, disciplined football. We need to do a good job on 1st down as well as on those 3rd & long situations and we must play well enough to create 3 and outs. With 8 defensive starters, the experience is there to have a good defensive team. The 3rd position that needs to step-up is in our kicking game. We once again lost an all-region kicker so replacing him is no easy task, however we have good, young athletes and we are excited to watch them continue to compete during camp.

2026 Schedule

	08-22 10:00 am	@ Titusville (0-0)	John J. Carter Stadium Scrimmage	–
	08-28 7:00 pm	vs. Greenville (0-0)	Mercyhurst University League Game	–
	09-04 7:00 pm	@ Union City (0-0)	Bears Stadium Division Game / League Game	–
	09-11 7:00 pm	vs. Saegertown (0-0)	Mercyhurst University Division Game / League Game	–
	09-18 7:00 pm	@ Cochranton (0-0)	Cochranton Stadium Division Game / League Game	–
	09-25 7:00 pm	@ Wilmington (0-0)	Greyhound Stadium League Game	–
	10-02 7:00 pm	vs. Maplewood (0-0)	Mercyhurst University Division Game / League Game	–
	10-09 7:00 pm	@ North East (0-0)	Ted Miller Stadium League Game	–
	10-16 7:00 pm	vs. Iroquois (0-0)	Mercyhurst University Division Game / League Game	–
	10-24 7:00 pm	@ Cambridge Springs (0-0)	Baird Field Division Game / League Game	–
	10-30 7:00 pm	vs. Conneaut (0-0)	Mercyhurst University League Game	–