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2022 Schuylkill Colonial Conference Preview: “GOLD DIVISION”

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, News

| August 22, 2022


2022 Schuylkill/Colonial Conference Preview: “GOLD DIVISION”

2021 Gold Division FINAL Standings:
TEAM NAME – REGULAR SEASON RECORD – (DIVISION)
Northwestern Lehigh Tigers – 10-0 – (7-0)
Pottsville Area Crimson Tide – 8-2 – (6-1)
Wilson Area Warriors – 7-3 – (4-3)
Bangor Slaters – 6-4 – (3-4)
Saucon Valley Panthers – 5-5 – (3-4)
Southern Lehigh Spartans – 4-6 – (3-5)
Blue Mountain Eagles – 4-6 – (2-5)
Lehighton Indians – 1-9 – (0-7)
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2022 Season Preview and Outlook

Pottsville Area Crimson Tide
Head Coach: Tom McGeoy

Returning Starters: Tejay Allen – FS – Sr, Joey Palko – TE/DE – Sr, Amaree Bainbridge – WR/CB – Sr, Parrish McFarland – SS – Jr, Jacob Begansky – OT – Sr, Josh Kushwarra – OT – Jr, Mason Major – NG – Sr, Brendan Zelwalk – LB, Kieran Houston – OG/DT – Sr, Tom Sharadin – DE/LB – Sr.

Key Newcomers: Nate Kolna – WR/FS, Henry Mohl – CB, Nick Englert – LB, Tsirell Curry – WR/CB, Kole Becker – WR/FS, Jacob Filiac – OL/DT, Evan Drum – LB, Luke Schane – OL/DE, Zach Ott – OL/DE, Steven Miranda – OL, Terell McFarland – RB/LB.

Players Lost: Jazce Snowell, Amari Dunn, Travontai Davis, Jason Fermaintt, Raeff DiCello, Hunter Guzick

Coaches Outlook:
We should be solid up front on both sides of the ball. We will be replacing a lot of skill players from 2021 but our line play should help us out. If the skill guys adjust and make plays like I think they could, we should, will have a very successful season.

PFN Outlook:

Pottsville will be strong with-in the division as usual. Replacing Snowell, Dunn, Davis, DiCello and others will be a tough task. I feel Joey Palko will need to lead on defense as they will definitely need to step up this year with the loss of the offensive playmakers from last season. The Tide should still finish near the top of the division.


District 11 Schedules


Northwestern Lehigh Tigers
Head Coach: Josh Snyder(11th season 78-36 )

Returning Starters:
Offense: Sr – QB/WR – Cade Christopher, Sr – OL – Josiah Gornicz, Sr – OL – Colin Myers, Sr – OL – Cameron Shields, Sr – TE – Lucas Miller, Jr – OL – Ben Walters, Jr – RB – Dalton Clymer

Defense: Sr – DB – Evan Anderson, Sr – DB – Cade Christopher, Sr – LB – Lucas Miller, Jr –
LB – Dalton Clymer, Jr – LB – Blane Snyder, Sr – DL – Rian Golas

Key Newcomers: Sr – LB – Sam Mauro, Sr – WR/LB – Austin Sosnovick, Jr – WR/DB – Devon Hildebrand, So – DE – Jackson Bailey, So – WR/DB – Seth Kern, So – WR/DB – Landen Matson, So – OL – Jared Meck, So – OL/DL – Bryer Reichard, So – RB/DB – Eli Zimmerman

Players Lost: Sr – QB – Justin Holmes, Sr – OL – Zach Fry, Sr – OL – Ben Dunstan, Sr – WR – Ryan McDonnell, Sr – F/DB – Taylor Wikert

Coaches Outlook:
Offense:
The Tigers are returning 7 starters on offense. They will rely heavily on the offensive line where they have all but one starter returning. There will be a lot of competition in the skill positions as the Tigers lost a lot to graduation and will be very young. Big play guy Cade Christopher returns as well as returning RB Dalton Clymer. Look for the Tigers to try and establish the run game early and often.

Defense:
The Tigers return 6 Defensive starters from a year ago. They will rely on being aggressive and use their athleticism to give multiple looks. The defense has a good mix of players at all 3 levels that will give them depth. The middle linebackers have a lot of experience and should be the strength of that side of the ball. Look for the Tigers to be stingy on defense this season.

Special Teams:
Tigers will have competition in the kicking game this year, and the punting duties will be held
by Seth Kern this season.

PFN Outlook:

The Tigers have to replace a major piece of offense from last year with Justin Holmes gone to graduation. Returning players Christopher and Dalton Clymer will need to step up and be the leaders offensively. Like Coach Snyder stated, the defense will be the strength until the offense clicks. They’ll be just fine until playoff time in my opinion.


Bangor Slaters
Head Coach: Paul Reduzzi

Returning Starters:
OFFENSE:
Eric Striba – QB – Sr, Ben Engle – OL – Sr, Jose Fuentes – OL – Sr, Jayden Vilmenay – OL – Sr, Riley Stapp – OL – Jr, Sam Woolverton – OL – Jr, Dylan Krugh – OL – Jr, Dylan Miller – TE – Sr, Ashton Kluska – WR – Sr, MJ Siu – WR – Jr
DEFENSE:
Dylan Miller – LB – Sr, Ashton Kluska – LB – Sr, Greg Campbell – DB – Jr, MJ Siu – DB – Jr, Jacob Weaver – DE – Jr, Ryan Wildrick – DB – Sr.

Key Newcomers: Quinn Karner – OL/DE – Sr(Injured 2021), Jacob Cornell – WR/DB – Sr, Noah Hillis – RB/LB – Jr, Parker Sandt – OL/DL – Jr

Players Lost: Kael Godshalk and Gabe Woolverton

Coaches Outlook:
Offense:
“We return a group of players on the offensive line who led the way for us to rush for over 3000 yards last season. That group has continued to improve during the off-season both in the weight room and on the field. Eric Striba is returning as a dual threat QB who continues to develop as a leader on and off the field. Our success on offense will be built on establishing control of the line of scrimmage and rushing the football, but we are seeing very positive developments in our passing game.
Defense:
We will look to continue developing a physical and fundamental defensive scheme that creates turnovers and is able to get off the field on key downs. We return players at all three levels of the defense who can lead the unit both verbally and physically. Our linebackers are physical athletic players that can play the run as well as execute our coverage schemes. Our secondary players developed throughout the season last year. We have Jacob Weaver(11 sacks) returning at defensive end. Our success on defense will be based on getting pressure up front while staying solid against the run.
Overall:
We have a mature group of players who continue to develop and challenge each other every day. They experienced some success last season and began to realize their potential. They understand the team chemistry, work ethic, and accountability that is required to succeed.”

PFN Outlook:

Bangor will be very competitive this season. Striba will be near the top in the division in passing, like the coach said, their line is strong. I can see the Slaters finishing top 3 if all goes as planned.


Wilson Area Warriors
Head Coach: Michael Fleming

Returning Starters: Sr – OL/DL – Kenneth Steckel, Jr – QB/S – Nathan King, So – MLB – Jackson Millen, Sr – OL/DL – John Ghilon

Key Newcomers: Christopher Weston – QB/ DE, Jayden Fields – WR/C, Anderson Louis-Juene – WR/C, Nicolas Mueser – OL/DL, Ian Feckete – OLB/ WR, Markhi Fields – LB/RB, Zeandros Johnson – RB/LB, Alex Rooks, LB/RB

Players Lost: Damon Simpson, Damian Simpson, Zach Gilon, Caden Stem, Erik Shunk, Zakhi Hendricks

Coaches Outlook:
“We are a very inexperienced group right now but we have made great strides during the off season. The kids have bought into a new culture and I am excited to see what kind of role that will play this year. We are looking to have a productive year on both sides of the ball.”

PFN Outlook:

We believe Wilson can be a top contender for the division. Defense will have to step up. Offensively, Nathan King will have to lead. We’ll see what happens in a few weeks when the Warriors begin division play starting with Saucon Valley.


Blue Mountain Eagles
Head Coach: Tom Gallagher

Returning Starters: Sr – DB/WR – DEREK WALASAVAGE, Sr – RB/LB – JAMES SEAMAN, Sr – WR/LB – KREESE STABLEIN, Sr – DL/TE – IAN DONOHUE, Sr – DB/WR – CARSON KERSTETTER, Sr – OL/DL – ADAM MORROW, Jr – QB – WILL JACOBSON, Jr – DB/ATH – TYLER MILLER, Jr – DB/ATH – PAYTON FASNACHT, Jr – DL/RB – AUSTYN FIELDS, Jr – LB/TE – VERN KLECKNER, Jr – DL/TE – CARSON STEINRUCK, Jr – OL/DL – LOGAN BETZ, So – DB/WR – GAIGE GUERS

Key Newcomers: Sr – LB/WR – MASON DAVIS, Jr – OL/DL – STONE LESHER, Jr – OL/DL – TREVOR MANBECK, So – LB/TE – LUKAS KAUFFMAN, So – RB/LB – TYLER STAHLEY, So – DB/WR – COLE SWICK, So – DB/WR – OWEN RITTER, So – OL/DL – NICK BECKFIELD, So – OL/DL – COLE WARGO, Fr – OL/DL – DYLAN FOOSE

Player Lost: OL – ROSS BOBBIN, OL – JAKE BOBBIN, LB – GAVIN GUERS, TE – JT GOCKEL, DL – GARRY DIETER

Coaches Outlook:
Blue Mountain is looking to take the next step and be competitive in our league and district this upcoming season. We have some experience back with 8 returning starters offensively and 9 starters defensively. We need to improve in ball security on the offensive side of the ball, and have to throw the ball to add another dimension to our offense. Our defense must improve in the pass coverage and consistently make plays in the open field.

PFN Outlook:

The Eagles should be ready to fly this season behind second year Head Coach Tom Gallagher guiding them. As you can see, there are many players on this team that started last year. The Eagles have experience behind them, like Coach said, the defense will have to improve in pass coverage now with Gavin Guers gone to graduation. All that said, if the Eagles can click early, with that rough and tough first 5 weeks, we might just see them in the district playoffs. Time will tell as in week-1, the Eagles travel to Jim Thorpe, a team Blue Mountain defeated in the opener last season 30 to 20.


Southern Lehigh Spartans
Head Coach: Phil Sams(3rd season – 9-9)

Returning Starters: Sr – RB/LB – Nick Ventresca, Sr – OL – Ryan Dematto, Sr – WR/DB – Tyler Rizzuto, Sr – QB/WR/FS – Avery Koser, Sr – C – Kain Boyle, Jr – WR/SS – Jack Inglis, So – PL – Gijis Fooji, Sr – OL/LB – Michael Fluck, Sr – K/P – Ayden Scharper

Key Returnees: Jr – WR/LB – Cade Sawyer, Jr – RB/CB – Christian Trevis, Jr – RB/S – Xavius Roman

Key Newcomers: Jr – TE/DE – Will Knudson, So – WR/S – Andrew Olesh, Fr – OL/DL – Carter Giberson, Jr – OL/LB – Alex Carr, So – OL/DL – Jack Widmann, Fr – WR/CB – Darius Roman, So – TE/DL – Bryan Tobin, Jr – FB/DL – Mitchell Andrejko, So – QB – Christopher Fritts

Coaches Outlook:
“Offensively, three senior starters, Ryan Dematto, Kain Boyle and Michael Fluck, and sophomore Gijs Fooji, return to the offensive line. It’s fun having three or four starters back from last year,” Sams said. “We won’t be the biggest o-line in the league, but we’re strong and very dedicated.
Defensively, Ventresca and Fluck will be at the center of the defense in the linebacking corps after leading the Spartans in tackles last season with 54.5 and 44.5 stops, respectively. Seniors Avery Koser and Tyler Rizzuto and junior Jack Inglis are back in the secondary.”

PFN Outlook:

Southern Lehigh closed out the 2021 season winners of 4 straight, qualifying for the DXI 5A playoffs. That said, the Spartans will need to replace QB-James Wisecraver, who transferred to Notre Dame, and RB Blaze Curry who ran for over 1000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Avery Koser will take over the roll at QB after playing WR last season. If Koser and the experienced offensive line can control the line of scrimmage and clock throughout the season, the Spartans could definitely make some noise and qualify for the postseason once again. Over the last 5 seasons, Southern Lehigh is 38-17.


 

Saucon Valley Panthers
Head Coach: Brad Trembler

Returning Starters: Alex Magnotta – WR – Sr, Braeden Weiss – WR – Jr, Caleb Grimm – OT – So, Owen Frederick – OL – Sr, Jack Robertson – FS – So, Travis Riefenstahl – SS – Sr, Tyler Pfizenmayer – LB – Sr, Jared Rohn – OLB – So, Landon Beckowski – LB – Jr.

Key Newcomers: Raymond Sanchez – WR/DB, Mike Wakely – WR/LB, Mike Delassio – OL/DL

Players Lost: Dante Mahaffey – QB, Ty Csencists – WR/LB, Damian Garcia – RB/DE, Cale Markel – DE, Cody Swinney – C/DT, Anthony Orlemann – DB/WR

Coaches Outlook:

We look to grow and mature as a group as the season goes.

PFN Outlook:

As Coach Trembler said, the Panthers will look to grow as the season goes. Senior WR-Alex Magnotta will need to be a leader on offense by making big plays in crunch time.


Lehighton Indians
Head Coach: Tom McCarroll

Returning Starters: Ian Rarick – WR/DB – Sr, Ethan Buchert – RB/WR/LB – Sr, Brady O’Donnell – QB – Jr, Luke Blauch – TE/DE – Sr, Cooper Hartsell – OL – Jr, Wyatt Scherer – OL – Jr, Doug Endy – OL – Sr, Reese Balk – DL – Jr, Yadiel Acosta Rodriguez – DL – So, Max Bergdahl – LB – Jr, Dylan Moyer – LB – Jr, Joe Roth – DB – So.

Key Newcomers: Zane Smith – WR/DB – Sr, Owen Kovach – OL/DL – Sr, Christian Salerno – WR/DB – Sr, Joe Roth – WR – So, Deven Armbruster – LB – So, Nelson Stanley – LB – So, Jayse Lawrence – DB/QB – Fr, Blake Roberts – WR/DB – Fr, Carter Birnbaum – OL/DL – Jr, Dawson Keiser – WR/DB – Jr, Caden Meek – WR/DB – Fr, Joey Houser – OL/DL – So, Xavier Moore – DE – Jr.

Players Lost: Hunter Crum, Ricky Houser, Gauge Hartney, Brayden Lutz, and Brendan Zimmerman

Coaches Outlook:
Looking to improve from a very disappointing 2021 season. A very productive off-season should help keep us competitive week in and week out. An improved defense and reducing turnovers on offense will be key to having any success.

PFN Outlook:

Offensively, the Indians should be okay with O’Donnell, Rarick, and Buchert leading the charge, my question is still the defense but, Coach McCarroll stated the defense is improved, so we’ll see in week-1 as the Indians travel to Palmerton to take on District XI runner-up Blue Bombers and their QB-Matt Machalik and crew.

PFNDan570FB Conference Prediction

Top 3(in no particular order): Pottsville Area Crimson Tide, Wilson Area Warriors, and Bangor Slaters

Watchlist: Blue Mountain Eagles, Lehighton, and Northwestern Lehigh

Sleeper: Southern Lehigh

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