2022 Schuylkill/Colonial Preview ! BLUE DIVISION

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, News

Daniel Reed | August 13, 2022

SCHUYLKILL/COLONIAL:(BLUE)

2021 Final Standings:
1. Tri-Valley Bulldogs – (5-1) – 8-1 *DIVISION CHAMPIONS*
2. Williams Valley Vikings – (3-1) – 7-2 *DISTRICT XI CHAMPIONS*
3. Nativity BVM Green Wave – (2-5) – 5-5
4. Marian Catholic Colts – (2-3) – 3-7
5. Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils – (2-3) – 2-6
6. Panther Valley Panthers (0-5) – 0-8

Blue Division 2022 Preview:
After just one year under its belt, the Schuylkill/Colonial is already seeing some division swaps between teams due to the reclassifications of teams set this year by the PIAA. The division I discuss in this story is one that will see a change.

Mahanoy Area Golden Bears… The Bears look to make an immediate impact in their first year in the division. Coming off a 4-7 record in 2021, the Golden Bears return 15 starters, 5 of which are offensive linemen, Noah Hayes(OG), David Sanchez(OT), Louie Frye(OT), Cael Quick(OG), and Dylan Andrusichen(C). The Golden Bears also have their two leading playmakers returning in Ben Manley(QB/FB/LB) and Colm McGroarty(FS/QB). Head Coach Paul Babinsky stated, ” we have a strong nucleus of players that have contributed on the varsity level for several seasons “, and ” hope to compete for the Class 1A District XI championship this year.

Williams Valley Vikings… Williams Valley looks to regain the top spot in the division after falling to Tri-Valley in the season finale 14 to 0. The Vikings would however return the favor by eliminating the Bulldogs from the playoffs in the District XI championship 28 to 13. Williams Valley has high hopes to win the District title once again as Head Coach, Tim Savage explained that his team, ” will be the most experienced team since his 2017 team that won the District title, ended the regular season undefeated, and finished the season at 13-1 while racking up over 600pts in the process. Williams Valley is definitely one of the favorites again to win the division, as well as districts as they have a slew of returning players, starting with the offense with RB-Alex Achenbach(270-1716yds, 16tds), QB-Issac Whiteash(1466yds), and WR-Brady Evans(844yds and 13tds), on the line, the Vikings return Ezi Hite(OT), and Brayden Shadel(OG). Defensively, the Vikings return many that have starting experience as well as their entire secondary. Coach Savage sums it all up in five words, ” Big Season, with Big Goals “.

Tri-Valley Bulldogs… The reigning, defending division champion Bulldogs finished the 2022 season 9-2 after losing to Williams Valley in the District XI Championship game 28 to 13. Coach Jeff Sampson will have to find a replacement for QB Jonas McGrath. McGrath threw for nearly 2,000 yards over his three year career. Look for Jr Hunter Troutman to take over that spot. Kam Wetzel and Jake Scheib will look to carry the load for the Bulldogs. Also returning are linemen Beau Strause and center Justis Troutman. The Dogs open with a hungry and experienced Minersville then the big game to close the regular season with Williams Valley.

OTHERS IN THE DIVISION:

Nativity BVM Green Wave… Nativity looks to be in rebuild year as the Green Wave lost a bevy of starters, 17 to be exact, most notable were QB-Cody Miller, RB-Stephen Spolski, and LB-Jack Miller. Some starters that do return from last season are Samuel Spolski-RB/LB, Noah Dolbin-WR/DB, and Kyle Kenton-OL/DL will be looked at to be the leaders of this young team. Head Coach, Pat Mason explained, ” at this point, we have a lot of players fighting for playing time at all positions “.

Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils… Shenandoah Valley returns multiple players with starting time last season, losing only 4 key starters from last years team that finished 2-7. Of course replacing your starting QB, and WR is always a tough task but Head Coach, Ed Moran believes in his group to build. The Blue Devils boast a strong junior class led by Nick Ryan(WR), Alex Kozlosky(TE/ATH), Mike Deihl(C), Ben Dempster(QB), and Kelvyn Cordero(G).

Marian Catholic Colts… Marian Catholic was once the cream of the crop in its class, those years have since passed but, Head Coach Stan Dakosty has his program headed in the right direction it seems, closing out the 2021 season with 4 consecutive victories. Coach Dakosty and the Colts ended last year on a 4 game win streak and they hope to continue that streak. Matt Martin ran for rover 1000 yards in 2021. The qb position will come down to either Jr Bruce hopeck or So Dylan Rodino. They return most of their offensive line and backfield. The Colts have a D1 recruit Rawlin Melendez, LB Joey Walko and DB Andrew Baran back to lead a strong defense.