2026 Team Preview: The Pine Grove Cardinals
Tagged under: District 11, News, Team Previews
Cody Brady | July 23, 2026
The Pine Grove Area Cardinals
Head Coach: Dave Shiffer
PIAA District 11
Class 4A
Schuylkill League
2025 Season Record: 1-9
Key Starters Lost
Wyatt Snyder – QB/LB
Wyatt Dixon – WR/DB
James Barra – OL/DL
Robert Brown – OL
Jackson Snuffer – OL
Waylon Flasher – SS
Adam Dorsey – DB
Peyton Renninger – K/P/WR/DB
Tristen Bickham – DL
Colton Wickenheiser – ST
Returning Starters
Sr. WR/FS Teagan Schneck-Haines 6’0 157
Sr. RB/MLB Logan Troup 5’9 183
Sr. OL/DE/LB Kolbey Buffington 6’0 206
Jr. OL Cody Schneck 5’10 241
Sr. FB/LB Zach Kurtz 6’0 220
Sr. OL/DL Scout Frantz 6’7 301 (missed 2025 season)
Sr. DB Angel Ditzler 5’7 168
Sr. NG Torren Crochunis 6’0 240
Key Newcomers
Sr. WR/DB Connor Servin 6’1 171
Jr. QB/DB Cody Fedechko 5’8 151
Jr. FB/SS Sam Krawchuk 5’11 206
Jr. OL/DL Beau Lyons 5’11 213
Jr. WR/DB Cameron Waite 5’8 131
Jr. K/P Terrin Witmer 6’2 165
So. WR/CB Blaze Dower 5’10 142
So. RB/SS Kenneth Graeff 6’1 180
So. WR/DB Keith Harring 6’1 165
Fr. K C.J. Herber 5’3 145
Fr. FB/LB Nick Kreiser 5’9 212
Fr. OL/LB Jacob Newswanger 5’9 207
Fr. OL/DL Daniel Schadle 5’11 271
Fr. OL/DL Masyn Snyder 6’2 251
Fr. QB/DB Brayden Williams 5’10 151
Season Outlook
The Cardinals enter the 2026 season looking to improve from last season while embracing the challenges of a new schedule that features several unfamiliar opponents. Pine Grove Area must replace 10 seniors who were starters or key contributors in all three phases of the game, making this one of the youngest teams in recent memory. More than two-thirds of the roster consists of freshmen and sophomores, but the coaching staff is excited about the potential this group possesses. The key to the season will be how quickly the younger players develop. Many will be asked to take on significant roles immediately, and their growth throughout the year will be critical to the team’s success. While there will undoubtedly be growing pains, the Cardinals believe the experience gained this fall will serve as the foundation for future success as the program continues to build. Pine Grove Area returns its top offensive production from a year ago in senior running back Logan Troup, the team’s leading rusher, and senior wide receiver Teagan Schneck-Haines, last season’s leading receiver. Both will be counted on to lead the offense while providing stability for a new starting quarterback. The Cardinals will also feature several new starters along the offensive line. Although the group lacks varsity experience, it has shown promise and has the potential to develop into a strength as the season progresses. Sustaining drives, protecting the quarterback, and finishing possessions with points will be key to the offense’s success. The defense returns a solid core of experienced players led by Schneck-Haines in the secondary, Troup at linebacker, and Kolbey Buffington along the defensive front. With slightly more returning experience on this side of the ball—particularly in the box—the Cardinals expect the defense to provide consistent production and serve as a foundation for the team’s success throughout the season.
2026 Schedule
08-22
|
vs. Executive Education Academy (0-0) |
– |
08-22
|
vs. Tri-Valley (0-0) |
– |
08-28
|
@ Northern Lebanon (0-0) |
– |
09-04
|
vs. Shenandoah Valley (0-0) |
– |
09-11
|
@ Mahanoy Area (0-0) |
– |
09-18
|
@ New Hope-Solebury (0-0) |
– |
09-25
|
vs. Holy Redeemer (0-0) |
– |
10-02
|
vs. North Schuylkill (0-0) |
– |
10-09
|
@ Blue Mountain (0-0) |
– |
10-16
|
vs. Pottsville (0-0) |
– |
10-23
|
@ Panther Valley (0-0) |
– |
10-30
|
vs. Tamaqua (0-0) |
– |
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