PIAA District XI High School Football Preview: Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Edition

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, News

Brian "Hollywood" Ptashinski | August 19, 2024

Some Realignment Set for The Eastern Pennsylvania Football Conference in 2024. Should make for competitive Season

As we get ready for the opening night of the high school football season Friday August 23rd in the Lehigh Valley. The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference will look a little different this season. Per the EPC website the Lehigh, Northampton and Pocono Divisions have been replaced with the North, East and West.

The North will have all the schools from the Poconos in the mix: East Stroudsburg North, Pleasant Valley, Stroudsburg, Pocono Mountain East, East Stroudsburg South and Pocono Mountain East.

Bethlehem Catholic, Liberty, Freedom, Nazareth, Easton and Dieruff will comprise the East Division as Dieruff makes the move over from the Lehigh Division from last season.

The West Division will be made up of Parkland, Whitehall, Emmaus, Northampton Allentown Central Catholic and William Allen.

The only change for the District XI playoff scenario will be in 5A as the 4 teams Whitehall, Pleasant Valley, East Stroudsburg South and Pocono Mountain East will be eligible for the post-season with no sub-regional playoff.

With all that said let’s take a look at eighteen teams that make up one of the most competitive conferences in the Commonwealth:

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC GOLDEN HAWKS Last year 7-6 won the District XI 4A championship, lost to Selinsgrove in opening round of state playoffs.

The Golden Hawks started the 2023 campaign on fire going 5-0 but then hit the skids with a five game losing streak. Becahi did get into the District playoff and had two big wins over Blue Mountain and then shutting out Allentown Central Catholic in the District final, but lost an oping round state playoffs to powerhouse Selinsgrove out of District 4.

This years’ squad will be young with just a half dozen seniors on the roster. The QB position is in great hands with junior Cayden Vassa at the helm. Vassa threw for over 1,500 yards as a sophomore and 18 touchdowns and picked up six more using his legs to find the end zone. Cayden will look to his brother, Carter, the sophomore WR caught 42 passes for nearly 800 yards and nine touchdowns. Linebacker Carlos Perez will anchor the defense. Perez had 5 sacks last year along with over a 100 tackles on the season.

With the scheduling realignment with the EPC this year Becahi will be facing a few non-league opponents this season with Berks Catholic on the docket also facing East Pennsboro on opening night.

NAZARETH BLUE EAGLES Last Year 12-2, Lost to St. Joe’s Prep in opening round of state 6A playoffs.

The Nazareth Blue Eagles come into the 2024 season ranked ninth in the state by pafootballnews.com in 6A. They are defending District XI champions but a loss to state power St. Joe’s Prep ended the Blue Eagles season in the opening weekend of the state playoffs. Coach Tom Flalzone’s team lost 31 seniors to graduating but do have a few key components to work with as the season gets under way. One being at quarterback where Peyton Falzone, yes his father is the head coach will be back and ready to lead the team on offense. Payton tossed the ball to the tune of over 2,500 yards in 2023 and accounted for 30 scores, 19 via the airwaves and another 11 on the ground. Payton did commit to Virginia Tech after graduation. Caleb Wilson will lead the receiving crew, Wilson caught 30 passes for 550 yards and found the end zone eight times. Wilson is committed to Lafayette College in 2025. RB Marquez Wimberly will carry the load in the run game as he amasses over 600 yards rushing and scored ten times in 2023.

The emphasis will be on the defensive side of the ball where only two returning players are back and the entire interior line will need to be replaced.

LOUIS E DIERUFF HUSKIES Last Year 3-8 Coach Dave Lutte 

The Louis E Dieruff Hukies return 13 starters from last year’s squad 7 on offense and six on defense. Running Back Juan Manzano will carry much of the load in the run game as he gained nearly 600 yards last year. The Huskies also have four returning starters on the offensive line: Nate Levy, Jayden Suarez, Marcus Soto and Alex Morales. Two wide receivers will look to make some noise in the passing game Eli Dalrymple and Alphie Deris will be catching balls thrown by new quarterback Jack Herter.

Coach quotes: We have a team comprised of veterans who know what it takes to get to the next step which is to nab a post season berth.We have a new offensive coordinator Matt Burch who has brought a dynamic new look to our offense. Defensively Mitch Lutte has his unit flying around and mentally ready for the challenge ahead. Our goal is the next step which is getting past the 3 win mark and getting a post season nod.

Though a formidable schedule awaits the Huskies they will have cross-over games with East Stroudsburg North and Pocono Mountain East.

EASTON RED ROVERS  3- Last Season Coach: Matt Senneca

One of the most storied and  among the winningest team in the state are the Rovers of Easton but it has been a decade since the Rovers have raised a banner at historic Cottingham Stadium. Matt Seneca’s team are out to change that in 2024. The offense is in good hands with QB Cole Ordway at the helm. Ordway threw for nine scores and over 1,000 yards last year. RB Doian Thomas rushed for 750 yards and five scores. WR Jasir Frutchey caught 34 passes for 480 yards

Easton will face three teams outside the EPC this year: Sping-Ford, Northeast (Philadelphia) and Central Bucks West

BETHLEHEM LIBERTY HURRICANES Last year 2-8 Coach Shawn Daignault

The one thing you can say about the Hurricane’s the past three seasons is that they have been consistent, but not in a good way, three consecutive 2-8 seasons did not sit well with the Hurricanes program. Coach Daignault looks for more balance attack on offense with RB Jake Green returning and Jake Pukszyn a play-maker at receiver. The line will have experience as well with Daunte Morrison, Joaquin Vazquez and JJ Vazquez will be key to controlling the line of scrimmage.

Coach Quotes: 2024 Offensive Outlook: The key to this offense will be the emergence of our QB. There is a lot of production returning, a solid group of returning OL, and other capable players waiting in the wings. We have a QB competition going on this summer and it will obviously be important to find someone to distribute the ball to our playmakers. 2024 Defensive Outlook: Again, there is a lot of production returning. How well we gel with the package being installed by our new defensive coordinator and how quickly players grow into their new roles will determine our success. 2024 Special Teams Outlook: Losing Connor McLaughlin is a big loss both as a kicker and a punter. We have a couple of guys that will have to pick up where he left off. Our returners and long snappers return so there will be some continuity in special teams.

The Hurricanes will open up with Pentridge out of District one. QB Antonio Fontanez will return under center after playing at Allentown CC last year where he threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns and just six picks.

BETHLEHEM FREEDOM PATRIOTS, Last Year 6-5 COAC: Jason Roeder

The season ended prematurely for the Patriots as a  19-14 loss to Emmaus in the District XI 6A quarterfinal was the earliest exit for coach Roeder’s team. The Patriots had been a lock to make the District finals in 6 of the last 7 years.

This season Freedom will head up to Staten Island, NY August 23rd at Tottenville High School where they will face Torrey Pines from Southern California. Freedom will return plenty of talent from last years team. Chase Walker will be under center. Walker threw for nearly 1,500 yards and a dozen touchdowns. WR Shacre Colwell who caught 43 balls for over 500 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Roeder has a record of 136-80 is starting his 20th season at Freedom.

EMMAUS GREEN HORNETS Last Season 6-6 Coach Harold Fairclough

The 2023 campaign ended for Emmaus with a 21-14 District XI 6A semifinal loss to rival Parkland. The key will be up front as younger players Joey Glover, Mason Weber and Brody McHugh will try to fill in for Mario Landino and Ben Mercado both playing Division I football this season. The quarterback position will be going to junior Jerek Cooper. The defense will be anchored by Robert Edwards who made 80 tackles last season and forced three fumbles.

Emmaus will open up on the road at District I powerhouse Neshaminy and then will meet Stroudsburg in week 4. WR/Safety Rafael Terrero intercepted 5 passes last year and made nearly 50 tackles is commited to Kent State. On offense Terrero caught 28 passes for over 300 yards and two scores.

WILLIAM ALLEN CANARIES Last Year 0-10 Coach: Joel Rupp

William Allen was outscored last year 416-74, though the team came close to winning on two occasions a 18-14 lost to East Stroudsburg North and a 14-8 loss to Pocono Mountain East in overtime.

Allen will open up their 2024 season with two teams from the Philadelphia area Dobbins Tech and Thomas Edison and a date with East Stroudsburg North in first tree weeks of the season may give them some confidence if they can come out with wins in those games. Being in consecutive weeks they will face Parkland, Whitehall, ACC and Emmaus.

Coach quotes: With a renewed sense of commitment and an improved strength program, the William Allen Canaries are set to show significant progress this season. Key returning players and a solid coaching staff in their second year together provide a foundation for potential success. The team’s focus on scoring more points and generating turnovers will be crucial as they seek to turn close losses into victories. Expect the Canaries to be more competitive and determined to make a mark this season.

The quarterback position will go to either David Thor or Yandel Matos. Allen does have two talented wide receivers in Davoney Hall and Zion Stokes. RB will be Kemahni Wimberly. About 45 kids came out for the team from Sophomores to seniors and about 20 freshman.

PARKLAND TROJANS Last Year 12-1 Lost to Nazareth in District XI 6A championship 22-21 Coach Tim Moncman

Parkland will be expected to be a force in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference race once again.  The team will be once again strong upfront in the trenches with James Taylor, Evan Saylor and Mason Marcks. The linebacking corps will be led by Marcel Burden and Reid Andrush.

Coach quotes: “On offense, an experienced Offensive Line led by Saylor, Marcks, and Tyler will be key for the running game of T.J. Lawrence and protecting the new QB with the graduation of #7 Luke Spang. Use of explosive play ability in the receiving game of Adams and Dauberman. Operate with varying tempos.On defense, All-Area Honorable Mention LB T.J. Lawrence is back for Sophomore year with Dorsey and Diaz anchoring the defensive line. Defensive backfield led by Seniors Dauberman and Kusko.”

On offense WR Leo Daubermand and Nas Adams will be two key play-makers. The key will be replacing quarterback Luke Spang. Senior Osany Guzman and Sophomores Finn Coen and Blake Nassrey. The Trojans will face George Washington out of Philadelphia as well as Nazareth Freedom and Pleasant Valley but will not have rival Easton or Liberty on the schedule.

WHITEHALL ZEPHYRS Last Year 8-5 District XI 5A Champions Coach Andy Marino

The question is for Whitehall coming into the 2024 season is to replace all-everything quarterback Trey Dogmanits who threw for over 2,300 yards and 23 scores and a team that graduated 13 players who seen significant time on the field last year. Trey’s brother Talon Dogmanits will be back as well as Carter Troxell.

Coach quotes: We look forward to a competitive training camp with alot of talented newcomers. Our goal, as always, is to continue evolve as a program, continuously get better, and elevate our standards on and off the field.

Other two-way players will be returning such as Alex Magarin, Justus Miles, Brandon Bird and Trokin Kai. The quarterback position will be contended by Tanner Dogmanits and Talon Dogmanits. The run game will be key with Troxell getting a large dose of carries this season.

Whitehall will open up at District 2 Wilkes-Barre Area as well as having East Stroudsburg South and Nazareth for 2024 season.

ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS Last Year 9-3 lost to Bethlehem Catholic 29-0 District XI 4A Championship Coach Rob Melosky

Last years loss to the Golden Hawks 29-0 really did sit well with the fan base or coaching staff at Central Catholic after defeating Becahi 24-14 in the regular season finale. The good news is that Central Catholic will have 7 of their 10 regular season games at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown. The will face Whitehall, Bethlehem Catholic and Freedom on he road. The Vikings will open the season at home with Trinity out of District 3.

The question on offense will be at quarterback where Antonio Fontanez left to go back to Liberty. Fontanez threw for over 2,200 yards and 20 scores. WR Jaleel Calhoun and DJ Kelly also left the program for out-of-state schools.

Coach Quotes: We’re young but players are committed to winning, hard working.

The quarterback race will be between Sr Kyle Flashman and sophomore and sophomore Patrick Cahill. Fleshman missed all last season with an illness. The Vikings will be loaded at wide receiver with Daniel Weaver, Nate Bringuez, Luis Martinez and Aiden Sorrentino The offensive line will be a force to reckoned with as Braheem Battles, a Maryland commit and Luis Lantigua Aiden Joyce and Quamir Battles will be up front.

NORTHAMPTON KONKRETE KIDS Last Season 10-3  Coach John Toman

Northampton looks to take that next step in the progression to regained success against traditional EPC South contenders after dominating the EPC North the past few seasons Coach Toman’s goal is to compete with the traditional powers in the EPC, Parkland, Nazareth, Easton, Freedom Emmaus, etc.

Quarterback Gavin Taf returns for his junior year. Taffy threw for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Running back Billy Stuhldreher also returns from a 465 yard season and nine scores last year. The K-Kids also have Catasauqua transfer Aiden Hess at QB.

Northampton scheduled Pennsbury out of District 1 on the schedule.  Northampton expects to have Tymir Williams back as an explosive player. He was injured all of last year with a ton ACL. The K-kids expect big plays from home this year.

EAST STRIUDSBURG SOUTH CAVALIERS Last year 5-5 Coach Matt Walters

East Stroudsburg South return many on both sides of the ball and are looking to improve after a post season appearance in 2023. QB Ivan Laubach and ATH Charles Capers will lead the skill position along with WR Xzavier Punsateri. The offensive line will be led by Karson Kunsman and Chris Perez. East Stroudsburg South on defensive will have LB Nasir Blount with Charles Capers and Pusateri and Mercado leading the way.

The Cavalier schedule will feature seven teams that made the post-season in 2023 featuring Whitehall, Northampton, Freedom, Parkland, Becahi and Abington Heights.

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH TIMBERWOLVES Last year 1-9 Coach Dave Lauglin

The Timberwolves will be solid on the defensive side of the ball in 2024 with players like Brandon Roca at linebacker and Kendrick Sympson. Roca had 13 sacks last season and Sympson led the team in interceptions a year ago. Returning from a stint in Arizona is Zach Deresky-Martinez at safety. Justice Edwards returns to the lineup after an ACL injury kept him off the field in 2023.

The question will be on offense other than three year starting QB Wayne King will be calling the signals but not much experience will be back on that side of the ball for the Timberwolves in 2024.

POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST CARDINALS Last Year 2-8 Dustin Thomas

First year Coach Dustin Thomas is bring in a a spread offense that will focus on the passing game is a complete change to the option offense where the focus was on the run game and very little passing involved. The battle of the quarterback position will come down to junior Ian Stiles and senior Rocco DelGiudice. Sophomore Dom Anderson seems to be  lock at the wide receiver position. At the running back position Stephon Bethea will be getting the majority of carries in 2024.

Defensively, the Cardinals will concentrate on speed and athleticism. That starts with the safety position with Connor Triano, a three year starter. The linebacking corps will be controlled by Connor McCarthy. The Defensive line will also be key as Andrew Comstock and Manny Patterson will anchor the middle with David Louis-John as on the end

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST PANTHERS Last Year 7-5 Coach Jim McCarroll

The Panthers will be a young and inexperienced team in 2014, with only four total starters back from a team that went 7-5 in 2023. Iko Young at DE, Anthony Mendoza at WR, Jayden Milian at OG and Brady Behr at WR.Behr was the leading receiver with nearly 500 yards of offense on 40 receptions. At the athlete position expect Marving Dienhoue to make some noise at both running back and receiver. The quarterback position looks like it is Jerel Simms job for the taking. Simms also has the ability to use his legs when needed if necessary

STROUDSBURG MOUNTAINEERS Last year 6-5 Coach Jim Miller

Stroudsburg will have to replace most of the 11 starters on offense and only have one offensive lineman returning. The quarterback position will be the biggest question mark as the Mountaineers have two signal callers that were used in 2023  Jackson Mithell, a sophomore and senior Ben Pilcher, both players seen significant time in 2023 and will be a week-to-week decision, but don’t be surprised to see both on the field at the same time.

On the offensive line just Zion Essington will be returning as a junior and the rest of the line will be made up of underclassman. The strength of the Mounties will be their defense as James Kelly will be key at MLB. The one will also have Mehki Kirkland as well as Essington andPilcher will be on the line as well. Kamari Coleman, Jalen Taylor Ethan Dudsak and Connor Bedeau will cover the secondary.

PLEASANT VALLEY BEARS Last Year 6-5 Coach Bleac Saeger

The Bears rallied to secure an Eastern Conference championship in 2023, after being down by 3 scores to Governor Mifflin to score four touchdowns to complete the comeback. The Bears will be a young team as well after graduating ten players to graduation. Coach Saeger runs the option offense in Brodheadsville and the key lineman will be Nick Marsh at LT, Marsh will double up as a DE on the defensive side of the ball. Senior FB Aiden Lollis will be the mainstay on offense. The quarterback battle will be between Jackson Haynes, a junior and senior Dan Baker.

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