Schuylkill/Colonial White Division 2024 Outlook
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, News
Billy Splain | August 23, 2024
SCHUYLKILL/COLONIAL WHITE DIVISION OUTLOOK
Catasauqua
Head Coach: Joe Henrich(NEW)
2023 Record: 6-6
The Rough Riders finished the 2023 season at .500 with a senior heavy class. They’ll be entering the 2024 season with plenty of opportunities for newcomers to see the field, including quarterback Aiden Reilly.
Catty’s greatest strength this season will be the return of linemen Braeden Smith, Matt Fotta and Jacob Ramos. If their experience can form a cohesive offensive and defensive line, the Rough Riders should be able to make a run at the District XI playoffs.
Returning Players: Braeden Smith (OLDL), Matt Fotta (OLDL), Jacob Ramos (OLDL), Rodney Brodie (WRDB), Jordan Bradshaw (WRDB), Manny Bolmer (WRDB), Chris Wellington (LB), Jordan Bradshaw (S) Jonathan Cordon-Pinto (K), Jayden Olivencia (P), Cadeo Estronza (KR/PR)
Newcomers: Josiah Lafond (WR/C), Aiden Reilly (QB), Tyler Limardi (WR/S), Cadeo Estronza (WR/C), Taven Ying (OL/DL), Brandon Bartholomew (HB/LB), Evan Delong (OL/DL)
Northern Lehigh
Head Coach: Joe Tout
2023 Record: 3-7
Northern Lehigh will be one of the more complete teams in the Colonial League in terms of players returning who saw time. With skill position players returning across the board, including senior QB Ayden Oswald, head coach Joe Tout has plenty to be excited about.
When asked about their chances this year, Coach Tout provided the following: “We will be a mix of veteran players and younger players. We are confident that we have alot of talent coming through our program. If we are able to gel as a team, we will compete for a district championship.”
Returning Players: Grady Newhard RB-LB, 5-9 180 Jr., Chris Frame WR-DB 5-10 160 SO, Reese Lipsky WR-LB 5-10 160 Sr, Cyrus Kinchen OL-DL 6-2 280 Sr, Noah Herring OL-DL 5-10 225 Sr, Landon Moll OL-DL 5-10 220, Ryan Zambo DB 5-10 160 SO, Ayden Oswald QB-DB 6-0 205 SR, Brody Sterner WR 5-9 150 SR, Ethan Grozier DB 6-1 185 Jr. Isaac Raber LB 5-10 200 Sr.
Newcomers: Eli Grady OL Sr, Zane Roth TE Sr, Nate Kuhns OL-DL Jr, Mason Rothrock LB Jr, Landen Klimek OL Jr.
The Crusaders rapidly evolving program had a solid season with several seasoned senior veterans leading the way, including Danny Darno and Dainn Vassallo. While they’ve moved on and Phil Stambaugh has a fairly young squad this year, with a host of players transitioning up to varsity or into more meaningful roles, there is a lot to be excited about this year.
When asked about the youth movement, Coach Stambaugh was quoted, “We have a talented young group. We need to hit the ground running against a tough schedule. The more experience we gain the better we will get throughout the season.”
Returning Players: Christian Rivituso Nino Morici Carmine Diaz Mark Talpas Anthony Crisafulli Alex Clark Kellen Binstead Faustie Capobianco Austin Casal Brett Bruckman Thomas Kosiba Aaron Gordon Clemente Cintron John Hull Dominic Morris Josh Scherer
Newcomers: JJ Trimmer Sammy Morici Alex Clark Matt Bodnar Berkley Weidner Cody Driscoll Eddie Youngkin Kalet Wilson Giancarlo Guadagnino Logan Hancik Cody Hartman Daniel Higgins Marc Bartholomew Drew Boyd Nyechay Lawless II Jonathan Striba John Hull Caden Ditze CJ Diaz Jason Frederick Lukas Hatzakos Noah Knorp Noah Snyder Philip LaBella Tommy Murphy Marco Azzolina
Palisades
Head Coach: Bobby Smith
2023 Record: 2-8
Continuing the theme of the youth movement in the Colonial League, Palisades had a number of players see significant time as freshmen and sophomores last year. They’ll be hoping that experience pays off in 2024. Anchored by junior linemen Silas Day and Rowan Tharpe along with sophomore Matt Casterline and 6’4” 225 senior Greg Grochowiak, the offensive and defensive front could be the key to a successful season. They return a number of skill position players as well, including junior QB Jack Trickel, so if the line can give him time to find his targets, including classmates Max Woerner and Chase Smith, the Pirates could make noise.
Returning Players: John Haubert-Rb,Db-5’8″ 145-(SR) Greg Borgeson-WR,DB- 6’1″ 180-(SR) Angelo Ziccardi-OL,DL- 5’9″ 160-(SR) Silas Day-Ol,DL-6’4″ 215-(JR) Rowan Tharpe-OL,DL-6’4″-370-(JR) Jack Trickel-QB,DB-6′-150-(JR) Max Woerner-WR,DB-6′-175-(JR) Chase Smith-TE,LB- 6′- 170-(JR) Tobey Witt-FB,LB-6’2″- 175-(JR) Lincoln Cook-WR,DB-6’2″-160(soph)
Newcomers: Mitchell Hamilton-WR,LB-6’2″-170 (Soph) Carter Kilhefner-RB,LB-6’1″- 180 (soph) Greg Grochowiak-Ol,DL-6’4″-225 (SR) Matt Casterline-OL,DL-6′-255(Soph)
The once in a twenty year run? Time will tell. Palmerton lost quite a bit from last year’s 12-1 squad, including Lehigh commit Matt Machalak at QB, but bench players received a significant amount of game time in the Bombers victories last fall.
The Bombers will be very young this season in terms of players stepping into more prominent roles, as sophomores Connor Lawless, Jake Walkowiak, Chris Collier and Cale Young will see time at the skill spots and Mason Heilman, Colson Ruzicka and Mason Konze will have opportunities on the line. Several freshmen could also see meaningful downs, including TK Gursky, Mike Garey and TJ Weller.
When asked about the youth movement, Coach Walkowiak told PFN: “We are a young team based on the number of seniors on the roster but have a good nucleus of younger players who have experience from last season not in a starting role but saw the field. I liked the way our underclassman are developing during the off season and we continue to get better every day we take the field together.”
Returning Players: Offensive Starters Returning: Logan Anthony, Beau Stahler, Jameson Trainer, Defensive Starters Returning: Logan Anthony, Jameson Trainer, Alex Keiper
Newcomers: Aidan Ortiz – Sr – WR/DB 5’9 160 Trevor Anthony – Kicker – 6’0 185 Caleb Sagastume JR RB/DB 5’10 185 James Mack – JR – OL/LB 5’10 170 Vincent Taglieri – JR – Slot/DB 5’8 150 Cale Young – SOPH – SLOT/DB 5’8 150 Connor Lawless – SOPH – Slot/DB – 5’6 150 Jake Walkowiak – SOPH – Slot/LB- 5’8 140 Mason Heilman SOPH – OL/DL 5’9 270 Colson Ruzicka SOPH – OL/DL – 5’10 265 Mason Konze SOPH – OL/DL – 6’0 240 Hunter Sell – Soph – Kicker 5’9 145 TK Gursky – FR – QB/DB – 5’7 145 Mike Garey – FR – RB/LB – 5’9 160 TJ Weller – FR QB/DB – 5’10 155 Wyatt Gable – FR OL/DL 6’0 250 Chris Collier SOPH – SLOT/DB 5’7 140
Brady Mutton’s charges were a tough out last fall and leaned heavily on do-everything-athlete Damian Tyminski, Brad Rissmiller at QB and others. That key crop is gone, but enough returns outside the “2023 core four” to have the Slate Belt town excited.
The offensive line is very experienced and led by Adam Bartholomew, Rocco DeCesare, Stephen Hines, Brayden Krasnopera and Jakob Pietraszkiewicz. Mason Soos will step in at QB and Caiden Faust saw meaningful downs last year as well.
Defensively, Coach Mutton told PFN: “We return starters in 7 positions on defense. We must replace some very talented players on this side of the ball as well, but feel confident we have underclassmen prepared to fill the roles.”
One of their greatest assets on special teams could be sophomore kicker Reid Kotulka. He handled PAT and FG as a freshman and is taking on all roles this season.
Returning Players: Adam Bartholomew OL/DL Rocco DeCesare OL/LB Terrell Estes RB/LB Caiden Faust RB/LB Stephen Hines OL/DL Nuallan King TE/DE Brayden Krasnopera C/DL Zach Metzgar WR/DB Jakob Pietraszkiewicz OL/DL Collin Ramsay WR/DB Mason Soos QB/DB Michael Thomas TE/LB
Newcomers: SOPH. Anthony Beltran QB/WR/DB SOPH. Chris Crespo WR/DB SOPH. Alex Harper OL/DL SR. Jack McLaughlin TE/DL SR. Jacob Oyer OL/DL SR. Ian Ryerson OL/LB SR. AJ Sora WR/DB
Salisbury
Head Coach: Kevin DiZenzo
2023 Record: 1-10
The Falcons return a significant amount of players at both sides of the ball, including the entire offensive line, running backs Jason St. Leger and Derek Trinidad, along with WR Jamani Cruz and Caleb Gonzalez.
Most of the above will go two way, along with Sam Krauss and Tyshuwn Claudio on the line. The defense will be anchored by linebackers Jordan Tocci-Wachter and Jacob Watson.
The numbers are there in terms of returning players…For the Falcons, if they can put it all together, led by the line and a competitive schedule, there’s potential for significant improvement this fall.
Saucon Valley
Head Coach: Anthony Brinkley
2023 Record: 5-6
Turnovers. The not-so-four-letter-four-letter-word in Hellertown last season. The Panthers play was solid on both sides of the ball, but turnovers set them back in a few games. They had Notre Dame on the mat in the season opener and also lost a tough one at Bangor.
Saucon lost a few key players but the return of senior WR\DB and soon-to-be 1,000 point scorer in basketball, Jack Robertson, gives the Panthers a target to throw to out wide. Jared Rohn and Peter Albano split reps at QB last fall and both return. Rohn also led the team in rushing as a junior.
Defensively, Rohn had 110 tackles. Andrew Gilbert also returns after putting up nearly 100 defensive stops. The season opens with a trip for redemption at Bangor.
Returning Players: Jared Rohn Jack Robertson Joey Griffith Eli Torres Caleb Grim Joe Peterson Peter Albano Josiah Hernandez Andrew Gilbert Shane Kerosetz Braden Rohn
Newcomers: Isiah Checo Isiah McNally Noah Weiss
Wilson Area
Head Coach: Jim Brady
2023 Record: 0-10
Anywhere but up right? The Warriors hope to return to the playoffs under new head coach Jim Brady. Brady takes over a depleted Wilson Area team that lacked the depth last season. It’s a new year and the Warriors are hopeful. Jeremy Cressman returns behind center but that’s about it for the skill players returning. Hopefully a new crop of receivers and a couple linemen can bolster the team fast.
Returning Players: SR Ath-LB Markhi Fields 5-10 230 – SR QB/DB Jeramy Cressman 5-10 180 – SR RB/LB Zeandros Johnson 5-11 195 – Soph OL William Sainz Saez 5-8 190 – JR OL Nick Bracken 6-0 195 – SR OL/TE Keenan Arsenault 6-0 215 – SR DE Da’Shaun Simpson 5-11 195 – JR CB Leonard Davis 5-11 165 – JR CB Nickenson Louis Jeune 5-10 160
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews