2023 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 3, News
Brian "Hollywood" Ptashinski | August 10, 2023
Here is your preview on Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League for the upcoming football season.
ANNVILLE-CLEONA DUTCHMAN 2A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Matt Gingrich (47-36 9th season)
2022 Season in Review: (8-4 overall, 5-2 2nd place tie in Section 5) Lost to Trinity in District 3 2A title game
Key Games: On the road at ELCO on August 8th at Hamburg on September 15th October 6th at Lancaster Catholic.
Players to Watch: WR=DB Dominic Casciotti: QB-DB-KR Cam Connelly:RB-LB Bryce Keller: OL-DL Damian Miller: TE-DE Jon Shay: WR-DB Cash Watson: RB-DB-KR Cael Harter
What to Expect: The Dutchman lost star RB Pheonix Music, who rushed for over 2,200 yards and 29 scores and Linebacker of the Year Alex Long. An experienced line both and offense and defense will be key and Connelly taking over at quarterback will be key.
Overall: Annville-Cleona should contend for the championship, but it won’t be easy as several teams will have that opportunity.
COLUMBIA CRIMSON TIDE 2A PIAA CLASSIFICATION. COACH: Brady Mathias (3-7 2nd Season)
2022 Season in Review: (3-7 Overall, 1-6 in Section 5 tied for 8th)
Key Games at Eastern York on August 25th at Lancaster Catholic on September 15th
Players to Watch: WR-LB Artie Poindexter: RB-LB Stud Campbell: WR-DB-KR Demari Simms: WR-DB-KR Quincy Stewart: QB Calvin Hagen: OL-DL Hayden Quinn
What to Expect: Plenty of skill at the WR position with Artie Poindexter, Semari Simms and Quincy Stewart. Campbell will be the focus in the running game for the Crimson Tide. There will be some competition at the quarterback position with Louden Rupp, Razjohn Pachot, Cameron McClair and Calvin Hagen all looking to get the starting nod.
Overall: After making the playoffs two years ago, the Tide slipped to the back of the pack due to plenty of injuries and having a new coach as well. The Tide look to try to get back to where they were a few years ago, but it is going to be an uphill battle.
HAMBURG HAWKS 3A PIAA CLASSIFICATION. COACH: Matt Hoffert (9-3, 2nd season)
2022 Season in Review: (9-3 overall, 5-2 in Section 5 2nd place tie) Lost to District 3 champion Wyomissing 49-14 in District semifinal.
KEY GAMES at Wariior Run on September 1st 3 game stretch with Annville-Cleona, Kutztown and Lancaster Catholic in September and then at Schuylkill Valley on October 13th
Players to Watch WR-DB Cohen Correll: WR-DB Ty Werley: WR-DB Alex Bentz: K Eli Blatt: TE-LB Mason Semmel: QB-LB Ty Shuey: RB-LB Leland Moore
What to Expect: Depth at the skill positions will be key for the Hawks. Moore will lead the running back corps with Correl, Bentz and Werley leading the receiving crew. Shuey will be the signal caller and Hamburg should be contenders again.
Overall: The Hawks should make some noise once again, even though losing some potent firepower from last year’s squad.
KUTZTOWN COUGARS 3A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Larry Chester (26-6 10th season)
2022 Season in Review (3-7 overall, 2-5 Section 5)
KEY GAMES: Opening game at Fleetwood: September 15th Schuylkill Valley September 22nd Hamburg September 29th at Annville-Cleona and October 13th at Lancaster Catholic
Players to Watch: OL-DL Tyler Hallock: RB-DB Ethan Lafferty: RB-LB Brenden Ackley: RB-DB Jayce Gruber: QB Colten MathiasL RB-LB Jayden Swoyer.
What to Expect: The Power T offense will be headlined by Gruber, Lafferty and Swoyer with offensive lineman of the year Tyler Hallock anchoring up front. The pressure will be on the defense to stop teams from putting up points.
Overall: The potential for a playoff push is there for the Cougars, but can they get it done remains to be seen.
LANCASTER CATHOLIC CRUSADERS 3A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Chris Maiorino (16-14, 4th season)
2022 Season in Review: (10-1 overall, 7-0 Section 5) Lost to West Perry 63-20 in District 3 3A Semifinal
KEY GAMES: September 29th at Hamburg October 6th Annville-Cleona October 27 Schuylkill Valley
Players to Watch: RB-LB-KR Elijah Cunningham: RB-DB-KR Terrell Crawley: RB-DB Christian Fields: WR-DB Josh Acker: WR-DB-KR R.J Gonzalez: WR-DB Charlie Warren: QB David Stefanow.
What to Expect: Plenty of experience will return for the sectional champions, who are vying for third straight title. Elijah Cunningham rushed for over 1,000 yards. They are solid up front with Braden Bowles and and Michael McBrearty anchoring the line. Stefanow who took some snaps last year is familiar with the offense.
Overall: Odds-on-favorite to three-peat but there are some legitimate contenders ready to pounce if Crusaders slip up.
NORTHERN LEBANON VIKINGS 4A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Jason Rice (6-15 3rd season)
2022 Season in Review (2-8 overall, 1-6 Section 5)
KEY GAMES: September 22nd Lancaster Catholic September 29th at Schuylkill Valley October 20th at Hamburg October 27th Annville-Cleona
Players to Watch: TE-LB Luke Shaffer:RB-DB-KR Myles Watson:DE-WR Tanner Feagley: WR-LB Moises Gonzalez: QB Kael Erdman
What to Expect: The X factor of Section 5, Luke Shaffer had over 140 tackles last year. Myles Watson is the real deal out of the backfield with Feagley and Gonzalez with speed and quickness on the outside. Erdman tossed for nearly 600 yards last year.
Overall: The Vikings can be that team to spoil another teams dream of a championship, while if things go right can also be in the mix for post-season berth.
PEQUEA VALLEY BRAVES 3A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Mike Choi (20-4, 7th season)
2022 Season in Review: (2-8 overall, 2-5 Section 5)
KEY GAMES: at Octorara in week 2 Northern Lebanon in week 4, Schuylkill Valley in week 5
Players to Watch: OL-LB Logan McGrane: WR-DB-KR Cameron Bergman: RB-DB Dontae Petersheim
What to Expect: Battle for quarterback position bewtween Anthony Stoltzfus and Myles Furlong, but have a solid RB in Petersheim and Bergman is a flyer at the receiver position
Overall: The Braves will be a competitive foe without a doubt, how that will translate into wins remains to be seen.
SCHUYLKILL VALLEY PANTHERS 3A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Bruce Harbach (8-14 3rd season)
2022 Season in Review: (6-5 overall, 5-2 Section 5) Lost to West Perry 45-21 District 3 3A Quarterfinals
KEY GAMES at Twin Valley opening game followed by Upper Perkiomen and Kutztown in week 4 concluding with Hamburg, Annville-Cleona and at Lancaster Catholic.
Players to Watch: RB-LB-KR Dominic Giuffe: WR-DB-KR Colby Crills: WR-DB Dillon Lackner: QB Logan Nawrocki: TE-DE Colby Stricker: OL-LB Jaden Gulley: OL-DL Nate Searfoss: OL Alex Rider
What to Expect: Solid line up front with Rider, SEarfoss and Gulley. Plenty of speed at the skill position with Giuffe leading the ground attack and Lackner with Still a threat at tge receiver position.QB Nawrocki can run the RPO to perfection. Harbach leading the team to six wins last season.
Overall: Schuylkill Valley should give the defending champions, Lancaster Cathoilc, all they want in the race for a section title.
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