2023 Mid Penn Conference Preview: Capital Division. Can the Rollers repeat?

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 3, News

Billy Splain | August 18, 2023

Mid Penn Capital Division

Big Spring 2023
2023 SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs had a 2022 season loaded with playoff contenders and never turned the corner on a winning season. However, the season wasn’t without it’s successes. Ethan Eisenberg threw for nearly 1,400 yards with 8 scoring throws. As a junior he threw for over 1,700 yards. That production is gone, Ethan signed with Juniata College. Replacing him will be Chase Fry. Coach Sinkovich has experience coming back, especially on the offensive line which will be a key for the young signal caller.

Coach Sinkovich: “We lose some players that have been cornerstones of our team for many years. They have helped build where we are today. With those losses we have several guys that have been playing on a consistent basis and understand what varsity football is all about. We look to be competitive in a loaded division. The off-season we have been working on improving our strength and execution. This season we will rely on the guys up front to carry us on both sides of the ball and with some talented skill guys back to make some big plays. The season will come down to can we grind games out and cut down big mistakes”.

Head Coach: Joe Sinkovich

2022 season: 4-6 

Players Lost:
Ethan Eisenberg QB
Caleb Stewart ILB
Connor Black TE,ILB
Aaron Matthews CB
Jay Roberds DL
Tyler Fogarty OL
Clayton Hetrick OL
Andrew Witter WR

Newcomers:
Ethan Snuffer OL/DL
Kadyn White OL/DL
Chase Fry QB
Chase Hope QB/OLB
Brady Singer ILB
Carson Henry OL/DL

Returning starters:
Ben Fickel 12 5’7 155 DB
Connor Green 12 5’9 180 S
Jalon Baum 12 5’11, 190 OLB
Caden Clarke 12 5’8, 150 CB
Zachary Mell 12 6’3, 230 DE
Spencer Cachara 11 5’9, 170 OLB
Brexton Heckendorn 11 6’4, 210 DE
Connor Green 12 5’9, 180 RB
Zachary Mell 12 6’3, 230 OL
Spencer Cachara 11 5’9, 170 RB
Logan Brennan 12 6’2, 345 OL
Grant Hall 11 5’9, 160 RB
Jacob Stewart 12 5’9, 235 OL
Nicholas Shives 12 5’8, 210 OL

Boiling Springs
2023 SCHEDULE

After two strong seasons in 2020 and 2021, the Bubblers succes came to a skidding halt. In their defense, the middle of the schedule was loaded with teams that made deep playoff runs and included a state champion. The Bubblers were young last year, and hope to build on experience. Liam Fisher returns along with an experienced line and backfield. They still have that mid season guantlet, but expect the Bubblers to put up more of a fight this year.

Coach McCardell: “Our goal is to get back to the playoffs. After back to back years in the playoffs, things got away from us last year and we did not make the playoffs”.

Head Coach: Brad Zell

2022 Season: 4-6

Players Lost:
Trey McCardell,
Marcus Boyle
Blake Delevan
Dalton Ackley

Newcomers:
Ryan Heller. Wr/DB
Dom Beck. SS
Sawyer Young. HB/DB

Returning Starters:
Aron Beam, Sr. OL/DL. 6’0” 232
Rylan Bush, Jr. OL/DL. 6’3”. 275
Lance Schwang Jr. OL/DL. 6’0”. 210
Liam Fisher. Sr. QB. 5’7”. 165
Matt McNair. SR. HB/LB. 6’0”. 200
Gage Hughes. Sr. FB/LB. 6’0”. 220
Demetri White. So. FB/LB. 6’0”. 180

Camp Hill
2023 SCHEDULE

The Lions have the returning parts to improve on their 5-6 season. Drew Branstetter brings his 2,100 yards back along with three experienced receivers to pad that number. Coach Bigelow will have to see his young line develop quickly, but if it does look for Camp Hill to have a successful season.

Coach Bigelow: “With 24 players, the key is to stay healthy. With a lof of talent returning, especially at the skill positions, the key is to keep consistencty and continuity. If that happens we will have a great season. Defense returns 9 starters on offense and defense”.

Head Coach: Tim Bigelow

2022 season: 5-6 

Players Lost:
Michael Shartle,
Luke Parise
Jude Guyer

Newcomers:
AJ Serdar- CB/RB
Marcus Colson DB,

Returning Starters:
Micah Reeves- OL/DL
Noah Doi- WR/DB- 38 carries- 80 yds 1 td rush/ 38 rec 499 yds 6 td rec/ 97 tackles 2 int- 5’9” 140 Junior
Kobe Moore- RB/LB- 53 carries 165 yds 2 td/ 26 rec 258 yds 2 tds/ 87 tackles 2 int. 1 sack- 5’11” 175 SR
Drew Branstetter- QB/DB- 189/314 for 2,148 yds 21 tds- 6’1” 170 JR
Alex Long- WR/DE/DB- 47 rec 683yds 4tds- 6’3”175 JR
Tommy Corbin- WR/LB- 15 rec 159 yds/ 107 tackles 3 sacks- 6’3” 200 SR
Luke Becker-WR/DB- 30 rec 376 yds 2 tds/ 45 tackels 1 sack- 5’11” 160 SR
MA Scaringi- OL/LB- 39 tackles- 6’0” 190 SO”

Steelton-Highspire
2023 Schedule

The Rollers finished the 2022 season with another state title. Repeating that feat will be the expectation for Coach Erby and the Rollers in 2023, and despite losing a few key players, they still have the talent to do just that. All State QB Alex Erby will have to find some new receivers to haul in his passes, but with Durrell Ceaser and Jaieon Perry leading the way the newcomers will have time to develope. Ronald Burnette Jr. will once again be a force at the running back spot and with an experienced line led by Andrew Erby Jr, this offense could be one of the best the Rollers have ever had.

Coach Erby: “While we lost 7 Seniors from 2022, we have an excellent returning class and with our key newcomers, we’re looking forward to having a great season”.

Head Coach: Andrew Erby

2022 Season: 1A 13-1 State Champions

Players Lost:

DaQuan McCraw
Jakhai Noss
Tyshaun Holland-Alli
Bamm Appleby
Asa Kochvar
Tylishaun Parker
Marquis Beasley

Newcomers:

Kameron Chisholm WR/DE 6’5 220lbs 2024
James Evans III WR/DB 6’0 170lbs 2025
Nazier Fuller WR/DB 6’1 170lbs 2026

Returning Starters:

Durrell Ceasar Jr. WR/DB 6’1 185lbs 2024
Alex Erby QB 6’4 205 2024
Jaieon Perry ATH 6’1 185 2024
Yahmir Ceasar DB 5’10 160lbs 2025
Ronald Burnette Jr. RB 5’10 180lbs 2024
Taevon Legrande SB/LB 5’11 210lbs 2024
Angel Luciano LB 6’1 190 2026
Devon Reid C 5’11 205lbs 2025
Andrew Erby Jr. OL/DL 6’4 275lbs 2024
Amari Williams OL/LB 6’3 215lbs 2024
Eugene Green OL/DL 6’2 215lbs 2024

Trinity
2023 SCHEDULE

The Hillers burst onto the playoff scene last year under new head coach Jordan Hill. With All-State sophomore Messiah Mickens leading the way in the backfield, the Shamrocks will look to return to the playoffs in 2023. Caleb Wray returns to call the plays and an experienced crew at the skill position should have Trinity ready to do just that.

Coach Hill: “one of our goals is to get back where we were at the end of last season, but our main goal is to win the division. The team that was young should be much but with a higher maturity level. I look for their “football IQ” to be better. We had a good camp and are looking forward to getting the season started.”

Head Coach: Jordan Hill

2022 Season: 10-5

Players Lost:
Maximilian Schlager WR, OLB
Trey Weiand SS, ATH, WR
Wyatt Cooper DE, TE
John Paukovits K, P
Bradshaw Knox T, G, DT
Zane Rigg G, C, MLB
Jacob Scherra WR, OLB, FS

Newcomers:
Pj Dent RB
Hayden Johnson RB, OLB
Adam Dalton TE
Jeremiah Hargrove RB DB
Lebron Mallard

Returning Starters:
Mike Johnson WR, CB
Caleb Wray QB Sr. 6’3″ 175 lbs
Messiah Mickens RB So. 5”10 190
Jeremiah Hargrove CB Sr. 5’9″ 180 lbs
Collin Morrow FS, WR Sr. 5’10″165 lbs
Tucker Paynter MLB, OLB Sr. 6’0″ 215 lbs
Avery Stanback DE Sr. 6’3″ 220 lbs
Alex Bross WR, FS Sr. 6’0″ 167 lbs
Luke Britton OL/DL
Chris Thompson OL/DL
Aiden Arias OL/DL

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