2024 Conference preview: Mid-Penn Capital
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, District 3, District 4, District 6, News
Billy Splain | August 13, 2024
It’s an all new look for the teams in the Mid-Penn. Realignment happened, new opponents abound. Camp Hill and Steelton-Highspire are the only teams left in the conference. Looking quickly, there’s likely only three or four teams that don’t have a chance at a conference title, but they’ll fight. This is one strong conference, on paper of course. Let’s take a look at expectations for the Capital Division:
Camp Hill
2023 record: 8-6
Last season was a season of promise that folded like a lawn chair after the first three games, no thanks to their schedule which saw powerhouses Steel high, Trinity and West Perr plus Big Spring and even 1-9 Middletown knock them down in the middle of their schedule. Drew Brabstetter, returns to lead the Lions, but after that the cupboard needs a trip to the player mart. Kobe Moore, Tommy Corbin, Marcus Colson and more are gone and there are few returning starters to fill in the gaps. The upside is leading receivers Alex Long and Noah Doi return which, if the line can gel quickly, should give the run game time to develop. Doi and Alex Sedar should see carries early. Doi and Scaringi will lead a young but strong defense. Coach Tim Bigelow will find out fast how the young guys stack up. The Lions open with always strong Lancaster Catholic.
2024 schedule:
Halifax
2023 record
The Wildcats finished 4-7 last year and look to improve on that record. Coach Roy Wall will have quarterback Teegan Carroll to build around. Carroll has all the tools to make this team go. They’ll have to go fast though as they lead off with a juggernaut of a schedule: Minersville, UDA, Steel High and Line Mountain. Returning also are running back Brady Rothermel, linemen Blake Hoover Zach Witmer and Nick Carroll and Split End/DB William Jones. This is a young team with just 6 seniors so they may struggle all season but, the Wildcats are always tough.
2024 schedule:
James Buchanan
2023 record 1-9
The Rockets struggle yearly with numbers and this year is much of the same. Last year their only win was a close 21-19 victory over Biglerville. This year the Rockets could struggle again with low numbers again. They lose Jacob Fry, who scored the winning td in their only win, but corner Elijah Williams and 6-4, 325 pound James Nicol could boost this team to more than one win. Also returning are DB/Slot Garrett Fisher, LB Alex Brake, lineman Josh Melton.
2024 schedule:
Juniata
2023 record 8-6
Coach Condo has a veteran group returning that could lead Juniata to another deep state playoff run. “After going further in the state playoffs than we ever have in school history we are very excited to get back on the field. We have a great variety of skilled players and lineman returning and good experienced younger players to fill in some holes. We are excited about the expansion of the Mid Penn Capital Division and look forward to the historical tough competition of the old TVL teams.” Seth Laub, Nate Tyson and Heath Huthinson graduated, but that’s about it. Wyatt Ehrenzeller returns as does All-State receiver Jasper Shepps. Connor Boreman will also see the ball thrown his way. Wyatt Dysinger, Lane Peiper, Christian Lopez, and Michael Harlow bring a veteran line to the ball. Javier Lopez will enjoy this when the ball is handed to him. Defensively the Indians are stout. Look for this team to turn heads, but first they have to get past Selinsgrove in their opener.
2024 schedule:
Line Mountain
2023 record: 9-3
Coach Carson is excited and with good reason. Though the Eagles will be without Chandon Maurer, Nolan Baumert and Quin Dunkelberger, they return a lot of talent from last years 9-3 team. “With lots of starters returning, key will just be to continue to develop chemistry and understanding and to execute at a high level. We need to be able to spread the ball around and have a team first mentality focused on winning, not individual stats. We need to find a 5th starter on the OL”. That’s four returning linemen, something any 1A team would love to have. Kaiden Maurer, Ian Bates and Noah Ringes return to the backfield. Maurer threw for over 1,000 yds and the two backs combined for over 800 yards. Defensively Ringes, Kaden Dunkelberger and Bates will make for tough sledding for opponents.
2024 schedule:
Newport
2023 record: 1-9
Another young team in this conference, Coach Todd Rothermel returns just six seniors from last years 1-9 team. Bright spot? they return several linemen including Evan Fleisher, Noah Weller and Aiden Robinette. Last season the Buffs rolled off nine straight losses before getting their first win against Buchanan. Their new conference schedule isn’t kind at all.
Susquenita
2023 record: 5-5
New head coach Joe Chrismer is a fireball. “We are looking to get over the 5-5 hump. Kids have bought into the direction the program is going but will depend on how we perform as a team. Will need to play mistake free football and consistent to be successful this year”. He will need that energy to invigorate a Blackhawk team that lost the Gibney twins who combined for a large portion of their offense along with leading rusher Wyatt Jumper and 9 other players. A bright spot is they do return their second leading receiver, Blaise Swancer, who caught the ball for over 600 yards in gains. Braden Law and James Frey return on the line and they do get Jacob Brown back to run the rock. The pieces are there to build around but will there be time in this loaded division?
2024 schedule:
Steelton-Highspire
2023 season, 15-0, 1A State Champs
2024 schedule
What a run it was. But the question this year is can the Rollers overcome a myriad of changes? Let’s start with a new conference schedule. Add in they are now 2A. Gone are a bevy of talented seniors led by Alex and Andrew Erby. Eugene Green, Amari Williams, Jaieon Perry, you get the picture. All names everyone knew have graduated. Coach Erby has a saying: “For the room”. It’s about all the parts, not singular”. Erby says “As we look ahead to the 2024 season, our team is filled with anticipation and excitement. We have a full roster of young, dedicated, skilled talent eager to prove themselves on the field. Every single player has been putting in the work during the offseason, and we’re ready to go hard in every game we play”. He’ll look to QB Yahmir Ceasa, WR/DB Nazier Fuller, SB/LB Angel Luciano and returning linemen Devon Reid and Samerus Rivers. The younger players did get good playing time last year with all the blow outs, but this isn’t last years title team. They’ll have to work for it.
2024 schedule:
Upper Dauphin
2023 record: 5-5
The Trojans are always a tough out but they’re also looking to get back to a winning tradition after a 5-5 season. UDA wasn’t hit hard by graduation, losing just five players. Aidan Bingaman brings his 650 yards passing and 10 touchdowns back and he’ll have company with Caleb Snyder and Tyler Erdley in the backfield. Carter Dreibelbis will also contribute to the run game. Erdley and Snyder will also see their share in the passing game. This team is loaded with seniors and could upset the apple cart for several other contenders.
2024 schedule:
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews
You must be logged in to post a comment.