2023 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 3, News
Brian "Hollywood" Ptashinski | August 22, 2023
Here is your preview on Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League for the upcoming football season.
DANIEL BOONE BLAZERS 4A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH J.D Okuniewski (1st season)
2022 Season in Review: (2-8 overall, 1-5 Section 3)
Games to Watch: at Exeter opening night. First three section games will be against Garden Spot, Ephrata and Elizabethown before closing out the season with Solanco and Twin Valley.
Players to Watch: QB-DB Dean Rotter: WR-DB-KR Ethan Kryman: RB-LB Jake Myers: DB-K-KR Max Heffner: TE-LB Anthony High
What to Expect: New head coach Okuniewski will bring a new spread offense with QB Rotter running the show. Myers will the primary back and Kymen will settle in a WR slot. The Offensive line will need to step up if this team is to be successful.
Overall: The potential to make some noise in this section is there for the taking. The Blazers are sure t be in the mix.
ELIZABETHOWN BEARS 5A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH Keith Stokes (8-3 2nd season)
2022 Season in Review: (8-3 overall, 4-2 section 3) Lost to Cocalico 42-2 in opening round 5A-D3 playoffs
Games to Watch: at Donegal opening night and Twin Valley in week 5 road games at Garden Spot and Ephrata,
Players to Watch: RB Brady Moran: TE-LB Ian Brosey: RB-LB Hayden Haver:WR-DB Drew Hitz: LB Zac Steffe: DL Dominic Lindsey: RB Brady Moran
What to Expect: The Bears lost 16 starters from last year’s team.QB Battle between Brayden Huber and Trent Kauffman.
Overall: Finding players to fill the shoes of the 16 starters including 8 all-satr players will be key. Trying to stay near the top f the heap late in the season will be key.
EPHRATA MOUNTAINEERS 5A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Kris Miller (26-4, 8th season)
2022 Season in Review: (6-4 overall, 3-3 Section 3)
Games to Watch: Warwick in week 2, at Solanco in week 4. Late season games with Twin Valley and Elizabethtown
Players to Watch: QB-DB Sam McCracken: OL-DL MacGyver Balmer: WR-DB Jeremiah Knowles: WR-DB Angel Collazo: TE-LB Quinton Pfautz: WR-LB Clay Ringler
what to Exoect: QB McCracken threw for over 2,000 yards and has experience at WR with Collazo and Knowles RB Brayden Brown expected to get bulk of the carries.
Overall: The Mountaineers are trying to end a playoff drought of 35 years. Yes, it has been since 1987 the last team Ephrata made the postseason. Expectations are high nonetheless to make a run for section title.
FLEETWOOD TIGERS 4A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Steve Pangburn (2-8, second season)
2022 Year in Review: (2-8 overall, 0-6 section 3)
Games to Watch: Kutztown oping game, Open up section play with games at Twin Valley and home with Garden Spot and week 7 homecoming game with Ephrata.
Players to Watch: RB-LB Czion Brickle: WR-DB Mason Musitano: WR-DB Tristan McFarland: QB Jack Rifle OL Hunter Svoboda
What to Expect: Rifle is bak at QB and has some weapons in Musitano and McFarland. Czion Brickle will lead the ground attack. William and Mary commit Hunter Svoboda anchors the experienced line.
Overall: In a top heavy section, Fleetwood will try to keep pace behind a solid line.
GARDEN SPOT SPARTANS 5A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Matt Zamperini (70-75 14th season)
2022 Year in Review: (7-4 overall, 4-2 section 3) Lost 40-21 to Dover 40-21 1st round D3 %A playoffs
Games to Watch: at Lebanon week 2, a long road trip to Mill Hall to face Central Mountain in week 8. Games with Ephata, Elizabethtown and Solanco at home near the end of the season and a road trip to Twin Valley could decide the section champs.
Players to Watch: QB Kye Harting: WR-DB Trenton Hoober: OL-DLReed Gruber: OL-DL Tommy O’Neill: C Zach Miller
What to Expect: Gruber, Miller and O’Neill expected to lead the way up front as QB Kye Harting threw for nearly 2,0000 yards returns, Harting also ran for over 1,00 yards and 33 scores. Jace Conrad, Trenton Hoober and Diego Portales will be the triple-threat at WR.
Overall Preseason favorite to win this section as they have 3 of their key games at home and pieces are in place to make some noise in the playoffs.
SOLANCO GOLDEN MULES 5A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH Tony Cox (54-50 10th season)
2022 Year in Review: (11-1 overall, 6-0 section 3) lost to Cocalico 32-8 D3-5A Semifinals
Games to Watch: Week 1 vs Lampeter-Strausburg followed by a trip to Cocakico week 2 week 10 against Garden Spot
Players to Watch WR-DB Donovan Peters: WR-DB Kris Burgos: RB Johnny Garcia: RB-DB Landon Steele: C-DT Gavin Cox: QB Bradley Weder
What to Expect: Hit hard by graduation but cupboard not bare as Cox is back Steel is tough on both sides of the ball. Bradley Weder who saw limited action late in games last year will be under center
Overall: In a highly competitive section the Mules will be right there when all is said and done.
TWIN VALLEY RAIDERS 4A PIAA CLASSIFICATION COACH: Brett Myers (7-5 2nd season)
2022 Year in Review: (7-5 overall, 3-3 section 3) Lost to Bishop McDevitt 47-3 in D3 4A Semifinals
Games to Watch: at home week 1 with Schuylkill Valley: Away games at Elizabethtown, Solanco and at Ephata with a home game mixed in against Garden Spot
Players to Watch: QB-DB Evan Myers: WR-DB Erhan Ameisen: DE Kyle Kline: DB-KR Drw EngleL WR Justin Pinciatti
What to expect: Offensive line is massive averaging 280 lbs and 6’3″. Myers is dual threat QB
OVERALL: Those games with E-Town, Solanco, Garden Spot and Ephrata could deide who will contend for title,
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