Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One 2024 outlook
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 3, News
Billy Splain | August 14, 2024
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Look for the usual suspects to crawl to the top of Section one in the LL, but there could be a few surprises as well.
Cedar Crest
Head Coach: Nick Lambros (first year)
Last Year: 8-3
Coming off a nice 8-3 season, the Falcons have some work to do says head coach Nick Lambros. “Cedar Crest will be replacing 7 starters on Offense and 9 starters on defense. Despite those losses, we return a 25 player senior class loaded with kids who played rotational minutes last year. We have a numerous underclassmen who are ready to step into major roles as well, including several sophomores who have taken first team reps all summer. We’ve had a great offseason of lifting and 7on7 interactions, and our players are excited and ready to get into heat acclimation & 2’a days. Our success depends on the continued growth of our players coupled with the development of our team identity. Playing in L-L Section I is always a challenge, so our players will need their A-game every single week for us to compete”.
One nice thing for them is they return Jackson Custer behind center. Custer will have his favorite target from last year, Jack Waranavage, to throw to. Also returning are OT Alex Kissinger, OT-DT Tristan Long, WR-LB Malachi Victor, WR-DB Jack Waranavage, TE-DE Seth Warren. Cedar Crest opens the season with Lower Dauphin in the “Falcon Bowl”.
2024 Schedule:
Hempfield
Head Coach: George Eager
Last Year: 3-7
It wasn’t the season coach Eager was expecting. Hempfield was young and this years team should be able to build off their experience. “Hempfield football saw many players gain experience a year ago. The team looks to use this experience to play more disciplined and detailed football to compete in a competitive league and district. Hempfield plans to be much improved from a year ago”.
Gone are Jackson Landis, QB, Micah Gates, WR Mike Shaffer, OL Eli Walls, RB and Quentin Sneed, OL but the Black Knights return some nice players. Brayden Charles, Wr, 6’3, 203, 2024 Cam Margeson, Wr, 6’3, 190, David Ennis, TE/ILB, 6’1, 220, Grayson Doyle, Safety, 5’10, 180, Dom Acevedo, Safety, 6’1, 180 and Brady Biscoe, 6’3, 190, If they can get the new quarterback worked in early it should be a good year for Hempfield.
2024 Schedule:
JP McCaskey
Head Coach: Ben Thompson
Last Year: 2-8
The Red Tornadoes continue to build under Thompsons tutelage. Last years young team is all grown up and looking for a good year. “ We are going into this season as one of the older teams in section 1. With that comes the expectations to win on Fridays. We will lean on our depth in our OL/DL and WR/DB groups. Our kids have all worked hard since January and we should definitely shock the doubters. We have a few young players that will make immediate impacts and will show the future is bright at McCaskey”.
McCaskey only lost 5 key players but return a pile of experience. AJ Martin, Adrias Collazo, Alexis Beriguete, Henry Snider and Jan Ramos returning on the line give QB Aiden Boland something to smile about as do returning receivers DeAndre Jones, Ian Santiago and Alisay Ramos. Add in newcomers Haneef Porter at WR, Aiden Boland, TE-DE Jordan Burkhart, RB-LB Ethan Caldwell, QB-DB Derek Katch, OT Nate Swanger Defensively the Red Tornados return Jayden Hudson and Johnzell Sibley at linebacker along with many others. McCaskey opens at John Bartram in Philly.
2024 Schedule:
Manheim Township
Head Coach: Mark Evans
Last Year: 12-1
The Streaks lost a double OT heartbreaker to Harrisburg last year in the State quarterfinals. They also lost one of the best quarterbacks in the state, Hayden Johnson and his top target Landon Kennel along with defensive end Eli Rodriguez. Despite that, there is a lot of optimism for Township football. Head coach Mark Evans says “I’m excited. It’s a really good group that’s really building it’s own identity. Carson Weisser and Jack Kenneff are battling for the quarterback spot. We return our entire offensive line so that gives us something to build on for sure. Defensively, Donovan Rodriguez will lead us”.
In addition to the line, the Streaks also return running back Declan Clancy and Allan Feiciano and wide receiver Lex Haberbosch. Defensively the Streaks will once again be stout. Haberbosch will lead the linebackers along with Tom Capizzi and Clancy. Manheim Township scrimmages a strong Manheim Central and opens the season with Cumberland Valley.
2024 Schedule:
Penn Manor
Head Coach: John Brubaker
Last year: 4-6
The Comets started off last year with four straight losses before getting their first of three wins in a row against Reading. This year coach Brubaker hopes to see a different result from his veteran team, though they have to replace their quarterback. “This season we are excited to have great leadership by our seniors. Throughout the summer we met our training goals by 80% of the team, and are encouraged to see that carry over onto our game performance. The commitment level is high and can bring with it success. We have 3 athletes competing for the QB position with returning Collin Robinson who played five varsity games last year as a sophomore. Also returning is Zach Jeffers as a kicker. There are lots of healthy battles for positions on both sides of the ball. Our major goal is ball security on offense, last year’s turnover ratio was negative 11, and that does not win games. This year we have an exciting group of players throughout the roster who can step up and make us a very competitive team. We look forward to increased success”.
Robinson started five games last year so may well be the incumbent there. Also returning are wide receiver Elijah Garland, three offensive linemen and a whole host of defenders including DB Nate Ruiz and linebacker Jahmai Torres. With 16 returnng starters, the Comet triple option could give the section leaders fits.
2024 Schedule:
Reading
Head Coach: Troy Godinet
Last year: 1-9
With the largest male enrollment in the state, one would think Reading would also be one of the top teams in the state. That’s not the case but coach Godinet would like to see that change this year. “We had our best off season to date since I been a coach at Reading High dating back to 2018. We are not looking to prove anybody wrong but We are 100% looking to prove ourselves right! WE are beyond proud of these kids and the buy in from top to bottom! Excited for the challenge that stands in front of us. This senior class wants to leave a legacy. They will have the opportunity to do so. Seniors that play a huge role in our program such as Bryant Delcarmen, Kayson Fritz, Bryant Delcarmen, Lenard Brown, Khalis Reyes, Jared Santos, Kenly Rivera, Kenyon Sheriff, Efrain Bonilla… Are looking to lead the next group of Jeremiah Camara, Jamier Jacobs, Emere Woods, Isiah Ruiz, Nelson Malave! All you can do is give all you got!”.
Division one recruit Keyshawn Efese will anchor a young line for the Red Knights. Kayson Fritz and Jason Plylaharn return to lead the offense and he will have two familiar targets, Kahlil Samuel and Idris Weaver, to throw the ball to. Alexis Alvarado is a stallion in the backfield. Look for linebacker Gabe Law to lead the defense.
2024 Schedule:
Wilson West-Lawn
Head Coach: Doug Dahms
Last year: 7-4
It’s tough when a team goes 7-4 and doesn’t consider that a typical good season. Coach Dahms’ Bulldogs are used to being one of the contenders year in and year out. Last year wasn’t that year. Since 2008 Wilson has had only four 4-loss seasons. The Bulldogs will have to replace some good talent if they want to re-enter the title race. Quarterback Tommy Hunsicker, RB Nick Fiorini, WR Jackson Wagner and a couple beefy linemen graduated. Waiting in the wings are returning players Monty Greer-DB, outstanding athlete Madyx Gruber, tight ends Christo Hunsicker and Brady Kline, defensive end Cam Zullinger, guard Derek Reiniger, running back Correll Akings. Look for Gruber to lead the offense with his speed and athleticism. Mason Young could also see some snaps. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either lining up at receiver.
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