2023 Northern Tier League Large School Division Preview

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 4, News

Ed Weaver | August 24, 2023

The Northern Tier League had another successful year in 2022 as the Canton Warriors make their second consecutive run to the state semi-finals in Class 1A before falling to eventual state-champion, Steelton-Highspire.

2022 Final NTL Large School Division Standings

2023 Team Previews

Athens Wildcats – Class 3A
Head Coach: Shawn Bradley

After a 33-14 season-opening loss to Executive Education the Wildcats ran off a three-game win streak before succumbing to Troy in week four. The Wildcats went on to finish 3-3 in their final six games, qualifying for the District IV playoffs. They easily defeated Montoursville (37-7) in the opening round before falling to state quarter-finalist Danville, 49-0.

The Wildcats are under new leadership with first-year head coach Shawn Bradley.

Returning Starters: Josh Martin (RB/LB), Josh Nittinger (OL/DL), Kaden Parrish (RB/LB), Nate Polzella (OL/DL), Caleb Nason (OL/DL), Cooper Robinson (RB/DB)

Key Newcomers: Slade Alfred (OL/LB), Jack Cheresnowsky (TE/LB), Keegan Congdon (RB/LB), Brenden Comstock (OL/DL), Eli Chapman (QB/LB), Dalton Davis (WR/DB), Karson Sipley (WR/DB), Sean Peters (WR/DB), Ryan Cook (WR/DB), Connor Garrison (WR/DB), Connor Davidson (QB/DB), Landon Layman (OL/DL), Brendan Cooke (WR/DB)

Key Starters Lost: Mason Lister (QB/DB), Lucas Horton (WR/DB), Caleb Nichols (RB/LB), Matt Machmer (WR/DB), Austin Malanoski (OL/DL), Joe Blood (OL/DL), Glenn Romberger (RB/DE), Brandon Jennings (TE/LB)

Season Outlook: “We look to replace a number of key contributors from last year’s team as well as longtime head coach Jack Young. The leadership of our upperclassmen will be key to our success this season, but the development of our young athletes will also go a long ways in determining how we improve as the season continues.”

Canton Warriors – Class 1A
Head Coach: Tyler Sechrist

The last two seasons have been the best two seasons for the Warriors, with both seasons culminating in the PIAA Class 1A semi-finals. This year, however, the Warriors will have to replace the leadership and production of 10 seniors. Canton got off to an outstanding start last year, winning their first 8 games with their only loss to 4A Jersey shore (23-0), while allowing just 37 points in those wins. The Warriors defeated Union Area, eventual Class 1A state runner-up, in the first week of the season after replacing their lost game with Sayre. Canton came up one game short of their ultimate goal, falling 28-21 to eventual state champion, Steelton-Highspire.

Returning Starters: Hudson Ward (RB/LB), Michael Davis (RB/DE), Mason Harold (OL/DL), Holden Ward (QB/DB), Ben Fitch (QB/S), Michael Beers (OL/DL), Raiden Lyon (TE/OL/DE)

Key Newcomers: Aydin Holcomb (RB/LB), Zack Colton (WR/DB), Dawson Burgess (RB/LB), Elijah Kilmer (OL/DL), Jake Pepper (OL/DL), Bailey Gardner (RB/LB), Rylan Sakers (RB/LB)

Key Starters Lost: Bailey Ferguson (WR/DB/K), Weston Bellows (RB/S), Austin Allen (QB/DB), Hayden Ward (RB/LB), Riley Parker (RB/LB), Mason Nelson (OL/DL), Gage Pepper (OL/DL), Brenen Taylor (OL/LB), Rian Eberly (OL/DE), William Colton (OL/DL)

Season Outlook: “We lost a lot of really good football player to graduation but we have a strong core of younger players ready to step up and lead. The standard for the Canton Warrior football program has been set and with the leadership of returning players and the younger next generation ready to step in grow into their roles on the team as the season progresses we have another successful season.”

North Penn-Mansfield Panthers – Class 2A
Head Coach: Jed Wright

In 2022 the Panthers struggled to a 3-8 finish under first-year head coach Chris Olson following long-time head coach Tom Dickinson’s retirement. North Penn-Mansfield started the season off 0-5, but started the 2nd half of last year with a 40-15 win over Cowanesque Valley, a 20-14 win over Wyalusing, and defeated rival Wellsboro (24-24) to regain the Morton F. Jones Trophy to slide in to the 8 seed in the District IV playoffs. The eventually fell to Mount Carmel.

This year the Panthers are under new leadership, as former Troy QB Jed Wright takes over

Returning Starters: Karson Dominick (QB/S), Ethan Dick (RB/LB), Dante Stiger (OL/DL), Gabe Bellows (RB/WR/LB), Gage Kreger (OL/LB), Cale Wagner (RB/WR/DB), Cooper Shaw (TE/DL), George Valentine (OL/LB), Luke Sexauer (OL/LB)

Key Newcomers: Luke Kreger (WR/DB), Bryce Route (OL/DL)

Key Starters Lost: Jacob Johnson, Sam Lawrence, Kohen Lehman, Derek Litzelman

Season Outlook: “Improve on last year’s record.”

Towanda Black Knights – Class 2A
Head Coach: Craig Dawsey

After a 1-8 2021 campaign, the Black Knights rebounded to finish 4-7 in 2022 and qualify for the District IV playoffs. Towanda started out the season with a 34-13 win over North Penn-Mansfield, but dropped their next three games before righting the ship wit ha 41-19 win over Wellsboro. Towanda went 2-3 in the second half of the year to finish out the regular season, which included a 48-13 Bronze Helmet win over rival Wyalusing.

Season Outlook: “We had a really productive summer and want to say 90-95% of our roster has been in the gym working out. We’re excited and want to see how we’ve improved from last season. We were a young team last year, so I think the big thing the kids learned from last year is the speed of the game and not taking plays off. Sometime we could get away with that in JV, but not Varsity. We need to show up every time we play, and if they can maintain that mindset they’ll be proud at the end of the season.”

Troy Trojans – Class 2A
Head Coach: Jim Smith

The Trojans got off to a tremendous start in 2022, winning their first 8 games. Troy dropped their final two regular season games to Loyalsock and rival Canton in the Old Shoe game, which gave Canton the NTL Large School Division title. Troy earned the #2 seed in the District IV Class 2A playoffs, where they defeated Towanda in the opening round before falling to eventual PIAA Class 2A champion, Southern Columbia.

Season Outlook: “We lost 3 seniors who started on last years team. This includes Mason Woodward (TE/DE), Kory Schucker (G/LB) and Justice Chimics (WR/DB/Kicker). We return all other positions on both sides of the ball. We are still working out our starters and building depth. Brady Spaulding is a senior newcomer Kicker/Punter who should help our special teams.”

Wellsboro Hornets – Class 2A
Head Coach: Matt Hildebrand

Last year was a difficult one for the Green Hornets, finishing 1-9 and having their first sub-500 season since 2010. Numbers has been an issue the past few years for Wellsboro, and last year injuries played a factor in the team’s struggles. Wellsboro’s lone win came against Wyalusing that snapped a six-game losing streak. Wellsboro returns only one junior from last year’s roster, so will look to their juniors and underclassmen in 2023.

Returning Starters: Hayes Campbell (TE/FB/DL), Will Gastrock (QB/LB), Ryder Bowen (RB/LB), Levi Stone (OL/DL), Merrick Mascho (WR/DB)

Key Newcomers: Evan Ingerick (OL/DL), Silas Mickey (RB/LB), Jacob Thurstin (OL/DL), Jacob Dean (WR/DL), Hayden Stevens (OL/LB)

Key Starters Lost: Cameron Brought (OL/DL), Conner Adams (QB/DB), Joe Brown (TE/FB/LB), Wyatt Gastrock (OL/DL), Blake Levindoski (OL/DL/LB), Spencer Wetzel (WR/DB), Jack Poirier (WR/DB/K)

Season Outlook: “We have only one senior but a lot of juniors and sophomores. Kids have worked hard all summer. We will look a bit different on the offensive side of the football based on our personal and their strengths. Our backfield brings back the most experience. We need to stay healthy this year as last year key injuries really played a toll on us. Everybody is going to need to contribute.”

Wyalusing Rams – Class 2A
Head Coach: Richard Rogers

The Rams of Wyalusing have struggled to win 10 games since they captured gold in the District IV Class 1A playoffs back in 2017 and now they are under new leadership in 2023 with Richard Rogers. Last year the Rams finished 2-8, for the second consecutive year, with wins over Spencer-Van Etten/Candor from New York and Montgomery, but are looking to restore their winning ways from the late 90’s and early 2000’s when Ray Raffin was at the helm.

Returning Starters: Dante Hatton (OG/ILB), Ayden Hunsinger (TB/ILB), Dylan Johns (P/HB/C), Cade McMicken (QB/S), Gus Taber (TE/C), Joseph Gonsauls (SE/C), Parker Petlock (QB/OLB), Will McBride (OT/DE), Nick Johnson (OT/DE), Zack Fenton (OG/DE/K)

Key Newcomers: Jonathan Earle (QB/S), Jesse Lamb (C/SE)

Season Outlook: “We have good group of returning upperclassmen. The team has a positive attitude and good work ethic and have learned the new playbook quickly. We’re hoping to gel quickly as a team.”

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