2023 PHAC Division 3 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 4, News
Dave Fegley | August 24, 2023
MCA Is Heavy Favorite
Mount Carmel Area is the clear favorite to win PHAC’s Division 3. The biggest question is how the other five teams will pan out in order.
Milton had a strong season, going 9-2, but it would be huge shock if they were able to down the Red Tornadoes.
The remaining four teams in the division (Hughesville, Bloomsburg, Warrior Run, Midd-West) all finished with losing records in 2022.
The most exciting part of a new season is that everyone starts it without any losses on the record.
A look at Division 3.
Division 3 Projected Order of Finish:
1.) Mount Carmel Area (Last Yr: 12-1)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/mount-carmel-red-tornadoes/
After rolling through the regular season, and PHAC Division 3 competition, the Red Tornadoes advanced to the D4 Class 2A title game. Unfortunately for them, they fell to eventual state champion Southern Columbia. Even with the loss of a solid senior class, there should be no reason to think that MCA will be challenged in their division of the Heartland.
Cole Spears returns at quarterback and leading rushers Xavier Diaz and Luke Blessing also return for this year. The biggest mystery will be how quickly their almost brand-new offensive line will gel together.
Key Losses:
Matt Scicchitano
Garrett Varano
Nick Nestico
Michael Farronato
Kelin Geary
Key Returners:
Cole Spears
Jacob Schultz
Maddox Reed
Ryan Weidner
Noah Shimko
Xavier Diaz
Luke Blessing
Al Bailey
Chase Balichik
Key Newcomers:
Maddox Lamas
Jaylen Delaney
Max Karycki
Andrew Lukoskie
Michael Kimsal
2.) Milton (Last Yr: 9-2)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/milton-black-panthers/
Curt Zettlemoyer’s squad is looking forward to have another successful season with a core group of returning players on both sides of the ball. The success of the offense will center around the offensive line led by returning leader Hunter Zettlemoyer. Cale Bastian will be taking the helm at quarterback with a seasoned backfield led by Mason Rowe and Christopher Doyle.
Key Losses:
Xzavier Minimum
Ashton Krall
Key Returners:
Hunter Zettlemoyer OL/DL
Peyton Rearick WR/S
Cale Bastian QB/OLB
Trey Locke OL/DL
Gary Verdinelli OL/OLB
Luke Goodwin TE/OLB
Mason Rowe RB/LB
Connor Snyder TE/LB
Montgomery FIsher WR/DB
Heyden Patterson RB/OLB
Dominic Lytle RB/LB
Christopher Doyle RB/LB
Key Newcomers:
Alex Krall OL/DL
Nathaniel Lopez OL/DL
Brady Wolfe RB/LB
3.) Hughesville (Last Yr: 5-7)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/hughesville-spartans/
The Spartans feel this season could be the one to get them back over the .500 mark. Coach Howard Rainey feels that this will be a special season for Hughesville. They are taking their second round district loss last year as motivation into this season.
Key Losses:
QB Luke Kaiser
LB/RB Mason Hoppes
OG/DE Gabe Wagner
C/DT Josh Applegate
WR/DB Justin Fowler
TE/DE Garret Sharer
Key Returners:
RB Angelo Ferrigno, 6-2, 200
JR. RB Luke Stutzman, 6-1, 185
SR. WR Aiden Barlett, 5-11, 190
JR. WR Connor Knight, 6-1, 160
SR. OG/FB Bryce Brukhart, 5-10, 220
JR. OG Russell DeWire, 6-1, 250
JR. OT Bryson Swisher, 6-3, 300
JR. OT JD Lunger, 6-1, 250
SR. FS Tyler Wetzel, 6-1, 170
JR. Kicker Keegan Smith
Key Newcomers:
OL/DL Jacob Showers, 6-1, 365
JR. LB Brenden Fisher, 5-8, 190
JR. WR/DB Hayden Maneval, 5-9, 150
SO. TE/DE Jakob Charles, 6-0, 195
SO. OL/DL Hunter Whipple, 5-10, 250
4.) Bloomsburg (Last Yr: 5-6)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/bloomsburg-panthers/
The main issue for the Panthers last season was scoring. They were held to a touchdown or less on four different occasions in 2022. Mike Kogut as a veteran coach knows that this year his younger players are going to need to step up in key spots.
Key Losses:
Madden Locke
Liam Zentner
Nick Wharton
Nasir Kelly
Key Returners:
Blake Zeisloft
Brady Horan
Tommy Klingerman
Dawson Robbins-Crane
Key Newcomers:
Wyatt Brosious
Bryce Moore
5.) Warrior Run (Last Yr: 3-8)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/warrior-run-defenders/
Warrior Run has upgraded their facilities recently, and the football team wants to make it worth it. Although the Defenders aren’t a traditional threat, they usually have a nice sized line in Turbotville.
6.) Midd-West (Last Yr: 1-9)
2023 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/midd-west-mustangs/
Much like Lewisburg, Midd-West runs into the same dilemma with a soccer tradition. The Mustangs have the newest football program in the PHAC and they are hoping to continue to gain interest throughout their student body.
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