State College Heads to Williamsport for First Game Class

Tagged under: District 4, District 6, Gameday Hub, News

Todd Ross | August 25, 2023

A day both teams have certainly been waiting for is here. the first game-day. Last years opener was a game that Williamsport wants to forget as the little lions jumped on them early and never looked back winning 42-14 with all of State College’s points coming in the first half but both teams will look different from how they met at last season’s opener.

First, the home team Williamsport Millionaires who are without running back Nasir Hennigan(graduated) along with wide receiver Jamaire Harden (now at Loyalsock) but that’s not to say the team won’t be dangerous.
On offense, Quarterback Caleb Williamson returns along with receiver Yazhir Slaughter and Alonzo Rice at running back. On defense, Linebackers Nariq Burks and Alonzo Rice look to control the middle of the field against a tough but somewhat new look offense for the Little Lions.
State College Lost four offensive line starters to graduation but not all hope is lost as they return Sam Mayer and Colin Dardis who really made his emergence with the first team after Mayer started to play mainly defense.
Along with those two is converted Tight-end Jake Hohenshelt will now play on the line, behind them is a new man at the helm with Owen Yerka injured it’s between Eddie Corkery and former Receiver Michael Gaul.
You can’t mention this State College team without Sophomore running back D’Antae Sheffey, who looks to improve off a great freshman campaign. On Defense, the line also lost some players to graduation and look to Sam Mayer and Justin Castro-Dixon to step up. Much like the Millionaires, State College also has a strong pair of returning linebacker’s with Michael Gaul, Eli Espinoza and freshman Trayce Brennan.
This matchup will definitely be interesting and a test for the State College O-line due to Williamsport’s front 6 defense. They will see if it will slow down Sheffey, who really hurt them last year on the ground. State College on the other hand will see how strong their new linemen on both sides of the ball.
It will be very exciting to see who starts off their season 1-0!

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