2023 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Preview: LHAC West 1

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 6, News

Brian Ingalls | August 14, 2023

The 2022 Laurel Highlands Final Standings (Record-Conference/Overall)

1. Richland 10-0/11-1
2. Penn Cambria 9-1/9-2
3. Central 8-2/12-3
4. Bishop Guilfoyle 7-3/10-4
5. Bedford 7-3/7-4
6. Chestnut Ridge 6-4/6-5
7. Westmont Hilltop 4-6
8. Central Cambria 3-7
9. Forest Hills 3-7
10. Bishop McCort/Carroll 2-8
11. Somerset 1-9
12. Greater Johnstown 0-10
    

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The Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference is always a successful conference and now they have added 8 quality teams for the 2023 football season.   The now 20 team conference will consist of teams from 3 different Districts (D5, D6, and D9), and will also feature 1 Single A, 12 Double A, 5 Triple A, and 2 Quad A teams.

The 20 teams have been sectioned into 4-5 team sections.  After the first 9 games, the conference will be ranked East 1-10 and West 1-10.  The top team from the East will play the top team from the West for LHAC Championship in week 10.  The rest of the league will play the cross-over games in week 10.  The only changes will take place if the teams already played, except for in the championship game.

Here is the 2023 LHAC Sections:

Richland Rams
2022 Record: 10-0 Conf, 11-1 Ovr
Head Coach-Brandon Bailey
22^nd Season (146-91)

Last season Richland lost to Bishop Guilfoyle 32-22 in the D6 AA Championship, which ended Richland’s 4 year run as D6 AA Champions.  Richland will need to replace their starting QB, as Sam Penna graduated.  Penna passed for over 2,000 yards and 24 TDs last season.  Richland does bring back one of the fastest players in the state in Senior RB Evan McCracken.  McCracken, who recently committed to Army, rushed for over 1400 yards and 22 TDs last season.  McCracken is a 2x 100-meter dash state finalist and a 1x 200-meter dash state finalist.  Coach Bailey will also have his top two receivers back from last year, Junior Austin Yarnick had 42 receptions for 879 yards and 11 TDs and McCracken caught 28 passes for 438 yards and 6 TDs.  Senior T Declan Piscatello (6’3” 270), Senior T Carson Reckner (5’10” 190), Sophomore G Brodie Hollis (5’11” 225), and Junior Guard Austin Blough (6’1” 190) all return on the offensive line.  Junior Joe Penna returns on defense after leading the team in tackles last year (92).  The graduation of Jordan Nichols will be missed on defense.  Nichols had 16 sacks last year.  The defensive line has some important returners in Hollis, Senior Ethan Janidlo (6’0” 219), and Piscatello.

Richland and Chestnut Ridge play in week 9 and this could decide the #1 team out of the West.

2023 Schedule

Bishop McCort/Carroll Crushers
2022 Record: 2-8
Head Coach-Thomas Smith
4^th Season (6-22)

Coach Smith said

“Our numbers are greatly increased from one year ago and this most I have had in my tenure as Head Coach at Bishop McCort. The culture of the program is changing and headed in a positive direction. We have had success at the Jr. High level the past two seasons and are looking to build on that this year at the varsity level.”

Coach Smith has his leading rusher back from last year, Senior Brock Beppler rushed for 471 yards and 2 TDs.  Beppler is also returning starting LB from last year.  Other returning starters are WR Shakile Ferguson, Sophomore RB/DB Jon Delia, Sophomore Safeties Garrett Farabaugh and Angelo Gallucci (who will also be in the mix for starting QB after limited action there last year), Senior TE/DE Tobey Becquet, RB/MLB Jacob Yatsky, Sophomore RB/LB Luke Stevens, Senior WR/DB Zander Sekerak, OL Rocco Fetzko (5’9” 220), Junior TE/DE Eli Zasadni (6’2” 215), Sophomore OL Joey Cernic (5’7” 265), Senior WR/FS Cooper Stigers, Junior K Lukas Conner.  Newcomers that should play a big role in the 2023 season are Freshman QB/RB/LB CJ Penisero and Freshman RB/DE Marques Gordan.

The Crushers have a very tough beginning of their schedule with at Bishop Guilfoyle week 2, at Chestnut Ridge week 3, and home against Richland week 4

2023 Schedule

Greater Johnstown Trojans
2022 Record: 0-10
Head Coach-Antwuan Reed
2^nd Season (0-10)

Second year HC Reed looks to have a rebound season after going winless last year. “I think we’re going to be very competitive this year. The team worked hard in the off season and we have some good talent”. The offense scored one TD or less in 8 of the 10 games last year.

Johnstown has Senior Conseer Baxter WR/DB, Junior Deshawn LeGrier LB, and Senior Julian Rivas WR/DB as returning starters from last year.

2023 Schedule

Westmont-Hilltop Hilltoppers
2022 Record: 4-6
Head Coach-Pat Barron
12^th Season (50-67)

Coach Barron has Senior RB Brayden Dean returning who rushed for 975 yards and 9 TDs last year.  Westmont has some returning offensive and defensive linemen returning.  These are Senior T/DL Zachary Davis-Reese, Senior G Gaven Cassick (5’10” 205), Senior TE/DE Barret Gyure (5’11” 165) and Senior T/DL Blake Weslager (6’2” 240).  Another returning starter is Senior FB/LB David Ray.  Ray led the team in tackles last year with 69.

Westmont will be tested right away as they play Bedford in week 1 and Richland in week 3.

2023 Schedule

Somerset Golden Eagles
2022 Record: 1-9
Head Coach-Jeff Urban
2^nd Season (1-9)

Coach Urban said

“We will use all the experience we gained last year, along with a year of growth, both physically and mentally to play at a much higher level.

In his second year, Coach Urban has a nice group of returning starters.  Junior QB Lane Lambert returns after throwing for 477 yards and 2 TDs and rushing for 155 yards and 2 TDs.  The top two RBs from last year are back, Junior Camden Lowery (458 yards and 2 TDs) and Junior Rowan Holmes (301 yards and 2 TDs).  The returning OL and DL starters are Junior Zane Hagans (6’1” 230), Junior Garrett Marsh (5’9” 185), Sophomore Tucker Mostoller (5’10” 275), Sophomore Sam Cardeness (5’11” 275), and Senior Craig McNight (6’0” 225).  Holmes returns at DE after leading the team in tackles last year (57 tackles).  Other returning starters are: Lambert LB, Junior Eli Walls WR/DB, Junior Carson Sanner RB/LB, Junior Camden Lowery RB/DB, Sophomore Cole Perry WR/DB, Senior Trevor McNabb WR/DB, and Senior Tyler McNabb LB.  Coach Urban’s notable newcomers are Senior Eli McCrae WR/DE and Junior Colten Danihill OL/DL (6’1” 210).

2023 Schedule

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