2024 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Preview: East 2 Section
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 6, District 9, News, pfn
Baron Dionis | August 22, 2024
2023 Final LHAC Standings (Overall-Record/Conference)
- Central 12-1 (11-0)
- Bald Eagle 12-2 (10-1)
- Richland 11-2 (10-1)
- Penn Cambria 9-3 (9-3)
- Clearfield 8-4 (7-3)
- Chestnut Ridge 7-4 (7-3)
- Forest Hills 8-4 (7-4)
- Bishop Guilfoyle 6-5 (6-4)
- Tyrone 6-5 (6-5)
- Penns Valley 6-5 (6-5)
- Central Cambria 4-6 (4-6)
- Philipsburg-Osceola 4-6 (4-6)
- Bedford 3-7 (3-7)
- Somerset 3-7 (3-7)
- Bishop McCort-Carrol 3-7 (3-7)
- Bellefonte 2-8 (2-8)
- Huntingdon 2-8 (2-8)
- Westmont-Hilltop 2-8 (2-8)
- Bellwood-Antis 2-8 (2-8)
- Greater Johnstown 0-10 (0-10)
Another five teams in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference are in the eastern side and they make up the second section. Similarly to the first section, it is a very competitive section and includes two teams that made it to the state playoffs. Let’s take a look at the East 2 Section in the LHAC.
Bald Eagle Area Eagles
2023 Record: 12-2
Head Coach Jesse Nagle
9th Season: 60-36
Bald Eagle is one of the top teams returning in 2A this season. 2023 ended with a very close game against the state champions in Southern Columbia. Bald Eagle lost a big group of seniors, which included six players to play at the collegiate level. It will be another competitive year for the Eagles as they look to repeat as district six champions.
They lost their top three receivers in Kahale Burns, Cameron Watkins, and Gavin Burns. Those three also played a big role on defense. They lost lineman Eric Clark, Alex Lefebvre, Caleb Lanning, and Austin Moyle. Cameron Dubbs and Nick Wible also graduated and they led the team in rushing, along with defense. Last, but not least, Kaden Burns the kicker is no longer with Bald Eagle.
That is a big time loss in players, but they do return a strong group back, including their quarterback in Carson Nagle, who recently committed to Lock Haven University. Wyatt Spackman, Ethan Shirk, Beau Taylor, and Kollin Cunningham will all contribute offensively and defensively in the skilled positions. They also return linemen Gage Gardner, Dakota McCool, and Braydon Dubbs.
Coach Nagle said, “We have a great core nucleus coming back from last year’s team. There were a lot of high character/performance athletes to replace from 2023. Our underclassmen have worked extremely hard this off season. There are a lot of kids that are competing and battling for those positions that need filled. Our conference is extremely difficult and we know each week we will have to play our best to compete.”
It will be an exciting year for Bald Eagle as they do have another good team and have a very good schedule. Another great matchup against Clearfield and Bishop Guilfoyle is looming.
Bellefonte Red Raiders
2023 Record: 2-9
Head Coach Tony Confer
2nd Season: 2-9
The Bellefonte Red Raiders are coming off a rough 2023 campaign, winning just two games by one point against Somerset and Huntingdon. They also lost two one point games to Philipsburg and Penns Valley, but they look to return a lot of pieces to help pull out more wins.
Leading the offense, the Red Raiders return their quarterback in Liam Halterman. Jackson Long, Jaeden Gabrovsek, and Aden Howell should all play big roles on offense and defense in the skilled positions. On the line, Bellefonte returns Logan Rarrick and Ian Valimont.
They do lose their leading rusher in Sherman Lowry and another running back in Owen Pettina. Both played roles on defense as well. Lineman Nathan Way and Logan Aviles also graduated. Braden Bickle is also gone and he led the team in interceptions in 2023.
Although some impact players graduated, Bellefonte looks to be returning a strong team and Coach Confer believes so as well. He said, “We return 4 starters offensively and 4 starters defensively in 2024. We will look for Senior QB, Liam Halterman to lead the offense alongside our top WR of 2023, Senior Jaeden Gabrovsek, and our 2 returning offensive linemen, Juniors Logan Rarrick and Ian Valimont. Defensively, we will look to Logan Rarrick, our top tackler and LB to anchor our defense this season but as a defensive end. Our second leading tackler, Senior Aden Howell returns in the secondary as well as Junior Free Safety, Jackson Long and Senior CB, Jaeden Gabrovsek. Senior Noah Weaver returns to the lineup after taking a year off in 2023. Other newcomers, Sophomore Caleb Bartley, Sophomore Kaven Smith-Kirk, Sophomore Ashten Howell and Freshman Sam Witmer will look to solidify starting positions on one side of the ball.”
Watch out for Bellefonte this season as they appear to have a solid team and could be competitive in 4A.
Clearfield Bison
2023 Record: 8-4
Head Coach Myles Caragein
2nd Season: 8-4
The Clearfield Bison are coming off a very good 2023 season, but will see various changes in 2024. After winning the 3A District 9 Championship against Punxsutawney last season, Clearfield will now compete at 4A, which also includes Punxy and Bradford High School. Another change that will be made is running the offense under a new quarterback in Xavier Curry, an upcoming junior after losing Will Domico.
Along with Curry, there are other newcomers that should make an impact on the field for the Bison in 2024. Some new skilled positions include Elijah Gluint, Bryce Frushour, and Landyn Rankin. Some new lineman include Nick Flood and Austin Fenton.
Along with the newcomers, Clearfield returns a big group of players, but also loses some important pieces. Although they lost Cayden Bell and Jacob Samsel at receiver, Carter Freeland returns, the team’s leader in yards. Carter Chamberlain is another graduate who was a unit as a running back and as a linebacker. They do return running back Brady Collins as well to help take over the load.
Coach Caragein said, “The kids have been working hard all off season. We are looking forward to a great season. We are going to take it one game at a time.”
The Bisons have a very good team this year and could create some chaos at 4A.
Penns Valley Rams
2023 Record: 6-5
Head Coach Martin Tobias
29th Season: 137-151
Penns Valley has a very difficult task of replacing almost their entire team. Most of their seniors started last season, which did not give the younger guys much time to get varsity experience. It will be a big competition to begin the season trying to find starters at each position, but Coach Tobias thinks this team can figure it out.
Coach said, “We are expecting a very competitive pre-season with many positions up for grabs due to the graduation of a strong senior corps. Many of our younger players received playing time last season which gives us valuable experience to build upon. The key to our season will be getting our players to play together with trust and confidence in each other enabling them to execute at a high level.”
Some of the notable seniors the Rams lost were quarterback Jackson Romig, running back Ty Watson, receivers John Meyer and Danin Kerstetter. Those four also played defense, along with Jarrett Stover, Josh Lieb, Colin Niewinski, and Ethan Fetterolf.
The Rams do return some lineman, but this team is going to look very different in 2024. They always find ways to compete no matter who they have.
Philipsburg-Osceola Mountaineers
2023 Record: 4-6
Head Coach Jeff Vroman
17th Season: 67-98
The Mountaineers had a decent season in 2023, winning just 4 games, but they did have some close losses. They look to do better in 2024 with a similar team from last year.
Philipsburg returns team leader in all-purpose yards in Sam McDonald and quarterback Zach Meyers. Lucas Peterson and Colton Chapman could also make an impact on offense with a lot of touches in 2023.
They lost two running backs in Jakobi Jones and Dayton Barger, who also played defense. Nick Johnson is a big loss at tight end and defensive end.
Philipsburg looks to be competitive again in 2023 with playoffs on the horizon. The team has a shot to make it as they just got promoted to 3A, but that is a tough classification to be in with Central, Penn Cambria, Forest Hills, and Tyrone.
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