2026 Team Preview: The Bensalem Owls
Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn, Team Previews
Billy Splain | August 20, 2026
The Bensalem Owls
Head Coach: Mitch Cohen
PIAA District 1
Class 6A
Conference: Suburban One League Continental Division
2025 Season Record: 5-5
Key Starters Lost:
Aiden Mayfield (RB)
Thomas Bailey (WR / DB)
Hollis Sanders (QB / DE)
Evan Varallo (LB)
Offensive Starters Returning:
OL – Joey Ott (SR, 6-2, 280 LBS)
RB – Brennan Farnsworth (JR, 5-10, 185)
WR – Taylor Callahan (SR, 6-2, 180)
WR – Shane Varallo (SR, 6-0, 180)
WR – Johnavon Cooper (5-10, 165)
OL – Dominic Lafontano (SR, 6-1, 225)
OL – Wesley Cook (JR, 6-0, 230)
OL – Liam Nillson (SR, 5-11, 255)
Defensive Starters Returning:
LB – Chase Fritz (SR, 5-10, 195)
LB – Bobby Clift (SR, 5-9, 185)
S – Jimmy Cross (JR, 5-10, 170)
CB – Amir Gray (SR, 5-10, 165)
DE – Joey Ott (SR, 6-2, 280 LBS)
LB – Brennan Farnsworth (JR, 5-10, 185)
Special Teams Starters Returning:
K – Dylan Barnhart (SO, 5-9, 160)
Key Newcomers:
QB – Maverick Syron (JR, 6-2, 180)
OL – Alan Reyes (SO, 6-0, 250)
DB/WR – Avery Johnson (SO, 5-11, 175)
LB/WR – Matt Dougherty (JR, 5-11, 180)
TE – Jeremiah Lugo (JR, 6-2, 190)
LB – Nic Gossweiler (SO, 5-11, 175)
DL/OL – Abdul Kamara (SO, 6-6, 275)
OL/DL – Jashan Perry (SO, 6-5, 270)
DL – Alocious Beyan (SO, 5-11, 235)
WR – Michael Dragani (SO, 5-9, 155)
2026 Offensive Outlook: Losing a bunch of key offensive starters to graduation, we will play to our strengths, which will be our offensive line and run game. Our talented offensive line will average 6-3, 265 LBS with exceptional athleticism, and should win the point of attack. With a new QB under center and incredibly skilled RBs, our run game will complement our pass game. A very skilled WR group that can create separation will be a threat in the open field. We will operate with multiple formations, including condensed and spread packages with various motions.
Keys to success: Ball control coupled with sustaining drives. Limit the turnovers. Get the ball to our skilled players so they can use their big-play ability. Red zone success.
2026 Defensive Outlook: A very talented and deep defensive line group will lead our defense. Generating penetration and the ability to get to the QB will create turnovers. The veteran LB group can play in space and should be very effective against the run. A young but very talented secondary has the ability and skill set to defend the pass and support the run. As a unit, we will be very flexible and able to play multiple fronts, coverages with disguises, and variable pressure packages.
Keys to success: Able to get off the field on critical 3rd-down situations. Ability to get penetration and pressure, which will force and create turnovers. Limit the big play.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: Special Teams outlook: Overall team depth will be an advantage running down kicks and kick coverage. Our placekicker has moderate distance and accuracy and also the ability to drive the ball downfield on kickoffs. Our punting group should be able to flip the field and be able to get our punt coverage in great position.
08-22
|
vs. Conwell-Egan |
– |
08-28
|
@ Upper Darby |
– |
09-03
|
vs. Upper Moreland |
– |
09-10
|
vs. Central Bucks East |
– |
09-18
|
@ Council Rock North |
– |
09-25
|
vs. Upper Dublin |
– |
10-02
|
@ Quakertown |
– |
10-09
|
vs. Dobbins-Randolph Vo-Tech |
– |
10-16
|
vs. Council Rock South |
– |
10-23
|
@ Souderton |
– |
10-30
|
@ Plymouth-Whitemarsh |
– |
