2026 Team Preview: The Central York Panthers
Tagged under: District 3, News, pfn, Team Previews
Willie McGonigle | August 14, 2026
The Central York Panthers
Head Coach: Gerry Yonchiuk
PIAA District 3
Class 6A
Conference: South Central Atlantic Conference – Division 1
2025 Season Record: 11-2
central york by PAFootball Newsdotcom
Season Outlook: “Central York returns several key players from the 2025 season. The offense returns Division 1-A Running Back Legend Johnson, who committed to Kent State University this summer. Transfer RB Jerome LaRue is a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. At Quarterback, Sophomore Jamin Ilgenfritz takes over for Brooklyn Nace. Ilgenfritz has an electric arm and picked up three-Power 4 Scholarship offers this spring. 1st team All-Division receiver DeMarcus Murray is back to lead the receiving core. OL-Kaden Noor returns to anchor the O-Line. Returning all-state Kicker Brady returns for his junior season. Brady is one of the top kicking prospects in the northeastern past of the country. Defensively, leading tackler and jack of all trades Josh Bahr returns in the secondary as the leader of the defense. Returning Corners Doug Layer and Jatniel Gil also return to bolster the secondary. Division LB prospect Ali “Deuce” Johnson and his brother, Legend Johnson, both return. DE-Cullen Gardner returns to anchor the D-Line with NG-Da’ran Reed. Team speed will be the key factor for CY.”
Gerry Yonchiuk
| Key Starters lost |
| QB-Brooklyn Nace, WR-Brendyn Smith, TE/DE-Collin Gurley, OL-Caden Solomon, OLB-Jeremiha Hunter, C-Kaden Graham, FS-Dwayne Morgan, OL/DL-Quintin Dolly |
| returning starters (name, Position, HT, WT, Class Year |
| OFFENSE: Legend Johnson, RB 6’1″ 198 SR- DeMarcus Murray WR, 5’11” 165 JR- Kaden Noor OL 5’10” 275 JR- Andre Berry-Opher WR 5’11″160 SPECIAL TEAMS: SR-Brady Burt Kicker 6’1″ 190 JR, Josh Bahr Returner 5’11” 175, DEFENSE: Cullen Gardner DE 6’3″210 SR- Ali “Deuce” Johnson OLB 6’2″ 205 JR- Legend Johnson ILB 6’1″ 198 SR- Josh Bahr SS 5’11” 175 SR- Doug Layer CB 5’10” 160 SR- Jatniel Gil FS 5″11″ 195 JR- Ja’Ran Reed NG 5’9″ 265 JR |
| Key Newcomers’ name, position* |
| SO-Jamin Ilgenfritz: QB, JR-Jerome LaRue: RB, SO-Rec/RB Tyshawn Davis, JR-AJ Baker OL, JR-Amari Mitchell, SR-Hayden Quinn OL/DL, SR-Pat Baker OL/LB, SR-Brady Padget OL, SR-Ben Zeigler WR, JR-Cyrus Nouss DE, JR- Hunter Fogle WR/DB, JR-Xavier Richardson TE, JR Chenkan Toe, DB, JR- Caleb Bowers LB, SO-Honor Poindexter NG, SR Makai Collins WR |
08-22
|
vs. Central Dauphin East (0-0) |
– |
08-28
|
vs. State College (0-0) |
– |
09-04
|
@ North Penn (0-0) |
– |
09-11
|
vs. Manheim Township (0-0) |
– |
09-18
|
@ Spring Grove (0-0) |
– |
09-25
|
vs. South Western (0-0) |
– |
10-02
|
@ Dallastown (0-0) |
– |
10-09
|
@ New Oxford (0-0) |
– |
10-16
|
vs. Red Lion (0-0) |
– |
10-23
|
@ Wilson (0-0) |
– |
10-30
|
vs. William Penn (0-0) |
– |
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