2026 Team Preview: The Ephrata Mountaineers
Tagged under: District 3, News, pfn, Team Previews
Willie McGonigle | August 7, 2026
The Ephrata Mountaineers
Head Coach: Kris Miller
PIAA District 3
Class 5A
Conference: Lancaster-Lebanon League – Section 2
2025 Season Record: 6-4
| Key Starters lost |
| • Aaron Young – WR/S • Evan Honberger – K/P • Austin Bryant – WR/CB • Micah Spring – WR/CB • Jackson Nolt – OL/DL • Alex Ortiz – OL/DL • Chase Prange – RB/LB • Dustin Hoover – LB • Hunter Ferris – OL |
| returning starters (name, Position, HT, WT, Class Year |
| • Caleb Rice – LB, 5’10”, 180 • Eli Frain – TE/LB, 6’3” 215 • Carson Martin – QB/LB, 6’3” 200 • Malachi Knowles – Athlete/DB, 6’1” 165 • Aaden Shuman – WR/DB, 5’10” 155 • Josiah Grant – WR/DB, 6’4” 209 • Drake Ciran – FB/DL, 6’3” 235 • Bentley Rearich – RB, 5’11” 174 • Ben McCracken – LB, 6’3” 192 • Bryson Carpenter – OL/DL, 6’5” 235 • Ian Ellis – OL/DL, 6’ 212 • Edward Ramirez – OL/DL, 5’ 10” 271 |
| Key Newcomers’ name, position* |
| • Tyler Wloczewski Soph OL/DL 5’11” 175 LB • Hunter Wright Soph OL/DL • Brycen Helms Soph OL/DL • Brody Heck Soph WR/DB 6’1” 156 |
| Season Outlook |
| “We had a number of players last year step up and receive valuable experience due to injuries. We are looking for this to pay dividends this year as they step into bigger roles. On offense, Carson Martin returns at QB and has a lot of weapons on the outside to get the ball to. On defense, we are excited to see our defensive line and Linebackers be the rock of our defense
We need to solidify a couple of spots along the offensive line, but are excited about the options that we have. On defense, we have several guys competing in the defensive backfield for spots and we need to find the right spot for them to excel. Additionally we are working through options in the kicking game after the graduation of Evan Honberger” Kris Miller |
2026 Schedule and team news page
08-22
|
vs. Dallastown (0-0) |
– |
08-28
|
vs. Warwick (0-0) |
– |
09-04
|
vs. Cocalico (0-0) |
– |
09-11
|
@ Garden Spot (0-0) |
– |
09-18
|
@ Exeter Township (0-0) |
– |
09-25
|
vs. Conestoga Valley (0-0) |
– |
10-02
|
vs. Muhlenberg (0-0) |
– |
10-09
|
@ Manheim Central (0-0) |
– |
10-16
|
@ Governor Mifflin (0-0) |
– |
10-23
|
vs. Elizabethtown (0-0) |
– |
10-30
|
@ Lebanon (0-0) |
– |
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