Inside The EPC 2026 Football Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 11, News, pfn
John Fox, Dan Di Edwardo | August 28, 2026
Lehigh County Division
Parkland Trojans
Head Coach: Tim Moncman
Key players returning: TJ Lawrence, Blake Nassry, Finn Coen
Outlook: Parkland returns a lot of their offensive core including their big 3 of QB Finn Coen, RB TJ Lawrence, and WR Blake Nassry. A key factor to Parkland’s season will be the health of Lawrence, who suffered through an injury plagued season last year, and to an extent, limited the team’s potential. The Trojans are coached by Tim Moncman who is looking to get his 100th career win as coach this season. After a blowout loss to Easton in the District 11 6A championship game, Parkland will look to get back to that point with an offense that has multiple years of chemistry under their belt.
Whitehall Zephyrs
Head Coach: Andy Marino
Key players returning: Tanner Dogmanits, Iskander Blanco, Jeziah Gregory
Outlook: The Zephyrs are coming off their first 10 win season in more than a decade. A large part of that success came from the arm of QB Tanner Dogmanits, who returns after a 2,293 passing yards season with 24 TDs, along with 537 rushing yards and 11 TDs. However, he will have to overcome the loss of his older brother Talon Dogmanits, who accumulated 57 receptions for 1,101 yards and 14 TDs. The Zephyrs also get LB Iskander Blanco back and Jeziah Gregory back on offense who had 156 carries for 1,049 yards and 20 TDs. This will also be the 100th season of Zephyr football, another milestone the team hopes to use as motivation to build upon the last.
Allentown Central Catholic Vikings
Head Coach: Jake Reichard
Key players returning: Grayson Schmell, Tahir Edmondson, Harry Restino
Outlook: Ripe with WR talent, Central Catholic looks to looks to build upon a 6-6 season that saw them lose to Bethlehem Catholic 34-31 in the District 11 4A semifinals. Jr QB, Patrick Cahill will be the team’s starting QB as he looks to improve upon his sophomore season which saw him throw for 2,144 yards and 21 TDs on 129 completions. WRs Edmondson (37 reception for 586 yards and 7 TDs), and Restino (15 receptions for 338 yards and 5 TDs) will be important pieces to the puzzle and another year of chemistry will help the Vikings offense. However, the defense will also have to improve from its 25 PPG allowed in 2025 for the team to have success in 2026.
Emmaus Hornets
Head Coach: Harold Fariclough
Key players returning: Mason Weber, Tyler Carmosky, Kellen Hafner
Outlook: Jr QB Kellen Hafner is now ready to take the reigns after Jerek Cooper graduated with Emmaus hoping last season’s 4-7 record was an anomaly. The hornets went through an over haul on the coaching staff, including new offensive coordinator, Lou Orth, who hopes to get the best out of his new QB. Tyler Carmosky will have a bigger role in the offense as a senior, as he hopes to get a WR core that struggled last year off the ground. Emmaus also had problems on defense, allowing a staggering 28 points per game, and will look for more balance on both sides of the ball in 2026.
William Allen Canaries
Head Coach: Joel Rupp
Key players returning: Jaylen Walker, TeShon Gaynair, Julian Pagan, Michael Taylor
Outlook: The team has lofty goals this season and is looking for a winning season that has eluded them since 2003. QB Julian Pagan was a bright spot last year, throwing for 1,109 yards on 171 attempts and 8 TDs, but will have to cut down on the 13 INTs he had last year. He also added 95 rushes for 193 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. TeShon Gaynair had 22 receptions for 368 yards and 3 TDs last year as the team’s primary TE and WR Jaylen Walker had 12 receptions for 251 yards and 5 TDs. William Allen is hoping for a fast start like last year, but hopes they can continue it throughout the grind of a long season.
Dieruff Huskies
Head Coach: Dave Lutte
Key players returning: Bruce Billger, Derwyn Deris, Marcus Soto
Outlook: The development of QB, Bruce Billger will be key in any success that Dieruff will have this season. Billger’s stats were only limited to 676 passing yards and 9 TDs last season and the Huskies hope new offensive coordinator, Ryan Fegley can unlock the young man’s potential. Deris recorded over 1,000 all purpose yards and 8 TDs and is viewed as the primary go to target on offense. Billger and Deris are the key for Dieruff to finally reach their first winning season since all the way back in 2002, and another year of experience for the offense will go a long way towards that.
Northampton County Division
Easton Red Rovers
Coach: Matt Senneca
Key players returning: Justin Cosover, Sean McPeek, Jayden Foreman
Outlook: Easton went 14-1 last year on the back of now graduated QB, Cole Ordway, who had 96 completions for 1,402 yards and 17 TDs, as well as 233 rushes for 1,977 yards and 36 TDs. That production will not be easy to replace as either Zahviay McGurn or Robbie McCormick will take the reigns. Sean McPeek will be the team’s top WR, who had 16 receptions for 408 yards and 6 TDs last year, as he looks to step up and replace the many senior WRs that the team lost in addition to their star QB. Coach Senneca hopes the team can stay competitive in what many are considering a transition year.
Nazareth Blue Eagles
Coach: Tom Falzone
Key players returning: Matt Leluga, Lance Zuercher, Luke Depietro, Mason Marinelli, Cooper Madson
Outlook: Nazareth came roaring out the gates last year, until their starting QB, Peyton Falzone, went down with a collarbone injury. That thrust Sophomore, Cooper Madson into starting duty. While the team still managed to make it to the District 11 6A semifinals before losing to Parkland 35-14, the experience Madson got was valuable and will help him going into his junior year under center. Luke Depietro managed 53 receptions for 843 yards and 8 TDs and Matt Leluga had 34 receptions for 546 yards and 8 TDs, creating a 1-2 punch at WR. Another year in Coach Falzone’s system will benefit the young core of Madson, Depietro, and Leluga, as they look to make a deeper playoff run in 2026.
Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks
Coach: Joe Bernard
Key players returning: Axel Burkart, Carter Vassa, Justin Martinez
Outlook: The Golden Hawks had an explosive offense led by returning senior QB, Axel Burkart, who had 96 completions for 1,475 yards and 12 TDs. WR Carter Vassa had 51 receptions for 870 yards and 9 TDs, and was a huge part of that offense. However, the downfall of the team was their defense, that gave up 24 points or more in 8 games, and their eventual 49-24 loss to Southern Lehigh in the District 11 4A Finals. Improving the defense is a must in the final year with the Burkart and Vassa duo if they want to dethrone Southern Lehigh in District 11 4A.
Northampton Konkrete Kids
Coach: John Toman
Key players returning: Chase Kessler, Jeremiah Strowder, Robert Wambold, Chase Czarnecki, Evan Kleppinger
Outlook: Northampton was in a close game seemingly every week, and could of had more wins if not for some late game defensive collapses. Northampton record setting QB, Gavin Taff has now departed after he threw for 115 completions, 1,503 yards and 17 TDs. He also added 63 rushes for 270 yards and 5 TDs on the ground. It is up to either Zion McKinney or Grant Brobst to replace him. However, sophomore sensation RB, Chase Kessler returns after rushing for 1,482 yards on 188 attempts and 15 TDs. With many of the senior wideouts from last year gone, Jeremiah Strowder hopes to fill the void left by them. Robert Wambold, Chase Czarnecki, and Evan Kleppinger hope to patch up a shaky defense that allowed 24 points or more 8 times last year.
Liberty Hurricanes
Coach: Shawn Daignault
Key players returning: Zyaire Davis, Mekkhi McKenzie, Anhtony Martin
Outlook: The Hurricanes had a strong season under QB Antonio Fontanez, RB Gabe Green, WR Jake Pukszyn, and others, but they lose all of the aforementioned 3 players and are hoping returning WR Zyaire Davis, who had 50 receptions for 1,085 yards and 15 TDs and RB Mekkhi McKenzie can provide a spark on offense for either Alsaiah Gross or Mason Kennedy under center. While Liberty has taken strides this past year before falling to Easton 38-20 in the District 11 6A semifinals, answering the question at QB will be paramount in replicating last season’s success.
Freedom Patriots
Coach: Jason Roeder
Key players returning: Lashawn Johnson, Michael Stofanak, Jahaire Hughes
Outlook: Freedom looks to recover from a somewhat rocky season, which came to an end at the hands of stadium rival Liberty, 26-14 in the District 11 6A Quarterfinals. The good news for the Patriots is that explosive RB Lashawn Johnson is healthy again after suffering through an injury plagued season last year and QB Michael Stofanak is once again under center and looking to improve upon a season in which he had 92 completions for 1,465 yards and 15 TDs. He also added 56 rushes for 95 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.
Monroe County Division:
Pocono Mountain East Cardinals
Coach: Dusten Thomas
Key players returning: Ceejay Serfass, Evan Garrett, Dean McCarthy
Outlook: After a strong season, which included a playoff win over Pleasant Valley 27-0 before a 35-24 loss to Whitehall in the District 11 5A tournament, the Cardinals will look to build upon it, but without many of the seniors who broke through last year. One of those losses is WR Justin Williams, who had 66 catches for 1,054 yards and 11 TDs. However, QB Ceejay Serfass will return after he threw for 2,146 yards and 22 TDs on 154 completions.
Pocono Mountain West Panthers
Coach: James McCarroll
Key players returning: Christian Stiehler, Tahied Samuel, Ted Stiehler, Curtis Sipler
Outlook: After suffering through an injury plagued 2025, the Panthers hope they can get the ball rolling in 2026. The Stiehler Brothers, Christian and Ted, with Christian accounting for 1,147 yards and 16 TDs on the ground and Ted getting 2 TDs of his own as the team’s TE. Curtis Sipler takes the reigns at QB from Jerel Sims, who had a 64.7% completion percentage and a 123,9 QBR.
Stroudsburg Mountaineers
Coach: Jim Miller
Key players returning: Keyen Johnson, Jack Mitchell, Josh Ivers-Green
Outlook: After making it to the District 11 6A Quarterfinals before losing to Parkland 49-14, the Mountaineers are a strong contender to win the EPC Monroe Division. QB Jack Mitchell returns after throwing for 1,567 yards and 16 TDs, Also returning is RB Keyen Johnson, who ran for 1,421 yards and 13 TDs, as well as catch 31 passes for 437 yards and 5 TDs. However, the schedule makers did them no favors out the gate with tough games against Liberty, Parkland, and Nazareth to start the year.
Pleasant Valley Bears
Coach: Blaec Saeger
Key players returning: Chris Ward, Jacob George, Sean Cobb
Outlook: The Bears have a huge QB competition to replace the recently departed Jaxson Haines. Brandt Wines, Maximus Vasquez, and Cameron Ward are all competing for that role. However, RB Chris Ward returns after rushing for 577 yards and averaging 7.9 yard a carry. Finding the right starting QB will make or break their season, as look to extract revenge on Pocono Mountain East after falling to them 27-0 in the District 11 5A semifinals.
East Stroudsburg South Cavaliers
Coach: Matthew Walters
Key players returning: Greyson Fuller, Lync Parklins, Alex Perez
Outlook: The Cavaliers have won 3 district titles in the past 7 seasons and are trying to build upon a season that saw them make it to the District 11 5A semifinals before falling 43-28 to Whitehall. The team will return QB Greyson Fuller, who completed 65 passes for 776 yards and 7 TDs. WR Lync Parklins returns after catching 22 passes for 389 yards and 5 TDs. Having that chemistry between the QB and WR will serve the Cavs well as they look to win their first district title since 2024.
East Stroudsburg North Timberwolves
Coach: Todd Moody
Key players returning: Nate Charles-Thelusca, Nasire Lovell, Keegan Montuori
Outlook: Everything that could go wrong went wrong for the Timberwolves in 2025, as they finished 0-10 and were outscored 325-78 in the process. To make matters worse, current head coach Todd Moody resigned before the season because of a family matter, forcing defensive coordinator Kenn Cundiff into the role for the season. The team lost their leading WR and RBs from a year ago in Kendrick Sympson and Wayne King. Sympson had 23 catches for 416 yards and 3 TDs, and King rushed for 629 yards and 5 TDs on 107 attempts. Getting a win as soon as possible will go a long way in establishing a culture that is desperately needed in ESN.
