LHAC East Division 1: Travis’s 2026 Predictions
Tagged under: District 6, News, Rankings
Travis Snyder Jr. | August 28, 2026
With the 2026 football season getting closer, it is time to start looking at how the LHAC divisions could play out this year. The East Division 1 has several teams that could make a run at the top, but there are also plenty of questions surrounding some of these teams after losing key players from last season.
Here are my predictions for LHAC East Division 1:
1. Bishop Guilfoyle
2. Bellwood-Antis
3. Tyrone
4. Central
5. Huntingdon
1. Bishop Guilfoyle
2025 Record: 13-3
Head Coach: Justin Wheeler
Bishop Guilfoyle might have lost a bunch of key players from last year’s team, but that isn’t going to stop BG head coach Justin Wheeler. After going 13-3 last season, the Marauders still have plenty of returning talent on both sides of the ball, which is why I have them at the top of the division.
At quarterback, Justin Wheeler returns after putting up 1,400 passing yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. Wheeler also added 793 rushing yards, giving BG a quarterback who can make plays both through the air and on the ground.
The running game will also have a young player to watch in sophomore Keegan Hewitt. As a freshman, Hewitt rushed for 500 yards and five touchdowns. With another year of experience, he could take on an even bigger role in the BG offense.
Evan Schimminger also returns as BG’s leading receiver. Having a returning quarterback, running back and leading receiver gives the Marauders some important pieces to work with heading into 2026.
On the line, Rocco Cacciotti returns on both the offensive and defensive sides. Cacciotti had a big season last year with 27 tackles for loss and 156 total tackles. As a junior, he will be one of the players I expect to have a major impact for BG this season.
Declan Peterson also returns and should have a big impact on the team.
BG definitely lost some important players, but when it seems like Bishop Guilfoyle loses key players, they always seem to find younger players ready to step up. With the returning production they have, especially Wheeler, Hewitt, Schimminger and Cacciotti, I still have BG as my No. 1 team in LHAC East Division 1.
2. Bellwood-Antis
2025 Record: 7-5
Head Coach: Nick Lovrich
This was a really hard decision for me when it came to deciding who should be first and who should be second. Bellwood-Antis comes into this season with most of their players returning, which makes them a very tough team to put anywhere but near the top.
Workhorse Alex McCartney and Chase Plummer will give opposing defenses a lot to think about. With both players capable of carrying the ball, defenses will have to figure out who has it and where the ball is going.
Quarterback Brayden Partner is also returning to the position. Bellwood-Antis will likely remain a run-first offense, but Partner’s legs can still be a major factor. Ethan Shawley also returns as one of their main wide receivers.
On defense, Ethan returns after leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Plummer and Carter Shedlock also return after being among the team’s leading tacklers.
Bellwood-Antis did lose Colin Gibbons to graduation after he had a great season last year. However, Jackson Dorminy could help fill some of those shoes. Dorminy had four interceptions last season, while Gibbons had five.
Bellwood-Antis has a lot of returning talent, and honestly, it was not easy putting them at No. 2. I could easily see this team competing with BG for the top spot.
3. Tyrone
2025 Record: 6-5
Head Coach: Jason Jones
I have seen others put Tyrone last or nearly last on their boards, and I disagree.
Tyrone returns quarterback Ben Walk, running back Caleb Whitby and talented wide receiver Mason Emigh. The biggest uncertainty, and one of the most important things for Tyrone this season, will be the offensive line.
Unfortunately for Tyrone, they lost every starting offensive lineman except one. That is a big loss, but with the right coaching and enough practice, I believe the offensive line can improve throughout the season.
There is also a coaching change heading into 2026. New head coach Jason Jones takes over as John Franco exits. After going 6-5 last season, Tyrone will be looking to take another step forward under Jones.
Back on offense, Caleb Whitby will be a major part of the running game. Tyrone also returns sophomore Reid Starr, who had an impressive JV season. When Starr played varsity last season, he rushed for 102 yards while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Another impressive sophomore last season was wide receiver John Stroup, who will look to continue developing this season.
On defense, Tyrone lost a great player in Ashton Emigh, but they still have some important players returning. Kyler Suhoney had eight tackles for loss and led the team with 60 total tackles. Dylan Robinson also returns, along with Kolseon Moore, who should help the defensive line significantly.
There are definitely questions surrounding Tyrone, especially with the offensive line and a new head coach, but I think this team has enough returning talent to finish third in the division.
4. Central
2025 Record: 4-6
Head Coach: Jerry Albright
Central returns quarterback Jesse Muthler, who had almost 1,300 passing yards last season. Muthler also threw five touchdowns, but he had nine interceptions. Improving that touchdown-to-interception ratio will be something to watch this season.
The running game brings back Semaj Musei and Carter Schenk, who both had nearly 400 yards last season. Schenk also scored 10 touchdowns.
At wide receiver, Central returns Bentley Dickson, JJ Moushlian and Schenk, giving Muthler some familiar targets heading into the season.
On defense, Cole Marks returns after finishing second on the team in tackles. Levi Wareham and Bronson Myers also return and will be important pieces for Central.
Central has a very young roster and will be looking to improve throughout 2026. After finishing 4-6 last season, I have them fourth right now, but the experience these younger players gain this season could be important for the next few years.
5. Huntingdon
2025 Record: 8-4
Head Coach: Tim Lucko
Huntingdon had what was, in my eyes, a very unexpected but good 2025 season. They finished 8-4, but unfortunately lost some key players heading into 2026.
Quarterback Reese Hughes returns after Huntingdon lost Elliot Guisler. Hughes had 500 passing yards last season with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
The biggest question for Huntingdon heading into the season was the running back position after losing workhorses Landon Erdman and Evan Edmiston. Right now, Cole Lane is expected to get most of the rushing touches this season and will have the opportunity to take over a much bigger role in the offense.
At receiver, Huntingdon brings back Javaughn Dodson and Kobe Carthen.
On defense, Gavin Norris and Cole Lane return and will be two players to watch as Huntingdon looks to replace some of the production lost from last year’s team.
Huntingdon has some big holes to fill, especially after losing Erdman and Edmiston, but there is still returning talent that can make an impact. For now, I have them finishing fifth in LHAC East Division 1.
