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Mid Penn football capsules


COMMONWEALTH DIVISION

Carlisle Thundering Herd

2015: 5-6 (3-4 Commonwealth); Class: 6A.

Senior Eric Harris, MPC 1st team all-star, returns at QB after setting single-season school records in passing yards (3,506) and passing touchdowns (35) and needs fewer than 600 passing yards and 3 TD passes to set school records for career totals. He has dangerous weapons in Nate Barnes (60 catches, 977 yards, 10 TDs, 70 tackles at LB) and Gavyn Barnes (77-944, 11). Pat Conrad takes over as head coach after Josh Oswalt left for Central York.

Cumberland Valley Eagles 

2015: 12-3 (6-1 Commonwealth); Class: 6A

Josiah Quigley (SR LB, 1st team defense, 113 tackles) returns to lead the defense, while Charlie Katshir (jr., DB, 48 tackles, 10 INTs) has received scholarship offers from Penn State and Virginia. The Eagles won the District 3 championship in AAAA last season before losing to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the PIAA semifinals.

Central Dauphin Rams

2015: 12-2 (6-1 Commonwealth); Class: 6A

Penn State commit Micah Parsons (jr., DE, 2nd team defense, 69 tackles, 13.5 sacks) is back to lead the defense along with Clay Tinkham (sr., DL, 1st team defense, 68 tackles) and Cole Veliky (sr., LB, 1st team defense, 115 tackles). Eamon Blythe (sr., G, 1st team offense) returns on the offensive line. The Rams' season ended against division rival Cumberland Valley in the district championship game, 62-61, in seven overtimes.

Central Dauphin East Panthers

2015: 8-5 (4-3 Commonwealth); Class: 6A

Brandon Hickerson-Rooks (sr., DE, 1st team defense, 73 tackles, 10 sacks) returns on the defensive line. Tyshaun Pollard (sr., RB/WR, 1st team offense, 587 yards rushing, 4 TDs, 61 receptions, 557 yards, 7 TDs) is the big weapon returning on offense. The Panthers won a pair of district playoff games before losing to Cumberland Valley in the semifinals.

Harrisburg Cougars

2015: 5-6 (2-5 Commonwealth); Class: 5A

Yahmir Wilkerson (jr., QB, 1,640 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs) is back to lead the Cougar offense and his top target from a year ago, Shaquon Anderson-Butts (jr., WR, 1st team offense, 36 receptions, 754 yards, 8 TDs) is, as well. Harrisburg lost to Wilson in the opening round of the district playoffs.

State College Little Lions

2015: 9-4 (6-1 Commonwealth); Class: 6A

The Little Lions graduated three first-team offensive linemen in Mark Weakland, Doug Swoboda and Jack Vandevort, and also the division's offensive MVP in Jordan Misher. Pete Haffner (sr., LB, defensive MVP, 107 tackles, 5 sacks) is back to lead the defense. Lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the state quarterfinals.

KEYSTONE DIVISION

Bishop McDevitt Crusaders

2015: 13-2 (5-1 Keystone); Class: 4A

The three-headed monster at wide receiver of Kobay White, Bryce Hall and Kyree Calli have all graduated. But Michael Jones (jr., RB, 1,517 yards, 19 TDs) and Tayvon Bowers (sr., QB, 3,576 yards, 42 TDs) return in the offensive backfield and Jake Perloski (sr., OT, 2nd team) is back upfront. Nick Fricchione (sr., DE, 67 tackles, 8.5 sacks) and Tim Kater (jr., DT, 37 tackles) will anchor the defense line, while Vinny Salomone (sr., LB, 108 tackles) does the same with the linebacking corps. Bowers is a verbal commit to Wake Forest. The Crusaders captured their sixth consecutive district championship last season before falling to Erie Cathedral Prep in the state semifinals.

Cedar Cliff Colts

2015: 8-3 (4-2 Keystone); Class: 5A

Grant Breneman (sr., QB, 1,887 passing yards, 25 TDs) returns under center and Shaun Hastings (sr., OT, 1st team offense) is back on the offensive line. The team graduated three first-team defensive selections (Manny De Los Santos, Cole Whalen, Mike Viti) and a second teamer (Jayden Demmy). Breneman has committed to Colgate. The Colts' season ended in the first round of the district playoffs with a loss to Lower Dauphin.

Hershey Trojans

2015: 3-7 (2-4 Keystone); Class: 5A

Ryan Nerino (jr., QB, 1,026 passing yards, 10 TDs) is back after earning the starting spot as a sophomore. Frank Isenberg is the Trojans' fourth coach in as many seasons following the resignation of Jeff Geisel. Isenberg was an assistant offensive line coach at Lebanon Valley College in 2015. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator at Lebanon High for eight years.

Lower Dauphin Falcons

2015: 9-3 (4-2 Keystone); Class: 5A

New coach Greg Kratzer replaces Rob Klock at the helm after Klock piloted the program for 14 years and won 101 games. Kratzer will need to find a replacement at QB for Trey Klock and one at RB for George Hatalowich. Brendan Shaffer (jr., RB/LB) put up 387 yards rushing and made 75 tackles on defense, while Hunter Harnish (sr., MLB) led the team with 87 tackles. LD's season ended in the district quarterfinals with a loss to Central Dauphin.

Mechanicsburg Wildcats

2015: 0-10 (0-6 Keystone); Class: 5A

Winless a year ago, Mechanicsburg has lost 14 of its last 15 games. Lost to graduation were the Wildcats' top three receiving targets and leading rusher. They do return Dylan Smith (jr., QB, 536 passing yards, 3 TDs).

Red Land Patriots

2015: 3-7 (1-5 Keystone); Class: 5A

Justin Johnson (sr., RB, 1,238 rushing yards, 11 TDs) is the big name to watch on the Patriot offense. Also returning is Jake Radic (sr., QB, 1,076 passing yards, 13 TDs) and Hunter Briner (sr., WR, 27 receptions, 405 yards, 8 TDs). Also returning is Chad Stout (sr., P/K, 1st team offense) who made 4 of 5 field goals with a long of 42 yards and made 27 of 28 extra-point attempts.

Susquehanna Township Indians

2015: 10-4 (5-1 Keystone); Class: 4A

Division offensive MVP Ben Moser and his 3,312 passing yards and 38 TDs have graduated along with top two receivers Chris Ciotti and Alonzo Rivera. But Trael Seegers (sr., RB, 1st team offense, 690 rushing yards, 9 TDs) returns. On defense, Devin Evans (sr., LB) and Raunya Mitchell (sr., DB), both second-team all-stars, are back. Evans holds scholarship offers from Columbia and Penn. The Indians reached the district championship game before falling to Bishop McDevitt.

COLONIAL DIVISION

Big Spring Bulldogs

2015: 4-6 (1-5 Colonial); Class: 4A

Jaret Petty (sr., QB, 367 passing yards, 3 TDs, 423 rushing yards, 4 TDs) is a dual threat behind center. Ryan Adams (jr., RB, 675 rushing yards, 5 TDs) also returns on offense. The only season in which the Bulldogs have exceeded four wins in the last 12 years came in 2010, when they went 5-6.

Mifflin County Huskies

2015: 0-10 (0-7 Commonwealth, moving to Colonial in 2016); Class: 6A

Malik Sechler (sr., WR, 40 receptions, 646 yards, 4 TDs) had a solid season offensively, while Isaac Maclay (sr., LB, 91 tackles) returns defensively. The Huskies are hoping a change in divisions will aid in ending an 18-game losing streak. Their last victory came in Week 2 of the 2014 season against Williamsport.

Northern York Polar Bears

2015: 8-4 (5-1 Colonial); Class: 4A

Curtis Robison (sr., LB, 1st team defense, 70 tackles) returns on defense and as a dual-threat QB (777 passing yards, 12 TDs, 474 rushing yards) and Joey Razzano (sr., WR, 17 receptions, 298 yards 5 TDs) is the top receiver returning. Aiden Alves (sr., PK, 6-of-7 FGs, 29-of-30 XPs) also returns. Bill Miller takes over for Greg Bowman as the Polar Bears' coach after Bowman left for New Oxford after one season. Miller was the offensive coordinator at Northern and has previous head coaching experience at Dover (14 years). Bishop McDevitt ended Northern's season in the district quarterfinals.

West Perry Mustangs

2015: 0-10 (0-7 Capital, moving to Colonial in 2016); Class: 4A

Replacing Hunter Wilson at running back will be a tall task for the Mustangs - he scored 18 of the team's 24 touchdowns and rushed for 1,496 yards. They will have the services of Cameron May (sr., WR, 30 catches, 396 yards, 2 TDs). West Perry has lost 20 straight games, last winning in the final week of the 2013 season over Susquenita.

CAPITAL DIVISION

Boiling Springs Bubblers

2015: 6-5 (3-4 Capital); Class: 3A

Bryant Malone (sr., RB, 1st team offense, 1,395 rushing yards, 17 TDs) was the driving force of the offense last year and should be again this year. After a 5-2 start, the Bubblers dropped three of four to end the season, including falling to Newport in the opening round of the district playoffs.

Camp Hill Lions

2015: 11-2 (6-1 Capital); Class: 2A

Gone is prolific QB Michael Shuster, who won division offensive MVP after throwing for 2,683 yards and 33 TDs; he walked on at Penn State. But the Lions return two huge weapons on offense. Zack Kuntz (jr., TE/DE, 1st team offense and defense, 49 receptions, 793 yards, 11 TDs, 113 tackles) has garnered interest from major college teams - 11 scholarship offers including from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Pittsburgh, among others. Bill Williams (sr., RB, 1,736 yards of total offense, 25 TDs) is also back on offense, and Jack Williamson (jr., MLB, 1st team defense, 143 tackles, 6 sacks) returns on defense. The team won the district title for the second straight year and lost in the state quarterfinals to Bishop Guilfoyle.

East Pennsboro Panthers

2015: 9-3 (6-0 Colonial, moved to Capital in 2016); Class: 4A

Onassis Neely (jr., RB, 1st team offense, 1,388 rushing yards, 14 TDs) is the only returning starter among the skill positions. Trent Fries (jr., G, 1st team offense) is back on the offensive line, along with McGee Schnaars (jr., T, 2nd team offense) and Tanner Garlinger (jr., G, 2nd team offense). The Panthers fell to Manheim Central in the district quarterfinals.

Middletown Blue Raiders

2015: 7-4 (5-2 Capital); Class: 3A

The defense should be led by the trio of Bobby Graham (sr., DL, 1st team defense), Tristan Maxwell (sr., DL, 2nd team defense) and Hunter Landis (sr., LB, 2nd team defense). Meanwhile, the offense has a 1-2 running back punch of Jaelen Thompson (sr., RB, 1st team offense, 1,132 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and Brady Fox (jr., RB, 2nd team offense, 1,130 rushing yards, 18 TDs). Division playmate East Pennsboro ended the Blue Raiders' season in the first round of the district playoffs.

Milton Hershey Spartans

2015: 7-4 (5-2 Capital); Class: 4A

Keonte Lucas (sr., QB, 1st team offense, 953 passing yards, 9 TDs, 1,088 rushing yards, 11 TDs) is a dangerous dual threat behind center. And the defense will be led by Travis Tolomel (sr., DL, 1st team defense) and Jacob Hayes (sr., LB, 2nd team defense). The Spartans' season ended with a loss to Bishop McDevitt in the opening round of districts.

Palmyra Cougars

2015: 7-4 (4-3 Capital); Class: 5A

Alon Rhette (sr., RB, 2nd team offense, 1,140 rushing yards, 12 TDs) returns along with Mason Cooper (sr., TE/DE 1st team offense and defense, 5 TD catches, 55 tackles) and Carl Reigle (jr., DB, 2nd team defense, 3 INTs). Fell to Lampeter-Strasburg in the first round of the district tournament.

Steel-High Rollers

2015: 5-6 (4-3 Capital); Class: 1A

Malachi Young (jr., QB, 888 passing yards, 12 TDs) returns with a year of starting experience under center and Javion Grant (so., WR, 16 receptions, 294 yards, 4 TDs) is his top returning target. Bryce Carter was first team offense and defense, including defensive MVP, but he graduated. York Catholic ended the Rollers' season in the semifinals of the district playoffs.

Trinity Shamrocks

2015: 3-7 (1-6 Capital); Class: 3A

Jordan Moore (sr., WR, 40 receptions, 693 yards, 3 TDs) and Casey Boguski (sr., WR, 31 receptions, 351 yards, 3 TDs) should be a welcome sight for whoever starts under center following the graduation of QB Hunter Geisel. The team ran for a total of 505 yards last season, though Colby Rigg (jr., RB) did account for 334 of them. Alex Schlager (sr., LB, 74 tackles) is back defensively.