DIVISION I
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Rob Burcik (24th season)
Last year: 16-5, 10-0 Division I. Division I champion, Schuylkill League runner up, District 11 AA qualifier
Returnees: Bryan Caruso (sr., MF), Kasey Krammes (sr., MF), Lyle Luckenbill (sr., D), Fritz Miller (sr., MF), Drew Rudacille (sr., D), Christian Tobash (sr., MF), Scott Cox (jr., MF), Angus Fortune (jr., D), Cam Greenawalt (jr., F), Christian Puzzi (jr., D), Jon Benner (soph., F)
Newcomers: Aaron Albertini (soph., GK), Ryan Brooks (soph., MF), Ian Leiby (soph., MF), Kyle Reppy (soph., D/GK), Jake Woleschok (soph., D), Mitch Yeakley (soph., MF)
Outlook: With eight starters returning and nine players overall with solid experience, the Eagles should contest for another Division I title and possibly the league championship.
Jim Thorpe
Head coach: Tony Dixon (5th season)
Last year: 6-11-2, 4-4-2 D-I. District 11 AA qualifier
Returnees: Andrew Rich (sr., D), Sam Gilkes (sr., MF), Jeremy Annan (sr., MF), Matt Miller (sr., D), Michael Schwartz (sr., F), Carter Rodriguez (jr., GK), Cody Geiser soph., F), Joe Schwartz (soph., D), Jake Burkhart (soph., MF) Cameron Condly (soph., MF), Todd Stelling (soph., MF), Jorge Macereno (soph., MF), Abraham Resendez (soph., MF), Adam Francia (soph., F), Ryan McArdle (soph., D), Logan Hunsicker (soph., GK), Austin Carilo (soph., F)
Newcomers: Michael Boeres (sr., D), Luke Morris (jr., MF), Jian Gentile (jr., F), Chris Williams (fr., F), Ian Montellius (fr., D)
Outlook: Olympians will need to make up for last year’s scoring leader, Steven Principe, but are otherwise returning significant numbers. If team can continue to gel throughout season, expect Jim Thorpe back in the district playoffs.
Lehighton
Head coach: Dave Yob (5th season)
Last year: 12-9-1, league qualifier, District 11 AA quarterfinalist
Returnees: Tyler Dietz (soph., GK), Ben Cordova (jr., MF/F), Frank Bokan (soph., MF/F), Josh Knappenberger (jr., D/MF), Dan Baka (jr., MF), Zach Christoff (jr., MF), Joe Blauch (sr., D), Dylan Kleintop (jr., MF), Joe Marks (jr., F), Chris Lawler (sr., D/MF), Spence David (sr., D), Kurt Heideck (sr., D/MF), Cole Christman (sr., MF), Craig Serfass (sr., D)
Newcomers: Greg Venuto (fr., GK/MF), Brandon Stuckley (jr., MF), Patrick Lawler (fr., MF/F), Matt Petit-Clair (fr., MF/D), Jake Hoffner (jr., MF), Haris Cokrlija (soph., D/MF), Mike Haydt (sr., D/MF), Brandon Schnell (fr., D/MF), Luke Blisard (soph., MF/D), Zeka Elkhyati (soph., MF/F)
Outlook: Indians bring back 14 letterwinners from last season’s squad that reached the district quarterfinals and was the first winning team in school history. Scoring responsibilities likely to fall to Baka and Marks. Should contend for league playoff spot and slide into district playoffs again this season.
North Schuylkill
Head coach: Bob Oravitz (19th season)
Last year: 1-16-1, 0-10 D-I
Returnees: Shane McGrath (jr., D/GK), Christian Kane (sr., D/GK), Cullen Dixon (sr., MF), Taylor Engleman (jr., MF/F), Liam Wolfe (jr., F/MF), Cory Sanko (jr., F/MF), Corey Reinoehl (jr., MF/F), Joel Caputo (jr., MF), Mel Mestishin (jr., D/MF)
Newcomers: Carl Schroyer (soph., D/GK), Noah Swaldi (jr., MF/GK), Aaron Reeder (soph., MF), Corbin Kessler (fr., MF/D), Scott Grigas (fr., MF/F), Joe Bluge (sr., D/MF), Kebner Antalosky (jr., D/F), Jadyn Anczarski (jr., F/D), Besnik Sylaj (jr., D), Dominic Kadziela (soph., MF/F), Nick Bennyhoff (fr., D), Martino DiPietro (sr., F/MF), Robert Flannery (soph., MF), Alex Salefski (jr., D/MF)
Outlook: Very inexperienced team this season. Loss of Matt Roberts at keeper last year made worse by starter this year missing time with injury. Minimizing mistakes will be key for Spartans to bump up last year’s win total.
Pine Grove
Head coach: Mark Wyllie (24th season)
Last year: 7-11-1, 5-4-1 D-I, District 11 AA qualifier
Returnees: Marcus Brown (sr., D), Tyler Christiansen (sr., MF), Jarrit Geiger (sr., D), Ethan Hunkapiller (sr., MF), Donald Legarht (sr., MF), Jake Schaeffer (sr., D/GK), Luke Schwalm (sr., D), Zach Tritt (sr., F/MF), Austin Anspach (jr., D), James Gately (jr., MF), Blake Ramer (jr., MF), Taylor Witmer (jr., F/MF), Nick Alburquerque (soph., MF/D), Michael Elo (soph., F/MF), Collin Griffiths (soph., D), Alex Koontz (soph., D/GK), Issac Long (soph., MF), Jeremy McGrath (soph., D), Cameron Shollenberger (soph., F/MF), David Snedden (soph., MF)
Newcomers: Brandon Lapp (jr., MF/D), Brandon Frantz (fr., D), Wyatt Jacoby (fr., D), Luke Reiter (fr., F), Dylan Ruhl (fr., GK), Jason Soper (fr., GK), James Stewart (fr., MF), Jeremy Weaver (fr., MF), Alex Witmer (fr., F)
Outlook: Cardinals return 10 starters from last year’s club that qualified for District 11 playoffs and just missed Schuylkill League playoffs. Confident and experienced, Pine Grove should contend for division playoff spot.
Pottsville
Head coach: Dave Newton (7th season)
Last year: 7-12-1, 6-3-1 D-I. League semifinalist, District 11 AAA qualifier
Returnees: Jake DiCello (jr.), Nicolas Riegel (soph.), Kirkland Zelanko (soph.), Tyler Wright (sr.), Jacob Horning (soph.), Ryan Reyes (soph.), Shea Golden (sr.), Charles Bechtel (soph.), Cole Demcher (jr.), Fernando Rivera (soph.), Tyler Perry (jr.), Logan Spevak (soph.), Richard Bentz (soph.), Max Wytovich (soph.), Shaun Kauffman (soph.), Charles Botto (soph.), Josh Holobetz (soph.), Kyle Brennan (sr.)
Newcomers: Brandon Daubert (jr.), Luke Joyce (fr.), Collin Ebling (fr.), Ryan Buchanan (fr.), Max Kelly (fr.), Eli Wood (fr.), Brady Kokitus (fr.), Bryce Wollam (fr.), Jonah Zias (fr.), Alex Albertini (fr.), Noah Shelhamer (fr.), Tobias Serrian (fr.)
Outlook: Few returning seniors for the Crimson Tide, but a lot of depth. Not much scoring experience up front means Pottsville will lean heavily on defense in league games. Should contend for a spot in the league playoffs and the district playoffs.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Ian Blyth (2nd season)
Last year: 3-14, 3-7 D-I
Returnees: Josh Delp (sr., MF), Derek Keich (sr., D), Roberto Borrero (sr., F), Matthew Sweigert (sr., F), Ben Miller (sr., MF), Robbie Stidham (jr., F), Thorn Devlin (jr., D), David Morgan (jr., D), Alex Verta (soph., D), Tyler Hollanbach (soph., MF), Ryan Murphy (soph., D), Zander Goetz (soph., D), Julio Perez (soph., D), Connor Ruch (soph., D), Logan Miller (soph., D), Hunter Banavage (soph., GK), Riley McHugh (soph., F), Chris Miller (soph., D)
Newcomers: None
Outlook: Blue Raiders lost very few starters from last season, but made no new additions to the squad. Having no JV team could give Tamaqua great depth at the varsity level. Scoring from Delp and Borrero can make first-year starting keeper Banavage’s job a lot easier.
DIVISION II
Lourdes
Head coach: James Sandri (4th season)
Last year: 0-10, 0-10 Division II
Returnees: Jordan Fobia (jr., F), Kenny Pawelczyk (soph., F), Vinny Bucanelli (jr., F), Luke Holleran (sr., F), Tommy Nygen (jr., F), Bill Allen (sr., F), John Klitch (sr., D), Nick Adams (jr., MF), Alex Holleran (jr., MF)
Newcomers: Jarred Todd (soph., D), Mike Padula (soph., MF), Marcus O’Brian (jr., GK), Johnny Nygen (soph., D), Dawson Williams (fr., MF), John Daniel Kerris (fr., MF)
Outlook: Lack of depth on the back line with new goalkeeper O’Brian and defenders Johnny Nygen and Williams. Forward-heavy lineup will be needed to provide more scoring than Red Raiders saw last season.
Nativity
Head coach: Matt Hamilton (1st season)
Last year: 6-7, 4-6 D-II
Returnees: Sean Grego (sr., D), Cullen Hoppel (sr., MF), Jacob Parobek (sr., F), Rickie Wronski (sr., MF), Ricardo Chagolla (jr., F), Adrian Datte (jr., D), Eric Nelson (jr., GK), Pat Crane (soph., D), Alvaro Mendez (soph., F)
Newcomers: Ayden Adams (jr., MF), Oscar Barrientos (jr., D), Jose Garcia (jr., D), Ernesto Tovar (jr., F), Matt Leitzel (fr., MF), Tyler Paniagua (fr., MF), Christian Vasquez (fr., MF)
Outlook: Hoppel, Chagolla and Greco provide what little experience Nativity has returning after losing seven starters to graduation. Expect a heavy reliance on large junior class and a few skilled underclassmen.
Schuylkill Haven
Head coach: Vanco Georgevic (24th season)
Last year: 21-2, 10-0 D-II. Division II champion, Schuylkill League champion, District 11 A champion, PIAA Class A qualifier
Returnees: Brandon Edelman (sr., D/MF), Brad Fryer (sr., GK), Justin Gerber (sr., D/MF), Dylan Litwack (sr., F/GK), John Schoener (sr., D), Kristian Svenson (sr., D/MF), Luis Taylor (sr., D/MF), Adam Wessner (sr., D/MF), Tyler Yeakel (sr., MF/F), Blake Handling (jr., MF/F), Owen Pothering (jr., MF/F), Collin Bartol (jr., D), David Chesakis (jr., D/MF), Connor Griffiths (jr., MF), Ben Hower (jr., D/MF), Jordan McClintock (jr., D/MF), Ian McGowan (jr., D/MF), Bryce Moyer (jr., MF/F), Hunter Romberger (jr., D/MF), Ray Whah (jr., MF/F), David Zimmerman (jr., GK/MF), Ryan Runkle (soph., F), Jonathon Russial (soph., D/MF), Tyler Valentine (soph., MF/F)
Newcomers: Aidan Inman (sr., F/MF), Chris Seiler (sr., D/MF), Cole Handling (soph., MF/F), Harry McGoey (soph., MF/F), Jonathon Moyer (soph., MF/GK), Brendan Clauser (fr., D/MF), Ben Connors (fr., MF/F), Austin Engle (fr., D/MF), Dawson Evitts (fr., MF/F), Jacob Romberger (fr., D/MF)
Outlook: Hurricanes lost a lot of talent from last year’s league and district championship team, but still return a very deep squad with several players that made contributions to last season’s run. An immediate impact and continued improvement throughout the season for players now in the spotlight could return Haven to the playoff picture. Finding Marcus Repella’s scoring replacement will be key.
Tri-Valley
Head coach: Phil Barry (4th season)
Last year: 10-9, 6-4 D-II. District 11 A qualifier
Returnees: Bryce McNally (jr., MF), Josh Huhn (jr., MF), A.J. Harring (jr., D), Hunter Snyder (sr., D), Tanner Wolfgang (jr., D/MF), Ben Hinkel (sr., F), Cole Smeltz (sr., D), Ethan Schatz (jr., F), Zack Wise (sr., GK), John Steily (soph., MF), Jared Kehler (sr., D/MF), Jacob Hylton (sr., D/MF), Zachary Mace (jr., D), Avery Lawrence (soph., D)
Newcomers: Bryce Yearsley (jr., MF), Jon Steily (fr., MF/D), Dawson Maurer (fr., FM), Cameron Schatz (fr., MF)
Outlook: Balance of players returning all over the pitch, combined with the question marks surrounding Division II, give the Dawgs a chance at a league playoff spot and, in all likelihood, another berth in the district playoffs.
Weatherly
Head coach: Steven Baade (1st season)
Last year: 4-12-1, 2-8 D-II
Returnees: Ryan Hoffman (sr., D), Nick Miller (sr., GK), Derek Coombs (sr., D), Kyle Miller (sr., F), Kevin Dougherty (jr., D), Jake Stover (jr., MF/F), Drew Solonoski (jr., D), Ryan Sedlack (jr., D/MF), Lee Nyer (jr., MF), Kyle Osifat (jr., D), Trent Dempsey (jr., MF/F), Zach Peiser (soph., GK/D), Paul Eckert (soph., MF), John Hinkle (soph., MF/F), Donald Ludwig (soph., MF/F), Jacob White (soph., MF/D)
Newcomers: Johnny Arther (fr., MF/F), A.J. Knepper (fr., MF), Traig Dempsey (fr., MF/F), Robert Scholler (fr., D)
Outlook: Baade is a new coach, but a familiar face after serving as an assistant with the Wreckers. Large numbers returning but the few goal scorers from last season have graduated. Could add to win total from last season with Division II losing many of last year’s producers.
Williams Valley
Head coach: Seth Shuey (12th season)
Last year: 15-6, 8-2 D-II. League semifinalist, District 11 A runner-up
Returnees: Giuseppe Mini (jr., MF), Willy Girard (jr., MF/F), Steven Hill (sr., F/MF), Andrew Underkoffler (sr., F/MF/D), Keith Radel (sr., D/MF), Tre Engle (jr., D/MF), Bryan Drum (jr., MF/D), Kieler Hoffman (sr., MF), Bryan Pesta (soph., GK/D), Daniel McGarvey (jr., MF), Kent Schaeffer (jr., MF/D)
Newcomers: Wesley Collins (fr., MF/GK), Julio Perez (fr., D/MF), Gino Sanchez (sr., MF), Collin Schwak (fr., MF), Jason Troutman (soph., MF), Brandon Bopp (sr., GK/D), Colten Rebuck (fr., D/MF), Devin Groff (fr., F/MF), Siul Sepulveda (jr., MF/F), Keeghan Solence (soph., F/D), Emmett Coch (soph., MF/F), Stephen Schlegel (sr., F/D)
Outlook: Vikings have big numbers on their side, especially up front with scoring trio Mini, Underkoffler and Hill. One will need to step up, however, to be the go-to guy that replaces Ben Rautzahn (37 goals last year). Defense and goalkeeping will be tested, but WV has as good a chance of qualifying for playoffs out of Division II as any.
BERKS LEAGUE
Hamburg
Head coach: Chris Zalasky (7th season)
Last year: 14-6, 7-3 Berks II. League qualifier, District 3 AA qualifier
Returnees: Logan Adams (jr., MF), Bailey Berger (sr., GK), Charlie Cravotta (sr., D/MF), Cole Hindenach (sr., D), Neal Kerschner (sr., D), Zach Loeb (jr., F), Zach Lugo (jr., D), Dustin Rohrbach (sr., MF)
Newcomers: Jacob Bauscher (fr., F/MF), Quinn Bucheit (fr., MF), James Essig (sr., MF), Danny Fink (sr., MF), Connor Klang (jr., MF/D), Mason Nester (soph., D/MF), Wesley Metcalfe (sr., M/GK), Marcel Grandau (jr., F/MF)
Outlook: If Hawks can fill scoring void left by Austin Freeman and support the experienced defense, they have a good chance of making the league and district playoffs yet again.
TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE
Upper Dauphin
Head coach: Jeff Seiler (5th season)
Last year: 7-9-2, 4-8-2 Tri-Valley League. District 3 A qualifier
Returnees: Ted Calnon (sr., F/MF), Kaleb Hoch (sr., MF), Joey Trently (sr., F/MF), Logan Maurer (sr., D), Damien Messner (sr., MF), Calen Reigner (jr., MF), Travis Deitrich (jr., D)
Newcomers: Alex Messner (sr., D), Jordan Gessner (jr., F), Andy Norris (jr. D), Cameron Crum (jr., F), Zack Johns (soph., GK), Mason Stoneroad (soph., MF), Blake Messner (soph., D), Trevor Hoffman (soph., F/MF/D)
Outlook: Rebuilding the defense will be key for the Trojans to return to the district playoffs, especially with Lancaster Country Day and Halifax returning a lot of talent. Strong midfield play could just get Upper Dauphin there.
Marcus Repella, Ben Rautzahn, Humza Hnesh, Austin Freeman — these are just some of the standout goal scorers in the area last year that will not be pulling on high school jerseys this season.
Jake Gillespie, Tristan Merwine and Matt Roberts displayed heroics between the pipes a year ago and they, too, have graduated.
With voids at the top and bottom of lineup cards all over the Schuylkill League, and the addition of a new squad with which to compete, there is opportunity for new players to step into the spotlight.
Let’s break down how the battles in each Schuylkill League division shape up:
Division I
Just about every coach in the Schuylkill League pegged Blue Mountain as the favorite to come away with the league title this season, but Eagles coach Rob Burcik wants no part of that discussion.
“I just feel that we should be pretty decent this year,” he said. “I don’t want to be too bold, but we have a lot back and have some depth.”
The whole of Blue Mountain’s midfield and defense will be back on the pitch again this season.
Seniors Bryan Caruso, Kasey Krammes, Christian Tobash and Fritz Miller have all started in the midfield since their sophomore campaigns, while defenders Lyle Luckenbill, Drew Rudacille and Christian Puzzi and Angus Fortune all started last year.
The holes are left by the graduation of forwards Tristan Coello (13 goals)
and Bryant Penberth (six goals) and Republican-Herald All-Area Co-Player of the Year Gillespie at goalkeeper.
Cameron Greenawalt, Jon Benner, Scott Cox and Mitch Yeakley have been competing to fill in the forward roles.
Sophomores Aaron Albertini and Kyle Reppy are battling to take Gillespie’s position between the pipes.
“It’s going to be hard to replace Jake Gillespie,” Burcik said, “but it’s not like there’s nobody there.”
Much like Burcik’s reservations about acknowledging his side’s position as league favorite, Lehighton skipper Dave Yob is also cautious about any notions surrounding the Indians’ status in their Schuylkill League debut season.
“I’ll leave that decision up to the other members of the league,” Yob said. “To consider us a playoff contender, I’m not sure. Blue Mountain won our division last year and Schuylkill Haven was the overall champ. Until we beat those teams, I don’t think we can be considered a contender.”
Lehighton brings back 14 letterwinners from last season’s 12-9-1 campaign — its first winning season — that saw the Indians capture Mountain Valley League and District 11 Class AA playoff victories.
However, the Indians lost nine seniors to graduation.
“We have several personnel questions to answer and that is why we are toying with several different formations in order to see what works best for us,” Yob said. “We do have some nice players, but our numbers are down a bit so overall depth could be a problem.”
Pine Grove also figures to be in the mix for a playoff spot as the Cardinals return all but one starter. Last season, Pine Grove just missed the league playoffs, finishing one game behind Pottsville in the Division I standings.
Leading the Cardinals’ quest to reach the league playoffs will be top scorers Cameron Shollenberger and Zach Tritt, both of whom netted 13 goals last season, and defender Marcus Brown, an All-Area first-team pick last season.
Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe and Pottsville will also be in contention for at least a district playoff berth. The Blue Raiders bring back numerous starters. While the Crimson Tide graduated key players from last year’s squad that reached the league semifinals, they still have depth in their pocket as a big school.
North Schuylkill returns Cullen Dixon to lead the Spartans’ defense and jump up into a holding midfield role. Joel Caputo is also back as a key distributor in the midfield.
Division II
Schuylkill Haven lost 10 seniors from last year’s squad that won the Schuylkill League and District 11 Class A crowns.
Repella, the Republican-Herald All-Area Co-Player of the Year, and fellow first-teamers Adam Seltzer, Jason Wilson and Dominic Trimboli were in that group, along with midfielder Kyle McGarry. Jason Trumbo, another scoring midfielder, went out for football this fall.
Despite the heavy graduation losses, the Hurricanes have enough returning talent to be the division favorite again this season.
“I keep telling players when they come back every year, regardless of what happens, you’re the next group up,” Haven coach Vanco Georgevic said. “Seniors, juniors, all the way down to freshmen.”
This year’s group up is led by seniors Tyler Yeakel, Luis Taylor, Justin Gerber and Brad Fryer.
Yeakel scored 19 goals last year and, along with out-of-state transfer Aiden Inman, will fill the shoes of Repella, Wilson, McGarry and Trumbo on offense.
Tri-Valley brings back a variety of players all over the pitch from last year — certainly not the least of which is senior keeper Zack Wise.
Building out from Wise are returning defenders Hunter Snyder, Cole Smeltz and A.J. Harring, midfielder Bryce McNally and forward Ben Hinkel.
Williams Valley has a similar situation, though the pieces they lost to graduation were some of the best performers in the league (Rautzahn, Jake Carl, Jarred Matter and Merwine).
Seth Shuey’s Vikings do have a handful of players returning who can find the back of the net — senior Steven Hill and juniors Giuseppe Mini and Willy Girard.
Weatherly (Steven Baade) and Nativity (Matt Hamilton) are both under new coaches and shouldn’t be overlooked for the occasional upset.
Berks Section II
Hamburg
In order to continue their recent success, the Hawks will rely heavily on their experienced defense and midfield.
Seniors Dustin Rohrbach, Charlie Cravotta, Neal Kershner and Cole Hindenach have anchored the Hawks’ back line before and will need to do so again this year with first-year senior keeper Bailey Berger behind them.
An injury to Damian Ulrich will keep the senior out of the lineup all season, which still gives Hamburg seven starters returning from last year’s run.
Not among them, however, is high-scoring forward Freeman, who netted 32 goals last year.
Tri-Valley League
Upper Dauphin
The Trojans’ defense took a hit over the offseason — losing their starting keeper and almost all of their defensive starters — but good overall team speed and a skilled midfield could get Upper Dauphin back to the District 3 playoffs.
Seniors Teddy Calnon, Kaleb Hoch and Joey Trently and junior Calen Reigner will anchor the midfield, with Trently playing the occasional forward role.
A couple of defenders, Logan Maurer and Travis Deitrich, provide the back line with a little experience as returnees.