Matt Hoffert-Hamburg

Matt Hoffert has a lot of reasons to smile. He’s saving money on gas and tolls because he no longer has to drive to Philadelphia. He has more time to spend with his family. Plus, he has a 3-year starter to work with at quarterback. The former Hamburg lineman and assistant coach has returned to Hawk Hill as the head football coach after serving as the offensive coordinator at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. “Never thought I’d be back here again, back home. I’m raising my kids here. They’re in the youth program here so to actually be back here where it all started, it’s awesome,” he said. The 2001 Hamburg grad played for current Berks Catholic head coach Rick Keeley. Hoffert was an assistant on the Hawks’ staff from 2005-‘09 and 2012-‘13. He moved on to become the head coach at Kutztown High School from 2014-‘16. Hoffert also spent time as an assistant at Fleetwood, Boyertown, and Allentown Central Catholic. Hamburg won seven games last year under Jeff Chillot who stepped down after one season. The Hawks earned their first District 3 playoff victory by defeating sixth-seeded Bermudian Springs 31-27 in the Class 3A quarterfinals. They fell to #2 seed Boiling Springs 35-7 in the semifinals. Hamburg ran the rock 34 times per game while averaging 9.5 pass attempts. That ratio will change in 2022. Hoffert explained, “We’re going to spread the field and be aggressive. It’s going to definitely be a different Hawk Hill this year.” Xander Menapace will be running the show at QB again this season. The 6’4, 205-pound senior completed 63% of his passes last year with 9TD and 4INT. “Xander was a hard worker all summer. We’re putting in a new offense and he spent a lot of time learning what we’re doing now. I call him a coach on the field,” Hoffert said. The Hawks won’t be able to rely on all-state selection Diohnny Ruiz. He’s at West Chester playing rugby. The 3-year starter piled up more than 1,300 rushing yards and 21TD last season. Ruiz also had a team-high 20 receptions. Cameron Harris, the Defensive Back of the Year in Section 2 of the Berks Football League, also graduated. Daregan Motto and Mitchell Watt will be missed up front. Both were all-section picks. The cupboard, however, isn’t bare. Pierce Mason and promising sophomore Aiden Readinger will handle the running back duties. Mason rumbled for 669 yards on 65 carries last season. Derek Ruiz, Diohnny’s younger brother, is expected to be one of Menapace’s primary targets. Charles Sheppard could be a force at the line of scrimmage. The 6’2, 280-pound senior plays OT and DT. Hoffert said, “Shep is a character and I love it. Linemen are a different breed. He just has that swag. He’s a strong kid and he’s very aggressive. His feet are great.” Sheppard finished 8th in the PIAA-2A wrestling championships at 285 pounds. Hoffert told me that he’s looking forward to joining the Lancaster-Lebanon League because of the opportunity to face new opponents. The Hawks are in Section 5 along with longtime rival Schuylkill Valley and Kutztown. When he’s not on the sidelines, Hoffert enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping. The Hawks are hoping to be in the hunt for a section title and a return trip to the postseason.