Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Having a returning starter at quarterback is a great position to be in for a high school football team. Schuylkill Valley’s Alex Aletras threw for 1,767 yards and 21 TD last fall. The 6’2, 185-pound senior completed 63% of his passes and was named to the second team offense in Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Aletras, who also plays basketball and baseball, is optimistic with the 2026 season less than one week away. “I think we have a really good team and we’re gonna be really successful in the section,” he said.
Aletras will be working with a wide receiver group that has plenty of experience. Alexander Gehret, Anthony Batista, Seth Klinikowski, and Will Johns are all back. “It’s great throwing the ball to them. It’s a luxury to have that,” replied Aletras. Gehret was a first team pick at receiver and defensive back in Section 5. The rising senior caught 24 passes for 291 yards and one score last year. Batista, a 6’2 junior, added 21 receptions for 366 yards and 8 TD. Will Johns opened some eyes as a freshman. He racked up 126 yards and 3 TD on six catches against Daniel Boone in Week 2. Ervin Ortiz will step in at running back for Brandon Pyle. Ortiz averaged 6.2 yards per carry on his 43 touches in 2025. In addition, he was a second team selection at outside linebacker in Section 5.
The Panthers return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, according to head coach Bruce Harbach. They will miss Logan Cammauf. The two-time All-State linebacker was a three-year starter and a tackling machine. Spencer Mountz, a 255-pound senior, will anchor the offensive line at center. Aletras likes what he sees from the guys up front. “They’ve been developing all summer. We do have a few really big guys. They’ve been working hard in the weight room. I think they’re gonna be really good,” he noted.
Harbach is entering his sixth season in Leesport. He guided Lancaster Catholic to 139 wins and a pair of state championships over 16 years. Harbach was inducted into the PSFCA Hall of Fame in 2025. The Panthers have gone (31-26) under his leadership. They claimed their first outright section title in 2024 and tied for first place in 2023. “Every team that I’ve been a part of here has been a unit. We’ve all worked together, played together as a team and that’s what helps us be successful,” emphasized Aletras.
Schuylkill Valley is looking to improve upon its (5-6, 4-3) mark from a season ago. The Panthers ended up tied for third place in Section 5 with Lancaster Catholic and Columbia. Berks Catholic (7-0) and Annville-Cleona (6-1) were atop the standings. The Dutchmen bring back eight starters on each side of the ball. Columbia returns eight starters on offense and nine on defense. Cam McClair will be a four-year starter at quarterback for the Crimson Tide. McClair scored 20 combined touchdowns last fall and had 11 sacks at defensive end. He’s committed to West Chester for baseball. Berks Catholic is expected to be solid in the trenches with Eric Bennethum, Faith Zudie, and Jack McKeone. “A lot of teams are looking really good. There’s not gonna be many games where it’s gonna be a landslide. I feel like every game both teams have an equal chance to get the win. The competition is gonna be really good,” said Aletras. Schuylkill Valley travels to Robesonia to face Conrad Weiser in its opener next Friday night. The Panthers’ first home contest is against Octorara on Friday, September 4th.
