Football – Berks Sports Report

Donovan Gingrich-Tri-County All-Star Game

Paul Roberts — Sun, 25 May 2025 12:41:50 +0000

After getting blown out 35-0 last year, the Berks/Lebanon team was determined to have a better showing in the 23rd Tri-County All-Star Game. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead and were within three points with one minute remaining. The Lancaster squad prevailed 49-39 in a very entertaining contest at Manheim Central on Friday night. “We matched up pretty well. I think if we play ten times, it goes pretty evenly,” said Conrad Weiser quarterback Donovan Gingrich. The Bloomsburg commit finished 10-of-16 for 207 yards and three touchdowns. “Playing with people that I haven’t been able to play with, that are the best on their team, is pretty fun,” replied Gingrich. Wilson offensive lineman Derek Reiniger moved to running back in short yardage situations for Berks/Lebanon. He made the most of the opportunity with a pair of touchdown runs up the middle. Lancaster trailed 17-0 with 6:23 left in the second quarter. Caileb Howse from Lampeter-Strasburg scrambled six yards for a score to get them on the board with two minutes to go in the first half. After an interception by Warwick’s Quinn Care, Howse lofted a beautiful pass down the left sideline to his high school teammate Dom Brown. That 74-yard strike made it 17-14. Brown and Howse are both headed to Millersville University. Manheim Township quarterback Carson Weisser started the second half with a bang. He found McCaskey’s DeAndre Jones for a 80-yard touchdown and a 21-17 lead. Berks/Lebanon answered right back when Gingrich connected with Exeter’s Carter Redding down the right seam for a 64-yard score. “You’ve got weapons all over the field,” emphasized Gingrich. Redding racked up 170 yards on six receptions. The East Stroudsburg commit was named the MVP for Berks/Lebanon. Brown received that award for Lancaster. His 9-yard touchdown run put Lancaster back in front at 28-24 with 6:21 to play in the third quarter. Brown ended up with 98 yards on eight carries. Declan Clancy of Manheim Township rumbled for 87 yards on 13 carries. He’s also going to Bloomsburg. Weisser and Jones hooked up again for a 31-yard touchdown with 9:16 remaining. The pass was tipped at the 4-yard line, but Jones demonstrated outstanding concentration to bring it in. Berks/Lebanon pulled within 35-32 with 7:40 left. Gingrich rolled right and hit Exeter’s Genuine Stutzman for a 16-yard score. The 6’3, 220-pound TE/LB is another Bloomsburg recruit. After a long kickoff return, Howse threw a perfect fade to Hempfield’s Brayden Charles for a 21-yard touchdown. The 6’3, 205-pound target was named the Section 1 Wide Receiver of the Year last fall. Berks/Lebanon was down 42-32 with 7:16 to go. A fumble by Lancaster set them up with a short field at the 33-yard line. Gingrich zipped a 6-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Max Heffner of Daniel Boone with 1:37 left. However, Howse sealed the victory for Lancaster with a 44-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds to play. The L-S star had two scores through the air and two more on the ground. Howse passed for 135 yards and ran for 59. Weisser went 6-for-10 for 147 yards. Jones had a big night with five catches for 148 yards. Lancaster piled up 506 total yards, while Berks/Lebanon accumulated 446. Evan Myers, the son of head coach Brett Myers, was very efficient. The Kutztown commit was 7-of-8 for 156 yards. He’s the all-time passing leader at Twin Valley. Gingrich wrapped up a standout career at Conrad Weiser. The Scouts went (10-1) in 2024 and won the Section 3 championship. “It hurts that this is gonna be the last time playing with my friends, but I’ve got college to look forward to,” said Gingrich.

Chris Nunn Memorial Football Combine

Paul Roberts — Sat, 24 May 2025 20:25:04 +0000

Berks County football teams gathered at Conrad Weiser on Thursday for the Chris Nunn Memorial Football Combine. The players competed in numerous events. Exeter finished atop the team standings. Gov. Mifflin came in second place and Conrad Weiser was third. Here are the results of the individual events.

40-yard dash:

1.Brandon Pyle-Schuylkill Valley

2.Leo Brown-Exeter

3.Isaiah Massillon-Gov. Mifflin and Ethan Betances-Wyomissing

Bench press:

1.Nate Rose-Berks Catholic

2.Palmer Reber-Berks Catholic and Noah DiGiacomo-Twin Valley

3.Jackson Kozik-Exeter and Eugene Booth-Conrad Weiser

Vertical leap:

1.Logan Cammauf-Schuylkill Valley

2.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

3.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

QB challenge:

1.Connor Sellars-Conrad Weiser

2.Brady Eisenhower-Wyomissing

3.Alex Aletras-Schuylkill Valley

L-drill:

1.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

2.Brayden Sweitzer-Conrad Weiser

3.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

5/10/5 shuttle:

1.Brayden Sweitzer-Conrad Weiser

2.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

3.Patrick Steuer-Gov. Mifflin

3-hop:

1.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

2.Logan Cammauf-Schuylkill Valley

3.Leo Brown-Exeter

Tri-County All-Star Game

Paul Roberts — Thu, 01 May 2025 21:58:14 +0000

The Tri-County All-Star Football Game will be held later this month. The top seniors from the Lancaster-Lebanon League will square off on Friday, May 23rd at 7pm. The game will take place at Manheim Central’s Elden Rettew Stadium. The Lancaster team rolled over the Berks/Lebanon squad 35-0 last year. Zac Hahn of Manheim Central threw for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was named the MVP. Bode Sipel, Hahn’s high school teammate, caught a 9-yard TD pass and returned an interception 86 yards for another score. This year’s game is expected to be more competitive. Here’s a look at the rosters.

Berks/Lebanon Team:

0-Genuine Stutzman (Exeter)

1-Bryce Gumby (Berks Catholic)

2-Justin Kaplan (Palmyra)

3-Dequan Small (Muhlenberg)

5-Carter Redding (Exeter)

6-Devyn Sutton (Berks Catholic)

7-Brendan Ryan (Northern Lebanon)

9-Donovan Gingrich (Conrad Weiser)

10-Evan Myers (Twin Valley)

11-Max Heffner (Daniel Boone)

12-Logan Nawrocki (Schuylkill Valley)

13-Bryce Keller (Annville-Cleona)

14-Evan Johnson (Twin Valley)

15-Brendan Yagle (Twin Valley)

16-Alex Malone (Conrad Weiser)

17-Evan Rittle (Conrad Weiser)

18-Casey Gerhart (Exeter)

19-Riley Messinger (Northern Lebanon)

20-Kai Rivera (Lebanon)

21-Ashton Kiebach (Conrad Weiser)

25-Luke Spotts (Schuylkill Valley)

26-Cooper Hohenadel (Schuylkill Valley)

33-Brady Stoops (ELCO)

35-Matt Knight (Twin Valley)

41-Jonathan Shay (Annville-Cleona)

50-Anthony Geloso (Wilson)

51-Derek Reiniger (Wilson)

52-Aris Drake (Twin Valley)

54-Malacai Victa (Annville-Cleona)

55-Brayden Malloy (ELCO)

56-Kenly Rivera (Reading)

57-Eli Thompson (Northern Lebanon)

60-Kaleb Holl (Conrad Weiser)

70-Ayden Jimenez (Wyomissing)

76-Samson Evans (Muhlenberg)

Lancaster Team:

0-Declan Clancy (Manheim Township)

1-DeAndre Jones (McCaskey)

2-Isaiah Sensenig (Conestoga Valley)

3-Chase Gerz (Donegal)

4-Quinn Care (Warwick)

5-Danny Weichler (Lampeter-Strasburg)

6-Jackson Shelby (Warwick)

7-Dominic Brown (Lampeter-Strasburg)

8-Emory Fluhr (Lampeter-Strasburg)

9-Brodie Daugherty (Manheim Central)

10-Lex Huberbosch (Manheim Township)

11-Carson Weisser (Manheim Township)

12-Brayden Charles (Hempfield)

13-Caileb Howse (Lampeter-Strasburg)

14-Dominic Pugh (Ephrata)

15-Jack Warfel (Penn Manor)

16-Loudon Rupp (Columbia)

17-John Morales (Manheim Township)

18-Asher Cook (Manheim Central)

19-Josh Myer (Cocalico)

20-Chandler Stoltfus (Octorara)

21-Jayden Johnson (Conestoga Valley)

22-Brayden Eppinette (Cocalico)

28-Trenton Hoober (Garden Spot)

33-Austin Kurtz (Octorara)

34-Seth Morgan (Conestoga Valley)

42-Zion Rolon (Manheim Central)

50-Jason Dougherty (Manheim Central)

51-Thomas Capizzi (Manheim Township)

53-Owen Marks (Manheim Township)

54-Joseph Murry (Solanco)

55-Justin Corson (Conestoga Valley)

60-Tom Dattoli (Cocalico)

61-Tal Stoltzfus (Conestoga Valley)

62-Matthew Neumann (Penn Manor)

63-Jeremiah Garber (Pequea Valley)

65-Cullen Witner (Garden Spot)

66-Riley Yencha (Elizabethtown)

71-Tommy O’Neill (Garden Spot)

72-Hunter Garber (Manheim Central)

76-Spencer McClintock (Manheim Township)

BCFCA Hall of Fame Class

Paul Roberts — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:32:35 +0000

The Berks County Football Coaches Association will induct seven new members into its Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 7th. The Class of 2025 includes Kevin Dice (Wyomissing), Marques Glaze (Conrad Weiser), Doug Werner (Conrad Weiser), Gary Williams (Gov. Mifflin), Barry Rapp (Muhlenberg), Dr. Thomas Kohl, and the late Bert Moore. Kohl is part of the special contributor category and Moore is being inducted for his service as an official. He passed away in 2016.

This is the 22nd Class of the BCFCA Hall of Fame. They will bring the total number of members up to 146. Reading has the most members with 31, followed by Wilson (25), and Muhlenberg (16). Former players must be at least 35 years old to be considered. Former coaches must be at least 50 with 15 years or more of coaching experience.

The annual BCFCA Hall of Fame banquet will be held at the Green Valley Chateau. Thanks to Conrad Weiser football coach Alan Moyer for organizing the event. I’m honored to once again serve as the emcee.

PSFCA Football All-Star Games

Paul Roberts — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:39:54 +0000

The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East/West All-Star Games will be held on Sunday, May 18th at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field. The Big School game kicks off at 5pm. It features players from high schools in Class 4A-6A. Here are the selections from Berks County.

QB-Donovan Gingrich-Conrad Weiser

OL-Aris Drake-Twin Valley

OL-Keyshawn Efese-Reading

K-Alex Malone-Conrad Weiser

The PSFCA East/West Small School All-Star Game will begin at noon on May 18th. Tight end Luke Spotts from Schuylkill Valley was the only Berks County player chosen for that game.

No players from Berks County were picked for the Big 33 Football Classic this year.

All-State Football Team

Paul Roberts — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 19:46:45 +0000

We’re past Christmas Day, but the high school football awards season is still going strong. The Pennsylvania Football Writers’ All-State teams were announced on Friday and Saturday. Eleven players from Berks County were chosen, including three from Schuylkill Valley. Congratulations to all of these selections.

Class 6A

Michael Glover-TE-Wilson

Madyx Gruber-Athlete-Wilson

Class 5A

Jayden Zandier-RB-Exeter

Logan Wegman-OL-Exeter

Cam Small-RB-Muhlenberg

Class 4A

Evan Myers-QB-Twin Valley

Carter Faubel-DL-Twin Valley

Justice Hardy-Athlete-Wyomissing

Class 3A

Logan Nawrocki-QB-Schuylkill Valley

Luke Spotts-TE-Schuylkill Valley

Logan Cammauf-LB-Schuylkill Valley

BCFCA All-Star Teams

Paul Roberts — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:34:57 +0000

The Berks County Football Coaches Association released its 2024 All-Star selections this week. For the first time, there is a Big School team and a Small School team. This change was made in order to recognize more outstanding players. The voting was done by coaches. Offensive tackle Logan Wegman (Exeter), outside linebacker Christo Hunsicker (Wilson), and kick returner Justice Hardy (Wyomissing) were the only unanimous picks. Congratulations to Alan Moyer (Conrad Weiser) and Bob Wolfrum (Wyomissing) who were named Coach of the Year. The following first team selections will receive plaques from the BCFCA.

Big School-Offense

QB-Donovan Gingrich (CW)

RB-Jayden Zandier (Ex), Cam Small (Muhl), Grady Garner (GM)

All-Purpose Back-Gabriel Laws (RHS)

WR-Carter Redding (Ex), Evan Rittle (CW)

TE-Michael Glover (Wil)

C-Gavin Kelly (GM)

G-Dylan Worley (GM), Zavier Otero (Muhl)

T-Logan Wegman (Ex), Keyshawn Efese (RHS)

K-Robbie Gaston (Ex)

KR-Jayden Zandier (Ex)

Big School-Defense

DE-Ashton Kiebach (CW), Dequan Small (Muhl)

DT-Logan Wegman (Ex), Eugene Booth (CW)

ILB-Casey Gerhart (Ex), Gabriel Laws (RHS)

OLB-Christo Hunsicker (Wil), Aidan Dauble (Ex)

DB-Reese Hohl (GM), Xavier Beatty (RHS), Madyx Gruber (Wil), Cam Small (Muhl)

LS-Evan Rittle (CW)

P-Donovan Gingrich (CW)

Small School-Offense

QB-Evan Myers (TV)

RB-Chase Eisenhower (Wyo), Evan Johnson (TV), Bryce Gumby (BC)

All-Purpose Back-Justice Hardy (Wyo)

WR-Kowen Gerner (SV), Ben Grundy (TV)

TE-Luke Spotts (SV)

C-Noah DiGiacomo (TV), Francisco Fabian (Wyo)

G-Carter Faubel (TV), Max Tipton (Wyo)

T-Palmer Reber (BC), Aris Drake (TV), Keaton Piacine (Wyo)

K-Keegan Maher (Wyo)

KR-Justice Hardy (Wyo)

Small School-Defense

DE-Eric Bennethum (BC), Greyson Miller (TV)

DT-Max Tipton (Wyo), Carter Faubel (TV)

ILB-Lucas Myers (TV), Chase Eisenhower (Wyo)

OLB-Tyler Niedrowski (Wyo), Luke Spotts (SV)

DB-Justice Hardy (Wyo), Evan Johnson (TV), Daniel Brady (Hamb), Bryce Gumby (BC)

LS-Tyler Niedrowski (Wyo)

P-Keegan Maher (Wyo)

“I’ll be Back”-Doug Dahms

Paul Roberts — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:14:38 +0000

Doug Dahms has been a mainstay at Wilson High School for many years. Dahms confirmed to me that he will be back as the Bulldogs’ head football coach in 2025. He holds the school record for wins with a mark of (196-44) over 19 seasons. Dahms has the highest winning percentage (81.7%) in Berks County history.

Wilson finished (11-2, 6-0) this fall. The Bulldogs earned their record 29th Section 1 championship by winning 34-16 at Manheim Township in Week 10. Both teams were ranked in the top 10 in the state in Class 6A at the time. Wilson advanced to the District 3-6A championship game before falling to Harrisburg 42-14.

Wilson’s football program has been a model of consistency. The Bulldogs hold the state record with 49 consecutive winning seasons. They haven’t had a losing year since 1963. Dahms started as an assistant coach in West Lawn in 1976. He was part of 264 victories as an assistant before becoming the head coach.

Hamburg finds new Football Coach

Paul Roberts — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:42:06 +0000

It didn’t take Tyler Hartranft long to find his way back to “Hawk Hill.” Hartranft was Hamburg’s offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. He was unanimously approved last week as the Hawks’ new head football coach. “Coach Hartranft has a proven track record of both playing and coaching football at a high level. His knowledge of the sport, energy, work ethic, and ability to build positive and lasting relationships will be invaluable to developing our student-athletes for success both on and off the field,” said Hamburg Superintendent Dr. Chris Beissel.

Hartranft is a graduate of King’s College. He was the wide receivers coach there from 2015-18. He went on to become the passing game coordinator at McDaniel College in Maryland. Hartranft then returned to the high school gridiron as the quarterbacks coach at Spring-Ford in 2020. After one season as the running backs coach back at King’s College, he was hired as the offensive coordinator at Hamburg. The Hawks reached the District 3 semifinals in 2022. They set school records for points and yards per game that year. Hartranft helped quarterback Xander Menapace set 14 program records.

Hartranft takes over for Matt Hoffert who stepped down after three seasons. Hoffert guided the Hawks to a (21-13) mark. They went (6-5) this fall and lost to North Pocono 41-0 in the Eastern Conference 4A championship. Hamburg finished in fourth place in Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Hartranft wasn’t far away. He was a little farther north on Route 61 at Pottsville High School. Hartranft served as the offensive coordinator under Mike Brennan. The Crimson Tide lost to Southern Lehigh in the District 11-4A semifinals this year.

Hamburg hasn’t had a losing season since 2018. Hartranft works at the high school as a special education teacher. “We are excited about Coach Hartranft’s vision for the program and know he will be a tremendous asset to our school community,” said Beissel.

BCIAA Football All-Stars

Paul Roberts — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:18:32 +0000

The BCIAA released its 2024 All-Star football team on Wednesday. Alan Moyer of Conrad Weiser was voted the Coach of the Year. The Scouts went from (2-8) in 2023 to (10-1) this fall. They won the Section 3 championship in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

Exeter’s Jayden Zandier was named the BCIAA Player of the Year and Offensive Back of the Year. Zandier set a school record with 2,086 rushing yards this season. He averaged an astonishing 11.5 yards per carry with 30 touchdowns.

Here are the major award winners and first team selections. Congratulations to all of these outstanding players!

Coach of the Year-Alan Moyer (CW)

Player of the Year-Jayden Zandier (Ex)

Offensive Back of the Year-Jayden Zandier (Ex)

Receiver of the Year-Evan Rittle (CW)

Offensive Lineman of the Year-Logan Wegman (Ex)

Defensive Lineman of the Year-Carter Faubel (TV)

Linebacker of the Year-Christo Hunsicker (Wil)

Defensive Back of the Year-Justice Hardy (Wyo)

First Team Offense

QB-Donovan Gingrich (CW)

RB-Jayden Zandier (Ex), Grady Garner (GM), Cam Small (Muhl)

All-Purpose Back-Justice Hardy (Wyo)

WR-Evan Rittle (CW), Carter Redding (Ex)

TE-Luke Spotts (SV)

C-Gavin Kelly (GM)

G-Dylan Worley (GM), Carter Faubel (TV)

OT-Logan Wegman (Ex), Keyshawn Efese (RHS)

KR-Jayden Zandier (Ex)

K-Keegan Maher (Wyo)

First Team Defense

DE-Ashton Kiebach (CW), Gavin Kelly (GM)

DT-Carter Faubel (TV), Max Tipton (Wyo)

ILB-Casey Gerhart (Ex), Gabe Laws (RHS)

OLB-Christo Hunsicker (Wil), Tyler Niedrowski (Wyo)

DB-Reese Hohl (GM), Xavier Beatty (RHS), Madyx Gruber (Wil), Justice Hardy (Wyo)

P-Donovan Gingrich (CW)

LS-Joel Ummarino (Ex)