Donovan Gingrich-Conrad Weiser

Conrad Weiser was (3-2) midway through last season after blowing out Octorara 45-7 on September 23rd. Unfortunately for the Scouts, that was the last time they would celebrate a victory. Conrad Weiser dropped its final five contests to finish (3-7, 2-5). The Scouts haven’t forgotten how last season ended. “We’re all remembering last year and using that as motivation. We’re extremely excited…we’re all pushing every day,” said quarterback Donovan Gingrich. He was one of seven sophomores in Alan Moyer’s starting lineup in 2022. A young squad facing perennial powers like Wyomissing, Cocalico, Lampeter-Strasburg, and Berks Catholic was a bad combination. Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League is loaded again this year, but Gingrich is more optimistic. The 6’1, 185-pound junior has added 25 pounds since last fall. That should mean a new dimension to his skill set. “I’ve put on more weight so I’m ready to start running,” he noted. Gingrich threw for 1,367 yards and eleven touchdowns a season ago. Conrad Weiser returns seven starters on offense. Josh Miller (5’5, 150), Evan Rittle (5’9, 160), and Davis Keppley (5’9, 165) are Gingrich’s targets on the outside. “They’re smaller guys, but with a lot of speed,” he replied. 6’1, 210-pound junior Evan Miller is back at tight end. The running backs are familiar faces. Seniors Sevon Parham and Ousmane Conde led the Scouts in carries last year. Gingrich mentioned 5’8 junior Jonathon McQuillen as a player to watch. McQuillen plays for Conrad Weiser as part of a co-op program with Tulpehocken. Gingrich helped the Scouts’ basketball team reach the West Reading League championship game this summer. He averaged a team-high 14 points last winter. Gingrich isn’t sure which sport he would like to pursue in college. “I think by the end of this year, I’ll have to pick which one,” he said. As for now, he’s focused on turning things around on the gridiron. Conrad Weiser travels to Garden Spot on Friday for its opener. Moyer enters his 21st season as head coach with 136 wins, the most in school history.