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.

Exeter only returns three starters on the offensive side of the ball. Riley Martinez, Jayden Ware, Aidan Dauble, Joel Ummarino, Andre Osborne, and Brown all graduated. Ware, Ummarino, and Brown were All-State selections in Class 5A. The Eagles suffered another blow recently when they learned that Kevin Oswalt was transferring to Wyoming Seminary. Oswalt was a first team pick as an offensive and defensive lineman in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. In addition, he was a two-time state qualifier in wrestling with 125 career victories.

Wyatt Richard (6’4, 250) and Matt Lis (6’5, 250) are back to pave the way for Jackson, along with tight end Braylon Reinert (6’4, 230). Richard is committed to Towson and Reinert’s younger brother, Cayden, picked up an offer from Maryland in June. Cayden Reinert will be in the mix at tight end. The sophomore is already 6’4 and 210 pounds. Eddie Farrar, a 260-pound senior, is another player to watch in the trenches. Jackson knows that the offensive line has been critical to Exeter’s success. “They’re very important. They set the tone of the game,” he replied. The Eagles averaged 249 yards per game on the ground last year.

As for who will be throwing the ball in Reiffton, that hasn’t been decided yet. According to head coach Matt Bauer, Aidan Gerhart and Xavier Mercado are competing for the quarterback job. Riley Martinez was a three-year starter at that position. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured leg in 2024 and a broken scapula in 2025.

Jackson is a factor on defense as well. The 5’11, 185-pound safety made 56 tackles a season ago. Donovyn Alvarez and Braylon Reinert are a pair of experienced linebackers. Alvarez finished second on the team with 86 tackles and Reinert added 58. Nick Pashley will be an impact player in the secondary. The 5’11, 165-pound senior was named a captain after making 37 tackles last fall.

Conestoga Valley has claimed the Section 2 crown in each of the previous two seasons. The Eagles, however, took down the second-seeded Buckskins 41-34 in the District 3-5A quarterfinals last year. Conestoga Valley was also hit hard by graduation. The Buckskins will return four starters on defense and five on offense. Cam Bair is taking over at quarterback for Sawyer Esbenshade. “I believe we have the talent to win Section 2. We have to live up to that and play our brand of football,” stated Jackson.

Exeter has put together 15 consecutive winning seasons. Bauer is entering his 18th year at the helm with a school record 135 victories. The Eagles have made three trips to the District 3 championship game over the past five seasons. They fell to Bishop McDevitt 42-0 in the semifinals last fall. After capturing five straight District 3 titles, the Crusaders are moving up to Class 6A this year. “I expect us to go just as far if not further, and play as a team every single game,” said Jackson.

Exeter will face a tougher schedule in 2026. The Eagles battle Spring-Ford and York High in back-to-back contests in early September. They wrap up the season with a crossover matchup against Twin Valley, followed by a road test versus Conestoga Valley. Exeter kicks off its season at Norristown on Friday, August 28th.

Despite returning just two starters on offense from a (10-1, 6-0) squad, Conrad Weiser got off to a fast start last fall. The Scouts rallied to top Fleetwood 26-23 and improved to (4-0). However, their 14-game regular season winning streak came to a halt the following week with a 20-7 loss at Manheim Central. Conrad Weiser ended 2025 on a six-game slide while dealing with several injuries.

Connor Sellars is back for his second year at quarterback. As a junior, he threw for 762 yards and four touchdowns with seven interceptions. Sellars is one of the top wrestlers at the school with 90 career victories. He went (37-9) last season at 145 pounds. The Scouts will have a lot of new faces at the skill positions. Javien Rivera, Dylan Parr, Joseph DePrince, Brayden Sweitzer, and Kaiden Leonard all graduated. Rivera led the team with 546 rushing yards and 20 receptions. He was named a first team running back in Section 3. Kole Kupper, a rising junior, will be the primary ball carrier this season. “He ran kickoffs for us last year, pretty shifty guy,” replied Kase. Kupper only had 22 carries during his sophomore campaign.

Kase provides versatility along the line of scrimmage. The 6’, 260-pound senior will likely start at guard or center. “Ryan is a veteran player with many games under his belt. We expect him to be a force on the offensive line,” noted head coach Alan Moyer. Kase excels in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA. His older brother, Adam, went on to play football at Kutztown University. Lincoln Harting and Westyn Ulrich are also back on the offensive line for Conrad Weiser.

The Scouts will miss Eugene Booth and Chase Colon along the defensive front. They were both first team DL selections in Section 3. Booth is at Division I New Haven. Seniors Luke Walter and Ethan Reinard will lead the linebacker corps. Walter finished with a team-high 52 tackles in 2025. Conrad Weiser returns a-half dozen starters on each side of the ball.

Moyer is entering his 24th season at the helm in Robesonia. The former Scouts’ RB/LB owns the school record with 152 wins. “He has a great mentality about the game. He’s very business-oriented, and then he gets on the field and he has the biggest smile on his face. I love him,” said Kase. Moyer has guided Conrad Weiser to 14 winning seasons over the past 19 years.

The Scouts begin the season at home against Schuylkill Valley on August 28th. They then have back-to-back Thursday night games versus Milton Hershey and at Eastern York. Conrad Weiser hosts Wyomissing on October 16th. The Scouts travel to Lampeter-Strasburg the following week before wrapping up the regular season at Daniel Boone on October 30th. “I’m so ready. I think senior year is gonna be a pretty good one,” emphasized Kase.

At Kutztown High School, however, they still want to play the game in a phone booth. The Cougars are all about grinding out the tough yards between the tackles. “It works. We were one of the best offenses in the Lancaster-Lebanon League last year. We run our system well,” said running back Ryan Walters. In 2025, Kutztown became the first team in Berks County history with three 1,000-yard rushers. “It was definitely cool making history, and to experience something like that with the older guys,” replied Walters. The 5’11, 175-pound junior finished with 1,031 yards and 13 touchdowns on 137 carries. Mason Sherry had a team-high 1,351 yards on 168 touches. He was named a first team running back and linebacker in Section 5 of the L-L League. Fullback Ian Bahr added 1,008 yards and ten touchdowns on 153 carries. Sherry and Bahr left an impression on Walters before they graduated. “I definitely learned a lot. They pushed each other and they definitely pushed me,” emphasized Walters.

Athan Amato, a rising senior, returns for his second season at quarterback. “He knows our system very well,” noted Walters. Levi Martin, who’s entering his sophomore campaign, will take over at fullback. Hunter Amato, a junior halfback, joins them in the backfield this fall. Seniors Aiden Showers and Tallan Fitzsimmons will handle the tight end position. They’re two of the most physical players on the team. Fitzsimmons is back after suffering an injury a season ago. “Our tight ends are beasts,” said Walters. The Cougars had 37 players on their roster last year, up from just 31 in 2024.

Unfortunately, all of those rushing yards only translated into a pair of wins last fall. Kutztown tied for sixth place in Section 5 with a (1-6) record in league contests. The Cougars did knock off Pequea Valley 36-28 in their regular season finale. Walters, who also plays baseball, is hoping for significant improvement. “One of our goals this year is to go .500 or better because that would most likely get us into the playoffs,” said Walters. Kutztown has never qualified for the District 3 tournament. Larry Chester guided the Cougars to a school record six victories in 2004. Chester is in his second stint as Kutztown’s head coach. He’s preparing for his 13th season at the helm of the football program.

Wyomissing owns an impressive (45-20) overall record in the District 3 playoffs with twelve titles. Legendary head coach Bob Wolfrum is entering his 40th year at the helm. His 382 career wins are the most in District 3 history. “To be able to learn from one of the best in the state, it’s a great opportunity for the whole team. We’re blessed,” noted Eisenhower. Among active head coaches in Pennsylvania, only Jim Roth of Southern Columbia has more victories than Wolfrum with 521. The 15-time state champion Tigers will host the Spartans in their opener on Friday, August 28th. “We’ve had the upper hand over them the last few years, but everyone on the team knows that it’s not a gimme. We’re ready to get another shot at them and get a win,” replied Eisenhower.

Wyomissing returns six starters on offense including Eisenhower. However, the Spartans’ top six rushers are gone. Justice Hardy, a two-time All-State pick, transferred to Wilson in December. Hardy had 19 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns in 2025. He ran for a team-high 959 yards while averaging 10.9 yards per carry. Wyomissing’s top two tacklers graduated. Chase Eisenhower, a four-year starter, and Tyler Niedrowski, a three-year starter, were stalwarts at linebacker. Chase, Brady’s older brother, finished his outstanding career with 3,000 rushing yards and 48 TD. He led the squad with 88 tackles and a dozen tackles for loss a season ago.

The Spartans do have two familiar faces in their linebacker corps, as well as a newcomer to keep an eye on. Zander Westwood has picked up Division I offers from Stony Brook, Albany, Stonehill, and New Haven. The 6’3, 225-pound senior made 52 tackles and 5 TFL last year. “He’s a hard hitter. I’m lucky not to be hit by him,” joked Eisenhower. Westwood will see playing time at both fullback and halfback in the Wing-T offense. Diamante Strong, a senior TE/LB, had a team-high four sacks. They’ll be joined by Gov. Mifflin transfer Rylan Overley. The 6’2, 210-pound sophomore will also be in the backfield with Westwood, Ethan Betances, and Ryan Delp. Andrew DiFabrizio is back at receiver.

Wyomissing averaged 327 yards per game on the ground last fall. The Spartans’ offensive line will be led by seniors Christian Kauffman and Robbie Martino. Kauffman is an imposing figure at 6’4 and 280 pounds. Martino (5’9, 190) provides versatility at center or guard. Fans at Bob Wolfrum Field should remember the name Theo Mack. The 6’5, 270-pound freshman is already competing for a starting job.

Eisenhower only attempted 60 passes over twelve contests as the Spartans went (10-2, 6-1). The 6’, 170-pound junior completed 58% of his throws for 550 yards and 13 touchdowns. Eisenhower understands that the Wing-T attack focuses on the running game, and that doesn’t bother him. “I just want to be the best for the team. This offense allows me to always have a completion when we do throw. As many opportunities that I’m given, I’m ready to take the chance. I’m just thankful to be in the spot I am,” he explained. The ground-and-pound style has served Wyomissing well. The Spartans are (81-11) over the past seven seasons. They’re moving down from Class 4A to Class 3A this fall.

Oswalt has a (125-29) overall record on the mat. As a sophomore, he won the BCIAA Championship at 215 pounds. Oswalt moved up to the 285-pound weight class as a junior. He went (45-5) this past season and earned another Berks County title. Oswalt was the District 3-3A runner-up and once again qualified for the PIAA tournament.

Oswalt was a two-year starter on Exeter’s offensive and defensive line. He helped the Eagles average 249 rushing yards per game and 8.2 yards per carry last fall. They finished (10-3) and advanced to the District 3-5A semifinals. Oswalt was a first team selection on both the OL and DL in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League in 2025.

Berks Catholic returns its top three tacklers, including defensive end Faith Zudie. The 6’2, 210-pound senior earned All-State recognition in 2025. Zudie led the Saints with 90 combined tackles and 19 tackles for loss. “Iron sharpens iron at the end of the day. Me and Faith line up for practically every drill we do. We go after each other. It’s awesome having a person of his caliber,” emphasized Bennethum. Mason Mace, a junior safety, and Josiah Turman, a senior cornerback, will be in the secondary. Mace made 81 tackles a season ago. Ryan Spatz and Coy Koller provide experience at linebacker. Spatz ended up with 74 tackles during his junior campaign.

Four of Berks Catholic’s top five rushers are gone from their Wing-T attack. Xavier Gerald, Owen Schalk, and Aidan Curley graduated. Gerald ran for a team-high 876 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 9.6 yards per carry. Jeremiah Camara, who finished with 758 rushing yards and 7 TD, transferred to Penn Charter. Koller is coming off a solid sophomore season. He had 531 yards and 8 TD on 81 carries. Koller will be joined in the backfield this year by Spatz, Zudie, Mace, and junior Logan Gonzalez. Colton Drumheller, Jack McKeone, and Bennethum return along the offensive line. Bennethum is also part of the lacrosse team and he plans to wrestle again this winter.

Cole Harter was the Saints’ starting quarterback last fall, but he was injured in Week 3 against Bethlehem Catholic. Johnny Sauppee took over under center. Berks Catholic only attempted 80 passes in a dozen games. The Saints managed just 365 passing yards. They have a young quarterback in the mix this year. Kellen Bowman is a freshman who also plays basketball and baseball. “I’m gonna be honest, he looks great. Physically, he’s ready. He just needs to be confident; that’s the main thing,” remarked Bennethum.

The Saints went unbeaten in league play last season. They were one game ahead of Annville-Cleona in the Section 5 standings. “We shouldn’t have a problem winning that section again. There are some good teams, but I think we just have to play hard and compete…our ultimate goal is District’s,” said Bennethum. Berks Catholic was the top seed in the District 3-3A playoffs last fall. The Saints fell to third-seeded Trinity 17-0 in the championship game. Berks Catholic is (21-7) all-time in the District 3 tournament with four titles.

The Saints open the new season with a tough test on the road. They travel to Notre Dame-Green Pond on Friday, August 28th. The (12-1) Crusaders lost to Northwestern Lehigh 35-14 in the District 11-3A Championship last year.

Glover made 35 receptions for 572 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He’s been a three-year starter on both sides of the ball. Glover finished with 44 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks a season ago. Wilson went (9-3, 5-1) and ended up in second place in Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The Bulldogs fell at home to Manheim Township 20-14. They then lost at top-seeded Central York 42-7 in the District 3-6A semifinals. Wilson holds the state record with 50 consecutive winning seasons, but hasn’t captured a District 3 title since 2016. “That’s definitely at the top of our list. I want to go week by week and win every game. That’s our first priority, but definitely a District championship is what we’re looking for,” emphasized Glover. Harrisburg has claimed five straight District 3-6A crowns.

Cole Peterson, an All-County lacrosse player, is the front-runner for the quarterback job this fall. The rising senior will have plenty of quality options at the skill positions. In addition to Glover, the Greer brothers will be back. Monty, a senior, and Damian, a junior, bring plenty of speed to the gridiron. Damian Greer took gold in the 100 meters at the District 3-3A Championships this spring with a time of 10.67 seconds.

The Bulldogs got a huge boost when Justice Hardy transferred from Wyomissing in December. “He looks good in that white and red. We’re super happy to have him,” replied Glover. Hardy, a two-time All-State pick, is committed to Louisville. The 5’10, 190-pound RB/DB led the Spartans with 979 rushing yards last year. Hardy averaged 10.8 yards per carry. He scored 15 TD on the ground and four more through the air. “I’ve known Justice since elementary school and I’ve known what type of athlete he is, what type of person he is. He’s ready to show people that he can play 6A ball. He’s gonna prove this year that he’s the best around,” said Glover.

Doug Dahms is entering his 21st season as Wilson’s head coach with a mark of (205-47). He owns the highest winning percentage (81.3%) in Berks County history. Dahms started as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs in 1976. “It’s incredible the way he knows the game. He’s been awesome, he knows what it takes to win. He’s always giving me tips. I always listen to him because he knows what he’s talking about,” noted Glover. Dahms, a longtime defensive coordinator, will have an outstanding linebacker corps this year. EJ Brownback piled up 117 tackles, 21 TFL, four sacks, and three interceptions a season ago. The rising senior is also a standout wrestler. Brownback will be joined by juniors Matt Wyatt and Braydon Farrell. Travis Bissoon is another name to remember. The rising sophomore pass rusher could be forced into duty at offensive tackle. David Wise (6’7, 280) suffered a knee injury during an offseason football camp.

Wilson opens its season at Gov. Mifflin on August 28th. The Bulldogs have taken twelve of the past fifteen meetings in this rivalry. Wilson begins league play at home versus Manheim Township in Week 4. The Blue Streaks are the defending Section 1 champions.

Ernst will have a lot of familiar faces around him. Hamburg returns seven starters on each side of the ball. Isaac McFadden, a promising young quarterback, is back for his sophomore campaign. McFadden completed 55% of his passes while throwing for 1,214 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 260 yards on the ground and nine more scores. “Isaac has made such an improvement, not just physically, but mentally at the quarterback position. Hopefully, he knows I’ll always have his back anytime he needs it,” noted Ernst.

Alex Soto, Owen Bentz, and Eli Metzler will be the primary targets for McFadden. Soto reeled in 30 passes for 246 yards and one touchdown in 2025. Bentz chipped in with 24 receptions for 253 yards and 3 TD. The Hawks will be without Mason Strunk. The 6’4 tight end opted not to play this year. Strunk averaged 18.6 yards on his 16 catches a season ago.

Bryce Schmeck will join Ernst in the backfield again. The junior running back had a team-high 281 yards on 98 carries last year. Schmeck also made 59 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, and one interception from his spot at linebacker. The Hawks return three starters on the offensive line, as well as senior defensive end Xander Valentino. He finished second on the team with 61 tackles in 2025. Valentino provided 5 TFL. Ernst, who’s a catcher on the baseball team, is expecting Hamburg to be more physical along the line of scrimmage. “The whole team has attacked the weight room harder than I’ve ever seen,” he emphasized.

Tyler Hartranft is entering his second season as the Hawks’ head coach. He was the offensive coordinator at Hamburg in 2022 and 2023 before taking that same position at Pottsville in 2024. The King’s College graduate was previously an assistant coach at his alma mater and McDaniel College. Hartranft will have a running back who’s ready to roll when the season begins at Midd-West on August 28th. “I cannot wait,” replied Ernst.

Head coach Rob Flowers, a star quarterback at Muhlenberg in the late 1990s, is entering his third season at the helm. “All of our guys have progressed really well, super excited about that. They got after it this offseason,” he said. Flowers and his staff must replace nine starters on offense and six on defense. The Muhls are also moving up to Class 6A this year. In addition, they have a date with Wilson scheduled for September 11th in Laureldale. “I’m a firm believer in we have to challenge ourselves. People call me crazy for scheduling Wilson. You gotta dance with the big dogs to get there,” replied Flowers. The Muhls and Bulldogs will be squaring off for the first time in 18 years. Wilson won that District 3-4A quarterfinal 46-0. “We’ve never shied away from any kind of game. We want to be to that elite level. You can’t get there by playing teams that aren’t gonna be on that path,” added Flowers.

Cam Small ended his career with 3,817 rushing yards, a school record. He was a two-time All-State selection at Muhlenberg. Ian Rodriguez, a rising junior, is one running back to keep an eye on this fall. The Muhls lost Mike Miller and Freddy Lacey to graduation. Miller racked up 112 career catches, the most in Muhlenberg history. Kalib Perez, Noel Irzarry, Jayden Faulkner, and Rabentz Joseph will make up the wide receiving corps in 2026. “We really like the guys we got catching the ball,” emphasized Flowers. Adriel Baez, a rising junior, threw for 1,538 yards with 16 touchdowns last year. Baez completed 66% of his passes and used his legs for four more touchdowns. Trent Stoyer, a senior offensive tackle, is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.

The Muhls have more experience on the defensive side of the ball. Chase Zona, Joseph, and Perez are back in the secondary. Julian Baez and Justin Jacquez will be counted on up front. “This group has their own special, unique bond about them. I’m looking forward to that,” said Flowers. Muhlenberg kicks off the season at Cocalico on Friday, August 28th. The Muhls face rival Reading in Week 2. That matchup is on Thursday, September 3rd at Albright’s Shirk Stadium.