John Lorchak-Muhlenberg

John Lorchak knows all about the glory days of football in Laureldale. Lorchak has been a teacher in the Muhlenberg School District for 29 years. He was on the Muhlenberg coaching staff under John Yocum from 1994-02 and 2004-06. Yocum took over the program in 1989 and guided the Muhls to twenty consecutive winning seasons. He finished with 167 victories while winning 76% of his games. Yocum is a member of the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Lorchak told me that Yocum emphasized leadership, commitment, and dedication. “All of those things that he instilled still exist here. What we’re in the process of doing is getting that out of all of our athletes,” said Lorchak. Muhlenberg ended a 26-game losing streak by beating Reading 38-6 in the 2021 season finale. The Muhls return four starters on each side of the ball. They’re switching to a Wing-T offense which means more carries for Gio Cavanna. The 5’10, 175-pound senior had a team-high 21 receptions last year. He averaged five yards per carry on 24 touches. Lorchak noted, “He’s going to be a tremendous piece to the puzzle. We want to make sure that we’re going to get the ball in his hands, and we’re going to try and do it in many ways.” Cavanna and lefty Drew Fidler were part of Muhlenberg’s baseball team in the spring. They captured a Berks County championship. Kyle Archie opted not to play football this season so Fidler will be under center. Lorchak replied, “He’s going to bring leadership from his baseball experience. The ball is going to be in his hand every play here, very much like being on the mound. He has great leadership ability.” Lorchak played center at Kutztown University after graduating from Panther Valley High School. He’ll be relying on 205-pound junior Tucker Bellanca, a 3-year starter. Bellanca was named the second team center in Section 1 of the Berks Football League a season ago. He’s also an all-division wrestler who won 25 matches at 189 pounds. “Tucker takes control of the offensive line. He hasn’t missed a game since coming up his freshman year. [He’s a] tremendous athlete, extremely intelligent individual. [He] uses his wrestling skills to the maximum. He does a tremendous job,” said Lorchak. The former assistant coach at Wilson, Reading, Exeter, Schuylkill Valley, and Spring-Ford was happy to see the Berks Football League merge with the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Lorchak commented, “That competition is going to lift up all teams. I think it’s a road that had to be traveled.” He knows life won’t be easy in Section 2. The Muhls will be battling Exeter, Gov. Mifflin, Manheim Central, Warwick, Conestoga Valley, and Lebanon. They kick things off at Octorara on Friday.