Damian Greer took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house and the (7-1) Bulldogs rolled to their sixth straight victory. Cole Peterson was 6-of-8 for 137 yards, including a 28-yard TD pass to All-State tight end Mike Glover. Sophomore Jaiden Whitehurst followed with a pair of short touchdown runs in the second quarter. Junior linebacker Braydon Farrell returned an interception 55 yards for a score with 3:12 left in the first half. Wilson was on top 35-0 at the break. EJ Brownback finished with 6 tackles, 2.5 TFL, and a sack. The (5-3) Comets were held to 140 total yards and (-19) rushing yards. Wilson is (35-0) all-time versus Penn Manor.

Exeter-30, Muhlenberg-6

Josh Jackson ran for 144 yards on 25 carries as the (7-1) Eagles extended their winning streak to six. Aidan Gerhart tossed a 7-yard TD pass to Faym Pruitt in the opening quarter. Exeter led the Muhls 7-6 after twelve minutes. Nick Kozik provided a defensive score for the Eagles. The 6’2 sophomore cornerback had an 85-yard pick 6. Exeter got a special teams touchdown in the fourth quarter. Braylon Reinert picked up a blocked punt and ran eight yards into the end zone. Gerhart went 9-of-14 for 79 yards with an interception. Donovyn Alvarez grinded out 40 yards and a touchdown on a dozen carries. Muhlenberg dropped to (2-6).

Twin Valley-55, Warwick-7

The (8-0) Raiders had one big play after another in Elverson. They ended up with five touchdowns of 45 yards or longer. Lucas Myers got things started with a 92-yard TD run. The Villanova commit turned three carries into 102 yards. Twin Valley was in front 28-0 after the opening quarter. Gavan Foster connected with Brody Majeski on touchdown passes of 52 and 58 yards in the first half. Foster was 4-of-6 for 172 yards. His older brother, Maverik, added a 70-yard TD run. The Raiders piled up 280 rushing yards on just 16 attempts. Alain Bazile rumbled 49 yards for a score in the third quarter. Twin Valley’s defense also got on the scoreboard thanks to a 20-yard fumble return by Grant Moser.

Wyomissing-47, Conrad Weiser-41

The Spartans and Scouts squared off in a wild one in Robesonia. They combined for 769 yards and 88 points. Kole Kupper’s 4-yard TD run tied it at 41-41 with four and a-half minutes to go, but the extra point was missed. Wyomissing responded with a go-ahead touchdown drive. Ethan Nye gave the (5-2) Spartans the lead on a 2-yard TD run with 38 seconds left. The extra point was blocked by Conrad Weiser. The (5-3) Scouts reached Wyomissing’s 25-yard line as time expired.

The Spartans finished with 367 rushing yards on 29 attempts. Nye exploded for 207 yards and 5 TD on 16 carries. The 6’, 170-pound junior raced 74 yards for a score in the first quarter. Brady Eisenhower only threw two passes. He hit tight end Diamante Strong for a 54-yard TD which gave Wyomissing a 20-14 edge after the opening period. Teddy White took a kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Spartans built a slim 35-28 cushion at halftime. Zander Westwood provided 86 yards on seven carries. The 6’3, 225-pound senior linebacker also had a team-high twelve tackles.

Conrad Weiser trailed 41-28 entering the fourth quarter, but the Scouts kept on battling. Kupper ran the ball 30 times for 179 yards. The 6’, 185-pound junior scored three touchdowns. Connor Sellars was 7-of-15 for 71 yards, including a 10-yard TD pass to sophomore Kellen Stoy. Sellars used his legs for another 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Scouts ended up with 348 total yards.

Fleetwood-52, Lebanon-0

The (4-4) Tigers outgained the Cedars 472-to-45. Fleetwood jumped out to a 45-0 halftime advantage. Beau Fegely made the most of his five carries. He ran for 143 yards and 2 TD. His younger brother, Hunter, added 116 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. Chase Adams was 6-of-12 for 98 yards through the air. He threw touchdown passes to Bryce Ryan and TJ Kleppinger. Ryan also provided two tackles for loss. Lebanon has lost 60 games in a row.

Perkiomen Valley-45, Boyertown-7

The Bears pulled within 21-7 with 10:25 remaining in the third quarter on a 36-yard TD pass from Gavin Royce to Aiden Ventresca. The (3-5) Vikings scored the final 24 points on Thursday night at Boyertown. Aiden Messatzzia went 11-of-22 for 212 yards with 2 TD and an interception. James Gambone ran for 83 yards and 2 TD on nine touches. Perkiomen Valley outgained the Bears 472-to-158. Royce completed 8 of his 15 attempts for 88 yards. Boyertown fell to (1-7).

The (4-1) Bulldogs scored all 42 of their points in the first half. Jackson Becker returned a punt 28 yards for a touchdown less than three minutes into the game. Braydon Farrell took an interception back 29 yards for a score with 36 seconds left in the opening quarter. The pick 6 by the junior linebacker made it 28-0. Cole Peterson was 6-of-7 for 95 yards and 2 TD. Sophomore Jaiden Whitehurst ran for 55 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown, on just three carries. Wilson was without its top two running backs, Justice Hardy and Monty Greer, due to injuries. The (1-4) Red Knights were held to 56 total yards and three first downs. The Bulldogs have won 15 straight games in this series.

Twin Valley-42, Garden Spot-6

Maverik Foster made a big impact on both sides of the ball for the (5-0) Raiders. The junior running back and safety ran for two touchdowns and came up with a pair of interceptions. Foster had 86 yards on 16 carries. He also made six combined tackles. Maverik’s younger brother, Gavan, went 4-of-9 for 124 yards and 2 TD. His primary target was 6’1 senior wide receiver Brody Majeski. He hauled in three passes for 123 yards and 2 TD. Grant Moser chipped in with 47 rushing yards and a score on four touches. The Spartans fell to (2-3).

Wyomissing-50, ELCO-13

The (2-2) Spartans outgained the (2-3) Raiders 563-to-192. Wyomissing piled up a staggering 498 yards on the ground. The Spartans finished with 24 first downs, twice as many as ELCO. Zander Westwood erupted for 275 yards and 4 TD on eight carries. All four of his touchdowns were from 45 yards or more. The 6’3, 225-pound senior scored from 69 and 48 yards away in the first quarter. Wyomissing had a 34-0 cushion in the second period. Sophomore Rylan Overley added 70 yards and 2 TD on 13 carries. Brady Eisenhower completed four of his seven attempts for 65 yards. Tashaun Pearson, a sophomore defensive back, led the Spartans with five tackles.

Schuylkill Valley-18, Berks Catholic-16

The (4-1) Panthers were on top 6-3 at the break. Alex Aletras and sophomore Will Johns stole the show in the second half. Johns caught two touchdown passes in the third quarter to give Schuylkill Valley an 18-3 edge. The latter score came on a 49-yard flea-flicker. Coy Koller’s 2-yard TD run pulled the (1-4) Saints within 18-10 in the third quarter. Freshman quarterback Kellen Bowman found Mason Mace for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 1:57 to go in the game. Berks Catholic went for two points to tie it up, but Bowman’s pass was incomplete. The Panthers extended their winning streak to four. Aletras ended up 20-of-27 for 196 yards and 3 TD. He also ran for 43 yards. Johns had five receptions for 69 yards. Seth Klinikowski provided six catches for 60 yards. Ervin Ortiz turned his seven carries into 66 yards.

Fleetwood-14, Manheim Central-6

What a difference a week makes. The (3-2) Tigers were outscored 46-0 in the second half last Friday in a 52-14 loss at Garden Spot. Fleetwood hosted Manheim Central in Week 5 and put together a dominant defensive performance. The (2-3) Barons were limited to 29 total yards and three first downs. They were 1-for-10 on third down. Senior lineman Johnny Ulicne suffered a season-ending knee injury last week. The Tigers needed to make some changes, but they rose to the occasion. “The defense played a nearly perfect game. Due to an unfortunate injury, we moved some people around into different positions and they responded. They all understood their role and played their hearts out for their brothers next to them,” said first-year head coach Mel Fegely.

Coach Fegely’s sons, Beau and Hunter, made pivotal plays down the stretch. Beau Fegely, a senior running back, broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run with three minutes remaining. Hunter Fegely, a sophomore WR/DB, came away with an interception on the ensuing drive. Fleetwood finished with 292 total yards. Beau Fegely ran for 188 yards on 29 carries. He ripped off a 43-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Chase Adams was 7-of-16 for 53 yards. Standout tight end Bryce Ryan (6’3, 200) moved to right tackle on Friday. “Bryce gave up his role in the passing game to be a part of the blocking scheme. That kind of selfless trait is what separates him as a leader and a great young man,” emphasized coach Fegely.

Conrad Weiser-27, Octorara-15

The winless Braves led the (4-1) Scouts 8-7 at halftime. They were knotted up at 15-15 after the third quarter. Senior quarterback Connor Sellars broke the tie with a 46-yard touchdown run. Kole Kupper raced 52 yards to the end zone to give Conrad Weiser some breathing room. Kupper, a 185-pound junior, had a busy night. He contributed 180 yards and 2 TD on 27 carries. Sellars ran eight times for 70 yards and two scores. He was 2-of-7 for 23 yards and an interception. Luke Walter and sophomore cornerback Kellen Stoy made seven tackles apiece.

Spring-Ford-42, Boyertown-17

The (4-1) Rams jumped out to a 21-3 advantage after the opening quarter. They were in front 35-3 at halftime. Spring-Ford relied on a balanced attack. They ended up with 220 yards through the air and 185 on the ground. Quarterback Kaden Pickersgill was a perfect 7-for-7 with 3 TD. He added a 1-yard touchdown run. Aidan Lennon made the most of his two receptions. He had 116 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown grab. Tyler Hontz and Jackson Wickersham also caught touchdown passes for the Rams. Aziyah Brown ran for a pair of touchdowns in the second half. He led the (1-4) Bears with 57 yards on nine carries. Gavin Royce went 11-of-17 for 120 yards and an interception.

Hamburg-36, Pequea Valley-7

The (4-1) Braves suffered their first loss of the season on “Hawk Hill.” Isaac McFadden hit senior tight end Andrew Arroyo for a 67-yard touchdown and Hamburg never looked back. McFadden was 16-of-21 for 203 yards and an interception. He also ran for a score. Eli Metzler caught five passes for 56 yards. Owen Bentz chipped in with five receptions for 42 yards. The (3-2) Hawks were effective on the ground as well. Blaise Ernst racked up 138 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Bryce Schmeck added 44 yards and 2 TD on nine touches. Meanwhile, Pequea Valley managed just 47 rushing yards. Hamburg had a massive 23-to-4 advantage in first downs.

Wilson looks to bounce back at Muhlenberg this Friday. The Bulldogs committed six turnovers in a 35-23 loss at Central Bucks West. As I first reported yesterday, Justice Hardy’s shoulder injury is not believed to be serious. If his rehab goes well this week, there’s a chance that Hardy could play against Muhlenberg. Keep in mind, however, that Wilson faces Manheim Township in Week 4. The Bulldogs will definitely want the two-time All-State pick ready for that key Section 1 battle.

Exeter heads south to York High this Friday. The Bearcats lost their opener to Harrisburg 40-19 before defeating Hempfield 32-21 a week ago. John Vellon is off to a great start for York. The speedy 5’8, 160-pound junior has 18 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown. Vellon also leads the team with 9 receptions for 94 yards and 2 TD.

Conrad Weiser is one position higher in my poll this week. The Scouts are preparing for another Thursday night contest. This time they’re on the road versus Eastern York. The (0-2) Golden Knights are relying heavily on sophomore quarterback Brady Cook. He’s 18-of-35 for 247 yards with 3 TD and 4 INT. Cook has a team-high 19 carries for another 176 yards and a score.

Muhlenberg got bumped up one spot after knocking off rival Reading 50-14 at Albright’s Shirk Stadium. The Muhls are taking on Wilson for the first time since 2008. The Bulldogs rolled to a 46-0 win in that District 3-4A quarterfinal.

Boyertown is back in my rankings following a 28-21 comeback victory at Gov. Mifflin. The Bears ended a 10-game losing streak to the Mustangs. Boyertown hosts Unionville this Thursday at 7pm. The Longhorns fell to Great Valley in overtime before beating Academy Park 17-8 in Week 2. Gov. Mifflin visits Hempfield this Friday. The Black Knights split their first two games.

Berks Catholic dropped out of my poll after allowing 88 points in two weeks. The (0-2) Saints have another difficult test on Friday when they host Bethlehem Catholic. Senior quarterback Axel Burkart (6’4, 210) recently committed to New Hampshire. He played quarterback, tight end, and defensive end for the Golden Hawks a season ago. As a junior, Burkart passed for 1,475 yards and 12 TD while only starting four games at quarterback. He added eight touchdowns on the ground. Bethlehem Catholic is (2-0) with wins over Delaware Valley and Allentown Central Catholic.

Without further ado, here are my new Berks County high school football rankings. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Twin Valley (2-0)

2.Wilson (1-1)

3.Exeter (1-1)

4.Wyomissing (0-1)

5.Conrad Weiser (2-0)

6.Muhlenberg (1-1)

7.Boyertown (1-1)

8.Gov. Mifflin (0-2)

Boyertown defeated Wilson 7-3. The Bears took the lead with four runs in the sixth inning. The Bulldogs committed three errors which resulted in three unearned runs.

Gov. Mifflin lost at Dallastown 2-0. The Wildcats scored both runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. RJ Weaver allowed four hits in five and a-third innings with six strikeouts. Both of the runs that he gave up were unearned.

Exeter beat Pottsgrove 7-3. Jake Hafer went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run. He also threw four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts.

Conrad Weiser shut out Hershey 2-0. Carlo Woellner was dominant on the mound. He piled up 14 strikeouts over six and a-third hitless innings.

Oley Valley fell to Upper Perkiomen 22-7. There were 28 combined hits, including 18 by the Indians. Upper Perkiomen blew it open with 13 runs in the sixth inning.

Tulpehocken knocked off Brandywine Heights 5-4. The Trojans scored two runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh. They were limited to four hits, but drew eight walks.

Hamburg got past Octorara 7-4. The Hawks scored three times in the sixth inning. Jaden Ryan finished with three hits. He drove in a pair of runs.

Wilson takes on winless McCaskey on Friday. That game will be held at Lancaster Catholic at 7pm. Mason Young threw 3TD passes and ran for another in a 42-7 rout of Penn Manor. Young is completing 67% of his attempts for 1,536 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Twin Valley battles Lampeter-Strasburg in Elverson this week. First place is on the line in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The (7-1, 5-0) Pioneers have won six in a row. Their lone loss was at Warwick in Week 2.

Exeter travels to Conestoga Valley on Friday night. The winner will claim sole possession of first place in Section 2. The (8-0, 4-0) Buckskins are led by Sawyer Esbenshade. He’s thrown for 1,722 yards with 24 TD and just 3 INT.

Wyomissing entertains Octorara on Saturday at 1:30pm at Bob Wolfrum Field. The Braves have split their eight contests.

Muhlenberg squares off with Academy Park on Friday in Laureldale. The (4-4) Knights have faced some tough opponents including Chester and West Chester East.

Berks Catholic heads north to “Hawk Hill.” Hamburg is (2-6) after coming up short 31-13 in the Frost Bowl at Schuylkill Valley. The Saints are tied atop Section 5 with Annville-Cleona.

Boyertown looks to bounce back from a 28-0 loss at Spring-Ford. The Bears are on the road this week against Norristown. The Eagles sit at (2-6).

Gov. Mifflin is at Elizabethtown on Friday. The (4-4) Bears have dropped three of their last four games.

Without further ado, here is the new poll. Wilson and Twin Valley moved up two spots this week. Exeter and Wyomissing slid two positions.

“The Great 8”

1.Wilson (7-1)

2.Twin Valley (8-0)

3.Exeter (7-1)

4.Wyomissing (7-1)

5.Muhlenberg (7-1)

6.Berks Catholic (6-2)

7.Boyertown (4-4)

8.Gov. Mifflin (3-5)

Bieber spent the past two years as the head coach of the Brandywine Heights’ girls basketball team. The Bullets went (14-8) last season, but missed the Berks County and District 3 playoffs. He has an overall record of (264-216). Bieber spent four years coaching the girls team at Tulpehocken. He was the Boyertown girls basketball coach for 13 seasons. Bieber guided the Bears to the Class 6A state championship in 2017. Boyertown defeated North Allegheny 46-35 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

There was an opening at Fleetwood after Terry Sitler retired. He led the Tigers for a dozen years with a mark of (138-126). Fleetwood finished (22-5) two seasons ago and was the District 3-4A runner-up. That squad included Jake Karnish who ended his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,420 points. The Tigers were (20-6) this year. Their starting lineup featured five seniors and included 1,000-point scorer Aiden Soumas. Fleetwood wound up fourth in the District 3-4A tournament. The Tigers lost 79-52 to Scranton Prep in the first round of the state playoffs. Sitler was (264-294) overall including his twelve seasons at Brandywine Heights. Bieber said he’s excited for this new opportunity.