Danville – Berks Sports Report https://berkssportsreport.com Paul Roberts Sat, 25 Nov 2023 16:42:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 Chase Eisenhower-Wyomissing https://berkssportsreport.com/chase-eisenhower-wyomissing/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 11:36:00 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=3914 Wyomissing led District 4 champion Danville 27-19 at halftime of the PIAA-3A quarterfinals. The (12-1) Spartans pulled away for a 48-27 victory on a cold and windy night at Albright’s Shirk Stadium. “I think we came out with more momentum. The intensity was much higher. We just played Wyo football,” said Chase Eisenhower about the final 24 minutes. The Spartans’ potent Wing-T attack resulted in 465 rushing yards on 57 carries. Eisenhower reached the end zone four times. The 215-pound sophomore FB/LB rumbled for 93 yards on 17 carries. “Definitely the most fun [game], definitely the coldest too. It was all around a great win,” remarked Eisenhower. The (12-2) Ironmen struck first on a wide receiver screen to Aaron Johnson that turned into a 50-yard touchdown down the right sideline. Johnson set a new state record on that play with his 28th TD catch of the season. The 5’11, 170-pound senior had eleven receptions for 103 yards. Wyomissing responded with an 85-yard drive that included a 60-yard run by junior halfback Derek Macrina. He provided 92 yards on ten touches. Eisenhower powered in from two yards away to get the Spartans on the scoreboard. They went up 13-6 on Ryker Jones’ 79-yard sprint down the right sideline. The Princeton commit piled up 153 yards and two scores on nine carries. Danville answered with an 82-yard march that was capped by Bo Sheptock’s 2-yard run. It was even at 13-13 after the opening quarter. Wyomissing went in front 19-13 on Collin Niedrowski’s 7-yard touchdown run early in the second period. The Ironmen took over at the Spartans’ 6-yard line after a muffed punt. Sheptock, a transfer from Berwick, added another 2-yard TD to tie it at 19-19 with 8:10 remaining before halftime. Both teams caught the turnover bug late in the second quarter. There were two interceptions and two fumbles in the final three minutes, but only one giveaway led to points. Collin Niedrowski picked off Madden Patrick and returned it to the 5-yard line. A 5-yard run by Eisenhower made it 27-19 with 20 seconds to go after Eisenhower’s two-point conversion. The District 3 champs put together a 91-yard possession that lasted seven minutes and 27 seconds in the third quarter. It included a clutch fourth-and-seven pass from Logan Hyde to freshman Justice Hardy to the 18-yard line. Jones’ 4-yard TD gave Wyomissing a 34-19 edge with eleven seconds to play in the period. Eisenhower tacked on scoring runs of one and fifteen yards in the fourth quarter. He credited the offensive line which includes 6’5, 290-pound Penn State commit Caleb Brewer. “They were amazing. They always are…They all block great,” emphasized Eisenhower. He surpassed 1,000 yards for the season. Meanwhile, Patrick went 24-of-36 for 221 yards with 2TD. The 6’1, 180-pound junior ends the year with nearly 3,300 passing yards and a staggering 48 TD in 14 games. Johnson had 66 catches for just shy of 1,500 yards this season. Danville entered the night averaging 43 points. The Ironmen were limited to eight points in the second half. The Spartans will meet District 11 champ Northwestern Lehigh in the state semifinals. “We’re trying to make our own legacy. It’s exciting,” said Eisenhower.

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Wyomissing-Danville Preview https://berkssportsreport.com/wyomissing-danville-preview/ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:43:00 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=3909 Wyomissing and Danville are squaring off for the second straight year in the PIAA-3A quarterfinals. Albright’s Shirk Stadium is the site this time around. Kickoff is set for 7pm. The Spartans held off the Ironmen 21-19 a season ago up in Montour County. Wyomissing led 21-0 before Danville mounted a comeback. The Ironmen missed a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds which allowed the Spartans to advance to the state semifinals.

Wyomissing is (11-1) and ranked #2 in the state in Class 3A by PennLive. The Spartans are averaging 37 points while allowing 12.5 per contest. The District 3 champions have won five straight since falling 34-14 at Cocalico on October 6th. That loss snapped Wyomissing’s 41-game regular season winning streak. Cocalico is hosting Ephrata tonight in the District 3-5A final.

The Spartans are getting things done on the ground as usual. Bob Wolfrum’s Wing-T attack is putting up 300 rushing yards per game. Penn State commit Caleb Brewer (6’5, 290) is a force at offensive tackle and nose guard. Chase Eisenhower has a team-high 926 yards on 124 carries. The 215-pound sophomore FB/LB took an interception 86 yards to the house last week against West Perry in the District 3-3A championship. Eight other running backs have between 21-and-52 carries. Wyomissing has been without 6’4, 210-pound senior RB/LB Drew Forrey since mid-October. He suffered a leg injury versus Conrad Weiser which required surgery. Princeton commit Ryker Jones is an All-State linebacker who also gets touches on offense. Justice Hardy has opened eyes at RB/DB during his freshman campaign.

Danville is (12-1) under head coach Carl Majer who took over for Mike Brennan. They’re ranked #4 in the state by PennLive. The Ironmen are averaging 43 points while allowing 12. They hammered Loyalsock 40-7 in the District 4 championship. Danville’s lone loss came at the hands of perennial powerhouse Southern Columbia on September 22nd. The Ironmen have rattled off eight consecutive victories since that 40-17 defeat.

Unlike Wyomissing, Danville prefers to strike through the air. Madden Patrick has thrown for 3,067 yards with 46 touchdowns and just six picks. The 6’1, 180-pound junior is completing 65% of his attempts. Aaron Johnson is his top target. The smooth 5’11, 170-pound senior has a staggering 27 TD receptions this year, one shy of the state record. Johnson has 55 catches and 1,390 receiving yards. Carter Raup, a 6’1 sophomore, adds 45 receptions and 698 yards to the aerial assault. Berwick transfer Bo Sheptock exploded last week for 300 rushing yards and 4 TD in the rout of Loyalsock. The 170-pound junior provides 1,304 yards and 18 scores to the mix.

Sheptock is also a factor on defense with a team-high five interceptions at safety. Cameron Kiersch, a 200-pound junior linebacker, leads the squad with 128 tackles. Sophomore Landon Kehoe (6’, 205) is second on the team with 92 tackles. Defensive linemen Chase Miller and Lincoln Diehl have combined for 23 tackles for loss. They’re both juniors. Senior Justin Kutcher (6’, 265) is a key player in the trenches for the Ironmen. Pass protection will be essential as Wyomissing is known for bringing the heat when facing spread offenses.

The winner moves on to the Final Four in Class 3A against either Northwestern Lehigh or Scranton Prep.

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Week 14 Preview-Football https://berkssportsreport.com/week-14-preview-football/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 15:42:56 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=3223 Only two Berks County football teams are still standing.  Exeter and Wyomissing will be in action at 7pm on Friday.  Here’s a preview of their matchups.  I’ll be at Don Thomas Stadium in Reiffton to cover the Eagles.

#12 Cocalico at #2 Exeter-District 3-5A Championship:

It’s the Eagles vs. the Eagles for District 3 gold!  Exeter reaching the District 3 Final is no surprise.  The (12-0) Eagles are ranked second in the state in Class 5A by PennLive.  They’re the defending champs after knocking off Gov. Mifflin a season ago.  Exeter features a balanced offense that’s putting up 39 points a night.  Richie Karstien handles things on the ground.  The 6’1, 215-pound senior has 1,541 rushing yards (7.2 per carry) and 19 TD.  Mason Rotelli has thrown for 1,513 yards with 22 TD and 6 INT.  The first-year starter is completing 67% of his passes.  Rotelli can use his feet as well.  The 6’1, 170-pound senior is three yards shy of 500 with eight scores.  He has some big targets in the passing attack.  Penn State commit Joey Schlaffer (6’6, 215), Zach Zandier (6’5, 220), and Jovan Hollis (6’2, 205) are matchup nightmares.  Schlaffer has a team-high 39 receptions for 888 yards and 11 TD.  Zandier, a promising junior tight end, has chipped in with 22 grabs and four scores.  Lucas Palange anchors a defense that has allowed just 19 total points in two playoff victories over #7 Dover and #11 Northern York.  The 235-pound senior linebacker leads Exeter with 74 tackles.  Anthony Caccese is a force at defensive tackle with 21 TFL and 7 sacks.  The 6’6, 280-pound senior is header to the University of Delaware.  He’s also part of an experienced and physical offensive line.  Exeter is (10-11) all-time in the District 3 tournament.  Cocalico is making its 24th appearance in the District 3 field.  The (9-4) Eagles are searching for their fourth title.  Cocalico finished third in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League behind Wyomissing and Lampeter-Strasburg.  The Eagles have turned their season around since falling at Wyomissing 38-7 in early October.  They’ve outscored their opponents 216-47 over a six-game winning streak.  Fullback Sam Steffey has been a workhorse in Cocalico’s flexbone offense.  The 5’9, 185-pound junior averages 21 carries per contest.  He turned 42 touches into 234 yards and 3 TD in a critical Week 9 win at Berks Catholic.  Steffey has grinded out 1,728 yards to go along with 22 TD.  He ran the ball 31 times for 251 yards and three scores in the District 3 semifinals at Solanco.  Cocalico stunned the top-seeded Golden Mules 32-8.  Sophomore quarterback Josh Myer provided 67 yards on 18 carries with 2 TD.  He’s only attempted 38 passes all season (2 TD-3 INT).  The Eagles limited Solanco to 143 yards and five first downs.  Chucky Drain is a four-year starter up front for Cocalico.  The 5’11, 215-pound DL can create havoc at the line of scrimmage.  The Eagles are averaging 31 points and giving up nearly 16 per game.  They’re #7 in the PennLive state rankings.  A #12 seed has never won a District 3 football championship.

(12-0) Wyomissing at (12-0) Danville-PIAA-3A Quarterfinals:

The Spartans and Ironmen are #1-#2 respectively in this week’s Class 3A state rankings, according to PennLive.  This matchup includes a pair of outstanding coaches.  Bob Wolfrum became the winningest coach in District 3 history after Wyomissing crushed West Perry 63-7 in the most lopsided District 3 Final ever.  It was career victory #349 for Wolfrum who has spent 36 seasons as the skipper of the Spartans (349-86-1).  He has captured eleven District 3 titles and a state championship in 2012.  Mike Brennan won two PIAA-2A crowns with Mount Carmel in 2000 and 2002.  He went (86-24) over nine years there.  After stops at Blue Mountain (4 seasons) and Hazleton (six seasons), Brennan found his way to Danville.  He has compiled a record of (28-7) over three years with the Ironmen.  They’ve won three straight District 4 titles.  This is Brennan’s 24th season as a head coach.  The Nativity High School and Temple University graduate has a career mark of (164-111).  Danville took care of Loyalsock 41-20 in the District 4 Final.  The Lancers gave the Ironmen their only close contest during the regular season.  Danville held off Loyalsock 17-14 in mid-September.  The Ironmen are putting up 50 points a night while allowing less than 5.  Zach Gordon has posted eye-popping numbers during his senior campaign.  The 6′, 185-pound quarterback has thrown for 2,103 yards (75%) with 32 TD and just 3 INT.  Gordon tossed 5 TD a week ago.  His 32 scores through the air ties the single-season school record.  Speaking of incredible statistics, take a look at what Carson Persing has accomplished over the past four years (221 receptions, 4,225 yards, 59 TD)!  The 5’9, 170-pound wide receiver owns the District 4 record for touchdown catches in a season with 23.  Persing has 49 grabs for 1,101 yards this year.  Danville can also do damage on the ground with Ty Stauffer.  The 5’10, 205-pound senior is averaging 7.3 yards per carry.  He has rumbled for 1,140 yards and 19 TD.  Stauffer’s 3,107 career rushing yards are the third-most in school history.  Wyomissing is certainly no slouch when it comes to running the rock.  The Spartans grind out 326 yards per game in their Wing-T attack.  The “Law Firm” of Eisenhower, Kramer, and McIntyre has compiled 2,589 rushing yards this season.  Drew Eisenhower (734 yards, 10 TD), Matthew Kramer (909 yards, 24 TD), and Charlie McIntyre (946 yards, 12 TD) are three of the 17 seniors on the roster.  Wyomissing averages 44 points while only attempting 5.4 passes.  The Spartans hit pay dirt on nine of their eleven drives versus West Perry.  That was their fourth consecutive District 3 championship.  Their defense is equally as impressive.  Wyomissing is holding opponents to 7.5 points per game and 165 total yards.  Caleb Brewer was out last week due to an injury, but the junior is expected to play at Danville.  The 6’5, 290-pound TE/NG has picked up numerous Division I offers in recent weeks including Pittsburgh, Illinois, Syracuse, West Virginia, Rutgers, and Duke.  Brewer is part of an imposing front that features Jven Williams, the top-rated player in Pennsylvania, and Pacen Ziegler.  Williams, a 6’5, 295-pound senior, is committed to Penn State.  The Spartans and Ironmen met in the state semifinals in 2020.  Wyomissing cruised to a 44-14 victory.  The Spartans have been known to bring pressure against spread offenses.  Pass protection could be a big key for the Ironmen.

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