Berks Catholic is still holding down the top spot. The Saints have double digit wins over Muhlenberg and Wilson. Kingston McKoy has improved his strength and perimeter shooting from a season ago. The Colgate commit is averaging 21.6 ppg. He dropped a career-high 40 points on the Muhls in a 69-55 victory last Friday. Berks Catholic visits Reading on Monday.

Muhlenberg earned a quality road victory by defeating the Red Knights 71-68 two weeks ago. The Muhls rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit. Head coach Matt Flowers has a balanced attack. Eli Hemmings, “Coco” Malave, and LJ Armstrong are each averaging between 12-15 points.

Wilson is riding a five-game winning streak. The Bulldogs are gaining valuable experience and will continue to improve as the season progresses. Head coach Matt Coldren is playing ten guys every night, including four sophomores. Wilson will rely on its defense. The Bulldogs have allowed 44 points or less in six consecutive contests.

Reading snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive 72-51 rout of Exeter on Monday. Jostin DeCastro, a 6’3 junior, is putting up 21.7 ppg. While the Red Knights may lack depth and 3-point shooting, they’re dangerous as always in transition. Keep in mind, four starters will be returning next year.

The good news for Exeter is that Aidan Dauble is back from injury. The bad news in Reiffton is that Dylan Donate remains out with a calf strain. Donate scored 57 points and hit 10 triples in the Eagles’ first three games. Exeter has won six of its eight matchups despite only having Dauble in the lineup twice.

Gov. Mifflin’s record is deceiving. The Mustangs have played a very challenging early season schedule. They’ve squared off with Berks Catholic, Muhlenberg, Wilson, and unbeaten West York. This is an inexperienced group in Shillington that’s still trying to find its way on the offensive end.

Wyomissing has a nice one-two punch with Dom Arguelles and Danny Fleischood. Arguelles is running the point and contributing nearly 20 points a night. Fleischood uses his strength and athleticism to get buckets on multiple levels. The 6’1, 190-pound senior is averaging 14.3 ppg. The Spartans came away with a hard-fought 56-48 victory at Schuylkill Valley earlier this month.

Without further ado, here are the “Roberts Rankings” for the Berks Conference. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Berks Catholic (6-1)

2.Muhlenberg (7-2)

3.Wilson (6-2)

4.Reading (4-3)

5.Exeter (6-2)

6.Gov. Mifflin (3-5)

7.Wyomissing (5-2)

8.Schuylkill Valley (5-5)

Weshly Rosario, who was providing 18.3 ppg., picked up two fouls in the first four and a-half minutes. Jones took over at point guard and hit a pair of triples before finding Jamier Jacob for a layup. The 6’ sophomore helped the Red Knights build a 19-14 edge after the opening quarter. “Oh my goodness, Bron Bron is exceptional to the game. He just knows how to play…I love him to be a playmaker. He really forces tempo and starts the break,” emphasized Perez. Jones ended up with ten points, the most in the early stages of his career. He enjoys sharing the ball. “I like to get everybody involved, make sure everybody is happy,” he said.

Braylon Reinert got his second foul less than three minutes into the game. The 6’3, 225-pound forward managed just two points in the first half. The (6-2, 2-1) Eagles were once again without Dylan Donate. The senior guard, who averaged 19 points in three games, is dealing with a calf strain. Exeter got some good news on Monday with the return of Aidan Dauble. The 6’3, 215-pound senior was an All-Division pick a season ago when he contributed a team-high 16 ppg. Dauble struggled from 3-point range against Reading, but he hadn’t played since the season opener due to an injury. The first team linebacker in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League led the Eagles with ten points. Dauble scored the first basket of the second half to pull Exeter within 28-27. The Red Knights responded with a 23-to-4 run. A three-point play by DeCastro made it 44-30 midway through the third quarter. Rosario knocked down a trey with three minutes left in the period for a 51-31 advantage. Reading was on top 55-35 entering the fourth quarter.

Four players were in double digits for the Red Knights. Jacob had a dozen points and Rosario added ten despite being limited due to foul trouble. His third foul came one minute into the second quarter. Mikal Portalatin chipped in with six points. He started in place of Javon Merriweather who expects to return this Saturday. The sophomore shooting guard has been putting up nearly 15 points a night. Reading went 11-for-15 from the foul line, while the Eagles were 14-of-20. Reinert and Jayden Ware finished with eight points apiece. Exeter only made three 3-pointers and two of those shots came in the final minutes.

Jones was the spark that the Red Knights needed in the first quarter. After falling to Muhlenberg and Wilson at home, Reading earned its first league win. This is a program that has won a record 25 BCIAA championships and 24 District III titles. Perez guided the Red Knights to a trio of state crowns, most recently in 2023. “It’s a legacy, it’s a culture. You feel some different type of energy when you got the Reading High jersey on,” stated Jones. Perez believes that Jones has a bright future. “If there’s one person who understands Red Knight toughness and Red Knight culture, it’s him,” remarked Perez.

Player of the Year-Leo Brown

Offensive Back of the Year-Leo Brown

Receiver of the Year-Mike Miller Jr.

Offensive Lineman of the Year-Joel Ummarino

Defensive Lineman of the Year-Joel Ummarino

Linebacker of the Year-EJ Brownback

Defensive Back of the Year-Jaiden Carpenter

Coach of the Year-Rob Flowers

Offense:

QB-Mason Young

RB-Leo Brown, Cam Small, Javien Rivera

Athlete-Pat Steuer

WR-Mike Miller Jr., Jaiden Carpenter

TE-Mike Glover

OL-Joel Ummarino, Andre Osborne, Zavier Otero, Nate Gilfert, Kevin Oswalt

Kick Returner-Freddy Lacey

Kicker-Jake Franek

Long Snapper-Cole Peterson

Defense:

DL-Andre Osborne, Mike Glover, Joel Ummarino, Eugene Booth III

LB-EJ Brownback, Tanner Zornek, Pat Steuer, Cooper Burr

DB-Jaiden Carpenter, Idris Weaver, Lebron Leaf, Jayden Ware

Punter-Jake Franek

Exeter has outscored its first six opponents 265-38. The Eagles lost senior quarterback Riley Martinez to a shoulder injury in Week 2 at Boyertown. Jake Hafer has taken over under center like he did in 2024 when Martinez suffered a broken right leg. Hafer is committed to East Stroudsburg for baseball. The 6’3 lefty is 22-of-36 for 526 yards. He’s thrown six touchdown passes and two interceptions. Exeter has only attempted 51 passes all season. The Eagles have a physical offensive line that includes Joel Ummarino, Kevin Oswalt, Wyatt Richard, Andre Osborne, and Matt Lis. Exeter is averaging 262 rushing yards per game. “Exeter is a team that makes it a point to do what they do on the offensive side of the ball,” said Muhlenberg coach Rob Flowers. Leo Brown has piled up 892 yards on the ground and 13 TD. Brown, a sprinter on the track team, is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. Jayden Ware is their top target at wide receiver with 15 catches for 369 yards and four touchdowns. The 6’2 senior also has a pair of interceptions at cornerback. Linebackers Donovyn Alvarez (35) and Aidan Dauble (34) lead the Eagles in tackles. Ummarino is a force on defense as well with seven tackles for loss.

Muhlenberg is putting up 44.8 points per game. The Muhls have plenty of talent at the skill positions including Cam Small, Mike Miller, and Freddy Lacey. “They are much improved from last year. They have done a great job of getting their athletes in space, allowing them to make plays. They have a lot of weapons,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. Small, an All-State pick in 2024, has rushed for 957 yards and 15 TD this season. The 5’11, 185-pound senior ran for a school-record 346 yards against the Eagles last year. Miller and Lacey, both senior receivers, have combined for 35 receptions for 713 yards and 7 TD. Miller has added four scores and 222 yards on the ground. Adriel Baez has shown a lot of potential at quarterback. The 5’10, 170-pound sophomore is completing 62% of his passes for 943 yards. Baez has tossed ten touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s quick enough to use his feet to move the chains as well.

Exeter is #1 in the District 3-5A power rankings. Muhlenberg isn’t far behind at #4. This will be the Muhls’ toughest test of the season. Limiting turnovers and penalties will be critical for both squads. I’ll be in Laureldale with live updates and postgame reaction.

Exeter went 51 yards on its opening drive and took a 7-0 lead on Brown’s 24-yard run up the middle. “We were able to get the momentum. Once we got that, we just kept rolling. It snowballs,” emphasized Brown. The Mustangs opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 39-yard line on the ensuing possession. Senior defensive lineman Andre Osborne tripped up fullback Nick Kalis for no gain. Jake Hafer then hit Aidan Dauble for a 36-yard gain. Hafer, who has stepped in again this year at quarterback for an injured Riley Martinez, ran two yards off the left side for a 14-0 advantage. On the final play of the first quarter, Hafer found a wide open Braylon Reinert. The 6’4, 225-pound tight end rumbled 54 yards to set up Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run. After a bad snap on the extra point, Jayden Ware threw the ball to Reinert for two points and a 22-0 edge with 11:18 remaining in the first half. The Mustangs got on the scoreboard six minutes later when quarterback Lebron Leaf bounced off tacklers down the left sideline for a 37-yard score. Leaf also made an interception late in the second quarter. Brown’s third touchdown came with 3:36 left before halftime. His 19-yard run capped a 74-yard drive and increased the Eagles’ lead to 29-7. Osborne, Joel Ummarino, Kevin Oswalt, Matt Lis, and Wyatt Richard opened big holes all night long. “I couldn’t ask for a better line. I love them, they make it happen. I’m just the one who puts the ball in the end zone. They’re the ones that create the way,” remarked Brown. His speed certainly helps. Brown ran the 200 meters in 22.3 seconds during the spring. He has already piled up 576 yards and nine touchdowns on 65 carries this year.

Ware started the second half with a bang. The 6’2, 160-pound senior returned the kickoff 95 yards to put Exeter in front 36-7. Ware had a punt return touchdown called back earlier in the game due to a penalty. The Eagles committed eleven penalties overall. Josh Jackson made it 43-7 on a 21-yard touchdown run with five minutes to play in the third quarter. The Mustangs got a 2-yard touchdown run from sophomore Trever King midway through the fourth quarter. Exeter outgained Gov. Mifflin 406-to-166. The Eagles churned out 310 yards on the ground.

Exeter brought back seven starters on each side of the ball from a team that went (12-2) in 2024. The Eagles finished second in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. They lost to Bishop McDevitt 48-14 in the District 3-5A Championship. Brown has high hopes this fall. “We’re coming to win it all, without a doubt,” he said.

Jake Hafer, an All-County baseball player, will take over at quarterback as he did last fall. Martinez fractured his right leg in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Hafer started six games last year and helped Exeter reach the District 3-5A Championship. The 6’3, 190-pound senior finished 31-of-57 for 535 yards a season ago. Hafer tossed five touchdowns along with two interceptions. He’s 4-of-7 for 71 yards this year with a TD pass and a pick. Hafer also has five carries for 42 yards and a pair of scores. The Eagles beat Boyertown 28-10 last week.

The (12-2, 5-1) Eagles reached the District 3 Championship for the third time in four years. After falling to Bishop McDevitt 48-14, Martinez said they took about two weeks off and then got right back to work. That meant hitting the weight room from 5:45-7:30am. “It’s been a grind, but we all lead our younger guys to want to be as great as we can on and off the field,” noted Martinez. Exeter returns seven starters on each side of the ball. The Eagles have great depth at tight end including Aidan Dauble, Braylon Reinert, and Berks Catholic transfer Jackson Kozik. Dauble (16 ppg.) and Reinert were starters on Exeter’s basketball team, along with WR/DB Jayden Ware. Dauble, a three-year starter, piled up 67 tackles in 2024. The 6’2, 215-pound senior was voted a first team linebacker in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Ware (6’, 160) had seven touchdown receptions and a team-high three interceptions. Jake Hafer and Jake Franek, both baseball players, will join Ware in the receiving corps this fall. Hafer filled in admirably at quarterback when Martinez was hurt last season. The speedy Leo Brown has big shoes to fill at running back. All-State selection Jayden Zandier set single season and career rushing records last year. Zandier ran for 2,086 yards and 30 TD a season ago. Logan Wegman, another All-State pick, has moved on to the Naval Academy. However, the Eagles return three starters on the offensive line. Joel Ummarino, Kevin Oswalt, and Andre Osborne are back in the trenches. Ummarino (6’1, 270) was a first team DL and a second team OL in Section 2 last year. He racked up 12.5 tackles for loss. Oswalt won the BCIAA individual wrestling championship at 215 pounds as a sophomore. He was named a second team OL/DL in Section 2 in 2024. Exeter has put together 14 consecutive winning seasons, and Martinez likes how this group is getting along. “We’re gonna have the better chemistry so we can outperform them on the field, even if they’re better on paper,” he replied.

Matt Bauer is entering his 17th season at the helm. He owns the school record for victories with 125. The Eagles have won 106 games over the past twelve years. Exeter opens its season versus rival Daniel Boone on August 22nd at Don Thomas Stadium. This will be their 67th meeting. The Eagles haven’t lost to the Blazers since 2011. Exeter travels to Conestoga Valley in Week 9 for a key Section 2 battle. The Buckskins prevailed 28-27 in the regular season last year, but the Eagles got revenge with a 48-14 rout in the District 3-5A semifinals. Exeter has qualified for the District 3 tournament 13 times in the past 14 seasons. Martinez is healthy and looking to do big things this fall. “We’re gonna try and put on a show this year,” he stated.

The nightcap in the Ron Krick Memorial League featured rivals Wilson (Apella Wealth) and Gov. Mifflin (Savage Auto Group). This semifinal was much more of a defensive struggle. In fact, Gov. Mifflin was shutout in the opening quarter. Wilson led 4-0 after the first period and 14-10 at halftime. Correll Akings, the lone returning starter for Wilson, started the third quarter with a 3-pointer. He ended up with a game-high 15 points. Gov. Mifflin was down 21-16 entering the last quarter. Ronaldo Gonzalez, a newcomer to Wilson’s program, nailed a 3-pointer with five minutes left to make it 24-18. A three-point play by Akings gave Wilson a little breathing room at 27-18 with 3:48 to go. Gov. Mifflin fell 37-27. Gonzalez contributed eight points and point guard NeChar Mercado added six. Nick Kalis scored a team-high eight points, including seven in the fourth quarter, for Gov. Mifflin. Ian Fleming provided six points. Wilson will take on Berks Catholic for the championship at 5:25pm on Thursday.

40-yard dash:

1.Brandon Pyle-Schuylkill Valley

2.Leo Brown-Exeter

3.Isaiah Massillon-Gov. Mifflin and Ethan Betances-Wyomissing

Bench press:

1.Nate Rose-Berks Catholic

2.Palmer Reber-Berks Catholic and Noah DiGiacomo-Twin Valley

3.Jackson Kozik-Exeter and Eugene Booth-Conrad Weiser

Vertical leap:

1.Logan Cammauf-Schuylkill Valley

2.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

3.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

QB challenge:

1.Connor Sellars-Conrad Weiser

2.Brady Eisenhower-Wyomissing

3.Alex Aletras-Schuylkill Valley

L-drill:

1.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

2.Brayden Sweitzer-Conrad Weiser

3.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

5/10/5 shuttle:

1.Brayden Sweitzer-Conrad Weiser

2.Lebron Leaf-Gov. Mifflin

3.Patrick Steuer-Gov. Mifflin

3-hop:

1.Chris Susana-Gov. Mifflin

2.Logan Cammauf-Schuylkill Valley

3.Leo Brown-Exeter