Hoffert – Berks Sports Report

Matt Hoffert Resigns at Hamburg

Paul Roberts — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:06:01 +0000

Hamburg is looking for a new head coach of its high school football program. Matt Hoffert resigned after three seasons on Hawk Hill. Hoffert, a 2001 Hamburg graduate, was (21-13) overall including a (9-3) record in his first year. “We appreciate Matt’s contributions to our program over the past three years. Hamburg Area wishes him nothing but the best into the future,” said athletic director Aaron Menapace. Hoffert served as an assistant coach for the Hawks from 2005-09 and again from 2012-13. He took over the program from Jeff Chillot who was (7-4) in his only season at the helm.

Hamburg got off to a (5-1) start this fall before finishing (6-5) for the second consecutive season. The Hawks lost in the Eastern Conference Championship Game each of the past two years. North Pocono shutout Hamburg 41-0 to end the 2024 campaign. The Hawks averaged 25 points while allowing 23 ppg. They ended up in fourth place in Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League with a (4-3) mark.

Hamburg will also be searching for a new quarterback and #1 wide receiver. Tyler Shuey and Ty Werley were two of the ten seniors on this year’s roster. Shuey set a school record with 4,256 career passing yards. As a junior, he established a single-season school record with 2,764 yards through the air. Werley holds the Hawks’ career records with 104 receptions and 1,788 receiving yards.

Hamburg hasn’t had a losing season since 2018. The Hawks reached the District 3 playoffs in 2021 and 2022. Hamburg moved up to Class 4A this year. “Our administration has started the search for new leadership and will make a hire when we find the right person to fit our student-athletes’ needs,” said Menapace.

Matt Hoffert-Hamburg

Paul Roberts — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Matt Hoffert has a lot of reasons to smile. He’s saving money on gas and tolls because he no longer has to drive to Philadelphia. He has more time to spend with his family. Plus, he has a 3-year starter to work with at quarterback. The former Hamburg lineman and assistant coach has returned to Hawk Hill as the head football coach after serving as the offensive coordinator at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. “Never thought I’d be back here again, back home. I’m raising my kids here. They’re in the youth program here so to actually be back here where it all started, it’s awesome,” he said. The 2001 Hamburg grad played for current Berks Catholic head coach Rick Keeley. Hoffert was an assistant on the Hawks’ staff from 2005-‘09 and 2012-‘13. He moved on to become the head coach at Kutztown High School from 2014-‘16. Hoffert also spent time as an assistant at Fleetwood, Boyertown, and Allentown Central Catholic. Hamburg won seven games last year under Jeff Chillot who stepped down after one season. The Hawks earned their first District 3 playoff victory by defeating sixth-seeded Bermudian Springs 31-27 in the Class 3A quarterfinals. They fell to #2 seed Boiling Springs 35-7 in the semifinals. Hamburg ran the rock 34 times per game while averaging 9.5 pass attempts. That ratio will change in 2022. Hoffert explained, “We’re going to spread the field and be aggressive. It’s going to definitely be a different Hawk Hill this year.” Xander Menapace will be running the show at QB again this season. The 6’4, 205-pound senior completed 63% of his passes last year with 9TD and 4INT. “Xander was a hard worker all summer. We’re putting in a new offense and he spent a lot of time learning what we’re doing now. I call him a coach on the field,” Hoffert said. The Hawks won’t be able to rely on all-state selection Diohnny Ruiz. He’s at West Chester playing rugby. The 3-year starter piled up more than 1,300 rushing yards and 21TD last season. Ruiz also had a team-high 20 receptions. Cameron Harris, the Defensive Back of the Year in Section 2 of the Berks Football League, also graduated. Daregan Motto and Mitchell Watt will be missed up front. Both were all-section picks. The cupboard, however, isn’t bare. Pierce Mason and promising sophomore Aiden Readinger will handle the running back duties. Mason rumbled for 669 yards on 65 carries last season. Derek Ruiz, Diohnny’s younger brother, is expected to be one of Menapace’s primary targets. Charles Sheppard could be a force at the line of scrimmage. The 6’2, 280-pound senior plays OT and DT. Hoffert said, “Shep is a character and I love it. Linemen are a different breed. He just has that swag. He’s a strong kid and he’s very aggressive. His feet are great.” Sheppard finished 8th in the PIAA-2A wrestling championships at 285 pounds. Hoffert told me that he’s looking forward to joining the Lancaster-Lebanon League because of the opportunity to face new opponents. The Hawks are in Section 5 along with longtime rival Schuylkill Valley and Kutztown. When he’s not on the sidelines, Hoffert enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping. The Hawks are hoping to be in the hunt for a section title and a return trip to the postseason.

Matt Hoffert-Hamburg Football Coach

Paul Roberts — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 12:18:00 +0000

Matt Hoffert is returning to Hawk Hill. The 2001 Hamburg graduate was named the Hawks’ head football coach on Monday. Hoffert has a great deal of experience at the high school and college levels. Most recently, he served as the offensive coordinator at Chestnut Hill College. He had two stints as an assistant at Hamburg (2005-‘09 and 2012-‘13). Hoffert then became the head coach at Kutztown High School from 2014-‘16. He went on to work as an assistant at Allentown Central Catholic, Boyertown, and Fleetwood.

Hamburg athletic director Aaron Menapace is excited about the hiring of Hoffert. He said, “We trust his character and football competence. Another resounding theme from his prior stops has been his ability to communicate with players and parents. It’s clear he is a player’s coach.” Menapace added that it was important to Hoffert to keep the rest of Hamburg’s coaching staff in place.

Hoffert takes over for Jeff Chillot who guided the Hawks to a (7-4) record in his only season as head coach. The Hawks won their first District 3 playoff game in school history. They defeated Bermudian Springs 31-27 in a Class 3A quarterfinal. Third-seeded Hamburg lost at Boiling Springs 35-7 in the semifinals.

Hoffert played college football at Delaware Valley. In 2010, he coached running backs at Albright.