Exeter only returns three starters on the offensive side of the ball. Riley Martinez, Jayden Ware, Aidan Dauble, Joel Ummarino, Andre Osborne, and Brown all graduated. Ware, Ummarino, and Brown were All-State selections in Class 5A. The Eagles suffered another blow recently when they learned that Kevin Oswalt was transferring to Wyoming Seminary. Oswalt was a first team pick as an offensive and defensive lineman in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. In addition, he was a two-time state qualifier in wrestling with 125 career victories.

Wyatt Richard (6’4, 250) and Matt Lis (6’5, 250) are back to pave the way for Jackson, along with tight end Braylon Reinert (6’4, 230). Richard is committed to Towson and Reinert’s younger brother, Cayden, picked up an offer from Maryland in June. Cayden Reinert will be in the mix at tight end. The sophomore is already 6’4 and 210 pounds. Eddie Farrar, a 260-pound senior, is another player to watch in the trenches. Jackson knows that the offensive line has been critical to Exeter’s success. “They’re very important. They set the tone of the game,” he replied. The Eagles averaged 249 yards per game on the ground last year.

As for who will be throwing the ball in Reiffton, that hasn’t been decided yet. According to head coach Matt Bauer, Aidan Gerhart and Xavier Mercado are competing for the quarterback job. Riley Martinez was a three-year starter at that position. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured leg in 2024 and a broken scapula in 2025.

Jackson is a factor on defense as well. The 5’11, 185-pound safety made 56 tackles a season ago. Donovyn Alvarez and Braylon Reinert are a pair of experienced linebackers. Alvarez finished second on the team with 86 tackles and Reinert added 58. Nick Pashley will be an impact player in the secondary. The 5’11, 165-pound senior was named a captain after making 37 tackles last fall.

Conestoga Valley has claimed the Section 2 crown in each of the previous two seasons. The Eagles, however, took down the second-seeded Buckskins 41-34 in the District 3-5A quarterfinals last year. Conestoga Valley was also hit hard by graduation. The Buckskins will return four starters on defense and five on offense. Cam Bair is taking over at quarterback for Sawyer Esbenshade. “I believe we have the talent to win Section 2. We have to live up to that and play our brand of football,” stated Jackson.

Exeter has put together 15 consecutive winning seasons. Bauer is entering his 18th year at the helm with a school record 135 victories. The Eagles have made three trips to the District 3 championship game over the past five seasons. They fell to Bishop McDevitt 42-0 in the semifinals last fall. After capturing five straight District 3 titles, the Crusaders are moving up to Class 6A this year. “I expect us to go just as far if not further, and play as a team every single game,” said Jackson.

Exeter will face a tougher schedule in 2026. The Eagles battle Spring-Ford and York High in back-to-back contests in early September. They wrap up the season with a crossover matchup against Twin Valley, followed by a road test versus Conestoga Valley. Exeter kicks off its season at Norristown on Friday, August 28th.

Bauer didn’t agree with the ruling. “I think it was clear. He was in,” he said. The officials took their time before signaling that Zandier didn’t score. “The explanation to me was no one had it either way,” stated Bauer. That possession began at the 17-yard line with 1:23 left. Hafer, a 6’2 junior who joined the team in early September, hit Carter Redding on a completion near midfield. A targeting penalty moved the football to Conestoga Valley’s 38-yard line. Genuine Stutzman reeled in a 19-yard pass to get the (8-1, 4-1) Eagles in the red zone. Ware’s second touchdown grab of the night pulled Exeter within one point after trailing 14-0 and 21-7. “I couldn’t be prouder. We wanted to see how we’d respond to adversity. I think we faced basically a season’s worth tonight. We never lost faith,” emphasized Bauer. He’s in his 16th year at the helm in Reiffton with a record of (121-57).

The Buckskins started quickly with consecutive 52 and 66-yard touchdown drives. On fourth-and-12 from the 23-yard line, Sawyer Esbenshade connected with JoJo Garcia over the middle for a 7-0 lead. Following a 25-yard pass to Garcia, Esbenshade’s 2-yard run made it 14-0 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The 6’1, 175-pound junior finished 19-of-31 for 277 yards and 3 TD. Zandier scored from 1-yard out early in the second period to get the Eagles on the board. They entered the night averaging 45 points per game. Zandier broke free for a 51-yard sprint down the left sideline to set up his 6-yard TD run with 4:21 to go in the half. That came after Esbenshade found 6’2 junior Cordell Bair for a 28-yard touchdown. Ware’s 22-yard TD catch from Hafer tied it at 21-21 with 1:33 to play before halftime. Conestoga Valley went in front 28-21 on a 30-yard pass to speedster Jayden Johnson with just 34 seconds before the break. Johnson, who returned from an injury last week, has offers from Temple, Maine, and Monmouth.

The offensive fireworks came to a halt in the second half. Neither team scored until eight seconds remained on the clock. Seth Frankford came up with an interception of a pass by Zandier on fourth-and-7 with 5:28 to go. Exeter’s defense forced back-to-back punts after that turnover. Bauer noted that the Eagles played more man coverage in the second half. Navy commit Logan Wegman (6’5, 275) injured his shoulder in the third quarter and didn’t return. Exeter was already without junior quarterback Riley Martinez due to a leg injury that occurred earlier this month against Muhlenberg. Zandier and Hafer split time at quarterback on Friday. Zandier piled up 172 yards on 27 carries. “He has amazing body control and he’s so explosive with everything he does,” Bauer said of the 6’2, 180-pound senior.

The Eagles sit one game behind the Buckskins in the Section 2 standings. Exeter visits (2-7) Elizabethtown next week, while Conestoga Valley hosts (3-5) Muhlenberg. Bauer was proud of his team’s effort after an emotional and frustrating game. “They have nothing to be ashamed of. They did everything they needed to do. This is gonna galvanize us,” he said.