Wilson-Manheim Township Preview

The Bulldogs have already clinched at least a share of their record 28th Section 1 championship in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. They can win the title outright with a victory over Manheim Township on Friday night in West Lawn. Both teams are (6-3). Wilson is (4-0) in league play while the Blue Streaks are (3-1). The Bulldogs are healthy again, and that has helped them put together four consecutive wins. All three of Manheim Township’s losses have been by three points. Dallastown, Harrisburg, and Hempfield were able to get past the Blue Streaks.

Wilson has been led by Jadyn and Cam Jones. Jadyn, the older brother, has rushed for 771 yards and 11TD in seven games. The 215-pound senior is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Cam, a junior WR/CB, is electric on special teams. He has taken four punt returns and two kickoff returns to the house. Cam is averaging an incredible 33 yards on punt returns! Senior quarterback Brad Hoffman can hurt you with his legs. The Berks Catholic transfer is averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He’s completing 47% of his passes with 10TD and 7INT. The Bulldogs have 18 turnovers this season. They’re still averaging nearly 34 points. 215-pound senior linebacker Gavin Lenart has a team-high 36 tackles in eight games. Senior defensive tackle Dominic Memmo is quick on the interior. He leads Wilson with 8.5 TFL to go along with 3.5 sacks.

Manheim Township has been getting things done through the air with a sophomore. Hayden Johnson has thrown for 1,840 yards with 24TD and 6INT. The young quarterback is connecting on 70% of his passes. His top target is a familiar name in the L-L League. 4-star recruit and PSU commit Anthony Ivey has more than 100 career receptions. The All-State WR has 47 catches this year for 603 yards and 7TD. As a sophomore, the speedster set a L-L League record against the Bulldogs with 292 receiving yards! Ivey had eight catches and 2TD. Michael Heckman and 6’3 sophomore Landon Kennel have combined for 52 receptions and 10TD. Heckman is committed to Shippensburg for baseball. 170-pound senior Isaiah Jones leads the Blue Streaks with just 301 rushing yards. They’re averaging 209 passing yards and 35 points per game.

Both of these head coaches have had a lot of success. Doug Dahms is (167-34) over 16 years with the Bulldogs. He owns the highest winning percentage in Berks County history. Dahms started as an assistant at Wilson in 1976. Mark Evans is in his 24th season overall as a head coach. He finished with 147 victories at ELCO before taking over at Manheim Township. Evans, who played college football at Miami, is (79-34) with the Blue Streaks.

A short-handed Bulldogs’ squad held off the Blue Streaks 31-28 last year. If Wilson wins on Friday, the Bulldogs will guarantee themselves a spot in the District 3-6A playoffs. I’ll have live updates and postgame reaction from West Lawn.