Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
When the Berks Football League merged with the Lancaster-Lebanon League, the eyes of many fans were drawn to Section 4. It was easy to understand why. A collection of highly successful programs resided in that division. The question was which powerhouse team would come out on top. That question remains. Wyomissing and Lampeter-Strasburg are both (6-0) in league play entering Week 10. The Section 4 championship will be decided on Saturday afternoon when the (9-0) Spartans host the (8-1) Pioneers. Wyomissing is ranked first in the state in Class 3A by PennLive. L-S is #8 in Class 4A.
The Spartans haven’t been challenged all season. They’re outscoring their opponents by an average of 44-8. Wyomissing is giving up the fewest points in the L-L League. The Spartans have size up front with Jven Williams (6’5, 300), Caleb Brewer (6’5, 290), and Pacen Ziegler (6’4, 275). Williams is the top-rated player in Pennsylvania and committed to Penn State. Brewer has received several DI offers. Wyomissing likes to bring pressure with its linebackers. The secondary includes Drew Eisenhower and Charlie McIntyre who also start at halfback. The Spartans’ Wing-T offense features a three-headed monster. McIntyre (653 yards), Eisenhower (595 yards), and fullback Matthew Kramer (582 yards) have been feasting on opposing defenses. The 215-pound Kramer has a team-high 17 touchdowns. Ben Zechman has been extremely efficient in the passing game. The 6’2, 185-pound senior is completing 77% of his passes with ten scores and only one pick.
Lampeter-Strasburg stumbled out of the starting gate. The Pioneers dropped their opener to undefeated Solanco 40-35. L-S regained its stride quickly and is sprinting to the finish line. Since Week 1, the Pioneers have allowed a total of 58 points with three shutouts. They’ve given up the third-fewest points in the L-L League this year. L-S has a balanced offense, averaging 219 yards on the ground and 151 through the air. Trent Wagner, a 5’11 junior, has thrown for 1,319 yards with 18TD and 4INT. His top target is Hunter Hildenbrand. The 6’, 185-pound senior has 27 catches with eight trips to the end zone. He’s averaging 24 yards per reception. Dean Herr only has eight catches, but four of them have gone to the house. Herr is a 5’9 junior. Carson Coleman is also part of a very promising 11th grade group. He leads the Pioneers with 886 rushing yards and 14TD.
Victor Ridenour is in his second year as the head coach at L-S. He guided them to eleven victories and a Section 3 title in 2021. The Pioneers have reached the District 3-4A championship game in three consecutive seasons. Bob Wolfrum is in his 36th year at the helm in Wyomissing. He has won 346 games, ten District 3 titles, and a state crown in 2012.
Both teams have 45 players on the roster. The Spartans feature 17 seniors, while the Pioneers have 19 sophomores. Wyomissing hasn’t lost a regular season contest since October 27, 2018 against Berks Catholic. The Spartans’ regular season winning streak is up to 34. If they extend it to 35, they’ll have a Section 4 championship to celebrate on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1:30pm. I’ll see you at the A Field!
