The last time Smithsburg’s football squad had a winning record, the current senior class of Leopards was in third grade.
It’s been a long drought for Smithsburg, but with an explosive group of returning players, this could very well be the season that flips the script.
The Leopards bring back their starting QB, top three running backs, and a handful of game-changing receivers, all of whom helped Smithsburg transform from a one-win team in 2024 to a four-game winner in 2025. Did we mention that all of the aforementioned players were named All-Stars?
In our high school football previews, we will take a closer look at the rising Leopards, while also shining the spotlight on the other five teams in the LocalNews1.org coverage area: North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, Waynesboro, Greencastle-Antrim, and Chambersburg.
Smithsburg will be trying to follow the footsteps of North Hagerstown, which last year posted its first winning campaign since 2013. The Hubs have graduated a wealth of talent from that squad, and the same can be said for South Hagerstown, which most notably lost Washington County’s best running back in Josiah “JoJo” Davis.
In Pennsylvania, the Chambersburg Trojans are once again slated to compete in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division, widely regarded as one of the toughest divisions in the state. We believe there’s hope for coach Gary Carter’s boys, who bring back an enormous offensive line and a few key skill players.
Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim both have young teams that will be eager to prove themselves this fall.
This marks the final installment of our high school fall sports previews. Stick with LocalNews1.org in the weeks and months to come as we continue to provide coverage of the season.
Below are team-by-team preview capsules for the 2026 high school football season:
Waynesboro Tribe
Coach: Scott McClure
Division: Mid-Penn Keystone
Last season: 2-8, 1-8 division
Top projected returners: Aaron Fortney (Sr., RB/CB, 5-8, 175), Cayden Lengyel (Sr., NG/G, 6-1, 240), Larry Taylor (Jr., RB/CB, 5-7, 175), Luke Gorzelsky (Sr., C/NG, 6-1), Kyle Albaugh (Sr., OT, 6-1, 250), Gavin Starkey (Sr., TE/LB), Kaiden Barlow (Jr., RB/DE, 5-9, 185), Brady Myers (Jr., OLB/QB, 5-11, 180), Jaden Updegraff (Jr., WR/DB, 6-1, 165), Glenn Coppage (Jr., TE/LB, 6-1, 200), Brayden Heimbuch (So., QB/S, 5-11, 150), Dwayne Robinson (So., WR/S, 5-9, 148), Ronan Mencia (So., RB/OLB, 5-9, 170), Brantley Phebus (So., RB/DE, 5-11, 195), Lucas Mummert (So., OL/DL, 6-4, 250), Brighton Naveja-Irish (So., WR/CB, 5-8, 126), Cam LeFond (So., WR/CB), Will Quinteros (So., OL/DL, 6-5), Nick Carbaugh (So., K, 5-8, 165).
Meet the Tribe: Waynesboro is set to begin a new chapter under the direction of Scott McClure, a first-year head coach who has nearly two decades of experience in assistant coaching and coordinator roles … McClure takes over for Mark Saunders, who was 8-22 in three seasons for the Tribe … Waynesboro, a five-time district qualifier, will be seeking its first winning season since 2021, when the squad went 9-3 … McClure will be counting on a high-energy effort from the young players on his squad tasked to fill big holes all over the lineup … The first order of business will be replacing graduated QB Rayshawn Frazier-Hewitt, who passed for 1,370 yards with 16 TDs, and was the team’s second leading rusher with 217 yards and two TDs on 32 carries … Going into camp, the battle for QB appears to be a two-man race between junior Brady Myers and Brayden Heimbuch … Waynesboro will also be looking for a mainstay at running back following the graduation of Kean Baumgardner, who led the Tribe with 362 rushing yards and three TDs on 92 carries last fall … Picking up the load for Baumgardner will be junior Larry Taylor, a versatile back who can do a little bit of everything. Last season Taylor ran 42 times for 198 yards and three TDs and was also effective catching the ball, hauling in 45 receptions for 337 yards and 2 TDs. As a cornerback, Taylor recorded 22 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss … While Taylor figures to factor heavily into Waynesboro’s passing game, the Tribe will need to find another option to replace the production of the graduated Christian Munday, an All-Keystone First Team selection at wide receiver who caught 37 passes for 755 yards and 10 TDs … The Tribe have lost several key trench warriors, including Carson Costella, Korbin Foster, and Mick Torbica, but those losses could be offset with the return of Cayden Lengyel (6-1, 240), Luke Gorzelsky (6-1), and Kyle Albaugh (6-1, 250) … While Waynesboro’s offense aims to find its footing, the team could find itself leaning on the foot of sophomore kicker Nick Carbaugh, an All-Keystone First Team selection who last fall converted 26 of 27 extra points and 2 of 3 field goals … Defensively, the Tribe lost one of the Mid-Penn Conference’s best ballhawks in Steven Howard, who stacked up seven interceptions and defended nine passes last season … Also gone is Munday, an All-Keystone Second Team selection at safety, and linebacker Shawn Smith, two players who combined for more than 130 tackles in 2025 … To cover these losses, Waynesboro will be counting on an experienced linebacking corps to set the tone … This group includes upperclassmen Gavin Starkey, Rian Stull, and Myers, three players who combined for nearly 200 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss … Aaron Fortney, a senior cornerback, is also back after posting 39 tackles last season … The Tribe will need to find a replacement at punter for graduated All-Keystone First Team selection Ryan Martin, who averaged 37.1 yards last season.
Coach’s comments: McClure said, “We are a very young team, building a new culture and vision for this program. In addition, schematically we are going to look different on the field. All these elements take time. However, playing with exceptional effort, technique and intelligence can be there opening night. That is my expectation for this team at the beginning of the season, to play with exceptional effort and compete for 48 minutes.”
Opener: Friday, Aug. 28, at Greencastle-Antrim
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Jason Thurston
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 4-6, 3-5 division
Top projected returners: Gavin Logsdon (Sr., QB, 5-11, 155), Sam Petruska (Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 156), Wyatt Hull (Sr., TE/OLB, 6-4, 190), Iverson Stoner (Sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 165), Dom Angelini (Sr., WB/CB, 5-10, 140), Elijah Ambrose (Sr., OL, 6-0, 200), Gavin Knable (Sr., OL/NG, 5-8, 210), Ethan South (Sr., ILB), Loki Huffman (Sr., DL, 6-0, 235), Cole Burkholder (Jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 210), Blake Witmer (Sr., K, 5-6, 160), Landon Kagarise (Sr., FB, 6-1, 170), Luke Hull (Jr., WB/SS, 6-1, 180), Ryan Schick (Jr., WR, 6-3, 156), Spencer Long (Jr., HB, 5-11, 167), Tyler Myers (Jr., OL/ILB), Zach Russell (Jr., TE, 6-2, 190), Dane Medina (So., WB/DB, 5-5, 129), Damien Johns (So., LB, 5-11, 182), Jeremiah Murray (So., WR).
Meet the Blue Devils: Graduation losses were not small for Greencastle, which narrowly missed the District 3 postseason last fall … The Blue Devils said goodbye to their quarterback, Top 5 leading rushers, Nos. 2-4 receivers, three key offensive linemen, and five of their six top tacklers … Even with these losses, vibes were strong going into camp following a summer full of work put in by a solid group of hungry returners … Greencastle will run a Hybrid Wing-T offense with senior QB Gavin Logsdon (5-11, 155) projected to guide the offense after throwing for 132 yards and two TDs in limited action last fall. He is replacing the Lane Barry, who threw for nearly 800 yards and 6 TDs last fall … The Blue Devils graduated more than 2,000 yards of rushing offense, with more than 1,000 of those yards and 10 TDs being provided by Blake Reuter, an All-Colonial Third Team selection … Look for the Greencastle’s all-new backfield to feature a combination of Dom Angelini (5-10, 140), Landon Kagarise (6-1, 170), Luke Hull, Spencer Long (5-11, 167), and Dane Medina … The Blue Devils return their top receiver in Wyatt Hull, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound tight end who was named to the Colonial Division’s Third Team after totaling 18 catches for 336 yards and four TDs last season … Hull will lead an experienced receiving corps that is projected to return Sam Petruska (5-10, 156), Iverson Stoner (6-3, 165), Ryan Schick, Zach Russell (6-2, 190), and Jeremiah Murray … Greencastle will be tested on the offensive line following the losses of trench warriors Mason Mellott (5-9, 200), Ben Belleau (5-8, 180), and Nathan Painter (6-0, 230). To plug those holes, the Blue Devils will be counting on a mix of returners and newcomers that include Elijah Ambrose (6-0, 200), Gavin Knable (5-8, 210), Cole Burkholder (6-1, 210), and Tyler Myers … Greencastle will run a 4-2-5 defense and has some gaps to fill, as well, most notably the loss of strong safety Noah Shifflett, a multiple-time division All-Star who totaled 78 tackles last season, including four for loss … Ambrose is the the Blue Devils’ top returner with 63 tackles, while fellow DL Loki Huffman (6-0, 235) is also back after posting 33 tackles, including six for loss … Ethan South is back for his senior season to compete at inside linebacker after registering 39 tackles, including three tackles for loss, to go along one caused fumble and one pass defense … Hull returns valuable experience at outside linebacker following a 2025 campaign that saw him roll up 37 tackles, including six tackles for loss and three sacks, to go along with four passes defended … As for special teams, the Blue Devils graduated punter Asher Whitson (31.3 yards average), but return kicker Blake Witmer, who converted 15 of 22 extra points and averaged 33.9 yards on kickoffs … Coach Jason Thurston is in his second year at the helm for Greencastle, is in his 26th year of coaching and 10th as a head coach … The Blue Devils have qualified for districts eight times in program history and will be aiming to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2023.
Coach’s comments: Thurston said, “Last season, we showed a lot of grit on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, we started to pick things up about mid-season and made a nice run, missing post-season with a week 10 loss to West Perry. Heading into this season, we are light years ahead of where we were last year in regard to the offensive playbook. We have a lot of depth at the running back and receiver positions and one of our challenges will be trying use all of our weapons and get the ball in as many different players’ hands as possible. We’ve got a great group of linemen and are excited about our ability to run the ball. Defensively, we are going to use a scheme to get as many athletes on the field as possible. Our greatest asset is our players. We’ve got a tremendous amount of leadership and our kids are good people. We feel that if we continue to support each other as we have all summer, move the sticks, tackle consistently, and eliminate the mental mistakes and lack of self-discipline that plagued us at times last season, this year could end up being very special.”
Opener: Friday, Aug. 28, at home vs. Waynesboro
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Gary Carter
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: 4-6, 3-6 division
Top projected returners: Seth Gilliam (Sr., TE, 6-4, 220), Camden Wadel (Sr., TE, 6-1, 215), Mason Mowen (Sr., RB, 5-8, 170), Malachi Tasker (Jr., RB, 6-0, 185), Rylan Pottle (Sr., OL, 5-10, 235), Omar Hanchey (Sr., OL, 5-10, 250), Brady Lohman (Jr., OL, 6-5, 280), Karter Daly (Jr., OL/DL, 6-6, 300), Devon Nalewak (Sr., P, 6-1, 185), Cam Green (Jr., QB, 6-4, 190), Raymond De Los Santos (Sr., T/DT, 6-5, 320)
Meet the Trojans: When we say Chambersburg is bringing back some big impact players on the offensive line, we’re not just talking figuratively … Junior Brady Lohman hit a major growth spurt in the offseason, jumping three inches and 15 pounds to his current measurements of 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds … Lohman will be one of the “small” ones in the trenches, as the Trojans also bring back Raymond De Lost Santos (6-5, 320) and Karter Daly (6-6, 300) … With this returning O-Line — a group that also includes Rylan Pottle (5-10, 255) and Omar Hanchey (5-10, 250) — Chambersburg will be aiming for its first winning season since it went 6-5 in 2019 … Of course, picking up victories in the rugged Commonwealth Division will be easier said than done, so the Trojans will need sharp performances from its group of skill players, led by projected starting QB Cam Green (6-4, 190) … Green was thrust onto the field as a sophomore when Chambersburg’s starter went down, and he performed admirably by piling up 1,266 passing yards … Justin Deneen (6-0, 165) and Jashaun Palmer (6-0, 165) are also listed on the roster as QBs … Whoever wins the job at QB will need to help break in a new group of receivers following the graduation of Davonte Scott (692 yards), Cobe Penick (393 yards), Brycen Murray (190 yards), Tavian Ferguson, and Cooper Stockslager … Look for much of Chambersburg’s receiving game to go through returning senior tight ends Seth Gilliam (6-4, 220) and Cam Wadel (6-1, 215), both of whom have grown taller and have packed on significant muscle since last fall … Throw in the return of running backs Malachi Tasker (305 yards) and Mason Mowen, and the Trojans could be on track to improve upon their offensive output, which managed 12.7 points per game last season … Defensively, Chambersburg’s secondary has plenty of holes to fill following the graduation of Ferguson, Penick, and Isaiah Tasker, three players who combined for seven interceptions last season … With a young secondary, the Trojans will be counting on its super-sized trench warriors to push the pace, especially defensive end Gilliam, who was an All-Commonwealth Third Team selection on defense last season … Wadel, Malachi Tasker, and Devon Nalewak will help guide the linebacking corps … Chambersburg is hoping its defensive unit can make strides after allowing 24.6 points per game last fall … Coach Gary Carter — who once quarterbacked the Trojans to an 11-0 season in 1989 — is back for his second year at the helm … Chambersburg has qualified for districts 10 times in program history.
Opener: Friday, Aug. 28, at home vs. Manheim Central
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Nathan Butts
Classification: 3A West Region
Last season: 6-5
Top projected returners: Michael Stewart (Sr., DB, 6-0, 168), Sydney Smith (Sr., G/DE, 6-1, 250), Ronnie Savage III (Sr., WR/FS, 5-10, 157), Eligh Zimmerman (Sr., C/DE, 5-9, 250), Shane Tyler (Sr., RB, 5-8, 150), Colt Butts (Sr., QB, 6-0, 150), Nasir Cameron (Sr., 5-9, 150), Bryce Hillegas (Jr., OL, 6-3, 317)
Meet the Hubs: North Hagerstown is coming off a sparkling 2025 campaign that was more than a decade in the making … Last fall, the Hubs finished went 6-5 for their first winning season since 2013 … Sporting an offense that led the LocalNews1.org coverage area with 22.6 points per game and a defense that ranked No. 2 with 21.3 points allowed per contest, North Hagerstown opened the 3A West Region postseason with a 43-7 win over Northwood, before its playoff run ended with a 42-0 loss to Linganore … The Hubs graduated a laundry list of talent from that team, including 16 players who nailed down honors on both the Washington County Athletic Association (WCAA) and Washington County Football Coaches All-Star squads … Among those graduated All-Stars are a group of five defenders — Damean Thomas, Blake Custer, Bryant Noubissie, Toni Abonge, and Ben Distefano — who combined for 522 tackles last season, including 65.5 tackles for loss … Ty Fauntleroy, an All-Star running back who ran for 1,116 yards (5.9 average) and 15 TDs, has also moved on, as has Garrett Forrest, a punter and defensive lineman who earned five different All-Star selections … Other departed All-Star picks include James Jackson (RB), Gary Fisher (OL), Tai Gilliam (RB), Darius Geaman (K), Mason Mauriello, Marquis Dutton (DL), Jamarie Bannis (DL), Chris Benford (LB), and Marky McCall (DB) … To counter these losses, North Hagerstown will be seeking leadership from senior Michael Stewart, a highly-decorated athlete who is North Hagerstown’s top returning running back (77 carries, 613 yards, 5 TDs), receiver (7-152-2), and kick returner. The 6-foot, 168-pound stud also shined on defense, where he totaled 58 tackles, including three tackles for loss … Stewart will be joined in the backfield by seasoned senior QB Colt Butts (6-0, 150), who completed 59 of 113 passes for 893 yards and six TDs last season … Ronnie Savage III is a 5-foot-10, 157-pound wide receiver/free safety who can make big plays and will be counted on to stand out on both sides of the ball … Offensive linemen Bryce Hillegas (6-3, 317) and Eligh Zimmerman (5-9, 250) are projected to return to the lineup after All-Star seasons, while Sydney Smith (6-1, 250) also figures to be a key player in the trenches … While North Hagerstown should be competitive on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive unit will have many young players and could experience some growing pains … If the Hubs’ fresh-faced defense can follow the lead of Stewart, Savage, and Shane Tyler (36 tackles), it wouldn’t surprise us if North once again plays to a winning season.
Opener: Friday, Sept. 4, at home vs. Tuscarora
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Juwuane Sandridge
Classification: 3A/4A West Region
Last season: 4-7
Top projected returners: Avery Cosley (Sr., WR, 6-3, 175), Dustin Campion (Sr., T, 6-1, 220), Percell Clay (Sr., WR/CB/P, 6-2, 165), John Dahler (Sr., MLB/RB, 5-11, 175), Nygil Jefferies (Sr., OLB/SS, 6-1, 185), Ernest Stewart (Jr., OL, 6-1, 290), Lucas Semler (Sr., QB, 5-9), Ryan Bentley (So., DL)
Meet the Rebels: With county rushing champion Josiah “JoJo” Davis powering the offense with his legs, South Hagerstown doubled its win total from 2024 last fall and even picked up a playoff win … Davis — the Washington County Athletic Association’s Offensive Player of the Year and Top Running Back — piled up 1,097 rushing yards and 11 TDs and willed his team to a 14-7 win over Thomas S. Wootton in the first round of the 4A/3A West Region tourney … The Rebels’ season ended with a 20-6 loss to Urbana, and with that defeat, the team said goodbye to a strong senior class that included eight players named to either the WCAA or All-County Coaches teams … While Davis left a big pair of shoes to fill, South Hagerstown’s biggest losses could very well be on the defensive side of the ball, following the graduation of All-Stars Jamier Simms (OLB), Logan Hammond (DL), Ryan Ragland (LB), Tavon Harris (LB), Julius Rowe (DB), and Jeremiah Welch, who was named the WCAA’s Top Defensive Back last season … The Rebels, who sported the top defense in the LocalNews1.org with 20.5 points allowed per game, will be counting on a core group of All-Star defensive linemen and linebackers to set the tone … Avery Cosley (6-3, 175) and Ryan Bentley will look to apply pressure from the trenches, while linebackers Nygil Jefferies (6-1, 185) and John Dahler (5-11, 175) will aim to have breakout seasons … On offense, South returns its starting QB in Lucas Semler and an imposing presence on the offense line in Ernest Stewart, who checks in at 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds … To move the chains, the Rebels will need to get the ball in the hands of playmakers like Cosley and Percell Clay (6-0, 150), until they can find a way to replace the irreplacable Davis … Juwane Sandridge — who steered South to a 20-14 over North Hagerstown in a contest that was selected as the WCAA Game of the Year — is in his third season as head coach.
Opener: Friday, Sept. 4, at Century
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Dave Lawrence
Classification: 1A West Region
Last season: 4-6
Top projected returners: Noah Hegbe (Sr., OLB/WB/WR, 6-3, 190), Marquis Weakfall (Sr., CB/WB/WR, 5-10, 160), Nicolas Roncone (Jr., RB/OLB, 5-11, 200), Dakota Sowers (Sr., WR/KR/PR, 5-10, 145), Luke Scott (Sr., QB/OLB, 5-11, 165), Zach Linn (Sr., RB/ILB/P, 5-11, 165), Riley Carr (Jr., FB/WB/ILB, 5-10, 195), Cayden Nesbitt (Sr., S/WR/KR, 5-7, 145), Jack Dufek (Sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 305), Xsavior Dawson (Sr., LB), Sergio Funes (Sr., OLB/DL/TE, 6-0, 170), Jaxon Dodson (Sr., DB/WR/FS, 5-8, 155)
Meet the Leopards: Smithsburg took a big step forward last fall under the direction of new head coach Dave Lawrence, quadrupling its win total from the 2024 season … With a full offseason under Lawrence, the Leopards bring back a highly-decorated group of returning players that could have the program competing for its first winning season since 2015 … Smithsburg lost a few key offensive linemen in Anthony Villalobos and Gabe Stevens, as well as a key receiver in Blake Souders, but the team brings back plenty of pop from a unit that averaged 16.7 points per game … Quarterback Luke Scott (5-11, 165) is projected to return for his senior season after completing 70 of 127 passes for 1,059 yards and 12 TDs. Scott also carried the ball 35 times for 171 yards (4.9 average) … Scott, an offensive and defensive All-Star selection to both the Washington County Athletic Association and All-County Coaches teams, will be the trigger man for a loaded backfield that is also expected to return Nicolas Roncone (5-11, 200), Zach Linn (5-11, 165), and Riley Carr (5-10, 195) … Roncone, the WCAA’s Top Offensive Underclassman as a sophomore last fall, stacked up 445 rushing yards on 65 carries (6.8 average) and also hauled in nine catches for 163 yards … Linn ran 73 times for 313 yards (4.3 average), while Carr posted 52 carries for 214 yards (4.1 average). Both backs were named All-Stars … Scott will have some nice targets in the form of Dakota Sowers (21 catches, 262 yards), Marquis Weakfall (11 catches, 120 yards), and Cayden Nesbitt (6 catches, 131 yards) … Sowers was a WCAA First Teamer on offense, and he was named the organization’s Top Kick Returner after averaging 41.0 yards on returns and bringing back two kickoffs for TDs … For all the weapons Smithsburg brings back, the squad will need to patch a few holes on the offensive line. Look for the Leopards to build that unit around behemoth trench warrior Jack Dufek, who checks in at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds … Defensively, Smithsburg will count on a star-studded group of two-way players that include Scott (OLB), Linn (LB), Carr (LB), and Weakfall (DB) … Other projected returning All-Stars for the defense include Xsavior Dawson (LB), Sergio Funes (OLB), and Jaxon Dodson (DB) … With this group of defenders, the Leopards have the potential to improve upon a 2025 campaign that saw the team allow 24.7 points per game … If Smithsburg can find a few dudes to man the trenches, the squad could very well return to its 2015 form, when it went 6-4.
Opener: Friday, Sept. 4, at Francis Scott Key
