There is a certain time of year when every high school football team is undefeated and hope springs eternal: The preseason. Every squad starts the season with reasons — whether it be size, experience, individual talent, or maybe even a great effort in a scrimmage — to believe that it can have a successful campaign.
But all of that is just speculation until games actually kick off under the bright Friday lights. We’ll find out exactly how the six football teams from the Local.News1 coverage area — Waynesboro, Greencastle-Antrim, Chambersburg, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, and Smithsburg — as the season unfolds this fall.
Football season begins in Pennsylvania on Friday. Waynesboro and Greencastle both return some big pieces and are aiming to compete on a weekly basis. Chambersburg is rallying behind a new coach and a returning starting quarterback, and had more than 100 players try out for the squad this season.
Maryland football is slated to open in September. South Hagerstown and Smithsburg are looking to take steps forward after low-win seasons in 2024, while North Hagerstown could very well return enough talent to post its first winning season since 2013.
Fairfield, another school in our coverage area, no longer has a football program. Players from the school are set to join Gettysburg’s squad as part of a co-op program.
Stick with Local.News1 in the days and weeks to come as we continue to preview the fall sports season as it kicks off this month.
Below are team-by-team preview capsules for the six football squads in the Local.News1 coverage area:
Waynesboro Tribe
Coach: Mark Saunders
Division: Mid-Penn Keystone
Last season: 4-6, 3-6 division
Top projected returners: Rayshawn Frazier-Hewitt (Sr., QB/CB), Steven Howard (Sr., WR/FS), Aaron Fortney (Jr., RB/CB), Anthony Ausherman (Jr., DE/RB, 5-8), Ayden Strasbaugh (Sr., WR/CB, 6-0, 165), Brody Wile (Jr., DE/T, 6-0, 220), Carson Costella (Sr., DE/G, 6-0, 215), Cayden Lengyel (Jr., NG/G, 6-1, 240), Devin Keefer (Sr., OLB/LS/WR), Gavin Uriah (Jr., 5-10, 160), Kean Baumgardner (Sr., DE/TE, 6-1, 225), Korbin Foster (Sr., G/DT), Larry Taylor (So., RB/CB), Luke Gorzelsky (Jr., C/NG), Matt Bosseler (Jr., DT/G, 6-5, 250), Mick Torbica (Sr., DT/T, 6-4), Sage Henson (Sr., WR/FS), Sam Young (Jr., WR/CB), Shawn Smith (Sr., OLB/TE), Trenton Urey (Jr., DE/QB), Treyvon Drish (Jr., RB/OLB).
Notable: With a solid group of returning players, Waynesboro will be looking to stay competitive in the hard-hitting Keystone Division on a weekly basis … Starting QB Rayshawn Frazier-Hewitt is back for his senior season and should give opponents problems with his ability to produce big performances both as a passer and a runner … Matt Bosseler, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior trench warrior, is projected to be a two-way starter on both the OL and DL … Bosseler is one of many large-framed Tribe athletes that will be counted on to get the dirty work done up front, with others including Brody Wile (6-0, 220), Carson Costella (6-0, 215), Cayden Lengyel (6-1, 240), Kean Baumgardner (6-1, 225), and Mick Torbica (6-4) … Steven Howard, a senior WR, should be a key skill player for Waynesboro … Defensively, the Tribe return some experience up front and in the secondary, but will need to replace the talents of graduated LBs Owen Shockey and Andrew Florek, two players who were named Colonial Division All-Stars last fall … Waynesboro will be angling to qualify for the District 3 tourney for the sixth time in program history.
Opener: Friday, Aug. 22, at Greencastle-Antrim
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Jason Thurston
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 3-7, 2-6 division
Top projected returners: Mason Mellott (Sr., OL/LB, 5-9, 200), Blake Reuter (Sr., HB/FS, 5-7, 170), Lars Galinanes (Sr., FB, 5-10, 210), Noah Shifflett (Sr., WB/SS, 5-10, 180), Spencer Long (So., RB, 5-9, 160), Asher Whitson (Sr., RB/P, 5-9, 195), Lane Berry (Sr., QB, 5-11, 160), Gavin Logsdon (Jr., QB, 5-11, 140), Sam Petruska (Jr., WR, 5-9, 150), Zach Orndorff (Sr., WR, 5-11, 145), Iverson Stoner (Jr., WR, 6-2, 160), Wyatt Hull (Sr., LB, 6-3, 185), Dom Angelini (Jr., WB/CB, 5-10, 140), Ben Belleau (Sr., OL/LB, 5-8, 180), Nathan Painter (Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 230), Elijah Ambrose (Jr., OL, 6-0, 195), Landon Reed (Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 235), Gavin Knable (Jr., OL/NG, 5-7, 245), Loki Huffman (Jr., DL, 6-0, 235), Seth Kielek (Sr., CB, 5-11, 175), Cole Burkholder (So., DL, 6-0, 215), Westyn Horner (Sr., DL, 6-3, 230), Eli Barrett (Jr., NG, 6-0, 260), Blake Witmer (Jr., K, 5-6, 160)
Notable: Greencastle has a new head coach in Jason Thurston, a man with 25 years of coaching experience, including eight as a head coach … Thurston takes over for Devin McCauley … McCauley’s son Carter — a First Team Colonial Division selection on both offense and defense who scored 15 TDs — is also gone following graduation … The Blue Devils have plenty of reasons to be excited, however, as they bring back starting QB Lane Berry and a trio of talented backs in Blake Reuter, Lars Galinanes, and Noah Shifflett, who combined for 10 TDs and nearly 1,300 rushing yards last fall … Greencastle’s offensive line returns three starters, including senior Mason Mellott, who was named a Colonial Division Honorable Mention selection in 2024 … The Blue Devils’ defense will be led by Shifflett, who was named a Colonial Division Second Teamer at LB last season after piling up 53 tackles and two interceptions … Shifflett is projected to start at strong safety, while the linebacking corps will be manned by Ben Belleau, Wyatt Hull, and Mellott, three players who combined for more than 130 tackles … Greencastle will be aiming to qualify for the District 3 postseason for the ninth time in program history.
Opener: Friday, Aug. 22, at home vs. Waynesboro
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Gary Carter
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: 4-6, 3-6 division
Top projected returners: Ceagan Truett (Sr., QB/P, 6-1, 217), Brycen Murray (Sr., WR/S, 5-10, 165), Davonte Scott (Sr., WR/CB, 5-10, 180), Cooper Stockslager (Sr., TE, 6-3, 190), Tavian Ferguson (Sr., WR, 5-7, 140), Cobe Penick (Sr., WR/CB, 6-1, 180), Arran Ward (Sr., WR, 6-0, 200), Isaiah Tasker (Sr., TE/LB, 6-0, 190), Seth Gilliam (Jr., TE, 6-3, 200), Camden Wadel (Jr., TE, 6-0, 200), Nick Pompeii (Sr., RB/DE, 5-9, 190), Mason Mowen (Jr., RB, 5-9, 185), Malachi Tasker (So., RB, 5-11, 175), Eli Vosburg (OL/DL, 6-0, 225), Rylan Pottle (Jr., OL, 5-10, 255), Frank Barrientos (Sr., OL, 5-10, 265), Omar Hanchey (Jr., OL, 6-0, 230), Brady Lohman (So., OL, 6-2, 265), Karter Daly (So., OL, 6-4, 280), Enoch Keath (Sr., DL, 5-9, 230), Ray Williams (Sr., DL, 6-0, 220), Brady Rosenberry (Sr., LB, 5-10, 220), Brodie Robinson (Sr., LB, 5-10, 200), Ayden Sylvestre (So., K, 5-10, 190), Devon Nalewak (Jr., P, 5-10, 180)
Notable: Chambersburg football alum and long-time Trojans assistant coach Gary Carter gets the call to lead the program this fall, replacing Mark Luther … Carter, who quarterbacked Chambersburg to an 11-0 season in 1989, has a deep pool of talent to start the season as 130 players turned out for practice … Those big numbers, combined with a solid group of returners and an off-season of hard work in the weight room, have the Trojans feeling optimistic … Chambersburg brings back starting QB Ceagan Truett for his senior season. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Truett completed more than 60 percent of his passes (116 of 188) last fall for 1,282 yards and 11 TDs, to go along with six interceptions … Truett has a large stable of talented receivers at his disposal and will be protected by an offensive line that brings back four starters … The Trojans will look to three RBs — Nick Pompeii, Mason Mowen, and Malachi Tasker — to split the bulk of the carries … Chambersburg’s defense, which returns four starters: DL Enoch Keath, LB Tasker, safety Brycen Murray, and CB Davonte Scott … The Trojans will be tasked with replacing three Commonwealth Division All-Stars in Stanley Lozius (LB), Trever Luther (DB/WR/K), and Jude Grillo (DL) … There are no guarantees in the rugged Commonwealth, but if the Trojans can put together a solid showing this fall, they could very well qualify for the District 3 postseason for the 11th time in program history.
Opener: Friday, Aug. 22, at home vs. Gettysburg
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Nathan Butts
Classification: 3A West Region
Last season: 4-6
Top projected returners: James Jackson Jr. (Sr., RB, 5-10, 185), Damean Thomas (Sr., OLB/MLB, 6-2, 200), Ty Fauntleroy (Sr., RB/OLB, 5-10, 190), Gary Fisher (Sr., OL, 5-10, 293), Michael Stewart (Jr., DB, 6-0, 168), Garrett Forrest (Sr., P/DL, 6-4, 200), Ben Distefano (Sr., LB/HB, 5-9, 201), Blake Custer (Sr., LB, 6-1, 210), Bryant Noubissie (Sr., OLB, 6-0, 185), Sydney Smith (Jr., G/DE, 6-1, 250), Toni Abonge (Sr., MLB/T, 5-9, 205), Ronnie Savage III (Jr., WR/FS, 5-10, 157), Eligh Zimmerman (Jr., C/DE, 5-9, 250), Tai Gilliam (Sr., RB/CB, 5-5, 160), Kaleb Thompson (Sr., FS/SS, 5-10, 160), Jamarie Bannis (Sr., NG, 6-3, 288)
Notable: With a roster packed full of seasoned veterans, North Hagerstown will be seeking its first winning season since 2013 … The Hubs are expected to be especially strong on the defensive side of the ball, where they bring back one of the top players in the region in Damean Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound LB who rolled up 113 tackles last season, including 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, to go along with four sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception … Thomas is the centerpiece for a brilliant linebacking crew that also returns Blake Custer and Bryant Noubissie, two players that combined for more than 150 tackles last fall … Garrett Forrest, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DL who doubles as North Hagerstown’s punter, will work in the trenches alongside DL Ben Distefano and Jamarie Bannis, a 6-foot-3, 288-pound nose guard … The secondary will be led by James Jackson Jr., who posted three interceptions in 2024, and Michael Stewart, a hard-hitting DB who forced three fumbles and recorded an interception … Look for the offense to be led by the two-headed running attack of Jackson and Ty Fauntleroy, two RBs who combined for nearly 900 rushing yards last season … Optimism is high for the Hubs, but the squad will have three big pairs of shoes to fill following the graduation of starting QB Logan Hoffman, top WR Khalil Peggues, and kicker Sergio Melendez-Urizer.
Opener: Friday, Sept. 5, at Tuscarora
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Juwuane Sandridge
Classification: 3A/4A West Region
Last season: 2-8
Top projected returners: Josiah Davis (Sr., RB, 5-8, 185), Jameir Simms (Sr., WR/CB, 5-10, 160), Layden Greever (Sr., QB, 6-1, 170), Avery Cosley (Jr., WR, 6-2, 176), Logan Hammond (Sr., DL, 6-3, 195), Dustin Campion (Jr., T), Percell Clay (Jr., 6-0, 150), John Dahler (Jr., MLB/RB, 5-10, 175), James Farmer (Sr., 6-1, 240), Nygil Jefferies (Jr., 6-0, 163), Ryan Ragland (Sr., 5-8, 170), Jeremiah Welch (Sr.)
Notable: A new season means a jump in classification for the Rebels, who move up from Class 3A to 3A/4A this fall … Coach Juwuane Sandridge is in his second season at the helm for South, which posted two wins last fall and concluded its season with a 55-0 loss to No. 1-seeded Linganore in the opening round of the 3A West Region playoffs … Sandridge will be tasked with replacing standout LB and starting QB Brayden Sisk, as well as the team’s top WR in Cahauri Alford … RB Josiah Davis is slated to return for his senior season after compiling more than 700 rushing yards and three TDs. He also made 13 catches for 90 yards and a TD … Davis could be joined in the backfield by senior QB Layden Greever, who had limited varsity reps as a signal-caller last fall … Look for Logan Hammond, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound OL/DL, to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Hammond, who already holds two college offers, registered 39 tackles in 2024, including eight tackles for loss and five sacks …
Opener: Friday, Sept. 5, at home vs. Century
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Dave Lawrence
Classification: 1A West Region
Last season: 1-8
Top projected returners: Levi Miller (Jr., RB), Hunter Drill (Sr., TE), Noah Hegbe (Jr., DE), Andres Villalobos Maldonado (Sr.), Rittenhouse Shuster (Sr., DE/TE, 6-5, 205), Blake Souders (Sr., WR/CB, 5-8, 130), Gabriel Stevens (Sr., T/G, 5-10, 200), Marquis Weakfall (Jr., CB/WR)
Notable: Dave Lawrence steps in to take over the head coaching role for Smithsburg, replacing David Miller, who resigned in December after three seasons at the helm … Lawrence returns to the coaching ranks following a brief hiatus after leading South Hagerstown from 2018-2023 … Under new leadership, the Leopards will be aiming for their first winning season in 10 years … Smithsburg has many lineup questions to answer this fall, especially on the offensive side of the ball, after graduating its Top 2 QBs in Lucas McFarland and Carter Nesbitt, Top 2 WRs in Ayden Weakfall and Alex Bachtell, and punter in Chase Hill … The Leopards defense will look to regain its footing without the services of two graduated LBs who combined for nearly 150 tackles last fall: Zac Smith and Tyler Ward … Look for Smithsburg to lean on returning DEs Noah Hegbe and the 6-foot-5 Rittenhouse Shuster to guide the defense, with Hunter Drill (25 tackles, 5 TFLs) and Marquis Weakfall (33 tackles, 4 passes defended) adding support … Blake Souders will be looking to impact the game on both sides of the ball as a WR/DB, while Levi Miller will be counted for increased production as an RB and punt returner … Gabriel Stevens, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior, is projected to be a key player in the trenches for the Leopards.
Opener: Friday, Sept. 5, at home vs. Francis Scott Key
