Coming off a 3-7 season in which it lost several close games, there is an air of positivity surrounding the Chambersburg football team as it readies for its season opener on Friday.
Mark Luther
Certainly, coach Mark Luther has felt it.
"This is my eighth season, and I'd say this is one of the better feelings we've had about our team at the beginning of the season," Luther said. "I'm excited."
The Trojans, who host Pope John Paul II at Trojan Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, have a veteran and talented set of skill players on offense, a decent number of returners on defense and some good young athletes who are expected to contribute.
Luther said, "We show good potential. At our scrimmage Saturday (at Hershey) we did some really good things. Hershey is a much better football team this year than they were last year and we looked good. So we did better against a better team."
With a bevy of returning skill players, the offense just needs some good line play to perform at its peak.
The quarterback position is in good hands. Riley Harmon (sr., 5-10, 180), who split duties with Jermere Jones (sr.) last year, is the No. 1 choice this fall. Jones may still find himself behind center for a few series per game, but he and his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame will also spend time at wide receiver.
Riley Harmon
Luther said, "Riley has really matured, You can tell it's his third year in the system, and he has a better understanding of our concepts and reads. We can use Jermere in certain situations at quarterback."
Last year, Harmon completed 94 of 161 passes (58%) for 1,125 yards, with 8 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Jones was 22-for-33 (63%) for 160 yards, 1 score and 1 pick. Jones also ran for 172 yards and 2 TDs and Harmon had 119 yards on the ground and a pair of scores.
Dayre Senft (sr., 5-7, 170) returns as the leading rusher — he had 98 carries for 325 yards (3.3. average). Antonio Harrison II (jr., 5-8, 170), who had 10 carries for 67 yards, and Imari Watson (jr., 5-7, 150), who had 1 carry for 5 yards, will join Senft as the lead running backs.
"All three guys have positives," Luther said. "We'll use all three and if one starts hitting it well, then we'll go with the hot hand."
The receiving corps will miss J.J. Kelly, who had 30 catches for 449 yards and 5 TDs — Kelly decided to concentrate on basketball and track & field.
Jermere Jones
But there is ample speed and talent back, including Rhaigeon Parker (25 catches, 418 yards, 3 TDs), Andy Jean (32-250, 4 TDs), Jake Folmar (7-93) and Trever Luther (6-33). Parker (5-10, 170), Jean (5-8, 150) and Folmar (5-9, 155) are seniors and Luther (5-10, 160) is a junior.
"We feel pretty good about our receivers," Luther said. "We have speed and experience, and we'll add Jones to that group, too. He has size and can really run."
The tight end role will be handled by Caleb Varner (jr., 5-10, 200) and Jude Grillo (jr., 6-2, 200).
With Skyler Eiker (sr., 6-1, 200) out until late September with an injury, the offensive line returns only one starter, Chase Stenger (sr., 5-9, 230) at center.
Expected starters are Dominick Curtis (jr., 6-0, 275) at right tackle, Cole Edwards (jr., 6-1, 260) at right guard, Pierce Schoenhofen (jr., 6-1, 250) at left tackle and Eli Vosburg (so., 5-10, 200) at left guard.
Luther said, "The loss of Eiker hurt because Chase is now the only one with much experience. We'll have to grow up really fast on the line. But we did see some good things in the scrimmage from them and we like their potential."
Rhaigeon Parker
On defense, the middle linebackers and the secondary have the most experience.
In the middle will be Dominic Barbagallo (sr., 6-0, 215) and Stanley Lozius (jr., 5-10, 200), with help from Brady Deneen (sr., 5-6, 170) and Dylan Panfili (jr., 5-10, 200). The outside linebackers will include Jones, Deneen, Evan Brown (jr., 6-0, 175) and A.J. Brandt (sr., 5-9, 175).
The two cornerback spots will be held down by Parker, Luther, Jean and Watson, all of whom had playing time there last year.
Jason Chambers (jr., 5-9, 160) is the strong safety and free safety will be handled by Folmar, Luther and Blake Rueter (so., 5-8, 160).
Up front, Darrell Parker (sr., 5-10, 250), Stenger and Edwards will play nose tackle, while the end positions will be from among Grillo, Kevin Demory (jr., 6-3, 210), Schoenhofen and Ethan Woglemuth (sr., 6-6, 210).
Chase Stenger
Mark Luther said, "In the scrimmage we played very basic defense — we wanted to see who could just line up and play. We had some mistakes technique-wise, but I saw a lot of good tackling. So I was pleased — the defense did some good things, too."
The kicking game (placekicking and punting) will be taken over by Luther, the third in his family to do so. He'll replace graduated Teegan Humelsine, who was 20-for-20 on extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals.
"We looked good in the scrimmage, but we know Friday night presents a whole new set of questions," coach Luther said. "But it would be awesome if we can play the same way Friday.
"I think the possibility is there for us to finish at .500 or above. We have six home games, including the first four weeks, which helps. There are some teams we had close losses to last year that we could maybe turn around. But one or two key injuries could really hurt — we don't have that kind of luxury."
Chambersburg's 2023 Schedule
Fri, Aug. 25 — Pope John Paul II, 7:00
Fri, Sept. 1 — Northern York, 7:00
Fri, Sept. 8 — Waynesboro, 7:00
Fri, Sept. 15 — Central Dauphin, 7:00
Fri, Sept. 22 — at Carlisle, 7:00
Thurs, Sept. 28 — Cumberland Valley, 7:00
Fri, Oct. 6 — at Altoona, 7:00
Fri, Oct. 13 — Central Dauphin East, 7:00
Sat, Oct. 21 — at Harrisburg, 1:00
Fri, Oct. 27 — at State College, 7:00
