One of the first things coaches look at in high school football is a team’s offensive line. So much of what transpires in a game is dictated by the play of the line.

So, the fact that Chambersburg is basically returning five starters to the offensive line for the 2024 season bodes well for the Trojans’ chances to be competitive in the super competitive Mid Penn Commonwealth Division.

Kevin Demory

Chambersburg begins its season Friday night at 7 at Gettysburg in its only non-league game of the year.

Trojan coach Mark Luther said, “It’s awesome to have that kind of experience on the O-line. They’re not big, compared to some tams in the league, but it’s decent size for us. The fact that they all played and started some last year allowed us to approach the preseason camp differently — we were able to pick stuff up at a better pace.”

The line will include left tackle Kevin Demory (sr., 6-4, 255), left guard Matt Murray (sr., 6-1, 200), center Eli Vosberg (jr., 5-10, 200), right guard Cole Edwards (sr., 6-1, 260) and right tackle Dominick Curtis (sr., 6-0, 275).

In addition, Luther says several players, including Ray Williams (jr., 6-0, 205), Michael Robinson (sr., 5-9, 290) and sophomores Rylan Pottle (5-10, 220) and Omar Hanchey (5-11, 220) have played well enough to work into the rotation.

Caleb Varner (sr., 5-10, 200), who worked into the starting spot at tight end before injuring his knee last year, will return at some point in the season. In the meantime, Ben Bryant (sr., 6-1, 205), Jude Grillo (sr., 6-2, 200) and Isaiah Tasker (jr., 6-1, 190) will cover the spot.

Trever Luther (sr., 5-11, 175) is the top returner among the receivers, having caught 31 passes for 405 yards and a touchdown last year. Evan Brown (sr., 6-0, 190), Jason Chambers (sr., 5-9, 170), Devonte Scott (jr., 5-10, 170), Harrison Benedict (sr., 6-3, 180), Cooper Stockslager (jr., 6-3, 185) and Tavian Ferguson (jr., 5-6, 145) will also be part of the receiving corps.

Stanley Lozius

There is plenty of senior experience at running back. Antonio Harrison II (5-8, 170) ran for 331 yards on 79 carries and scored 3 TDs a year ago, while Imari Watson (5-6, 150) contributed 46 carries for 186 yards and 2 scores.

“When we go to a two-back set, you will see Stanley (Lozius, sr., 5-10, 200) at fullback,” Luther said, “and Dylan Panfili (sr., 5-10, 200) and Brady Rosenberry (jr., 5-10, 190) may see time, too.”

And then there is the quarterback position, which Luther said is his team’s biggest question mark. It is down to either junior Ceagan Truett (6-1, 200) or sophomore Justin Deneen (5-10, 165), with Truett having the upper hand at this point. In limited action last year, Truett completed 12 of 16 throws for 178 yards and 3 scores.

Luther said, “We’re looking for Ceagan to step in as a junior and take it. He moves pretty well and he’s shown flashes of staying in the pocket. We’re hoping he can settle in and manage the game for us. Justin is a sophomore, but he’s done some good things and is growing and learning.”

The defense does not return as many starters, but the returners are split up at different levels, and so far Luther is OK with what he’s seen.

“We sat quite a few guys out from our scrimmage (with Hershey), and I didn’t feel good about the way the defense flowed,” Luther said. “But when I watched the film I saw a lot of good things. The sophomores we played took advantage of being in that situation and did well. I think we have a good foundation to work with.”

Trever Luther

The secondary received plenty of experience last year. Chambers will be the free safety, backed up by Harrison. Luther and Watson are the corners, with Scott and Ferguson behind hem.

At linebacker, Lozius is a two-year starter in the middle, flanked by Panfili and Tasker. Brown and Benedict man the outside linebacker spots. Behind them are Rosenberry, Nick Pompeii (jr., 5-9, 180) and Dominik Cherry (jr., 5-9, 185), along with Stockslager and Chris Mendez (sr., 5-9, 190).

Demory and Grillo will operate at defensive end and Enoch Keith (jr., 5-10, 235) is the nose tackle. They’ll be backed up by Williams, Fabian Moreno (sr., 5-10, 210) and Vosberg.

“We have guys that we’re trying not to play both ways,” Luther said. “So guys like Pottle and others will get some time out there.”

The Trojan kicking game is in good hands with Trever Luther doing kicking, kickoffs and punting, while Harrison and Watson are the primary returners.

“Trever did well in the preseason and we feel pretty good about our returners,” Luther said.

“Honestly, I think the biggest thing is we have to stay healthy. By the end of the season last year, we had 10 starters out for the last two games, and that’s tough to do in a division like the Commonwealth.”

DIVISION REVISION: The Commonwealth did not change as much as some of the Mid Penn’s divisions, but by adding the perennial top two teams in the Keystone — Bishop McDevitt and Cedar Cliff — the Commonwealth just got much tougher.

And it was already one of the strongest football leagues in the state.

“It’s already been tough for Chambersburg, because we’ve struggled to develop a consistent winning tradition,” Luther said. “And we’ve just added a couple of very good programs. It’s arguably one of the most competitive conferences in the state.

“Every program sends kids to college, including the big-time college programs. It’s going to be difficult, but it might help us out that we have McDevitt and Harrisburg early in the season.”

SEASON OPENER AT GETTYSBURG: The Trojans will face a quality and experienced quarterback Friday when they travel to take on the Warriors in a non-league game. Gettysburg has moved from the Colonial to the Keystone Division this year.

QB Brady Heiser, son of coach Matt Heiser, is starting for the third season and in his first two years, he piled up 3,477 yards passing and 27 touchdowns, plus 994 yards of rushing with 26 TDs.

Luther said, “They have a fast-paced offense and Heiser is a big part of what they do, because he does it with his arm and his feet. It’ll be a challenge to slow their offense down, because they go no-huddle and up-tempo.”

The Warriors were 4-6 last year, when running back Preston Burnett carried for 1,279 yards as a junior.

“He’s a good back and their line isn’t big, but plays well together,” Luther said.

SCHEDULE
Aug. 23, at Gettysburg, 7
Aug. 30, at Central Dauphin East, 7
Sept. 6, at home vs. Bishop McDevitt, 7
Sept. 14, at Harrisburg, 1
Sept. 20, at home vs. State College, 7
Sept. 27, at home vs. Cedar Cliff, 7
Oct. 4, at Carlisle, 7
Oct. 11, at home vs. Altoona, 7
Oct. 18, at Cumberland Valley, 7
Oct. 25, at home vs. Central Dauphin, 7