The winds of change have swept over the Chambersburg football program.

— The Trojans have a new head coach — former Chambersburg quarterback Gary Carter Jr. — and 5 new assistants.

Gary Carter

— The team is coming off an offseason in which real progress was made in the weight room.

— The staff has the players working harder in practice and is trying to develop a culture of positivity throughout the program.

— The youth program appears to be buying in, working together with the high school staff to be on the same page.

— Chambersburg had 130 kids report for practice, which is almost double the numbers of recent seasons.

Whether that translates into more wins, of course, has yet be decided — the Trojans were a respectable 4-6 last year under Mark Luther in the brutal Mid Penn Commonwealth Division — but there is a considerable amount of hope as the season nears.

Chambersburg hosts Gettysburg in the season opener this Friday at 7 p.m.

“There seems to be a lot more interest in the youth programs, and we started having our eighth- and ninth-graders in our lifting program,” Carter said of the huge numbers. “I think there seemed to be a buzz even before the new coaches were in place. If we can keep these numbers up, and have about 25-30 in each class, that will really help.”

Ceagan Truett

Carter was the QB in 1989, when the Trojans put together an 11-0 regular season, and he’s been on the Trojans’ staff as an assistant since 1997, except for a 5-year stint at Shippensburg University.

“We want to develop a Chambersburg way,” Carter said. “We used the motto ‘We believe’ back in ’89, and we want the players to feel that way again.”

One change the staff has made is that practices have become “tougher” — in Carter’s words.

“We have to be more disciplined, and so we’re pushing the kids harder in practice,” he said. “If we make it tougher on them, then they can develop responsibility and accountability, and that will help them in football and in their lives later on.

“At the same time, we are focusing on what the kids are doing right, rather than always pointing out their mistakes. They have to trust in themselves that they can do their job, and we have to let them know when they do.”

Eli Vosburg

One good thing for Chambersburg that isn’t true of most of teams on their schedule is that it will not have to break in a new quarterback. Ceagan Truett returns for his senior season with a full season as the starter under his belt.

Carter said, “He knows the offense inside and out, and he’s worked on making quicker decisions. He’s a true leader.”

Last year, Truett (6-1, 215) completed 61.7% of his passes (116-for-188) for 1,282 yards. He threw for 11 touchdowns and was intercepted 6 times. He also ran for 2 TDs.

Nearly all of Truett’s targets have graduated, but Carter believes this year’s group of receivers can be better.

“They’ve all been really awesome in camp,” he said.

The group includes Brycen Murray (sr., 5-10, 165, 6 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD); Davonte Scott (sr., 5-10, 180, 3-35); Cooper Stockslager (sr., 6-3, 190, 1-10), Tavian Ferguson (sr., 5-7, 140); Cobe Penick (sr., 6-1, 180) and Arran Ward (sr., 6-0, 200).

Isaiah Tasker

The starting tight end is Isaiah Tasker, (sr., 6-0, 190, 1-2, 1 TD), with Seth Gilliam (jr., 6-3, 200) and Camden Wadel (jr., 6-0, 200) helping out.

The Trojan running game picked up only 827 yards last year, but with an experienced and stronger offensive line, Carter hopes that can be improved.

“We’re still running a multiple offense, with a few more variations,” Carter said. “But we need the running game to be better so we can have a better run-pass mix.”

Nick Pompeii (sr., 5-9, 190), Mason Mowen (jr., 5-9, 185) and Malachi Tasker (so., 5-11, 175) will get the bulk of the carries.

Davonte Scott

The offensive line returns four starters — left tackle Eli Vosburg (6-0, 225), left guard Rylan Pottle (jr., 5-10, 255), center Frank Barrientos (sr., 5-10, 265) and right guard Omar Hanchey (jr., 6-0, 230), with a pair of sizeable sophomores vying for right tackle, Brady Lohman (6-2, 265) and Karter Daley (6-4, 280).

Carter said, “Frank and Omar have stood out so far, but they all have been doing good things.”

The defense will retain a 3-5 look and returns four starters, including Enoch Keath (sr., 5-9, 230, 12 tackles last year) at nose tackle, Isaiah Tasker (59 tackles) at linebacker, Murray at safety (11 tackles, 2 interceptions) at safety and Scott (9 tackles) at cornerback.

The defensive linemen flanking Keath will be Ray Williams (sr., 6-0, 220, 13 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 forced fumble) and Vosburg (6 tackles).

Also at linebacker will be Brady Rosenberry (sr., 5-10, 220, 37 tackles) and Brodie Robinson (sr., 5-10, 200) inside and Pompeii (13 tackles) and Stockslager (13 tackles) on the ends. Penick is slated to be the other corner.

Carter said, “Tasker and Williams have looked good, and the whole backfield has been solid.

Omar Hanchey

“We’re a little younger on defense and we have new coordinators, so it’s taken a little time. But we’re going to be aggressive and play downhill again, trying to put the pressure on teams.”

Ayden Sylvestre (so. 5-10, 190) is the new placekicker, Truett or Devon Nalewak (jr., 5-10, 180) will take care of the punting, and Scott and Murray will handle most of the returns.

“We know we play in a strong league, but our goal will always be to try to make the playoffs,” Carter said. “I feel good about where we’re at. The kids have bought into the process and will play hard and aggressive.”

NOTES: Bill Bowen is the Trojans’ offensive coordinator, while Jason Small and Cameron Tinner will share the defense … William Sensenderfer, Heath Ocker, Vinny Smith, David Chlebowski and Brock Harmon are also assistants and Brad Costolo is a volunteer … At least 6 of Chambersburg’s opponents will have new QBs this year … The Trojans lost only one fumble all season in 2024.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Chambersburg will host Gettysburg in the opener Friday … The Warriors finished 4-6 last year, including a 24-17 defeat to the Trojans … This is the first year of a co-op arrangement with Fairfield (which dropped its program), and Gettysburg will get some help from former Green Knights players … The Warriors’ big threat is running back Preston Burnett (5-10, 2-1), who gained over 1,000 yards last year, and he has a big and experienced line in front of him.

Carter said, “Some of those Fairfield kids could help them in a few positions. They have a great running back and their quarterback will get rid of the ball quickly. Gettysburg is certainly no slouch — they have a good coach (Matt Heiser) and they always play hard-nosed football.”

TROJAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 22 — vs. Gettysburg, 7
Aug. 29 — vs. Central Dauphin East, 7
Sept. 5 — at Bishop McDevitt, 7
Sept. 12 — vs. Harrisburg, 7
Sept. 19 — at State College, 7
Sept. 26 — at Cedar Cliff, 7
Oct. 3 — vs. Carlisle, 7
Oct. 10 — at Altoona, 7
Oct. 17 — vs. Cumberland Valley, 7
Oct. 24 — at Central Dauphin, 7