The start of the 2026 football season for Greencastle-Antrim may look a whole lot different than it did a year ago.

The Blue Devils will enter this year with a returning coach, some solid veteran players and enough athleticism on the field to feel more comfortable about their chances.

Elijah Ambrose

Last year, when G-A finished 4-6 after opening the season 1-5 under new coach Jason Thurston, the Blue Devils had to learn a whole new system and it took some time to register. Now, with Thurston back, there has been a lot less stress.

It showed in the team’s scrimmage against New Oxford last weekend, when Greencastle held its own against the Colonials, who were 11-1 a year ago.

Thurston said, “Our goal for the scrimmage was to come out feeling confident. We felt good about the way we played against them (both teams scored 3 times). So I’d say we’re ahead of where we were last year.”

The Blue Devils open the season against rival Waynesboro on Friday at 7 p.m.

The offensive line, with three starters back, may have a lot to say about how well G-A fares. The returners are Elijah Ambrose (sr., 6-0, 202) at tackle, Gavin Knable (sr., 5-7, 269) at center and Ben Jansen (jr., 6-0, 228) at guard, and other likely starters are Tyler Myers (jr., 5-9, 175) at guard and Cole Burkholder (jr., 6-1, 229) at tackle.

Returner Wyatt Hull (sr., 6-4, 200; 18 catches, 336 yards, 4 TDs) will start at tight end, and Zach Russell (jr., 6-2, 190) will play when G-A goes into a two tight end set.

Wyatt Hull

“We have three starters back, plus Wyatt, and the other kids starting played really well on the JV team last year,” Thurston said. “If the O-line stays healthy, I think we can move the ball well.”

Gavin Logsdon will take over at quarterback. The 5-11, 146-pound senior saw a little action last year (4-for-11, 132 yards, 2 TDs, 2 interceptions).

“He has been consistent,” Thurston said. “He’s a quiet leader and very intelligent.”

The main ballcarriers all graduated, but Thurston has been pleased by halfback Spencer Long (jr. 5-10, 170), who scored twice in the scrimmage, and fullback Ethan South (sr., 5-10, 166).

Thurston said, “Long has looked good, and he has the speed. South has looked good, too, and I love feeding the fullback.”

Luke Hall (jr., 6-1, 180) and Dominic Angelini (sr., 5-10, 141) will rotate in at wingback. Hull caught 6 balls last year for 30 yards. At wide receiver, Sam Petruska (sr., 5-9, 156; 1 catch, 10 yards) and Iverson Stoner (sr., 6-3, 166; 4-32, 1 TD) will get some help from Jeremiah Murray (so., 6-1, 140) and Ryan Schick (jr., 6-3, 156).

Loki Huffman

“On offense, we want to play simple, but give a complex look for our opponents,” Thurston said. “We have a lot of diversity, because a lot of kids maybe outside of the guys we mentioned will play in certain personnel groups. The kids put in a lot of work this summer, so our whole playbook is in play.”

The Blue Devil defense will have a 4-2-5 look this fall and the players are still adjusting to it. Many of the starting spots are still up for grabs.

Thurston said, “The personnel is still changing, and it’s a situation where if you perform well, you’ll probably be in there next week.”

At least five starters are back on defense, led by Ambrose at defensive end and Loki Huffman (sr., 5-10, 227) on the line. A year ago, Ambrose had 63 tackles and 2 for a loss, while Huffman made 33 tackles, 6 for a loss and added 6 QB hurries.

Other veterans include Wyatt Hull at DE (37 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks); South at inside linebacker (39 tackles, 1 sack), Petruska at cornerback (19 tackles) and Jansen (19 tackles) on the line. Burkholder also made 11 stops last year.

Ethan South

Other potential starters include Stoner at corner, Carter Peck (sr., 5-8, 138) at strong safety, Luke Hull (jr., 6-1, 180) at linebacker, and Dane Medina (so., 5-5, 129) and Chase Diller (sr., 6-3, 180) in the backfield. Diller, who was out last year, is called a “phenomenal athlete” by Thurston.

“We changed the look of the defense based on our personnel,” Thurston said. “We have so much speed on defense we think this suits us better. We are starting to have some success with it.”

On special teams, Blake Witmer (sr., 5-8, 135) made 15 of 22 extra points and one field goal last year. South will be the punter, Kahl Cordell (sr., 5-5, 125) is the long snapper, and Medina and Murray are first up as returners.

Thurston said, “I think we have a special group of guys that is very tight. I don’t think we’ll have the discipline issues (penalties) we had last year. We have a lot of speed and athleticism. If we can protect the ball and not hurt ourselves with penalties, we will be competitive.”

Waynesboro at Greencastle preview

The Blue Devils and Indians will tangle Friday to open the season, and, as usual, the temperature is high.

“There is a good bit of talk on social media,” Thurston said, “so we’ve talked all week about being focused and not responding. I anticipate a lot of chirping Friday night and I hope we can just play football and stay composed.”

Waynesboro is led by new coach Scott McClure, who took over when Mark Saunders resigned. McClure, a Fayetteville native, has been an assistant at Waynesboro, Chambersburg and Smithsburg.

Some of the top players back for Boro include Larry Taylor, who had 42 carries for 198 yards and 3 TDs rushing, plus 45 catches for 337 yards and 3 scores; Dwayne Robinson (34 yards rushing, 89 receiving); Ryan Stull (72 tackles, 3 sacks); Aaron Fortney, Gavin Starkey and Luke Gorselsky.

Thurston said, “They remind me of what we looked like early last year. Their backs run the ball hard, so we have to tackle well. On defense, they will bring a lot of pressure, so we’ll have to throw the ball or get outside to soften them up.

“I know they are gonna be fired up and bring their best effort, so we need to match, if not exceed, their energy level.”