Veteran Offense, Experienced Secondary Give Blue Mountain High Expectations for 2026
Blue Mountain enters the 2026 season with an experienced offense, proven playmakers and the motivation that comes from last year’s postseason run.
The Eagles finished 7-5 in 2025 and advanced to the District 11 Class 4A semifinals under head coach Chuck Kutz. Blue Mountain overcame a 0-2 start, won seven of its next nine games and defeated Lehighton 42-7 in the district quarterfinals before falling to Southern Lehigh in the semifinals.
Blue Mountain must replace several important seniors, including 1,000-yard rusher Carter Smith and defensive leaders Dylan Foose, Josh Hoover, Reese Miller, William Shaner and Brady Strause. However, the Eagles return an established quarterback, four veteran offensive linemen and a talented group of running backs and receivers.
With experience at nearly every position on offense and in the defensive secondary, Blue Mountain has the pieces to remain a contender in the Schuylkill League Division 1 and District 11 Class 4A.
Veteran Offensive Line Sets the Foundation
Blue Mountain’s biggest strength entering the season is its offensive line.
Senior center Vaughn Helverson, senior guards Ryan Clemas and Hunter Reichert, and senior tackle Kurt Krammesall return after helping the Eagles produce one of District 11’s more balanced offenses last fall.
Their experience should allow Blue Mountain to maintain its physical rushing attack while providing time for junior quarterback Cohen Kirby to challenge defenses through the air.
The Eagles must replace Foose at offensive tackle, but junior newcomers Jesse Strouse and Krash Long will compete for larger roles up front.
With four senior starters returning, the offensive line should give Blue Mountain stability and leadership from the beginning of the season.
Kirby Returns to Direct the Offense
Kirby returns for his second season as the starting quarterback after gaining valuable experience during Blue Mountain’s seven-win campaign.
His development should allow offensive coordinator Tom McGoey to expand the playbook and create greater balance between the running and passing games.
The Eagles want Kirby to operate efficiently, protect the football and take advantage of favorable matchups on the outside. With a veteran offensive line in front of him and several fast receivers at his disposal, Kirby should have opportunities to produce explosive plays.
Blue Mountain showed its scoring potential last season, reaching at least 34 points in seven games and scoring 40 or more six times.
The next step will be producing that same consistency against the strongest teams on the schedule.
Foose Leads Deep Backfield
Replacing Smith’s production will be one of the offense’s biggest challenges.
Junior Brody Foose returns at running back and is expected to take on a larger role after contributing as a sophomore. He gives the Eagles a physical runner capable of working between the tackles and producing yards after contact.
Senior Frankie Russo also returns at halfback, providing another experienced option in the backfield.
Junior Nate Driscoll and sophomore Sonny Amato are among the newcomers competing for carries. Their development should give Blue Mountain the depth to rotate backs and keep fresh legs on the field.
The Eagles may not rely on a single runner as heavily as they did with Smith. Instead, they have the personnel to use a committee approach behind their experienced offensive line.
Guers Headlines Fast Receiving Corps
Senior Chase Guers returns as one of Blue Mountain’s most dangerous playmakers.
Guers has the speed to stretch defenses vertically and create explosive gains after the catch. His presence on the outside should prevent opponents from loading the box against the Eagles’ running game.
Junior Cole Luckenbill also returns at wide receiver and gives Kirby another proven target. Senior Lucas Pritiskutch is expected to contribute at receiver after starting in the defensive secondary last season.
Blue Mountain will also look to junior tight ends Landon Daubert and Justin Zimmerman to help replace Duke Renninger.
The offense wants to establish the run behind its veteran line and then capitalize with deep throws to Guers, Luckenbill and the rest of its athletic receiving group.
Defense Faces Important Transition
Blue Mountain returns experience on defense, but several major positions must be filled.
The Eagles graduated both starting defensive ends in Foose and Shaner, along with linebacker Miller and safeties Hoover and Brady Strause.
Replacing that production, physicality and leadership will be defensive coordinator Harry Myers’ biggest challenge during the preseason.
Blue Mountain’s defensive success will depend heavily on identifying dependable defensive ends and solidifying the middle linebacker position.
The Eagles plan to compensate for their inexperience up front by playing aggressively and creating pressure through multiple fronts and pressure packages.
Helverson and Clemas Anchor Defensive Front
Helverson returns at nose guard and will be one of the keys to Blue Mountain’s run defense.
His ability to occupy blockers and control the middle should create opportunities for the linebackers behind him.
Clemas also returns at defensive tackle and end, giving the Eagles another experienced and versatile lineman.
Several newcomers will compete for roles around them.
Senior Jude Sonon, senior Korbyn Duncan, Strouse, Long, Daubert and Zimmerman are among the candidates along the defensive front. Sophomore Dom Carestia may also contribute at nose guard or inside linebacker.
The coaching staff will need that group to mature quickly, especially against the physical rushing attacks found throughout the Schuylkill League.
Linebacker Competition Will Be Critical
Junior Foose returns at inside linebacker after earning starting experience last season.
Sophomore Amato also returns inside and should benefit from the varsity snaps he received as a freshman.
Russo provides experience at outside linebacker, but the Eagles must create additional depth following Miller’s graduation.
Senior Mason Satterfield, senior Braxton Moore, junior Parker Strause, junior Dylan Katerman, sophomore Mason Saylor and Carestia are among the players competing for larger roles.
Driscoll could also contribute at outside linebacker or strong safety.
Blue Mountain needs its linebackers to play downhill, tackle consistently and support an aggressive pressure-oriented defense.
Experienced Secondary Should Be a Strength
While the front seven undergoes some transition, the secondary returns several proven players.
Guers, Luckenbill and Pritiskutch all return after starting last season. Their experience gives Blue Mountain a strong foundation against the pass.
Senior newcomers Brady Dagon, Dalton Minnick and Daevan Thomas will compete for playing time, while sophomore Matt Kamarousky adds another young option.
The Eagles lost two important safeties in Hoover and Strause, but their returning cornerbacks and defensive backs have the speed and experience to handle increased responsibility.
Blue Mountain will ask the secondary to hold up in coverage while the defense sends pressure from multiple positions.
Return Game Features Proven Playmakers
Guers and Luckenbill both return as kickoff and punt returners.
Their speed and vision make the return game a potential source of field position and explosive plays.
Amato also returns on kickoff returns after gaining special teams experience as a freshman.
The Eagles will need to identify new specialists at kicker and punter, but their experience in the return game provides a strong starting point.
Players to Watch
Cohen Kirby, Jr., QB: Returning quarterback expected to lead a balanced and explosive offense.
Chase Guers, Sr., WR/DB/KR/PR: Dynamic playmaker who can impact games as a receiver, defensive back and return specialist.
Vaughn Helverson, Sr., C/NG: Veteran two-way lineman who anchors the middle of both lines.
Ryan Clemas, Sr., OL/DL: Experienced and versatile lineman expected to play a major role on offense and defense.
Hunter Reichert, Sr., G: Returning starter who strengthens an experienced offensive front.
Kurt Krammes, Sr., OT: Senior tackle who gives Blue Mountain stability in pass protection and the running game.
Brody Foose, Jr., RB/ILB: Two-way standout expected to assume a larger role in the backfield and lead the linebacking corps.
Frankie Russo, Sr., HB/OLB: Experienced athlete who will contribute as a runner and edge defender.
Cole Luckenbill, Jr., WR/DB/KR/PR: Versatile playmaker who will contribute in all three phases.
Lucas Pritiskutch, Sr., WR/DB: Returning defensive starter expected to take on an expanded offensive role.
Sonny Amato, So., RB/ILB/KR: Promising sophomore who gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman.
My thoughts on Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain enters 2026 with the type of experienced offense that can carry a team through early-season defensive adjustments.
The Eagles return their quarterback, four offensive linemen, multiple running backs and a fast receiving corps. That continuity should allow them to maintain the balance and big-play ability that helped produce seven victories last season.
The main questions are on defense.
Blue Mountain must replace both defensive ends, an important middle linebacker and two experienced safeties. The competition to fill those positions will be one of the most important storylines in training camp.
The Eagles’ returning secondary should be a strength, while Helverson, Clemas, Foose, Russo and Amato provide building blocks in the front seven.
If Blue Mountain develops dependable replacements along the defensive front, improves against the league’s top offenses and receives another strong season from Kirby, the Eagles have the talent to challenge for the Schuylkill League Division 1 title and make another run in the District 11 Class 4A playoffs.
Head Coach: Chuck Kutz
Assistant Coaches
Harry Myers -Defensive Coordinator
Tom McGoey-Offensive Coordinator
Aaron Bensinger-Varsity Assistant OL/DL
Bobby Kluge-Varsity Assistant Special Teams
Paul Leonard-Varsity Assistant /JV Offense
Dylan Reber -Varsity Assistant/ JV Defense
Kevin Kerstetter-Jr. High
Steve Zimmerman-Jr. High
Miles Nessuno-Jr. High
Brainy Rojas- Volunteer
Connor Kerstetter-Volunteer
Jeffrey Hudson-Volunteer
Team: Blue Mountain Eagles
District: 11
Class: 4A
League: Schuylkill League – Division 1
2025 Record: 7-5
8/22 Schuylkill Haven (2A) 7:00 pm L 27-34
8/29 @ Southern Lehigh (4A) 7:00 pm L 0-28
9/05 Jim Thorpe Area (4A) 7:00 pm W 47-0
9/12 @ Northwestern Lehigh (3A) 7:00 pm L 28-34
9/19 @ Bangor (4A) 7:00 pm W 35-0
9/26 Palisades (2A) 7:00 pm W 42-21
10/03 Lehighton (4A) 7:00 pm W 49-34
10/09 @ North Schuylkill (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-42
10/17 @ Pottsville Area (4A) 7:00 pm W 49-14
10/24 Tamaqua Area (3A) 7:00 pm W 34-20
10/30 Lehighton (4A) 6:30 pm W 42-7 Dist. 11 Class 4A Quarterfinal
11/06 @ Southern Lehigh (4A) 6:30 pm L 14-55 Dist. 11 Class 4A Semifinal
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Exeter Township (5A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 Jim Thorpe Area (3A) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Southern Lehigh (5A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Schuylkill Haven (2A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Pottsville Area* (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Tamaqua Area* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/02 Panther Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Pine Grove Area* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ North Schuylkill* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 Shamokin (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Lansdale Catholic (3A) 7:00 pm
Defensive Starters lost to graduation:
Dylan Foose, DE
Josh Hoover, Safety
Reese Miller, LB
William Shaner, DE
Brady Strause, Strong Safety
Offensive Starters lost to graduation:
Dylan Foose, OT
Josh Hoover, WR
Duke Renninger, TE
Carter Smith, RB (1,000 yd rusher)
Returning Starters on Offense:
Vaughn Helverson, Sr., Center
Ryan Clemas, Sr. Guard
Hunter Reichert, Sr., Guard
Kurt Krammes, Sr., Tackle
Frankie Russo, Sr., HB
Chase Guers, Sr., WR
Cohen Kirby, Jr., QB
Brody Foose, Jr., RB
Cole Luckenbill, Jr., WR
Returning Starters on Defense:
Vaughn Helverson, Sr., NG
Ryan Clemas, Sr., Tackle/DE
Frankie Russo, Sr., OLB
Chase Guers, Sr., DB
Brody Foose, Jr., ILB
Cole Luckenbill, Jr., DB
Lucas Pritiskutch, Sr., DB
Sonny Amato, Soph, ILB
Offensive Newcomers:
Jesse Strouse, Jr., OL
Krash Long, Jr. OL
Landon Daubert, Jr., TE
Nate Driscoll, Jr., HB
Lucas Pritiskutch, Sr. WR
Justin Zimmerman, Jr., TE
Sonny Amato, Soph, RB
Defensive Newcomers:
Jude Sonon, Sr., DL
Brady Dagon, Sr., DB
Dalton Minnick, Sr, DB
Mason Satterfield, Sr., ILB
Korbyn Duncan, Sr., DE
Braxton Moore, Sr, ILB
Daevan Thomas, Sr., DB
Landon Daubert, Jr., DE
Jesse Strouse, Jr., DL
Justin Zimmerman, Jr., DL
Parker Strause, Jr., LB
Dylan Katerman, Jr., OLB
Krash Long, Jr., DL
Nate Driscoll, Jr., OLB/SS
Matt Kamarousky, Soph, DB
Mason Saylor, Soph, LB
Dom Carestia, Soph, NG/ILB
Special Teams returning Starters
Chase Guers, Sr., Kickoff Return, Punt Return
Cole Luckenbill, Jr., Kickoff Return, Punt Return
Sonny Amato, Soph, Kickoff return
Newcomers:
Justin Zimmerman, Jr. Long Snapper
2026 Outlook: We return an experienced offensive line, QB, RBs and skilled Wideouts.
Offensively the key will be to balance run and pass, running behind a veteran line and take shots down the field with our fast receivers on the outside.
Defensively, the challenge will be to find the replacements for some key defensive positions lost to graduation. Filling the defensive end positions and middle linebacker spot will be the key to our defensive success. We return an experienced secondary and will have to play an aggressive style to bring pressure up front.