New Era Begins at Manheim Central Under Head Coach Matt Heiser
A new era is beginning for one of Pennsylvania’s most tradition-rich high school football programs.
Matt Heiser takes over as head coach of the Manheim Central Barons entering the 2026 season. He inherits a team that finished 5-5 last fall but returns an experienced quarterback, a veteran offensive line and several proven leaders on defense.
For a program accustomed to competing for championships, the goal will be to quickly establish a new identity while building on the foundation already in place.
Heiser Takes Over the Program
Heiser steps into a prominent position at Manheim Central, where expectations remain high each season.
The staff also includes Tom Nichols, Austin Heiser, Andre Gilmore, Spencer Carbonneau, Rob Deeter and Ethan Guzenski.
That combination of returning assistants and new leadership should help create continuity during the transition.
Looking Back at 2025
Manheim Central experienced its share of highs and lows during a 5-5 campaign in 2025.
The Barons opened the regular season with an offensive shootout, defeating West Philadelphia 47-42. Back-to-back losses followed against Ephrata, 17-6, and Dallastown, 28-16, leaving Manheim Central at 1-2.
The Barons responded with their best stretch of the season.
Manheim Central went on the road and defeated Bermudian Springs 21-6 before opening league play with a 20-7 victory over Conrad Weiser. The Barons followed that performance with an impressive 35-7 road victory over Cocalico, giving them three consecutive wins and improving their record to 4-2.
The momentum was halted by a 42-6 loss to Solanco, but Manheim Central answered one week later with its most convincing victory of the season, rolling past Fleetwood 42-3.
The Barons entered the final two weeks with a 5-3 record but couldn’t close out the season with another victory. Manheim Central fell 31-14 at Garden Spot and 28-7 at Warwick to finish 5-5.
Now, the Barons turn the page to 2026 with a new head coach and several experienced players returning to help lead the transition.
Offense: Experience Up Front and at Quarterback
The foundation of Manheim Central’s offense will be built around an experienced quarterback and three returning starters along the offensive line.
Senior Logan Kappel, a 6-foot, 199-pound quarterback, returns to direct the offense. Having an experienced senior behind center should be valuable as the Barons transition under Heiser and look to replace several offensive starters.
The biggest strength may be in the trenches.
Senior James Magot, a 6-foot-1, 265-pound offensive lineman, returns alongside Adrian Cruz, a 6-foot, 250-pound senior, and Bradyn Linder, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound senior.
Having three senior starters back along the offensive line gives Manheim Central an experienced group to build around. That continuity could be especially important as the Barons replace several skill-position players.
Manheim Central must replace Cody Hess, Jayvior Morales, Dan Gertler, Logan Geib and Malik Cornish on offense. Finding players to replace that group will be one of the biggest priorities entering the season.
The offensive philosophy for 2026 is straightforward: protect the football and find ways to create explosive plays.
With Kappel returning at quarterback and three veterans up front, Manheim Central has an experienced core to help make that happen. The next step will be identifying the playmakers who can consistently produce on the ground and through the air.
Defense: Speed and Athleticism Will Be Key
Manheim Central will have some rebuilding to do defensively, particularly up front.
The Barons lost Cody Hess, Jayvior Morales, Cooper Nied, Cole Bretz and Ryan Wissler from last year’s defense, creating opportunities for several newcomers.
While the defensive front will feature new faces, the coaching staff likes the strength and athleticism of the group. The emphasis will be on playing fast and creating turnovers.
The Barons have experience behind the defensive line.
Senior linebacker Jevin Carbonneau, at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, returns as one of the veterans in the middle of the defense. He will be joined by senior linebacker Logan Hamill, who checks in at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds.
Their experience should be important while the new defensive linemen adjust to larger roles.
Manheim Central also brings back experience in the secondary with twins Xavier Oxceva and Isaiah Oxceva. Both are 5-foot-9, 145-pound seniors and give the Barons two returning starters on the back end of the defense.
Senior Lynkin Quigley, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound, is another returning starter and adds additional experience to the unit.
The biggest question will be how quickly the newcomers develop up front. If they can hold their own and allow Manheim Central’s experienced linebackers and defensive backs to play fast, the Barons have the pieces to develop into an athletic defense.
Creating turnovers will be a major point of emphasis.
Special Teams: Oxceva Twins Give Barons Experience in Return Game
Special teams could play an important role for Manheim Central this season.
The goal will be to consistently win the field-position battle and give the offense and defense favorable situations.
One major advantage is the return of Xavier and Isaiah Oxceva as return specialists. Their experience gives Manheim Central proven options in the return game and the potential to create field position with explosive plays.
The Barons also return several experienced long snappers, providing continuity in an often-overlooked area of special teams.
The biggest adjustment will come at punter and kicker. Manheim Central will be breaking in new players at both positions, making their development something to watch as the season progresses.
Players to Watch
Logan Kappel, QB, Sr., 6’0″, 199: The senior quarterback will be one of the most important players in Manheim Central’s transition under Heiser. His experience gives the Barons stability at the position as they replace several offensive starters.
James Magot, OL, Sr., 6’1″, 265: Magot provides size and experience along an offensive line that could become one of Manheim Central’s strengths.
Adrian Cruz, OL, Sr., 6’0″, 250: Another veteran up front, Cruz will be counted on to help establish the running game and protect Kappel.
Bradyn Linder, OL, Sr., 5’10”, 220: Linder gives the Barons a third senior returning starter along the offensive line and adds valuable continuity to the unit.
Jevin Carbonneau, LB, Sr., 5’9″, 200: Carbonneau will be one of the leaders of a defense that must replace several starters, particularly up front.
Logan Hamill, LB, Sr., 5’9″, 180: Hamill gives the Barons another experienced linebacker who will be important as Manheim Central works new players into the defensive front.
Xavier Oxceva, CB/Returner, Sr., 5’9″, 145: Oxceva will contribute in the secondary and on special teams, where his ability in the return game could help the Barons win field position.
Isaiah Oxceva, CB/Returner, Sr., 5’9″, 145: Like his twin brother, Isaiah brings experience to the secondary while giving Manheim Central another proven option in the return game.
Lynkin Quigley, Sr., 5’10”, 165: Quigley rounds out an experienced group of returning defenders and will be counted on to bring speed and athleticism to the unit.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
Manheim Central’s 2026 schedule will give Heiser and his staff plenty of opportunities to find out how quickly the new-look Barons can come together.
After last year’s 5-5 season, the schedule will once again challenge Manheim Central to develop consistency. The Barons will need to replace several key players on both sides of the football while adjusting to a new head coach and getting younger players comfortable in expanded roles.
Last season showed how quickly momentum can change. Manheim Central won three straight games against Bermudian Springs, Conrad Weiser and Cocalico and later improved to 5-3 following a convincing win over Fleetwood. However, losses in the final two games kept the Barons from finishing with a winning record.
That experience should serve as motivation in 2026.
With an experienced quarterback, three senior offensive linemen and veteran defenders returning at linebacker and in the secondary, Manheim Central has a core capable of competing. The challenge will be developing the newcomers quickly enough to provide depth and production throughout the schedule.
My thoughts on Manheim Central:
There will be plenty of change surrounding Manheim Central football in 2026, but the Barons aren’t starting over completely.
Heiser has an experienced senior quarterback in Kappel and three returning starters along the offensive line. That combination provides a solid starting point offensively. If the Barons can protect the football and identify new playmakers at running back and receiver, they have an opportunity to create the explosive plays the coaching staff is looking for both on the ground and through the air.
Defensively, the questions are primarily up front. The Barons will rely on newcomers there, but the returning experience at linebacker and in the secondary should help. Carbonneau, Hamill, the Oxceva twins and Quigley give Manheim Central a veteran group behind the defensive front.
Special teams could also provide an advantage. The Oxceva twins return in the return game, and several experienced long snappers are back. Finding consistency from the new kicker and punter will be an important part of completing that unit.
For Manheim Central, 2026 represents both a transition and an opportunity.
The Barons have a new head coach, several positions to fill and younger players who will be asked to contribute. They also have a senior-heavy group of returning starters capable of providing leadership throughout that transition.
If Manheim Central protects the football, develops its new playmakers, plays fast defensively and wins the field-position battle, the Barons have the foundation to build on last year’s 5-5 finish and begin the Matt Heiser era on a positive note.
Head Coach: Matt Heiser
Team Name: Manheim Central Barons
Assistant Coaches:
Tom Nichols OL/LB
Austin Heiser DL/TE
Andre Gilmore DB/WR
Spencer Carbonneau RB/LB
Rob Deeter RB/DL
Ethan Guzenski OL//DL
2025 Record: 5-5
8/16 Manheim Township (6A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/22 West Philadelphia (4A) 7:00 pm W 47-42
8/29 Ephrata (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-17
9/05 Dallastown (6A) 7:00 pm L 16-28
9/12 @ Bermudian Springs (3A) 7:00 pm W 21-6
9/19 Conrad Weiser* (5A) 7:00 pm W 20-7
9/26 @ Cocalico* (5A) 7:00 pm W 35-7
10/03 Solanco* (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-42
10/10 Fleetwood* (5A) 7:00 pm W 42-3
10/17 @ Garden Spot* (5A) 7:00 pm L 14-31
10/24 @ Warwick* (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-28
Key Starters lost:
Offense: Cody Hess, Jayvior Morales, Dan Gertler, Logan Geib, Malik Cornish
Defense: Cody Hess, Jayvior Morales, Cooper Nied, Cole Bretz, Ryan Wissler
Offensive Starters Returning:
#77 Sr. OL James Magot, 6’1”, 265
#55 Sr. OL Adrian Cruz, 6’0”, 250
#58 Sr. OL Bradyn Linder, 5’10”, 220
#10 Sr. QB Logan Kappel, 6’0”, 199
Defensive Starters Returning:
# 20 Sr. LB Jevin Carbonneau, 5-9”, 200
# 14 Sr. LB Logan Hamill, 5’’9”, 180
# 21 Sr. C Xavier Oxceva, 5’9”, 145
# 9 Sr. C Isaiah Oxceva, 5’9” 145
# 17 Sr. Lynkin Quigley, 5’10” 165
2026 Outlook:
Offense: Protect the football and create explosive plays on the ground and through the air.
Defense: We have some newcomers up front on defense, but we are strong and athletic. We must play fast and create turnovers.
Special Team: Gain field position with our special team units. We have the Oxceva twins back as returners, we also have back several long snappers. We will be breaking in a new Punter/Kicker this year.