Veteran Line, Depth Give Annville-Cleona High Expectations for 2026
Annville-Cleona proved in 2025 that it could win close football games.
The Dutchmen finished 8-3, earned a trip to the District 3 Class 3A semifinals and captured several signature victories along the way, including one-point wins over Hanover, Lancaster Catholic and Schuylkill Valley. Their season ended with a loss to Trinity in the district semifinals, but the campaign reinforced that head coach Matt Gingrich’s program continues to be one of the contenders in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5.
Now, despite graduating several key contributors, the Dutchmen return a large group of experienced starters and quality depth, particularly along the line of scrimmage, giving them every opportunity to make another postseason run.
Veteran Offensive Line Will Lead the Way
Annville-Cleona’s greatest strength entering the season is its experience up front.
The Dutchmen return senior Jaxon Speece, senior Dan Shuey, senior Isaac Morse and Kadavin Ginting, providing offensive coordinator Greg Keener with a veteran group capable of controlling the line of scrimmage.
Speece (6-foot-1, 275 pounds), Shuey (6-3, 220) and Morse (5-10, 230) have all gained valuable varsity experience and will be expected to lead an offense replacing several talented seniors.
The graduation of Luke Wentling and Armani Santos leaves significant holes, but Annville-Cleona believes its depth along the offensive line will soften the transition.
If the Dutchmen establish the running game early, the offense has enough returning talent to remain one of the more balanced units in the section.
Ditzler Returns at Quarterback
Junior quarterback John Ditzler returns after gaining valuable varsity experience.
Although undersized at 5-foot-7, Ditzler has demonstrated the ability to manage the offense and make timely plays. Another offseason in the system should allow him to become more comfortable reading defenses and expanding the passing game.
His development will be one of the biggest factors in Annville-Cleona’s success.
The Dutchmen will look to surround Ditzler with a balanced rushing attack while taking advantage of a talented group of receivers capable of stretching the field.
Balanced Backfield Returns
Annville-Cleona returns several experienced runners who should allow the offense to attack defenses in a variety of ways.
Devon Englehart, Yama Navarro, Maddox White, Levi Kreider, Lane Peters and Dominick Smith all return after contributing on offense and defense.
Rather than relying on one feature back, the Dutchmen have the depth to rotate fresh legs while tailoring personnel packages to specific situations.
Replacing the production of Jon Moran will not be easy, but the coaching staff believes the returning depth in the backfield will help fill that void.
The combination of multiple capable runners and an experienced offensive line should allow Annville-Cleona to maintain its physical identity.
Size Gives Passing Game Big Targets
The Dutchmen also return impressive size at the skill positions.
Senior Max Ortwein returns at tight end after contributing on both sides of the football. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he gives Ditzler a dependable target while also serving as an outstanding blocker.
Senior Logan Radocha and senior Jaylynn Moyer, both listed at 6-foot-2, return at wide receiver, while James Garney provides another imposing target at 6-foot-5.
That combination of height and athleticism should make Annville-Cleona dangerous in the red zone and on contested throws down the field.
Experienced Defense Returns
The Dutchmen also return experience at every level of the defense.
The front is anchored by Speece, Shuey, Morse, Ortwein and Ginting, giving defensive coordinator Joe Shay several experienced linemen capable of controlling the line of scrimmage.
Replacing standout defensive end Hudson Sellers will be one of the biggest challenges, but the returning depth up front gives the coaching staff confidence that the defense can remain productive.
The defensive line’s ability to create pressure without heavy blitzing will allow the Dutchmen to remain flexible against both the run and pass.
Athletic Linebackers Bring Versatility
Annville-Cleona returns several athletic linebackers capable of making plays across the field.
Englehart, Kreider and Smith all return after contributing valuable varsity snaps.
Their speed allows the Dutchmen to defend perimeter runs while remaining effective in pass coverage.
With experienced linemen occupying blockers in front of them, the linebackers should have opportunities to play downhill and attack the football.
The coaching staff expects the group to continue the physical style that helped the Dutchmen become one of the better defensive teams in Section 5 last season.
Secondary Features Experience and Size
The secondary combines athleticism with length.
Danny Shay returns after contributing at defensive back, while Peters, Navarro and White provide additional experience.
Radocha and Moyer also have the versatility to contribute defensively when needed.
The Dutchmen will again emphasize limiting explosive plays while creating turnovers to give the offense favorable field position.
Special Teams Enter New Era
One of the few question marks entering the season is replacing the team’s kicker.
The coaching staff will evaluate several candidates throughout preseason camp.
Although the position is unsettled, Annville-Cleona believes multiple players have shown the potential to develop into dependable specialists before the season begins.
Players to Watch
John Ditzler, Jr., QB: Returning quarterback expected to take another step forward after gaining valuable varsity experience.
Jaxon Speece, Sr., OL/DL: Physical two-way lineman who anchors both fronts.
Dan Shuey, Sr., OL/DL: Veteran leader expected to help control the line of scrimmage.
Isaac Morse, Sr., OL/DL: Experienced interior lineman who brings toughness and consistency.
Max Ortwein, Sr., TE/DE: Versatile 6-foot-3, 240-pound standout who impacts the game on both sides of the football.
Logan Radocha, Sr., WR/DB: Athletic receiver with the size to create matchup problems.
Jaylynn Moyer, Sr., WR/DB: Another big target who provides versatility on offense and defense.
James Garney, Sr., DE/WR: At 6-foot-5, he gives the Dutchmen a unique combination of length and athleticism.
Devon Englehart, RB/LB: Returning two-way contributor expected to be a key piece of the running game and defense.
Yama Navarro, RB/DB: Versatile athlete capable of making plays in all three phases of the game.
My thoughts on Annville-Cleona
Annville-Cleona enters 2026 with the experience, depth and confidence expected of a program coming off an eight-win season and a district semifinal appearance.
The Dutchmen return an experienced offensive line, an established quarterback and a deep stable of running backs and receivers. Defensively, they welcome back numerous starters across all three levels, although replacing the production of Sellers and Moran will be a significant challenge.
The biggest questions revolve around replacing several key seniors and breaking in a new kicker.
If the Dutchmen continue to control the line of scrimmage, receive another strong season from Ditzler and develop new playmakers around their veteran core, they have the talent to once again challenge for a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 title and make another deep run in the District 3 Class 3A playoffs.
Head Coach: Matt Gingrich
Assistant Coaches:
Joe Heckard (ST/RB/LB)
Greg Keener (OC/OL/DL)
Joe Shay (DC/LB/RB)
Josh Rytel (WR/DB)
Tyler Long (WR/DB)
Tim Love (OL/DL)
Drew Speraw (WR/DB)
Jason Eby (QB/DB)
Cody Dodson (JH)
Mike Miller (JH)
Jon Lum (JH)
Team Name: Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
District: 3
Class: 3A
League: Lancaster-Lebanon League, Section 5
2025 Record: 8-3
8/22 Biglerville (3A) 7:00 pm W 18-9
8/28 @ Hanover (3) (4A) 7:00 pm W 10-7
9/05 Littlestown (3A) 7:00 pm L 13-21
9/12 @ Hamburg* (4A) 7:00 pm W 42-0
9/19 @ Columbia* (2A) 7:00 pm W 35-26
9/26 Kutztown* (3A) 7:00 pm W 42-39
10/03 @ Lancaster Catholic* (2A) 7:00 pm W 21-20
10/10 Pequea Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm W 35-14
10/17 Schuylkill Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm W 14-7
10/24 @ Berks Catholic* (3A) 7:00 pm L 7-14 OT
11/07 Trinity (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-42 Dist. 3 Class 3A Semifinal
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Palmyra (5A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Hanover (3) (4A) 7:00 pm
9/03 Biglerville (3A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Donegal (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Lancaster Catholic* (2A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Columbia* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/01 Berks Catholic* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Pequea Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Kutztown* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Hamburg* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Schuylkill Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters lost:
Hudson Sellers (DE/Slot)
Jon Moran (RB/DB)
Luke Wentling (OL/LB)
Armani Santos (OL/DL)
Offensive/Defensive Starters Returning:
Jaxon Speece (OL/DL, 6’1’’, 275)
Dan Shuey (OL/DL, 6’3’’, 220)
Isaac Morse (OL/DL, 5’10’’, 230)
Max Ortwein (TE/DE, 6’3’’, 240)
John Ditzler (QB, 5’7’’, 150)
Devon Englehart (RB/LB, 5’4’’, 150)
Yama Navarro (RB/DB, 5’8’’, 170)
Maddox White (RB/DB, 5’8, 150)
Levi Kreider (RB/LB, 5’9’’, 150)
Lane Peters (RB/DB, 5’10, 180)
Logan Radocha (WR/DB, 6’2’’, 180)
Jaylynn Moyer (WR/DB, 6’2’’, 180)
James Garney (DE/WR, 6’5’’, 200)
Danny Shay (DB/RB, 6’2’’, 180)
Kadavin Ginting (OL/DL, 5’9’’, 200)
Dominick Smith (RB/LB, 5’9’’, 185)
Key Newcomers:
Will Green (OL/DL, 6’3’’, 230),
Tanner Copenhaver (Center, 5’10’’, 200),
Bode Garney (QB/DB, 5’9’’, 150)
Cory Weiss (Slot/DB, 5’10’’, 150)
Dominic Nash (RB/DB, 5’10’’, 160)
2026 Outlook:
Offense: We will be losing several seniors, but we are hoping our depth upfront and returning starters will offset that lose!
Defense: Same as offense. We had a very good year last year, but we lost two major contributors in Hudson Sellers and Jon Moran. Looking for the same thing.
Special Teams: We will be breaking in a new kicker, and we have several kids that have shown promise.