North Schuylkill Begins New Era Under Joe Tomtishen With Young Roster and Playoff Ambitions
North Schuylkill enters the 2026 season at the beginning of a new chapter.
Joe Tomtishen takes over as the Spartans’ new head coach after the program completed another successful campaign, finishing 8-4 and advancing to the District 11 Class 3A semifinals.
North Schuylkill recorded victories over Mount Carmel Area, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, Bangor, Blue Mountain, Lehighton, Pottsville Area and Panther Valley in 2025. The Spartans averaged nearly 38 points per game and once again established themselves as one of the stronger programs in the Colonial-Schuylkill League.
Tomtishen inherits a program with a winning tradition, but he and his staff must replace a large and accomplished graduating class.
Quarterback Caden Mengel, running back Luke Miller, fullback Cadyn McGraw and receivers Landen Smith and Julian Nelson are among the offensive contributors who must be replaced. The Spartans also lost several experienced linemen, including Aiden Zilker, Kaiden Knox, Gavin Wall and Cameron Hutnick.
Despite those departures, North Schuylkill returns a proven group of linebackers and several promising young players who gained valuable varsity experience last season.
“We will be replacing several outstanding players and don’t have a great deal of experience, but our team has been working extremely hard,” the coaching staff said. “The players have embraced the challenge, and we look forward to competing and improving every day. We are excited to see our growth and development as a team throughout the season.”
That development will define Tomtishen’s first season leading the Spartans.
Holmes Takes Over at Quarterback
One of the biggest storylines entering the season is the emergence of sophomore quarterback Brock Holmes.
Although his varsity experience has been limited, Holmes flashed his athletic ability last season.
He rushed once for a 70-yard touchdown and completed two of three passes for 84 yards, providing a glimpse of his playmaking potential.
Now he inherits one of the area’s most successful programs.
The coaching staff believes Holmes possesses the athleticism and leadership necessary to guide the offense.
As with many young quarterbacks, his development throughout the season will be critical.
Fortunately for Holmes, he will be surrounded by experienced players capable of easing the transition.
His decision-making, confidence and ability to protect the football will be among the biggest factors in North Schuylkill’s success.
Ortiz Headlines Rebuilt Backfield
Replacing Luke Miller will be one of the toughest assignments facing the Spartans.
Fortunately, senior Angel Ortiz returns after gaining valuable experience last season.
Ortiz rushed 44 times for 220 yards and a touchdown while also contributing as a receiver.
His physical running style fits perfectly with North Schuylkill’s offensive identity.
Junior Bryce Kile also showed promise, rushing for 56 yards and a touchdown in limited opportunities.
The Spartans will likely rely on both players as they rebuild the backfield.
Rather than asking one player to duplicate Miller’s production, North Schuylkill hopes multiple contributors can keep the ground game productive.
A successful rushing attack remains the foundation of the offense.
Tight Ends and Receivers Must Grow
Senior Brody Souchak returns at tight end and should become an important piece of the offense.
His versatility as both a blocker and receiver gives the Spartans flexibility in their offensive formations.
Senior Michael Rader and sophomore Daniel Brake provide additional receiving options.
Brake enters the season as one of the program’s most intriguing young players after contributing on defense as a freshman.
His athleticism could allow him to make an immediate impact on offense.
If Holmes develops chemistry with his receivers early, North Schuylkill should be capable of creating explosive plays through the air to complement its rushing attack.
Offensive Line Must Develop Quickly
The Spartans graduated several experienced offensive linemen, leaving significant holes in the trenches.
Replacing Aiden Zilker, Kaiden Knox, Gavin Wall and Cameron Hutnick will not be easy.
North Schuylkill expects juniors Will Wysoski, Nelson Berger, Brady Burns, Mason Simons and RJ Magdeburg to lead the rebuilding effort.
The coaching staff also expects senior Max Kline to contribute at tight end, helping both the running game and pass protection.
The success of the offense begins with this group.
North Schuylkill has traditionally won by controlling the line of scrimmage, and this season will be no different.
If the new starters mature quickly, the Spartans should once again field one of the Colonial-Schuylkill League’s most physical offenses.
Physical Football Remains the Identity
Even with several new starters, North Schuylkill’s philosophy will not change.
The Spartans want to establish the run, control the clock and play fundamentally sound football.
Holmes’ athleticism gives the offense additional flexibility, but the coaching staff is unlikely to move away from its physical approach.
The offense will rely on efficient execution, minimizing mistakes and allowing its experienced leaders to guide a younger supporting cast.
Patience early in the season could pay dividends by the time league play reaches its most important stretch.
Hubler Leads Experienced Defense
While the offense undergoes significant changes, the defense returns several proven playmakers.
Senior linebacker Seth Hubler headlines the group after recording an outstanding 90 tackles, one sack, 12 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one blocked punt last season.
Hubler has developed into one of District 11’s premier defensive players.
His instincts, physicality and leadership make him the centerpiece of the defense.
Everything begins with him.
Whether defending the run, blitzing the quarterback or organizing the defense before the snap, Hubler provides stability for a unit replacing several key veterans.
Berger Anchors Defensive Front
Junior Nelson Berger returns after an impressive sophomore season that included 44 tackles, four sacks, seven tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
His continued development gives North Schuylkill an experienced presence on the defensive line.
Berger’s ability to create pressure without excessive blitzing could become one of the defense’s biggest advantages.
The Spartans expect him to become a disruptive force against both the run and pass.
His performance up front should also create opportunities for the linebackers behind him.
Linebacker Corps Could Be Team’s Greatest Strength
North Schuylkill returns an athletic and experienced linebacker group.
Hubler is joined by Bryce Kile, Cole Meskunas and Chase Slotcavage, giving the Spartans one of the stronger linebacker units in the Colonial-Schuylkill League.
Kile recorded 33 tackles, three sacks and eight tackles for loss last season.
Slotcavage added 27 tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Meskunas contributed 22 tackles and an interception.
That combination gives the defense speed, experience and versatility.
The linebackers should allow North Schuylkill to remain aggressive while helping a younger secondary continue to develop.
Brake Headlines Secondary
Sophomore Daniel Brake returns after recording 16 tackles and an interception during his freshman season.
His early varsity experience provides an important building block for the secondary.
The Spartans will need additional young defensive backs to emerge throughout the season, but Brake gives the unit a dependable returning starter.
As the defense develops, limiting explosive plays and creating turnovers will remain priorities.
The experienced front seven should help by generating pressure and forcing hurried throws.
Special Teams Stability
Senior Wesley Urban returns as North Schuylkill’s kicker after gaining valuable experience.
His consistency gives the Spartans stability in the kicking game and another dependable veteran leader.
Special teams have long been an important part of North Schuylkill’s success, and Urban’s return should help maintain that standard.
Players to Watch
Seth Hubler, Sr., FB/MLB: Defensive leader and one of District 11’s top linebackers after recording 90 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
Brock Holmes, So., QB: Talented young quarterback expected to guide the offense after showing explosive playmaking ability in limited varsity action.
Angel Ortiz, Sr., RB: Veteran running back expected to lead the ground game after rushing for 220 yards last season.
Nelson Berger, Jr., OL/DL: Returning two-way lineman who recorded 44 tackles, four sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Bryce Kile, Jr., MLB: Physical linebacker who posted 33 tackles, three sacks and eight tackles for loss while also contributing offensively.
Brody Souchak, Sr., TE: Experienced tight end expected to become an important blocker and receiving target.
Chase Slotcavage, Jr., OLB: Aggressive linebacker who finished with 27 tackles, six tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Cole Meskunas, Jr., OLB: Athletic linebacker who recorded 22 tackles and an interception.
Daniel Brake, So., WR/CB: Promising sophomore expected to make an impact on both sides of the football.
Will Wysoski, Jr., OL: Returning offensive lineman expected to help anchor a rebuilt front.
My thoughts on North Schuylkill
North Schuylkill enters 2026 with fewer experienced starters than it has enjoyed in recent years, but the expectations inside the program have not changed.
The Spartans believe their offseason work and commitment to development will allow them to remain competitive despite significant graduation losses.
The offense will depend on the growth of Holmes, the emergence of Ortiz as the primary running back and the rapid development of a rebuilt offensive line.
Defensively, Hubler, Berger, Kile and the veteran linebacker corps provide a strong foundation capable of keeping North Schuylkill in every game.
As younger players gain experience, the Spartans should continue improving throughout the season.
The schedule will once again be demanding, but few programs in District 11 consistently develop talent as effectively as North Schuylkill.
If the new starters mature quickly and the defense performs to its potential, the Spartans have every opportunity to remain in the Colonial-Schuylkill League championship conversation and make another run in the District 11 Class 4A postseason.
Head Coach: Joe Tomtishen
Assistant Coaches:
Brett Budwash
Dylan Farronato
Mick Jacavage
Joe Kane
Jack Kempsey
Gene Lapointe
Trevor Minalda
Jake Mogish
Anthony Russo
Pete Stanakis
Carl Stine
Dane Tarantelli
Team Name: North Schuylkill Spartans
District: 11
Class: 4A
League: Colonial-Schuylkill League, Division A
2025 Record: 8-4: Reached District 11 AAA-Semifinal
8/22 @ Mount Carmel Area (3A) 7:00 pm W 62-20
8/29 Tamaqua Area* (3A) 7:00 pm W 50-7
9/05 @ Notre Dame GP (3A) 7:00 pm L 20-21 at Lafayette College
9/12 Southern Lehigh* (4A) 7:00 pm L 14-34
9/19 Jim Thorpe Area* (4A) 7:00 pm W 36-14
9/26 @ Northwestern Lehigh* (3A) 7:00 pm L 18-49
10/03 Bangor* (4A) 7:00 pm W 52-22
10/09 Blue Mountain* (4A) 7:00 pm W 42-21
10/17 @ Lehighton* (4A) 7:00 pm W 36-14
10/24 @ Pottsville Area* (4A) 7:00 pm W 48-8
10/30 Panther Valley (3A) 7:00 pm W 53-27 Dist. 11 Class 3A Quarterfinal
11/07 @ Northwestern Lehigh (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-49 Dist. 11 Class 3A Semifinal
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Danville (3A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Jersey Shore (4A) 7:00 pm
9/04 Notre Dame GP (3A) 7:00 pm
9/11 Williams Valley (1A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Mount Carmel Area (3A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Springfield-Montco (4A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Pine Grove Area* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Tamaqua Area* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Blue Mountain* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Pottsville Area* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Panther Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Luke Miller RB-FS
Caden Mengel QB-DB
Aiden Zilker OL-DL
Kaiden Knox OL-DL
Cadyn McGraw FB-LB
Landen Smith WR-CB
Julian Nelson WR-DB
Dave Martinez DL
Gavin Wall OL
Cameron Hutnick OL
Returning Offensive Starters:
Seth Hubler-12th-FB
Brody Souchak-12th-TE
Will Wysoski-11th-OL
Returning Defensive Starters:
Seth Hubler-12th-MLB
Nelson Berger-11th-DL
Bryce Kile-11th-MLB
Cole Meskunas-11th-OLB
Chase Slotcavage-11th-OLB
Daniel Brake-10th-CB
Special Teams:
Wesley Urban-12th-Kicker
Key Newcomers:
Brock Holmes-10th-QB
Angel Ortiz-12th-RB
Daniel Brake-10th-WR
Michael Rader-12th-WR
Nelson Berger-11th-OL
Brady Burns-11th-OL
Mason Simons-11th-OL
RJ Magdeburg-11th-OL
Max Kline-12th-TE
Xavier McNally-11th-DE
Kole Rollenhagen-11th-DB
Michael Rader-12th-DB
Erick Diaz-12th-WR
Key Newcomers: (Others competing for starting positions)
Casey Rader-12th-DB
Brock Holmes-10th FS
Brody Souchak-12th DE
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Angel Ortiz: 44 carries- 220 rush yards -1 TD
Brock Holmes: 1 carry-70 rush yards-1 TD: 2 of 3 passing for 84 yards
Bryce Kile: 9 carries-56 rush yards-1 TD
Angel Ortiz-2 catches-19 rec yards-1 TD
Brody Souchak-2 catches-17 yards
Nelson Berger: 44 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 7 TFL, 1 FR
Seth Hubler: 90 tackles, 1 Sack, 12 TFL, 1 FF, 1 Punt Block
Bryce Kile: 33 tackles, 3 sacks, 8 TFL, 1 Punt Block
Cole Meskunas: 22 Tackles, 1 INT
Chase Slotcavage: 27 Tackles, 1 Sack, 6 TFL, 2 FR
Daniel Brake 16 Tackles, 1 INT
2026 Outlook: Our goal is to become a very disciplined football team that plays tough, fast, and physical.