Veteran Playmakers Give South Western the Pieces to Bounce Back in 2026
South Western enters the 2026 season with one goal in mind—turn close games into wins and return to playoff contention.
The Mustangs finished 4-6 in 2025 while navigating one of the toughest schedules in District 3. Every loss came against teams that reached the postseason or competed near the top of the South Central Athletic Conference, while South Western picked up convincing victories over Dover, Dallastown, Red Lion and Northeastern.
Head coach Tony Shermeyer welcomes back an experienced offensive nucleus led by senior quarterback Seth Sullivan, a pair of explosive running backs and one of the conference’s top receivers. While the Mustangs must replace several defensive leaders and both specialists, they have enough returning talent to believe a turnaround is within reach.
If South Western can improve defensively and control the line of scrimmage, the Mustangs have the personnel to challenge for a winning season in the highly competitive SCAC Division 1.
Sullivan Returns to Lead the Offense
Senior Seth Sullivan returns for another season after throwing for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025.
Sullivan developed into an efficient leader last fall, showing the ability to distribute the football while keeping defenses honest with a balanced offensive approach.
Now entering his final season, Sullivan should have an even greater command of the offense and the confidence that comes with a full year of varsity experience.
His biggest task will be managing an offense designed to establish the running game before attacking defenses vertically through play-action and deep passing opportunities.
If Sullivan limits turnovers and continues making smart decisions, the Mustangs have the quarterback capable of guiding an efficient, balanced offense.
Explosive Backfield Headlines the Attack
South Western’s offense starts with one of the better backfields in the conference.
Senior Anthony Frazier returns after rushing 96 times for 731 yards and six touchdowns. His combination of speed, vision and toughness makes him the featured back in an offense that wants to run the football nearly 60 percent of the time.
Senior Wyatt Carbaugh gives the Mustangs another dangerous weapon.
Carbaugh rushed for 464 yards and six touchdowns while also completing 29 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. His versatility allows the coaching staff to use him in multiple roles, whether as a runner, passer or receiver.
Together, Frazier and Carbaugh give South Western a pair of explosive playmakers capable of creating big gains every time they touch the football.
The Mustangs want their running game to control the clock, wear down defenses and create favorable situations for Sullivan in the passing game.
Graham Provides Big-Play Threat
Senior Jake Graham returns as the team’s top receiving weapon.
Graham caught 29 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging more than 22 yards per reception. His ability to stretch the field makes him one of the most dangerous deep threats in the South Central Athletic Conference.
The Mustangs expect Graham to force defenses into difficult decisions. Opponents that commit extra defenders to stopping the run risk giving Graham one-on-one opportunities downfield.
South Western believes it has additional receivers capable of making plays, allowing Sullivan to spread the football and keep defenses from focusing solely on Graham.
The offense hopes to generate five or six explosive plays each game, and Graham will likely be at the center of many of them.
Offensive Line Will Determine Success
Everything begins with the offensive line.
Senior Tanner Wetzel and senior Cody McCraw return as experienced leaders up front and will be counted on to establish the physical identity the Mustangs want.
The coaching staff believes controlling the line of scrimmage is the key to the offense.
If the offensive line consistently creates running lanes, South Western can dictate tempo, dominate time of possession and keep its explosive skill players in favorable situations.
Success up front would also allow Sullivan to operate more effectively through play-action while limiting pressure in obvious passing situations.
The offensive philosophy is straightforward—run the football, protect the quarterback and capitalize on explosive opportunities when defenses overcommit.
Replacing Defensive Leaders
The biggest challenge facing South Western will be replacing several experienced defenders.
The Mustangs graduated Kenny Akintoye, Ian Wysocki, Donnie Eaton and Brooklyn Calcutt, taking away leadership and production at every level of the defense.
Finding replacements at linebacker will be particularly important.
The coaching staff expects younger players to step into larger roles immediately, making preseason development critical.
While experience was lost, the Mustangs believe their returning veterans can help the transition by providing leadership and maintaining the physical identity that has defined the program.
Wetzel Anchors Defensive Front
Wetzel returns to lead the defensive line after another strong season in the trenches.
At 6-foot and 270 pounds, he provides size and strength inside while occupying blockers and helping stop the run.
Senior Harrison McNeill returns at defensive end after recording 20 tackles and two sacks. At 6-foot-5, McNeill gives the Mustangs excellent length and pass-rushing potential on the edge.
Senior Colton Cassetta also returns, providing additional quickness and versatility at defensive end and outside linebacker.
The combination of Wetzel’s power and McNeill’s athleticism gives South Western a defensive front capable of disrupting opposing offenses.
The coaching staff wants that group to generate consistent pressure without sacrificing run defense.
Young Linebackers Must Develop Quickly
Replacing Wysocki and Eaton leaves significant openings at linebacker.
The Mustangs expect several younger players to compete for those positions, making linebacker one of the most important battles during training camp.
South Western’s defensive success will depend on how quickly those players adjust to varsity football.
The coaching staff wants its linebackers to play downhill, tackle consistently and allow the defensive front to be aggressive.
If that unit develops quickly, the defense should become significantly more difficult to run against.
Athletic Secondary Returns Experience
Despite the graduation of Calcutt, South Western returns several athletic defenders in the secondary.
Senior Blake McMillian headlines the group after leading the team with 71 tackles while adding a sack and an interception last season.
McMillian’s versatility allows him to play near the line of scrimmage while still providing support in pass coverage.
Senior Jayden Mofor also returns, giving the defense another experienced player capable of contributing in multiple roles.
The Mustangs believe athleticism in the secondary will allow them to match up well against spread offenses while supporting an aggressive pass rush.
Limiting explosive plays and forcing turnovers will be major priorities throughout the season.
Special Teams Search Begins
Special teams enters the season with the most uncertainty.
South Western must replace both its kicker and punter following the graduations of Gavin Fraim and Dennis Layman.
The coaching staff traditionally emphasizes field position and dependable kicking, but both specialist jobs remain open entering preseason camp.
Finding consistency in those roles will be important, especially in what projects to be another schedule filled with close conference games.
Players to Watch
Seth Sullivan, Sr., QB: Veteran quarterback who threw for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading a balanced offense.
Anthony Frazier, Sr., RB: Productive running back who rushed for 731 yards and six touchdowns.
Wyatt Carbaugh, Sr., ATH: Versatile offensive weapon who accounted for more than 675 total yards and eight touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
Jake Graham, Sr., WR: Big-play receiver who totaled 639 yards and six touchdowns while averaging over 22 yards per catch.
Tanner Wetzel, Sr., OL/DT: Physical two-way lineman expected to anchor both lines of scrimmage.
Cody McCraw, Sr., OL: Veteran offensive lineman who will help lead the rushing attack.
Blake McMillian, Sr., SS/OLB: Defensive leader who recorded 71 tackles, one sack and one interception.
Harrison McNeill, Sr., DE: Athletic 6-foot-5 edge defender who returns after recording two sacks.
Colton Cassetta, Sr., DE/OLB: Versatile defender expected to play a key role on the edge.
Jayden Mofor, Sr.: Experienced senior who provides leadership and athleticism on defense.
My Thoughts on South Western
South Western enters 2026 with a veteran offense capable of putting points on the board.
Sullivan returns under center, Frazier and Carbaugh give the Mustangs an explosive one-two punch in the backfield, and Graham remains one of the conference’s premier deep threats. If the offensive line controls the line of scrimmage, South Western has the pieces to execute the balanced, ball-control offense it wants to play.
The defense faces a greater challenge after graduating several key contributors, particularly at linebacker. Wetzel, McNeill and McMillian provide experienced leadership, but the development of younger linebackers will largely determine the unit’s success.
Special teams also remains a work in progress as the Mustangs search for a new kicker and punter.
With experienced offensive playmakers, proven senior leadership and a physical style of play, South Western has the potential to improve on last year’s record. If the Mustangs establish the running game, generate pressure on defense and receive consistent contributions from their new starters, they could become one of the surprise contenders in the South Central Athletic Conference Division 1 and compete for a District 3 Class 5A playoff berth.
Head Coach: Tony Shermeyer
Assistant Coaches:
Andy Berwager
Bobby Wildasin
Jeff Hacker
Jack Carter
Team Name: South Western Mustangs
District: 3
Class: 5A
League: South Central Athletic Conference – Division 1
2025 Record: 4-6
8/22 Susquehanna Township (4A) 5:00 pm L 14-42 at Smalls Field
8/29 @ Dover Area (5A) 7:00 pm W 45-13
9/05 New Oxford (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-14
9/12 @ Dallastown (6A) 7:00 pm W 42-28
9/19 Central York (6A) 7:00 pm L 17-56
9/26 Red Lion Area (6A) 7:00 pm W 48-12
10/03 @ West York (4A) 7:00 pm L 23-37
10/10 @ Northeastern (5A) 7:00 pm W 48-0
10/17 William Penn (3) (6A) 7:00 pm L 21-50
10/24 @ Spring Grove (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-26
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Chambersburg (6A) 10:00 am Scrimmage; with Gettysburg
8/28 @ Carlisle (6A) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Greencastle-Antrim (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 West York (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Dallastown* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Central York* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Red Lion Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Reading (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 New Oxford* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ William Penn (3)* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Spring Grove* (5A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Kenny Akintoye- DE
Ian Wysocki- LB
Donnie Eaton- LB
Brooklyn Calcutt- FS
Dennis Layman- P
Gavin Fraim- K
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. QB Seth Sullivan, 5-9, 170
Sr. WR Jake Graham, 5-9, 175
Sr. Ath. Wyatt Carbaugh, 5-11, 180
Sr. RB Anthony Frazier, 5-8, 170
Sr. OL Tanner Wetzel, 6-0, 270
Sr. OL Cody McCraw, 6-0, 245
Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr. SS/OLB Blake McMillian, 5-9, 185
Sr. C Jayden Mofor, 5-10, 175
Sr. DE Harrison McNeill, 6-5, 220
Sr. DT Tanner Wetzel, 6-0, 270
Sr. DE/OLB Colton Cassetta, 5-10, 175
Key Newcomers:
Soph. OLB/RB Kyran Nock, 5-9, 175
Soph. LB Levi Shock, 6-0, 190
Soph. OL/DL Rafael Rojas, 6-1, 235
2026 Returning Player Stats:
RB Anthony Frazier, 96/731 with 6 TDs Rushing, 4/46 Receiving.
WR Jake Graham, 29/639 Receiving, 6 TDs.
QB Seth Sullivan, 125/1121 Passing, 11 Passing TDs.
Ath. Wyatt Carbaugh 75/464 with 6 TDs Rushing, 29/211 2 TDs Passing
SS/OLB Blake McMillian 71 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Int.
DE Harrison McNeill 20 Tackles, 2 Sacks
2026 Offensive Outlook: We need our offensive line to control the line of scrimmage up front. We want to have a 60/40 run/pass ratio. Our offense will have a lot of big play potential with some explosive players in the backfield to carry the ball. We will also take our shots in the passing game to a few receivers we think can stretch the defense. Keys to success are limiting turnovers, controlling the time of possession through our run game, and hitting 5-6 big plays throughout each game.
2026 Defensive Outlook: We’ll have some size at our DT position and quickness at the DE position. We’ll be young at LB and very athletic in the secondary. The key on defense will be stopping the run and getting pressure on the QB. Our young LBs will have to step up early and often for us to be successful.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: We need to find a punter and a kicker. We generally like to play a field position game with our kicking, but finding players who can help us do that is TBD.