Bishop McDevitt Reloads for Another Championship Run
There are few programs in Pennsylvania that have established the consistency of Bishop McDevitt.
After advancing to the PIAA Class 5A state championship game in 2025, head coach Jeff Weachter and the Crusaders once again enter the season with championship expectations. Although McDevitt graduated one of the deepest senior classes in recent memory, the foundation remains in place for another run through the Mid-Penn Conference and District 3.
The Crusaders finished 12-3 last season, winning 12 of their final 14 games before falling to Roman Catholic in the PIAA Class 5A championship game. Now moving into the 2026 campaign, McDevitt will rely on an experienced quarterback, explosive receivers, and another talented offensive line as it looks to remain among Pennsylvania’s elite.
Another Deep Playoff Run
The Crusaders opened the 2025 season with a hard-fought loss to Harrisburg before rattling off nine consecutive regular-season victories.
Along the way, McDevitt dominated Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division opponents, including convincing wins over Chambersburg, Cedar Cliff, Carlisle, Altoona, Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Central Dauphin East, and State College.
The postseason showcased the Crusaders at their best.
McDevitt rolled past Mechanicsburg (47-7) and Exeter Township (42-0) before defeating Solanco 38-20 in the state quarterfinals and Peters Township 31-28 in a thrilling semifinal matchup.
Their season ended in the PIAA Class 5A championship game against Roman Catholic, but another state title appearance reinforced the program’s status as one of the Commonwealth’s premier powers.
Sebastian Williams Leads the Offense
Despite losing standout running back Nasir Jones Davis, the Crusaders return one of the state’s top quarterbacks in senior Sebastian Williams.
Williams put together an outstanding junior campaign, completing 158-of-237 passes for 2,319 yards and 20 touchdowns, while displaying the poise and leadership expected from a championship-caliber signal caller.
His experience gives McDevitt one of the biggest advantages in District 3 entering the season.
Dynamic Receiving Corps Returns
Williams will once again have plenty of weapons at his disposal.
Senior Jontai Quick returns after hauling in 35 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Howard Holton Jr. emerged as one of the area’s top young receivers with 30 catches for 482 yards and eight touchdowns.
The duo gives McDevitt explosive playmakers capable of stretching defenses vertically while creating yards after the catch.
Their chemistry with Williams should allow the Crusaders’ passing attack to remain one of the Mid-Penn Conference’s most dangerous.
Offensive Line Will Set the Tone
While the skill talent is obvious, Coach Weachter believes the biggest key to offensive success starts in the trenches.
“Offensive line play—if we can get production from them, we should be a very good offense,” Weachter said.
The Crusaders return an impressive group led by Eli Culpepper, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound senior, Andre Maina, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound junior, and Landin Colbert, who brings size and physicality to the interior.
If that group develops into one of the Mid-Penn’s top offensive fronts, McDevitt’s offense could once again rank among the state’s best.
Replacing a Star Running Back
One of the biggest challenges facing the Crusaders will be replacing the production of Nasir Jones Davis, who rushed for 1,387 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
McDevitt also graduated a number of key contributors, including Zach Brown, Tyler Reinhart, Maurice Barnes, Jakye Logan, Patrick Wright, Jameson Crummel, Shaheed Clement, Carlos Smith, Gage Ruth, Liam Fuller, Jude Slover, Aidan Grella, Campbell Miltsch and Aydan Michtich.
Although those losses are significant, McDevitt’s roster continues to feature exceptional depth and athleticism.
Young Defensive Front Faces Biggest Challenge
The Crusaders’ defense has traditionally been among the state’s best, but several new faces will be asked to contribute immediately in 2026.
Coach Weachter pointed directly to the defensive line as the unit’s biggest question.
“The young, inexperienced defensive line will be critical to our success,” he said.
Leading the returning group is senior defensive end Chance Holmes, who brings experience and leadership to the front.
Junior Creighton Miltsch also returns after recording 23 tackles, three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss last season, giving the Crusaders another disruptive edge defender.
Secondary Has Experience
The defensive backfield returns several promising playmakers.
Junior Austin Mack totaled 18 tackles and two interceptions during the 2025 season and is expected to become one of the leaders in the secondary.
Fellow junior Davar Chance also returns after recording 16 tackles while gaining valuable varsity experience.
Combined with Quick and Holton’s athleticism, McDevitt should again possess plenty of speed on the back end of the defense.
Special Teams Reloading
Replacing veteran kicker Aidan Grella will be one of the biggest questions entering preseason camp.
“It will all depend on our new kicker and punter,” Weachter said.
Finding consistency in the kicking game could become especially important in the close games McDevitt expects to play against the top teams in District 3 and throughout the state playoffs.
Players to Watch
Sebastian Williams, Sr., QB (6-2, 210) – Veteran quarterback coming off a 2,319-yard, 20-touchdown season.
Jontai Quick, Sr., WR/DB (5-10, 180) – Explosive receiver and defensive back with big-play ability.
Howard Holton Jr., Jr., WR/DB (5-10, 170) – Dynamic young receiver who caught eight touchdown passes as a sophomore.
Eli Culpepper, Sr., OL (6-6, 300) – Massive offensive lineman expected to anchor the trenches.
Andre Maina, Jr., OL (6-7, 275) – Athletic tackle with tremendous upside.
Landin Colbert, OL/DL (6-0, 285) – Physical lineman expected to contribute on both sides of the football.
Chance Holmes, Sr., DE (6-2, 215) – Veteran defensive end who leads the defensive front.
Creighton Miltsch, Jr., EDGE (6-0, 215) – Rising pass rusher coming off a productive sophomore campaign.
Austin Mack, Jr., DB (5-10, 185) – Ball-hawking defensive back expected to take another step this season.
Davar Chance, Jr., DB (5-9, 170) – Experienced defensive back ready for a larger role.
My thoughts on Bishop McDevitt
Bishop McDevitt once again enters the season as one of Pennsylvania’s premier programs.
Although replacing an outstanding senior class will be no easy task, the Crusaders have the most important piece already in place with veteran quarterback Sebastian Williams directing the offense.
The combination of Williams, Quick, Holton and a talented offensive line gives McDevitt the potential to field another explosive offense, provided the line develops into the unit Coach Weachter expects.
Defensively, the growth of the young defensive line will determine just how far this team can go. If that group matures quickly, the experienced secondary and athletic linebackers should allow the Crusaders to remain one of the Mid-Penn Conference’s top defenses.
With championship expectations once again surrounding the program, don’t expect Bishop McDevitt to be far from Cumberland Valley when the postseason arrives.
Head Coach: Jeff Weachter
Assistant Coaches:
Dave Weachter
Jake Minnich
Braden Weachter
Mike Berry
Connor Marsico
Alex Marsico
Anthony Long
Jameel Poteat
Collin Smith
Bryce Enders
Logan Houser
Mike Modica
Aaron Gethers
Shawn Jones
Team Name: Bishop McDevitt Crusaders
District: 3
Class: 6A
League: Mid-Penn Conference, Commonwealth Division
2025 Record: 12-3
8/30 @ Harrisburg* (6A) 1:00 pm L 21-29
9/05 Chambersburg* (6A) 7:00 pm W 41-7
9/12 @ Cedar Cliff* (6A) 7:00 pm W 48-13
9/19 Carlisle* (6A) 7:00 pm W 49-0
9/26 @ Altoona Area* (6A) 7:00 pm W 38-0
10/03 Cumberland Valley* (6A) 7:00 pm W 34-13
10/10 @ Central Dauphin* (6A) 7:00 pm W 48-21
10/17 @ Central Dauphin East* (6A) 7:00 pm W 49-7
10/24 State College Area* (6A) 7:00 pm W 36-20
11/07 Mechanicsburg (5A) 7:00 pm W 47-7 Dist. 3 Class 5A Quarterfinal
11/14 Exeter Township (5A) 7:00 pm W 42-0 Dist. 3 Class 5A Semifinal
11/21 Solanco (5A) 7:00 pm W 38-20 at Warwick Class 5A Quarterfinals
11/29 @ Peters Township (5A) 1:00 pm W 31-28 at Mansion Park Class 5A Semifinals
12/05 @ Roman Catholic (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-28 at Cumberland Valley HS Class 5A Championship
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Allentown Central Catholic (4A) 2:00 pm Scrimmage
8/28 Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Central Dauphin East* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/11 State College Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Cedar Cliff* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Cumberland Valley* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Central Dauphin* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Altoona Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Carlisle* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/24 Harrisburg* (6A) 1:00 pm
10/30 Chambersburg* (6A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
RB Nasir Jones Davis (1,387 yards rushing and 18 TDs)
Edge Zach Brown
FS Tyler Reinhart
OL-DL Jakye Logan
DB Patrick Wright
LB-RB Maurice Barnes
DB Jameson Crummel
DB Aykeelyn Smith
WR Gage Ruth
DB Shaheed Clement
C Jude Slover
TE Liam Fuller
K Aidan Grella
LB Campbell Miltsch
OL Aydan Michtich
DB Carlos Smith
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sebastian Williams QB 6’2 210 Sr
Jontai Quick WR-DB 5-10 180 SR
Howard Holton Jr WR- DB 5-10 170 Jr
Andre Maina OL 6-7 275 Jr
Landin Colbert OL-DL 6-0 285
Eli Culpepper OL 6-6 300 Sr
Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr Chance Holmes DE 6-2 215
Jr Edge Creighton Miltsch 6-0 215
Jr DB Austin Mack 5-10 185
Jr DB.Davar Chance 5-9 170
Special Team Starters Returning:
None
Key Newcomers:
Hunter Stoak OL-DL 6’2 285
Zayden Smith WR-LB 6’5 215 Sr
Elijah Sherman WR-DB 6’0 200 Sr
Kevin Devan OL 6’2 245 Sr
Thomas Desjardins-Bond Jr OL-DL 6’0 275 Jr
Thacher Hanzely TE-WR 6’6 220 Jr
Xavier McFarland RB-DB 6’0 185 So
Layden Black RB-DB 6’0 185 So
Ethan Miller FB- LB 6’195 Sr
Princeton Kinama RB-LB 5’9 205 Jr
Jaden Mongkon Gill DB 6’0 185 Jr
Jah’Corey Spells OL-DL6’2 260 Fr
Kaedan Walker RB-LB 5’9 170 Fr
Austin Kehr QB 6’0 185 So
Xavier LaManna OL-DL 6’1 250 Fr
Pierre Khouri OL-DL 6’1 265 Fr
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Sebastian Williams
158 of 237 completions for 2,319 yards and 20 TDs
Jontai Quick
Caught 35 passes for 586 yards and 5 TDs
Howard Holton
Caught 30 passes for 482 yards and 8 TDs
Creighton Miltsch
23 total tackles, 3 sacks and 5.5 TFL
Austin Mack
18 total tackles and 2 interceptions
Davar Chance
16 total tackles
2026 Offensive Outlook: OL Play, if we can could production from them, we should be a very good offense.
2026 Defensive Outlook: The young inexperienced DL will be critical to our success.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: It will all depend on our new kicker & punter.