2026 Team Preview: Berwick Area Bulldogs (2)

Bulldogs Face New Challenges After Dominant 11-Win Season

The Berwick Bulldogs put together one of their best regular seasons in recent memory in 2025, winning their first 11 games, overwhelming opponents with a powerful rushing attack and advancing to the District 2 championship game.

Now comes a much different challenge.

Head coach CJ Curry and the Bulldogs enter 2026 needing to replace a highly productive senior class led by Big 33 running back Ty’Meere Wilkerson, who rushed for an incredible 2,853 yards and 40 touchdowns last season.

Berwick also moves to Class 4A and returns to Division 1 competition in the Wyoming Valley Conference, where a challenging schedule will test a younger roster immediately.

The Bulldogs may look different, but there is enough talent returning for Berwick to remain a team to watch in District 2.

Looking Back at 2025

Berwick was nearly unstoppable during an 11-1 campaign.

The Bulldogs opened with a 24-7 victory at Lake-Lehman and never looked back. Berwick won all 10 regular-season games and scored at least 42 points seven times.

The Bulldogs were particularly dominant down the stretch.

Berwick defeated Williamsport 63-19, Selinsgrove 56-0 and Tunkhannock 53-0 to close the regular season before rolling past Hanover Area 49-9 in the District 2 semifinals.

That set up a championship showdown with Scranton Prep, where Berwick’s unbeaten season came to an end with a 42-7 loss.

Despite the disappointing finish, an 11-win season established plenty of momentum for Curry’s program heading into 2026.

Replacing a Historic Rushing Season

There is no way around the biggest question surrounding Berwick.

How do the Bulldogs replace Ty’Meere Wilkerson?

Wilkerson accounted for 2,853 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns during a remarkable senior season and was selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic.

Replacing that production won’t fall on one player.

Instead, Berwick will likely need a more balanced approach.

Senior Gavin Galutia returns after rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns before an injury ended his 2025 season. Brock Simms could also contribute in the backfield, while sophomore Landon Zapata is another name to watch.

The Bulldogs relied heavily on their running game last season. With Wilkerson gone and several experienced linemen graduating, Berwick may need to find more ways to attack opposing defenses in 2026.

Cleaver Takes Control of the Offense

One of the most intriguing players on Berwick’s roster is sophomore quarterback Brady Cleaver.

Despite being a young player on a veteran team last season, Cleaver showed flashes of what he could eventually become.

He completed enough opportunities to throw for 204 yards and five touchdowns, but his biggest impact came on the ground, where he rushed for 406 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Those numbers are particularly impressive considering how much of the offense ran through Wilkerson.

Now Cleaver’s role will expand significantly.

His running ability gives Berwick another weapon in the backfield, but the next step will be developing the passing game and giving the Bulldogs more offensive balance.

With a difficult schedule and several new starters stepping into bigger roles, Cleaver’s development could be one of the biggest factors in Berwick’s season.

Decker Could Become a Major Offensive Weapon

Junior Gabe Decker could emerge as one of Cleaver’s most important targets.

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Decker gives Berwick excellent size at tight end and creates matchup problems in the passing game.

His biggest impact last season came defensively, but with several skill players gone, there should be opportunities for Decker to become a much larger part of the offense.

Senior Shiloh Escobar also returns at receiver after catching three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown last season.

Finding additional playmakers around Cleaver, Decker and Escobar will be important as Berwick transitions away from the run-heavy offense that dominated in 2025.

Experienced Pieces Return Up Front

Berwick lost significant talent in the trenches with the graduation of JJ Leonard, Matt Gordner, Draven Geiger and Everett Snyder.

However, the cupboard isn’t empty.

Senior Nico Lonczynski returns at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, while senior Mike Perry checks in at 6-foot, 230 pounds. Junior Henry Snyder, at 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds, provides another experienced two-way lineman.

Their development will be critical.

Berwick’s ability to establish a running game without Wilkerson and give Cleaver time to throw will start with the offensive line.

Decker Leads the Defense

If there is one proven difference-maker on Berwick’s defense, it’s Decker.

The junior defensive end recorded 64 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and at least six sacks last season, consistently creating problems in opposing backfields.

With several defensive starters graduating, his importance only increases.

Berwick needs Decker to pressure quarterbacks, disrupt the run and become one of the leaders of a retooled defense.

He won’t be alone.

Galutia returns at linebacker after collecting 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, while Simms produced 67 tackles and 18 tackles for loss.

That gives Berwick three returning defenders who combined for 45 tackles for loss.

That kind of production provides a strong foundation for Curry and his defensive staff.

Bulldogs Must Replace Talent in the Secondary

The defensive backfield will be an area to watch after the Bulldogs lost several versatile players, including Wilkerson, Alex Estrella, Caleb May, Ashton Smith and Skyler Nevel.

Cleaver can contribute at defensive back, while Escobar gives the Bulldogs another experienced option in the secondary.

Still, Berwick will need younger players to emerge quickly.

That’s especially important considering the type of schedule awaiting the Bulldogs during the first month of the season.

Yost Provides Stability on Special Teams

Junior Caleb Yost gives Berwick a proven weapon in the kicking game.

Yost was a perfect 60-for-60 on extra points last season and converted a 29-yard field goal.

For a team replacing considerable offensive production, having a dependable kicker could become even more valuable. Berwick may find itself playing more close games in 2026, making every available point important.

Yost also handles punting and kickoff duties, giving the Bulldogs continuity throughout the kicking game.

Players to Watch

Brady Cleaver, QB/DB, So. — Cleaver becomes one of the central figures in Berwick’s offense after accounting for 610 yards of offense and 15 total touchdowns in limited opportunities last season. His dual-threat ability gives the Bulldogs something to build around.

Gabe Decker, TE/DE, Jr. — A disruptive defensive presence who recorded 64 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and at least six sacks. Look for his offensive role at tight end to increase as well.

Gavin Galutia, RB/LB, Sr. — Returns after his 2025 season was cut short by injury. Galutia had 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks and should have a larger role in the running game.

Brock Simms, LB, Sr. — A productive defender who finished last season with 67 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. He could also become part of the Bulldogs’ new-look backfield.

Shiloh Escobar, WR/DB, Sr. — One of the team’s returning skill players and a potential target for Cleaver as Berwick looks to expand its passing game.

Nico Lonczynski, OL/DL, Sr. — A 6-foot-2, 265-pound two-way lineman who will be counted on to anchor a unit replacing several starters.

Mike Perry, OL/DL, Sr. — Another veteran presence in the trenches who becomes increasingly important following Berwick’s graduation losses.

Henry Snyder, OL/DL, Jr. — At 6-foot-1, 260 pounds, Snyder gives the Bulldogs another experienced building block on both lines.

Caleb Yost, K/P/KOS, Jr. — A perfect 60-for-60 on PATs last season, Yost gives Berwick an established weapon in the kicking game.

A Brutal Opening Stretch

Berwick won’t have much time to develop before being tested.

After an August 22 scrimmage against West Scranton, the Bulldogs open with consecutive road games against North Pocono and Pittston Area.

Then comes a home game against Wyoming Area, followed by a matchup with 6A Wilkes-Barre.

Week 5 brings the renewal of an old rivalry when Berwick travels to Pottsville Area.

That means the Bulldogs’ first five regular-season opponents are North Pocono, Pittston Area, Wyoming Area, Wilkes-Barre and Pottsville.

For younger players taking on larger varsity roles, it will be an immediate test.

The schedule doesn’t provide many breaks later, either. Berwick finishes with road games against Hanover Area and Crestwood surrounding home contests with Hazleton Area, Williamsport and Dallas.

My Thoughts on Berwick Area:

Berwick isn’t simply trying to replace one great player. The Bulldogs graduated a group that accounted for major production at running back, along the offensive and defensive lines and throughout the secondary.

Wilkerson’s 2,853 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns will naturally receive the most attention, but replacing the experience around him may be just as important.

That makes 2026 a fascinating season for the Bulldogs.

Cleaver provides Berwick with a talented young quarterback who can create plays with his legs. Galutia and Simms bring toughness and experience to the backfield and defense. Decker has the potential to become one of District 2’s top two-way players, while Lonczynski, Perry and Snyder give Berwick experienced pieces in the trenches.

Defensively, the Bulldogs have several proven playmakers in their front seven. Decker, Galutia and Simms combined for 181 tackles and 45 tackles for loss last season, giving Berwick a potentially disruptive group to build around.

The biggest challenge may simply be time.

With Berwick movie to Class 4A and facing a demanding schedule from the opening kickoff, younger players will have to mature quickly.

The 2025 Bulldogs could overwhelm teams with Wilkerson and a dominant rushing attack. The 2026 version may have to win differently — with more balance offensively, a disruptive defense and strong special teams.

Berwick may be replacing one of the most productive senior classes in the area, but the Bulldogs still have enough experience and talent returning to remain a serious contender. How quickly the new pieces develop around Cleaver, Decker, Galutia and Simms will determine just how far Berwick can go in its return to Class 4A.