Experienced Bucks Ready to Build on Seven-Win Season
Central Bucks West enters the 2026 season with experience, continuity and plenty of reasons for optimism.
Head coach Rob Rowan brings back a veteran group from a team that went 7-4, earned a District 1 Class 6A playoff berth and showed it could compete against a challenging schedule. The Bucks return their starting quarterback, a powerful running back, multiple receiving threats and several key pieces along the offensive line. Defensively, many of those same seniors return to anchor a unit that produced several strong performances last fall.
Add an experienced special teams unit to the mix, and CB West has the pieces in place for another competitive season in the Suburban One League National Conference and District 1 Class 6A.
Looking Back at 2025
Central Bucks West’s 2025 season started with a tough 26-20 road loss against Easton Area, but the Bucks quickly responded.
CB West defeated Upper Dublin 24-7 and followed with a 13-0 shutout of Souderton Area. The Bucks then opened conference play with a convincing 43-15 victory over Abington.
One of the biggest wins of the season came the following week when CB West edged Central Bucks South, 25-21, to extend its winning streak to four games.
A 28-18 loss at Neshaminy snapped the streak, but the Bucks again showed their ability to respond. They held Pennsbury to seven points in a 17-7 victory and followed with a 28-14 win over Pennridge.
After falling 31-13 at North Penn, CB West closed the regular season by winning a rivalry game against Central Bucks East, 28-21. The victory sent the Bucks into the District 1 Class 6A playoffs with a 7-3 record.
The postseason brought a rematch with Neshaminy. CB West played the Redskins much closer the second time but came up just short, falling 28-21 in the opening round.
The Bucks finished 7-4, with three of their four losses coming by seven points or fewer. That experience should provide plenty of motivation for a veteran team entering 2026.
Offense: Veteran Skill Group Gives Bucks Plenty of Options
CB West returns significant experience on offense, starting with senior quarterback Josh George.
At 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, George returns behind center with an experienced collection of weapons around him. Having a senior quarterback leading a veteran offense gives the Bucks valuable continuity entering the season.
The backfield features one of the team’s most important two-way players in Nick Milleto. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior running back provides size and physicality and should be a major part of the CB West ground attack.
Senior fullback Owen Pudlo, at 6-foot and 180 pounds, gives the Bucks another experienced player in the backfield.
The passing game has plenty of experience as well.
Senior Louie Cipollo, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver, returns alongside 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior Mason Darrows. Both give George experienced targets on the outside.
Senior tight end Liam Laphen, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, adds another option in the passing game while also providing size at the point of attack.
Up front, the Bucks return senior center Jake Strannix, a 6-foot, 225-pound veteran, and senior offensive tackle Eli McGuire, who stands 6-foot-3.
CB West’s offensive philosophy isn’t expected to change. The Bucks will continue to emphasize blocking, execution and attention to detail. The goal is to handle the fundamentals up front and allow the skill-position players to be explosive at the second and third levels.
With George, Milleto, Cipollo, Darrows, Laphen and Pudlo returning, CB West has an experienced group capable of creating those explosive plays.
Defense: Bucks Will Focus on the TNTs
Experience carries over to the defensive side of the football, where CB West returns starters at all three levels.
The Bucks’ defensive approach starts with what the program calls the TNTs — “Things That Take No Talent.” That means alignment, assignment, communication, eyes and stance. From there, CB West wants to run to the football with purpose and be a fundamentally strong tackling team.
Milleto will be right in the middle of that effort.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior returns at middle linebacker and provides a physical presence in the heart of the defense.
On the outside, sophomore Shane McGuire, at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, returns after gaining valuable experience early in his varsity career. Senior Ryan Zadroga, a 6-foot-3 outside linebacker/defensive end, gives the Bucks additional size and versatility on the edge.
The defensive front also brings back senior Carter Lindenmuth, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound defensive tackle, along with Laphen, who will contribute at defensive end in addition to his offensive responsibilities at tight end.
The secondary is loaded with veteran two-way players.
Cipollo returns at free safety, while Darrows is back at cornerback. Their experience should help CB West communicate on the back end and limit explosive plays.
With returning starters across the defensive line, linebacker corps and secondary, the Bucks have the experience to build on a 2025 season in which they held four opponents to 14 points or fewer, including a shutout of Souderton.
Special Teams: Potential to Be a Major Strength
Special teams could be one of Central Bucks West’s biggest advantages in 2026.
Senior Jake Strannix returns as the team’s long snapper and gives the Bucks an experienced, All-State presence at the position.
CB West also returns senior Mason Darrows, giving the special teams unit another proven veteran.
With an All-State long snapper and one of the state’s top kickers, the coaching staff believes the third phase can be both dynamic and reliable.
That combination could become particularly important in close games. CB West played several one-score contests in 2025, making field position and the ability to turn scoring opportunities into points potentially critical throughout the upcoming season.
Players to Watch
Josh George, QB, Sr., 6’2″, 187: George returns to lead an experienced offense with plenty of veteran weapons. His leadership and execution will be important as the Bucks look to take advantage of their returning skill-position talent.
Nick Milleto, RB/MLB, Sr., 6’1″, 225: Milleto’s size and physical style should make him a major factor on both sides of the football. He will be counted on in the running game and as a leader in the middle of the defense.
Louie Cipollo, WR/FS, Sr., 6’1″, 190: Cipollo brings experience to both the passing game and secondary and should be one of the Bucks’ key two-way players.
Liam Laphen, TE/DE, Sr., 6’2″, 220: Laphen provides size, versatility and experience. He gives George a target at tight end while also contributing off the edge defensively.
Mason Darrows, WR/CB, Sr., 6’2″, 185: Darrows will have an opportunity to impact games in all three phases as a receiver, cornerback and special teams contributor.
Jake Strannix, C/LS, Sr., 6’0″, 225: Strannix will be an important piece of the offensive line at center and gives CB West an All-State long snapper on special teams.
Ryan Zadroga, OLB/DE, Sr., 6’3″: Zadroga’s size and versatility give the Bucks another weapon on the defensive edge.
Shane McGuire, OLB, Soph., 5’10”, 160: McGuire already has starting experience despite entering only his sophomore season. His development could give the defense another young playmaker to complement its veteran senior group.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
Central Bucks West will get its first test with an August 22 scrimmage against Whitehall before opening the regular season at home against Easton Area on August 28.
That opener provides an immediate opportunity for the Bucks to reverse one of last season’s results. Easton defeated CB West 26-20 in the 2025 opener.
The challenge continues on September 4 when CB West hosts Wilson West Lawn before traveling to Souderton Area on September 10. The Bucks shut out Souderton 13-0 last season.
Conference play gets underway on September 18 at Pennridge, followed by a home matchup against North Penn on September 25. North Penn handed the Bucks their most decisive loss of 2025, making that another important rematch.
October begins with consecutive road games. CB West visits Abington on October 2 and then travels to Central Bucks South on October 9. The Bucks defeated both teams last season, including a tight 25-21 victory over CB South.
One of the most anticipated games comes October 16 when Neshaminy visits CB West. Neshaminy was responsible for two of the Bucks’ four losses last season, defeating them 28-18 during the regular season and 28-21 in the District 1 playoffs.
CB West then travels to Pennsbury on October 23 before finishing the regular season at home against rival Central Bucks East on October 30.
The Bucks beat CB East 28-21 last season, and the rivalry matchup should once again provide a big finish to the regular season.
From Easton in Week 1 through CB East in the finale, there won’t be many opportunities for CB West to relax. The schedule is loaded with Class 6A competition and several rematches that should test the Bucks throughout the fall.
My thoughts on Central Bucks West:
Central Bucks West enters 2026 with something every coaching staff values — experience.
The Bucks return eight offensive starters listed by the team and seven defensive starters, with many of those players entering their senior seasons. Jeff Cappa is the lone player listed among the key starters lost, giving CB West considerable continuity from last year’s seven-win team.
Offensively, the pieces are in place. George returns at quarterback, Milleto gives the Bucks a physical option in the backfield, and Cipollo, Darrows and Laphen provide experienced targets. Strannix and McGuire give the offensive line returning veterans to build around.
Defensively, CB West has experience at every level. Milleto anchors the linebackers, Laphen, Zadroga and Lindenmuth provide experience around the front, and Cipollo and Darrows return in the secondary.
Special teams could be another difference-maker, especially with Strannix handling the long-snapping duties and the Bucks confident in their kicking game.
The formula for CB West isn’t complicated. Execute the details offensively, create opportunities for the skill players to make explosive plays, take care of the TNTs defensively, run to the football and tackle well.
Last year’s 7-4 season ended with a seven-point playoff loss. With so many starters back, the Bucks enter 2026 with an opportunity to build on that experience.
If CB West can turn last year’s close losses into victories, the Bucks could position themselves for another strong run through the Suburban One League National Conference and District 1 Class 6A.
Head Coach: Rob Rowan
Assistant Coaches:
Jim Gehringer
Bill Laphen
Dave Armstrong
Bruce Quedenfeld
Brian Hensel
Tom Rowan
Glenn Galeone
Adam Scholl
Chris McGuire
Toby Jerfferies
Chris Goldrick
James West
Joe Hallman
Sean Hall
John Donohoe
Fred MacConnell
Matt Heiple
Team Name: Central Bucks West Bucks
District: 1
Class: 6A
League: Suburban One League, National Conference
2025 Record: 7-4
8/22 @ Easton Area (6A) 7:00 pm L 20-26
8/29 Upper Dublin (5A) 7:00 pm W 24-7
9/05 @ Souderton Area (6A) 7:00 pm W 13-0
9/12 Abington* (6A) 7:00 pm W 43-15
9/19 Central Bucks South* (6A) 7:00 pm W 25-21
9/26 @ Neshaminy* (6A) 7:00 pm L 18-28
10/03 Pennsbury * (6A) 7:00 pm W 17-7
10/10 Pennridge* (6A) 7:00 pm W 28-14
10/17 @ North Penn* (6A) 7:00 pm L 13-31
10/24 @ Central Bucks East* (6A) 7:00 pm W 28-21
10/31 Neshaminy (6A) 7:00 pm L 21-28 Dist. 1 Class 6A 1st Round
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Whitehall (6A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 Easton Area (6A) 7:00 pm
9/04 Wilson West Lawn (6A) 7:00 pm
9/10 @ Souderton Area (6A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Pennridge* (6A) 7:00 pm
9/25 North Penn* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Abington* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Central Bucks South* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Neshaminy* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Pennsbury * (6A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Central Bucks East* (6A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Jeff Cappa
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. RB Nick Milleto 6’1 225
Sr. WR Louie Cipollo WR 6’1 190
Sr. TE Liam Laphen 6’2 220
Sr. WR Mason Darrows 6’2 185
SR. OT Eli McGuire 6’3
Sr. FB Owen Pudlo 6’ 180
Sr. C Jake Strannix 6’ 225
Sr. QB Josh George 6’2 187
Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr. MLB Nick Milleto 6’1 225
Sr. FS Louie Cipollo 6’1 190
Sr. DE Liam Laphen 6’2 220
Sr. CB Mason Darrows 6’2 185
Soph. OLB Shane McGuire 5’10 160
Sr. OLB/DE Ryan Zadroga 6’3
Sr. DT Carter Lindenmuth 5’11 205
Special Team Starters Returning:
Sr. LS Jake Strannix 6’ 225
Sr. Mason Darrows 6’2 185
Key Newcomers:
Braylen Cape
Micah Cole
Ashton Stass
Cullen Kinyon
Orin Schaffer
Davis Parisi
2026 Offensive Outlook: Offensively, it has always been and will always be about blocking and execution and allowing our skills guys to be explosive, winning on the second and third levels. We pride ourselves on the details and allowing our energy and effort to fuel our execution.
2026 Defensive Outlook: Defensively, we pride ourselves on the TNT’s. The things that take no talent: alignment, assignment, communication, eyes, and stance. Running to the football with purpose and being a great tackling team is always at the forefront of what we believe in.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: Having an all-state long snapper and one of the best kickers in the state allows your special teams to be a dynamic and reliable unit.