Special teams once again provided some of the biggest plays in Pennsylvania high school football, with long kickoff and punt returns, clutch field goals and strong performances in the punting and kicking games.
Penn Manor’s Jalen Dupree nearly went the length of the field with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, while Neshaminy’s Brock Williams produced an 81-yard punt-return score.
Mount Carmel Area’s Josh Miller also put his name in the school record book. Miller recorded five touchbacks, giving him 17 for the season and establishing a new Mount Carmel Area record.
Dupree Goes 99 Yards to the House
Penn Manor’s Jalen Dupree led the reported kickoff-return touchdowns with a 99-yard return.
Cedar Crest’s Kai Speaks wasn’t far behind, taking a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
Pequea Valley’s Jadon Sheroka and Chester’s Sa’Mhad Williams each scored on 90-yard kickoff returns.
Hempfield’s Koen German went 83 yards for a touchdown, while Northeast’s Amear Miller had a 77-yard return.
Reading’s Daron Wilkins scored on a 72-yard kickoff return, Blue Mountain’s Chase Guers and Donegal’s Leelan Baughman each went 70 yards, Dunmore’s Josef Wolff returned one 69 yards and Vaux’s Sudais Brown added a 68-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Williams Breaks Loose for 81-Yard Punt Return
Neshaminy’s Brock Williams led the punt-return category with an 81-yard touchdown.
Upper Moreland’s Kyle Moore provided another huge special teams play with a 71-yard punt return for a score.
Mount Carmel Area’s Cooper Karycki went 57 yards for a touchdown, while Springfield-Delco’s Mike Neville scored on a 56-yard return.
Reading’s Daron Wilkins added a 54-yard punt-return touchdown to his 72-yard kickoff-return score, giving him touchdowns on two different types of returns.
Central Bucks East’s Mike Price returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown, while Cardinal O’Hara’s Simon Horta scored on a 38-yard return.
Charvet Connects Twice
Downingtown West’s Keagan Charvet was the only reported kicker to make multiple field goals, connecting from 39 and 38 yards.
Valley View’s Braden Loff had the week’s longest reported field goal at 46 yards.
Pocono Mountain East’s Lucas Angst was right behind him with a 45-yarder.
Tri-Valley’s Nathan Hillard and Lancaster Catholic’s Simon Wickenheiser each connected from 42 yards, while Wallenpaupack’s Colby Bonagura made a 40-yard field goal.
Charvet followed with his kicks from 39 and 38 yards.
Warwick’s Evan Hartel and Cedar Crest’s Gabe Kaighn each connected from 37 yards. Upper Perkiomen’s Brody Lash and Bethlehem Freedom’s Nathan Stannard each made 36-yard field goals.
East Pennsboro’s Calvin Hunsicker, West Perry’s Drew Brandt, Gettysburg’s Max Rawlings, Whitehall’s Nick Milley and Ridley’s Tim Calamita each connected from 34 yards.
Parkland’s Andrea Giroudon and Manheim Township’s Rowan Crispeno hit from 33 yards, while Abington Heights’ Jack Hartshorn and Dallastown’s Oliver Baldwin made 32-yard field goals.
St. Joseph’s Prep’s Colin Stoner and La Salle College’s Jackson Laufler rounded out the group with 30-yard field goals.
Smith and Toole Perfect Eight Times
Northwestern Lehigh’s Grayson Smith and Dunmore’s Russell Toole led the reported PAT totals.
Both kickers converted eight extra points.
Those numbers reflected productive offensive nights for their teams while providing consistent production after touchdowns.
Bowers Leads the Punters
Minersville’s Jordan Bowers led all reported punters with a 43.7-yard average.
Bonner-Prendie’s Cole Romano averaged 42.7 yards on three punts with a long of 48, while Archbishop Wood’s Trevor Homnick averaged 42.3 yards on three punts with a long of 45.
Shenandoah Valley’s Sam Mentusky averaged 42.0 yards.
Penn Manor’s Connor Smeigh and Warrior Run’s Logan Stevenson each averaged 40.0 yards.
Conwell-Egan’s Shane Laffrety averaged 38.0 yards on three punts with a long of 46, while Pennridge’s Austin Keller averaged 37.8 yards on five attempts with a long of 40.
Neshaminy’s Stephen Buczek averaged 37.0 yards on four punts.
Neumann-Goretti’s Luke Rachubinski averaged 36.2 yards on six punts and boomed a long of 56 yards.
Father Judge’s Jacob Midgett averaged 35.1 yards on eight punts with a long of 48, while Jersey Shore’s Carter Rhinehart averaged 35.0 yards on four punts.
Miller Sets Mount Carmel Area Record
Mount Carmel Area’s Josh Miller reached a program milestone with another strong performance on kickoffs.
Miller recorded five touchbacks, increasing his season total to 17 and setting a new Mount Carmel Area record.
Central Bucks East’s Cole Wojnicki and Lehighton’s Sawyer Hoffman led the week’s reported totals with six touchbacks each.
Parkland’s Giroudon, Central York’s Brady Burt, Miller, Strath Haven’s Matt Styer and Shenandoah Valley’s Mentusky each recorded five.
Pennridge’s Keller, Valley View’s Loff, Dallas’ Brandon Miller and Schuylkill Valley’s Reece Wamsher each had four touchbacks.
Penn Manor’s Austin Noll and Downingtown West’s Keagan Charvet each recorded three.
From Dupree’s 99-yard kickoff return to Williams’ 81-yard punt return, special teams provided game-changing plays throughout the week.
Wilkins made an impact in both return games with kickoff and punt-return touchdowns, Charvet connected on a pair of field goals, Bowers led the punting performances and Mount Carmel Area’s Miller established a new program record with his 17th touchback of the season.
It was another week that showed special teams can do much more than change field position — they can change games.