2023 Team Preview: Cedar Cliff Colts

Written by: David Mika on Saturday, August 5th, 2023. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Colin Gillen

Assistant Coaches:
Tim Froelich
Mike Spagnuolo
Nick McMillen
Chandler Heiple
Cory Rowe
Tom Sacoman
Randy Yeager
Scott Weyant
Evan Shiley
Geoff Boblick
Zach Dawson

Team Name: Cedar Cliff Colts

2022 Record: 7-4

District: 3

Class: AAAAA

League: Mid-Penn Conference, Keystone Division

Key Starters lost:
Sr OT Lucas Andrezeski, 6-4, 270
Sr CB/WR Ethan Dorrell, 6-0, 165
Sr FB Parker Tarnoci, 6-2, 225
Sr DE Daniel Schraeder, 6-4, 215
Sr LB Kellen Gombola, 5-11, 205
Sr K/P Derek Witmer, 5-11, 190

Offensive Starters Returning:
Jr QB Bennett Secrest 6-0, 190
Sr RB Michael Jones 6-2. 205
Jr FB Kade Finkboner 5-10, 205
Sr WR Nathan Lusk 6-1, 190
Sr WR Alex Kohr 5-9, 170
Sr OL Josh Garcia 5-11, 250
Sr OL Cooper Hambright 5-11, 220
Sr OL Guner Hiller 6-3, 285
Sr OL Bo Hiller 5-10, 260
Sr OL Matthew Eisenhower 6-1, 230

Defensive Starters Returning:
Jr DL Hezikyah Latini 6-5, 320
Jr DL Guner Hiller 6-3, 285
Sr LB Evan Ziegler, 5-9, 170
Sr LB Nathan Lusk, 6-1, 190
Sr LB Michael Jones 6-2, 205
Sr FS Taeon Abraham 6-1, 180
Sr CB Elijah Wilbourn 5-11, 175
Sr CB Julius Tirado 6-0, 160

Special Team Starters Returning:
None

Key Newcomers:
So WR/FS Owen Anastasi 6-0, 170
So TE/DE Ai’Rell Dickey 6-3, 180
So WR/DB Isaiah Jones 6-0, 165
So TE/LB Will Kocher 6-2, 215
So OL/DL Josh Gillen 6-1, 245
Fr TE/DE Blake Secrest 6-2, 225

2022 Returning Player Stats:
Offense:
Jr QB Bennett Secrest 6-0, 190: 1,281 Passing yards, 116.5 Yd/Game, 17 Passing TDs, 6 rushing TDs
Sr RB Michael Jones 6-2. 205: 109 Att 502 Yd 4 Td, 14 Rec 198 Yd 3 Td
Sr WR Nathan Lusk 6-1, 190: 37 Rec 458 Yd 6 Td, 634 All Purpose Yards
Sr WR Alex Kohr 5-9, 170: 13 Rec 116 Yd 2 Td

Defense:
Jr DL Hezikyah Latini 6-5, 320: 10 solo tackles 24 assisted tackles, 5.5 TFL
Jr DL Guner Hiller 6-3, 285: 16 Tackles, 3 TFL
Sr LB Evan Ziegler, 5-9, 170: 43 Tackles, 15.5 TFL, 1 Int
Sr LB Nathan Lusk, 6-1, 190: 71 Tackles (36 Solo), 6 TFL, 5 Pass Deflections, 1 INT, 1 FF
Sr LB Michael Jones 6-2, 205: 48 Tackles 1 Sack 3 TFL 3 PD
Sr FS Taeon Abraham 6-1, 180: 18 Tackles, 3 Int
Sr CB Elijah Wilbourn 5-11, 175: 23 Tackles, 2 Int
Sr CB Julius Tirado 6-0, 160: 20 Tackles, 3 Int

2023 Outlook:

Offense: The Colts will return a ton of production on the offensive side in 2023 including leading wideout Nathan Lusk and running back Mikey Jones. Cedar Cliff will also return their starting quarterback Bennett Secrest along with four of five offensive linemen including Guner Hiller, Cooper Hambright, Matthew Eisenhower, Bo Hiller and Josh Garcia. The offense will look to remain balanced and threaten defenses with the run and pass.

Defense: Cedar Cliff will return most of their defensive unit from a solid group last season. The defensive line will be anchored by juniors Hezikyah Latini and Guner Hiller. The linebacking core will be seasoned veterans Mikey Jones, Nathan Lusk, and Evan Ziegler. The secondary will feature returning starters Elijah Wilbourn, Julius Tirado, and Taeon Abraham. The Colts will have excellent team speed defensively and are excited to see this team cause problems for opposing offenses.

Special Team: The Colts will lose elite kicker and punter Derek Witmer to graduation. Carter Enders and Jacob Palache will share the kicking duties. Both have strong accurate legs but are short on game experience. The punting duties will be taken over by Evan Ziegler who has shown great potential in spring workouts.

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