2020 Team Previews: Conestoga Valley Buckskins (3)

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 24th, 2020. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

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Head Coach: Gerad Novak

Assistant Coaches:
Bob Swift
Joel Buch
Aron Basile
Mike Querry
Ron Zeiber
Kurt Harnish
Tom Care
Clint Holcomb
Rick Periandi
Brian Gregg

Team Name: Conestoga Valley Buckskins

2019 Record: 2 – 8

Key Starters Lost:
#8 Bradley Stoltzfus 12 6′ 0″ 175 QB
#17 Derek Ulishney 12 5′ 10″ 170 WR OLB
#55 Josh Mathiot 12 6′ 3″ 250 C DT
#56 Brandon Camp 12 5′ 10″ 190 OT DE

Offensive Starters Returning: (8)
Booper Johnson 12 6′ 0″ 185 RB
Jaiyell Plowden 11 6′ 0″ 170 WR
Keaghan Sweigart 12 5′ 11″ 160 WR
Zach Fisher 12 6′ 1″ 175 WR
Kaden Martin 12 5′ 10″ 190 RB
Kyle McGallicher 11 5′ 9″ 260 C
Charles Janvrin 12 6′ 0″ 185 TE
Avery Tran 11 5′ 9″ 160 WR

Defensive Starters Returning: (5)
Jaiyell Plowden 11 6′ 0″ 170 C
Keaghan Sweigart 12 5′ 11 160 S
Zach Fisher 12 6′ 1″ 175 S
Kaden Martin 12 5′ 10″ 190 MLB
Charles Janvrin 12 6′ 0″ 185 OLB

Special Team Starters Returning: (3)
Jaiyell Plowden 11 6′ 0″ 170 Punt Ret. Kick Ret.
Nathan Heck 12 6′ 0″ 160 Kicker
Avery Tran 11 5′ 9″ 160 Punt Ret. Kick Ret.

Key Newcomers: (3)
Thomas Ripson 11 6′ 6″ 315 T DT
Carter May 11 6′ 1″ 240 T DT
Nick Tran 10 5′ 7″ 145 RB S

Key Stats: Receiving: #4 Z. Fisher 708 yds, 47 catches, 10 TDs, 0 Fum

2020 Offensive Outlook: We have several skilled players at the wide receiver and running back position who could make a huge difference in our record and success this season. We lost four of the five offensive linemen from 2019. So the big question will be whether or not our offensive line can mature as quickly enough to help the skilled players. Replace two-year starter, Bradley Stoltzfus, at QB will be a huge task. Sophomore QB Macoy Kneisley will take over gaining some experience last season as a freshman.

2020 Defensive Outlook: Defensively, we need to make a few more stops and get the defense off the field. Too often, we allowed our opponents to make a play big play that kept our offense off the field. The defense needs to create a few more turnovers, but more importantly, we need more three and outs. A few of the keys will be our pursuit to the ball and limiting yards after contact and making stops or big plays early in downs.

2020 Special Teams Outlook: We have the skilled guys to make big plays on special teams. The key will be to get all eleven guys to sell out every special team play during the season. Early success on special teams will give us the confidence needed to make a difference in the outcome of the game. Getting our younger players to believe they can get the job done.