Conrad Weiser Looks to Blend Veteran Leadership With Young Talent in 2026
Conrad Weiser enters the 2026 season looking to regain the momentum it built during the opening month of last year.
The Scouts started 2025 with four consecutive victories, defeating Abington, ELCO, Lebanon and Fleetwood. A difficult Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 schedule followed, however, and Conrad Weiser dropped its final six games to finish 4-6.
Head coach Alan Moyer now faces the challenge of replacing a large graduating class while developing a younger roster around an experienced quarterback and several returning linemen.
Staying healthy and maturing quickly will be essential as the Scouts prepare for another demanding schedule.
Sellars Returns at Quarterback
Senior Connor Sellars returns to lead the Conrad Weiser offense.
Having an experienced quarterback should provide stability for a unit replacing most of its skill-position production. Sellars’ familiarity with the system will be important as younger receivers and running backs adjust to expanded varsity roles.
The Scouts will need Sellars to provide leadership, protect the football and help the offense stay composed against a schedule filled with larger Class 5A opponents.
With several returning linemen in front of him, Conrad Weiser should have a solid foundation from which to rebuild its offensive attack.
Returning Linemen Provide Experience
The offensive line should be one of the Scouts’ most experienced position groups.
Senior linemen Ryan Kase and Westin Ulrich return alongside junior Lincoln Harting. That continuity will be critical for a team replacing numerous offensive contributors.
The Scouts must replace Kaiden Leonard, Owen Kerns, Brayden Sweitzer, Joe DePrince, Javien Rivera, Chase Colon, Nate Gilfert, Cody Sayers, Eugene Booth and Martian Basmajian.
With so many experienced players gone, the offensive line will be asked to set the tone while younger skill players gain confidence.
Harting is also expected to contribute at defensive end, making him an important two-way player.
Reinard and Giffing Bring Physicality
Senior fullback Ethan Reinard returns as a physical presence in the backfield.
Reinard should play an important role as a runner, blocker and leader. His ability to contribute between the tackles could help Conrad Weiser establish a dependable rushing attack and take pressure off Sellars.
Senior tight end Robbie Giffing also returns. His blocking and receiving ability gives the Scouts another veteran option in an otherwise inexperienced group of skill players.
Conrad Weiser’s offensive success may depend on how quickly new receivers and backs develop around Sellars, Reinard and Giffing.
The coaching staff expects early-season growth to be especially important.
Young Defense Must Play Fast
Conrad Weiser’s defense will feature several new starters.
The Scouts want the unit to play fast and confidently despite its lack of varsity experience. Communication, pursuit and tackling will be critical as young defenders adjust to the speed of varsity football.
The defense returns players at all three levels, but depth and consistency will need to develop during preseason camp and the opening weeks of the season.
A difficult schedule will test the group quickly, making preparation and discipline especially important.
Reinard and Wilkins Lead the Linebackers
Reinard returns at linebacker and should be one of the defensive leaders.
Senior outside linebacker Donte Wilkins also returns, giving the Scouts experience on the second level.
Their leadership will be valuable as younger linebackers compete for playing time. Conrad Weiser will need the unit to be active against the run, tackle well in space and help organize the defense.
The linebackers will also benefit if the defensive front can create penetration and keep blockers from reaching the second level.
Harting and Zerbe Anchor the Front
Harting returns at defensive end, while senior Austin Zerbe is back along the defensive line.
They will be asked to help replace several graduated linemen and establish a more consistent presence at the line of scrimmage.
Conrad Weiser struggled at times against physical rushing attacks last season, making improvement up front a major priority.
Harting’s continued development could be especially important. As a junior with starting experience on both sides of the football, he has the opportunity to become one of the Scouts’ most valuable players.
Kupper Leads the Secondary and Return Game
Junior safety Kole Kupper returns as one of Conrad Weiser’s top athletes.
Kupper will be expected to provide leadership in a young secondary while helping limit explosive plays. His experience at safety should make him an important communicator on the back end.
He also returns as the Scouts’ primary kickoff and punt returner.
Kupper’s ability to create favorable field position could become a major asset for an offense replacing many of its playmakers.
Special Teams Could Provide a Spark
Kupper gives Conrad Weiser a proven return option.
The Scouts will look for him to create momentum through punt and kickoff returns while helping the offense begin drives with better field position.
The remaining specialist roles will need to be settled during the offseason and preseason.
Strong special teams play could be especially valuable for a young roster facing several closely matched opponents.
Players to Watch
Connor Sellars, Sr., QB: Returning quarterback whose experience and leadership will be central to the offense.
Ethan Reinard, Sr., FB/LB: Physical two-way player expected to lead the rushing attack and linebacker unit.
Lincoln Harting, Jr., OL/DE: Returning two-way lineman with the potential to become a major presence on both fronts.
Kole Kupper, Jr., S/KR: Experienced defensive back and dangerous kickoff and punt returner.
Donte Wilkins, Sr., OLB: Veteran linebacker who will help guide a young defense.
Robbie Giffing, Sr., TE: Returning tight end who provides experience as a blocker and receiver.
Ryan Kase, Sr., OL: Veteran lineman expected to help anchor the offensive front.
Westin Ulrich, Sr., OL: Returning starter who will play an important role in establishing the running game and protecting Sellars.
My thoughts on Conrad Weiser
Conrad Weiser enters 2026 with a clear mix of strengths and questions.
The Scouts return an experienced quarterback and several offensive linemen, which should provide stability while younger skill players develop. Reinard and Giffing give the offense physical, veteran options, while Kupper offers playmaking ability on defense and special teams.
The biggest concern is experience.
Conrad Weiser must replace a large group of starters and will rely heavily on younger players, particularly on defense. Those players will need to mature quickly against another challenging Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 schedule.
Health will also be critical because several returning veterans are expected to contribute on both sides of the football.
If the Scouts stay healthy, receive steady play from Sellars and develop their younger defenders early, they have an opportunity to become more competitive as the season progresses and work their way back into the District 3 Class 4A playoff picture.
Head Coach: Alan Moyer
Assistant Coaches:
Dan Browne
Dan Dierolf
Nick Schoener
Ernie Woolf
Ryan Knarr
Nate Luckenbill
Tony Dianna
Nate Fehr
Tyler Browne
Joe Carey
Brandon Naviero
Team Name: Conrad Weiser Scouts
District: 3
Class: 4A
League: Lancaster-Lebanon League, Section 4
2025 Record: 4-6
8/22 @ Abington (6A) 7:00 pm W 29-22
8/28 ELCO (4A) 7:00 pm W 28-14
9/05 Lebanon (6A) 7:00 pm W 28-6
9/12 Fleetwood* (5A) 7:00 pm W 26-23
9/19 @ Manheim Central* (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-20
9/26 @ Solanco* (5A) 7:00 pm L 20-62
10/03 Garden Spot* (5A) 7:00 pm L 10-17
10/10 @ Warwick* (5A) 7:00 pm L 0-20
10/17 Cocalico* (5A) 7:00 pm L 17-27
10/24 @ Unionville (5A) 7:00 pm L 14-49
2026 Schedule
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Berks Catholic (3A) 11:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 Schuylkill Valley (3A) 7:00 pm
9/03 Milton Hershey (5A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Eastern York (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 ELCO* (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Octorara Area* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Northern Lebanon* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Donegal* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Wyomissing Area* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Lampeter-Strasburg* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Daniel Boone* (4A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Kaiden Leonard
Owen Kerns
Brayden Sweitzer
Joe DePrince
Javien Rivera
Chase Colon
Nate Gilfert
Cody Sayers
Eugene Booth
Martian Basmajian
Offensive Starters Returning:
SR, QB, Connor Sellars
Sr, TE, Robbie Giffing
Jr, OL, Lincoln Harting
SR, FB, Ethan Reinard
Sr, OL, Ryan Kase
SR, OL Westin Ulrich
Defensive Starters Returning:
Jr, Safety, Kole Kupper
Sr, OLB, Donte Wilkins
SR, LB, Ethan Reinard
Jr, DE, Lincoln Harting
SR, DL, Austin Zerbe
Special Team Starters Returning:
JR, KR, Kole Kupper
Key Newcomers:
TE/DE Payson Mortland, Jr
LB, Brennon Bond, Soph
LB Braten Maldet, Soph
WR, Elijah Morales, Soph
WR Cam Colon, Soph, DB, Kellen Stoy
2026 Offensive Outlook: Keys are staying healthy, some Returning OL and QB returns. Replacing most of the skill players on offense. Keys will be maturing early. Tough Schedule again this season.
2026 Defensive Outlook: Keys will be playing fast. Will be playing a lot of young inexperienced players on Defense.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: Kole Kupper returns as a punt/Kickoff Return players.