Team # 6 Lewisburg (4) 0-0
Written by: Josh Funk on Sunday, August 28th, 2011. Follow Josh Funk on Twitter.
Head coach Todd Tilford has breathed some fire into the Green Dragons’ program, and the results have shown, with two consecutive seasons of 10+ wins and a District 4 AA championship last season, the first in Lewisburg’s history. The run didn’t stop there, as Lewisburg finished 14-1 and gave eventual PIAA AA champion West Catholic a run for its money in the state semifinals..
While several quality pieces return from last year’s edition, one notable two-way threat, junior tight end/linebacker Brandon Smith, will not be among them. Unfortunately, a source familiar with Lewisburg reports Smith had offseason back surgery and will be lost for the entire season. Smith had recorded 188 tackles and six sacks on defense and caught 10 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns on offense as a sophomore. With the return of quarterback Camden Cassels (77-of-132, 1,162 yds, 11 TD), fullback Merle Moscarello (174 rush, 1,390 yds, 10 TD) and offensive linemen Nick Cozza, Austin Steen and Josie Hendricks, Lewisburg should provide a nice nucleus to build around.
Defensively, key returnees include Jared Laino (55 tackles, 4 INT, 16 PD); Mark Hall (47 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD); Cozza (108 tackles, 4 PD, 4 FF); Pat Ostrowsky (69 tackles, 2 FR); Hendricks (37 tackles); and Steen (16 tackles, sack) from a unit which allowed an average of 12.8 points per game, holding nine of 15 opponents to 14 points or less, with two shutouts.
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August 29th, 2011 at 9:15 am
*If West Catholic has anywhere near the talent of last years team, no Heartland AA team will beat them to be state champion. WC is AA with AAAA size and speed.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Time will tell, but I think coaching helps Lewisburg’s chances, despite graduation anjury loses, Tilford has a deep roster. Bloom, on the other hand, has a veteran QB, but will have many other spots to fill all over. Southern should be tough if they can get the right combo in the backfield and Mt Carmel is a place with too much tradition to count out…my order of finish for these four Heartland teams: 1. Southern, 2. Lewisburg, 3. Bloom, 4. Mt Carmel
But it is really too early to know and one or two upsets is all it would take to change everything. I do know one thing tho, if West Catholic has anything near…
August 29th, 2011 at 2:52 am
It’s borderline comical that Lewisburg gets listed and Bloomsburg does not.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
remember, this is a small school team and this ranking is eastern pa not the entire state. I think as of now they are right where they need to be. Losing Brown and Lopes to graduation and Smith for the season due to back surgery is going to hurt them. If they have receivers to fill the void and another quality running back to step in I think they have a shot at the AA district crown again. I know ppl are all over Mt. Carmel this year and I think they play Lewisburg in week 2 so that will be an early matchup to see where the two teams are early in the season.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Really questioning this decision. Not cause I’m from mifflinburg but it’s the simple fact that grant it they have some returners but there are better valley teams out there. (southern columbia, possibly shikellamy, and others). But I guess will have to wait an see.