2017 Team Preview – Southern Lehigh Spartans (11)

Written by: David Mika on Tuesday, August 8th, 2017. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: John Toman

Assistant Coaches: Mike Feifel, Derek Bleiler, Adam Legath, Chuck Sonon, Curtis Reigle, Joe Cassidy, Brandon Dunne, Michael Faye, Chris Gordon, Steve Sroka, Patrick Ludlow, Zach Feifel

Team Name: Southern Lehigh Spartans

2016 Record: 9-3 (79-46, 12th season)

2017 Schedule:

Key Starters Lost: Timmy Walter (HB/CB), Zach Mohr (FB/LB), Zach Rudolph (OT/DL), Gary Popowitz (OL, DL), Logan Klutinoty (SE, FS), Logan Hontz (SE/CB), Caleb Martin (G, DE), Mikey Moyer (TE), Calvin Hurst (K), Caleb Goodman (T, DL)

Offensive Starters Returning: (4)

Sr. HB Luke Strauss (5’11, 195)
Sr. WR Eli Price (5’11, 175)
Sr. OT Brandon Derby (6’1, 250)
Jr. QB/S Logan Edmond (5’11, 175)

Defensive Starters Returning: (8)

Sr. DE Mike Sisselberger (5’9, 200)
Sr. DT Brandon Derby (6’1, 250)
Sr. LB Luke Strauss (5’11, 195)
Jr. LB Quinn Schmidt (6’1, 185)
Sr. LB Eli Price (5’11, 175)
Sr. DB Nathan Derby (5’7, 150)
Sr. DB B.J. Harding (6’0, 170)
Jr. DB Daulton Musselman (5’9, 150)

Special Team Starters Returning: (3)

Sr. P Dulton Musselman
Sr. KOR Luke Strauss
Sr. KOR B.J. Harding

Key Newcomers: (9)

Sr. OG/DL Townsend Colley (5’7, 195)
Sr. OG/DE Lucas Lebron (6’0, 200)
So. OT/DT Eric Vignom (6’0, 230)
So. C/DT Cole Moyer (5’11, 210)
So. OG/DT Riley Craft (5’11, 210)
So. RB/DB Cam Fisher (5’8 165)
Jr RB/LB Eli Fisher (5’10, 160)
Jr. FB/LB Alex Knecht (5’9, 160)
Jr. WR/DB Trey Trevis (5’9, 160)

Key Stats: RB Luke Strauss 153car – 1,532yds, 10.0 avg. 20TD
QB Logan Edmond 130-206, 1,693yds, 18TD, 6Int
WR Eli Price 18 rec, 308yds, 3TD

Minimum 9 team wins in each of the last four years and minimum 7 wins in each of the last 8 years.

2017 Offensive Outlook: We return our leading rusher in Luke Strauss and quarterback Logan Edmond. Eli Price will take over the pass catching duties at Wide Receiver. There are some big holes we have to fill at Fullback and on the offensive line. After losing five starters last season, Brandon Derby will anchor the line as a two-year returning starter, but the inexperience on the line is the biggest question. How well the young players adjust to their role as a starter will impact the success of the offense.

2017 Defensive Outlook: Defensively we return eight players who started last season should be a strength. Losing stalwarts in Gary Popowitz, Zach Rudolph, and leading tackler Zach Mohr will be tough to replace with not only their talent but their leadership. Brandon Derby and Mike Sisselberger will anchor the line. The linebacking corps of Strauss, Price, and Schmidt could prove to be a strength. In the secondary, we return two starting corners but we will be breaking in two new safeties. Overall, our team speed will need to compensate for the lack of experience early on.

2017 Special Teams Outlook: We will be looking to replace another talented and reliable kicker in Calvin Hurst. Dalton Musselman returns as the leading candidate to be the punter. Our return game will be a strength with Luke Strauss and B.J. Harding returning kicks.

 

Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball

---

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Δ