2026 Team Preview: Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils (11)

Veteran Group Ready to Take a Big Step Forward

After enduring a winless 2025 season, the Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils enter 2026 believing last year’s growing pains can turn into this year’s progress.

Head coach Dave Bench has one major reason for optimism: experience.

The Blue Devils return nearly their entire starting lineup, including quarterback Ethan Bench, running back Mike Elchisak, receivers Gene Sinkus and Todd Seiger, leading tackler David Burrous, and highly regarded kicker/punter Sam Mentusky.

Shenandoah Valley finished 0-10 last fall, but the record doesn’t tell the entire story. The Blue Devils came within two points of Pine Grove and one point of Mahanoy Area, while a young roster gained valuable varsity experience throughout the season.

Now, with another offseason of development and considerably more depth, Shenandoah Valley expects to take a significant step forward in 2026.

Looking Back at 2025

The Blue Devils struggled to find wins last season, but there were signs of progress.

Shenandoah Valley nearly broke through against Pine Grove in Week 5, falling 28-26. A week later, the Blue Devils battled Nativity BVM in a 14-6 loss.

Their most impressive offensive performance came in the season finale against Mahanoy Area. Shenandoah Valley scored a season-high 43 points, only to fall 44-43.

Those close losses showed how narrow the difference can be between a winless season and one with several victories.

More importantly, many of the players responsible for last year’s production are back.

The Blue Devils lost only two key starters—offensive linemen Dakota Delaura and Zek Reyes—giving Bench one of the more experienced rosters he’s had entering a season.

Bench Returns to Direct the Offense

Junior Ethan Bench returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while also adding a rushing score.

At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Bench gives Shenandoah Valley excellent size at the position. More importantly, he enters 2026 surrounded by experienced weapons.

That continuity could allow the Blue Devils to expand their offense and become much more balanced.

Bench won’t have to rely on one player to move the football. Shenandoah Valley has experienced running backs, multiple proven receivers and additional young players expected to provide depth.

The goal is to force defenses to defend the entire field.

Elchisak Headlines the Running Game

Senior Mike Elchisak gives the Blue Devils an established option in the backfield.

The 6-foot, 200-pound running back carried 119 times for 685 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He also showed his ability as a receiver, catching five passes for 108 yards and another touchdown.

Senior Joel Nunez, 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds, gives Shenandoah Valley another experienced runner.

Having Elchisak and Nunez available should help the Blue Devils establish the physical running game they want while preventing opposing defenses from focusing solely on Bench and the passing attack.

Senior athlete Jonnuel Reyes provides another option who can be utilized in different ways.

Sinkus and Seiger Provide Big-Play Ability

Shenandoah Valley has two proven receivers capable of stretching defenses.

Junior Gene Sinkus caught 21 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns last season, averaging more than 19 yards per reception.

Senior Todd Seiger was even more explosive on his opportunities, catching seven passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns—nearly 38 yards per reception.

Those numbers give the Blue Devils legitimate vertical threats.

Senior tight end David Burrous, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, adds size to the receiving corps, while Mentusky could become another intriguing target. The 6-foot-6 senior kicker/punter is expected to receive snaps at wide receiver this season.

If Bench gets time in the pocket, Shenandoah Valley should have considerably more ways to attack defenses.

Offensive Line Could Take a Step Forward

The offensive line will be important to unlocking that potential.

Junior guard Aiden Longo, a 6-foot, 280-pounder, returns along with sophomore center Chris Redanauer, who checks in at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds.

The Blue Devils also expect newcomers Brayan and Carlos to provide additional size and strength up front.

Improvement along the line could have a major impact on the entire offense.

If Shenandoah Valley can protect Bench while creating running lanes for Elchisak and Nunez, the Blue Devils have enough skill-position talent to become much more difficult to defend.

Experienced Defense Looking for More Pressure

Shenandoah Valley returns an even larger group defensively, with 11 players listed as returning starters.

The Blue Devils’ offseason emphasis has been on becoming stronger at the line of scrimmage and generating more pressure.

Bench and his staff plan to move some players around and incorporate different blitz packages with the goal of creating more negative plays and getting opponents off the field.

The increased depth could also allow several players to concentrate primarily on defense rather than carrying significant responsibilities on both sides of the football.

For a Class 2A program, that could prove valuable late in games.

Burrous Leads the Defense

Senior linebacker David Burrous returns after leading Shenandoah Valley with 87 tackles, including seven tackles for loss. He also forced three fumbles.

He’ll be surrounded by several other productive linebackers.

Sophomore Dylan Getz recorded 71 tackles, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble as a freshman.

Redanauer added 67 tackles and four tackles for loss, giving the Blue Devils another young defender with substantial varsity experience.

Elchisak was also highly productive defensively, registering 70 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

That’s four returning defenders who combined for 295 tackles last season.

With that experience returning to the middle of the defense, Shenandoah Valley has reason to expect significant improvement.

More Size and Depth Up Front

Creating disruption at the line of scrimmage is one of Shenandoah Valley’s biggest defensive priorities.

Longo gives the Blue Devils a 280-pound presence at defensive tackle, while Elchisak returns at defensive end.

The coaching staff believes increased strength and depth will allow Shenandoah Valley to generate more pressure than it did last season.

That could make a major difference for a secondary that returns Seiger, Nunez, Reyes, Sinkus and sophomore Albany Gonzalez.

Junior linebacker Xavier Hernandez also returns, adding another experienced option to the front seven.

The philosophy is straightforward: pressure the quarterback, be aggressive with blitz packages and create more three-and-out possessions.

Mentusky Could Be a Major Weapon

One of Shenandoah Valley’s most intriguing players isn’t a quarterback, running back or linebacker.

It’s senior kicker/punter Sam Mentusky.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Mentusky is regarded by the program as a five-star kicker with Division I leg strength.

Health will be the biggest difference in 2026.

Mentusky missed most of last season, limiting what could have been one of Shenandoah Valley’s biggest advantages. With Mentusky healthy, the Blue Devils believe their scoring range expands considerably.

Drives that stall outside the red zone may still produce points, and his leg strength on kickoffs and punts can help Shenandoah Valley control field position.

He is also expected to get opportunities at wide receiver, giving the Blue Devils another big target offensively.

Players to Watch

Ethan Bench, Jr., QB — The 6-foot-5, 210-pound quarterback returns after throwing for 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns. With nearly all of his weapons returning, he has an opportunity for a breakout season.

Mike Elchisak, Sr., RB/DE — A key two-way contributor who rushed for 685 yards and seven touchdowns while recording 70 tackles defensively.

David Burrous, Sr., TE/LB — The leader of the defense after producing 87 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles last season.

Gene Sinkus, Jr., WR/DB — Shenandoah Valley’s leading returning receiver after catching 21 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns.

Todd Seiger, Sr., WR/DB — A dangerous big-play threat who turned seven receptions into 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Dylan Getz, So., LB — Already recorded 71 tackles, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble as a freshman. His development gives the Blue Devils another player to build around defensively.

Chris Redanauer, So., C/LB — Another young player with extensive experience after registering 67 tackles and four tackles for loss.

Aiden Longo, Jr., OG/DT — At 6-foot, 280 pounds, Longo will be important to Shenandoah Valley’s goal of becoming more physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Sam Mentusky, Sr., K/P/WR — His powerful leg could completely change Shenandoah Valley’s approach to field position and scoring opportunities.

2026 Schedule Provides Early Opportunities

The Blue Devils begin with an August 22 three-team scrimmage at Minersville with Nativity BVM before opening the regular season August 29 at Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.

Shenandoah Valley then travels to Pine Grove on September 4. That game will be particularly interesting after Pine Grove escaped with a 28-26 victory last season.

The Blue Devils host Panther Valley before opening league play against Tri-Valley.

The heart of the schedule features Marian Catholic, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven, Nativity BVM and Williams Valley.

Shenandoah Valley closes the regular season October 30 at Mahanoy Area—the same opponent that edged the Blue Devils 44-43 in last year’s finale.

My thoughts on Shenandoah Valley:

Few teams enter 2026 with a clearer opportunity to improve their record than Shenandoah Valley.

The Blue Devils aren’t trying to rebuild with an entirely new roster. They’re trying to turn experience into results.

Bench returns at quarterback. Elchisak and Nunez give the offense veteran running backs. Sinkus and Seiger provide proven big-play receivers. The offensive line has more size, and Mentusky gives the special teams unit a potentially significant weapon.

Defensively, Shenandoah Valley brings back a group that accumulated a tremendous amount of experience in 2025. Burrous, Elchisak, Getz and Redanauer all return after producing at least 67 tackles apiece.

The biggest question is whether all that returning experience can translate into finishing games.

Last year’s 0-10 record included losses by two points to Pine Grove, eight points to Nativity BVM and one point to Mahanoy Area. Turning even a few of those close games around would dramatically change the outlook.

The Blue Devils believe they’re better equipped to do that now.

With almost an entire lineup returning, improved depth and a roster that has already experienced the difficulties of varsity football, 2026 represents an opportunity for Shenandoah Valley to turn last year’s growing pains into a major step forward.