York Catholic Returns Entire Starting Lineup With Eyes on Bigger Goals in 2026
York Catholic enters the 2026 season with one of the rarest advantages in high school football—continuity.
After finishing 6-5 in 2025, capturing the District III Class 1A championship and advancing to the PIAA Class A playoffs, the Fighting Irish return every offensive and defensive starter from last year’s championship squad. The experience gained during that postseason run has raised expectations throughout the program as head coach Brad Hayek and his staff prepare for another run at district and state success.
The Fighting Irish experienced an up-and-down regular season a year ago, but they found their stride when it mattered most. York Catholic closed the regular season with victories over Universal Audenried Charter and Delone Catholic before defeating Delone Catholic a second time to claim the District III Class 1A title. Although the season ended with a loss to Belmont Charter in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs, the experience should serve the program well entering 2026.
Graduation claimed only two key contributors, Jon Taveras and Chase Vermeulen, while nearly every player who contributed to last year’s championship returns.
That level of experience makes York Catholic one of the favorites in District 3 Class 2A.
Staub Ready to Take the Next Step
Sophomore quarterback Michael Staub enters his second varsity season with considerably more experience and confidence.
After gaining valuable playing time as a freshman, Staub now has an entire offseason of development behind him and returns surrounded by every major offensive contributor.
The coaching staff expects a significant jump in production from its young signal caller.
Staub possesses a strong understanding of the offense and now has the opportunity to become one of the top young quarterbacks in District 3.
Perhaps his greatest advantage is familiarity.
He already has game experience throwing to returning receivers Callahan Murphy, Alex Kipple and Maddox Gans while operating behind an experienced offensive line.
The Fighting Irish believe improved quarterback play can elevate an offense that already has continuity at every position.
Experienced Offensive Line Leads the Way
Championship football begins in the trenches, and York Catholic returns one of its most experienced offensive lines in recent memory.
Junior Reid Sinclair, already a four-year starter, anchors the unit after establishing himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in District 3.
Joining him are returning starters Christian Noll and Harry McGoldrick, while Noah Anderson and Don Constant provide additional experience and depth.
Very few Class 2A programs can match the continuity York Catholic enjoys along the offensive front.
The group understands the blocking schemes, communicates well and has spent multiple seasons playing together.
The coaching staff expects the offensive line to establish the physical identity of the football team.
If the Fighting Irish consistently control the line of scrimmage, the offense should become considerably more productive than it was a year ago.
Melhorn and Fitze Headline Running Game
Junior Sean Melhorn returns as the featured running back after gaining valuable varsity experience last season.
The coaching staff expects him to become one of the offensive leaders in 2026.
Joining him is fellow junior Cam Fitze, who provides another dependable option in the backfield.
Sophomore Guetchine Aristilde also returns to give the Fighting Irish additional depth and explosiveness.
Running behind an experienced offensive line should allow York Catholic to establish a balanced offensive attack.
The coaching staff wants greater offensive production from the ground game while controlling the tempo of games.
If Melhorn and Fitze consistently move the chains, the passing game should become even more dangerous.
Young Receiving Corps Has Upside
York Catholic’s receiving corps is filled with talented underclassmen ready to take the next step.
Sophomore Callahan Murphy headlines the group alongside classmates Alex Kipple and Maddox Gans.
All three receivers gained meaningful varsity experience last season and now enter the year with considerably greater confidence.
The coaching staff is looking for increased production from all three playmakers.
Murphy gives Staub a reliable target capable of making contested catches.
Kipple possesses the athleticism to create plays after the catch.
Gans continues to develop into another dependable receiving option while also contributing on special teams.
Together, they give York Catholic a promising young receiving corps with the potential to become one of the better groups in District 3 Class 2A.
Entire Offense Returns
Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding York Catholic is remarkably simple.
The entire offense returns.
That continuity provides an enormous advantage entering preseason camp.
There is no learning curve.
The players already understand the offensive system, terminology and expectations.
Instead of teaching fundamentals from the beginning, the coaching staff can focus on refining execution and expanding the playbook.
The offense wants more production from Staub, Melhorn and the receiving corps while continuing to dominate at the line of scrimmage.
If those improvements materialize, the Fighting Irish should field one of their most balanced offenses in recent years.
Entire Defense Returns With Higher Expectations
Just as impressive as the offensive continuity is what returns defensively.
Every defensive starter from last season is back.
That experience gives Defensive Coordinator Matt Sentz tremendous flexibility entering the season.
The Fighting Irish expect to become more productive and more disruptive after a full year playing together.
Communication should improve.
Assignments should become second nature.
The defense understands exactly what is expected every snap.
That familiarity often translates directly into better football.
York Catholic believes this side of the ball can become the team’s greatest strength.
Front Seven Ready to Apply Pressure
The Fighting Irish expect the front seven to set the tone defensively.
Junior linebacker Cam Fitze, junior defensive lineman Reid Sinclair, junior linebacker Noah Anderson and sophomore defensive lineman Don Constant headline a physical group capable of controlling games.
The coaching staff believes creating pressure on opposing offenses will be the key to defensive improvement.
Winning the battle at the line of scrimmage allows the linebackers to play downhill and creates opportunities for turnovers.
York Catholic wants to become a more aggressive defensive team this season.
The experience returning throughout the front seven should make that possible.
Youthful Secondary Already Battle-Tested
Despite featuring several sophomores, York Catholic’s secondary is anything but inexperienced.
Staub returns at defensive back alongside Murphy, Kipple and Gans after all four gained extensive varsity experience last season.
Melhorn also returns to anchor the defensive backfield.
The unit should benefit tremendously from another offseason together.
Communication and chemistry often determine success in the secondary, and York Catholic enters the season with plenty of both.
The Fighting Irish believe their returning experience will allow them to play faster and create more turnovers.
If the pass rush consistently pressures opposing quarterbacks, the secondary has the talent to capitalize.
Special Teams Could Become Major Advantage
York Catholic returns every key contributor on special teams.
Senior Steve Kury is back to handle kicking duties after another dependable season.
Sophomore Callahan Murphy returns as the punter, while sophomore Maddox Gans resumes his role as long snapper.
Sophomore Alex Kipple provides explosiveness in the return game.
The coaching staff has placed considerable emphasis on special teams throughout the offseason.
Gans even spent a summer weekend at Notre Dame working with specialist coaches, gaining valuable instruction while performing well during the camp.
The continued development of Murphy as a punter and Kipple as a return specialist gives York Catholic confidence that special teams can become a difference-maker in close games.
Players to Watch
Michael Staub, So., QB/DB: Young quarterback expected to take a major step forward in his second varsity season.
Sean Melhorn, Jr., RB/DB: Dynamic two-way playmaker who will lead the rushing attack and secondary.
Cam Fitze, Jr., RB/LB: Physical runner and linebacker expected to become one of the defensive leaders.
Reid Sinclair, Jr., OL/DL: Four-year starting lineman who anchors both the offensive and defensive fronts.
Noah Anderson, Jr., OL/LB: Experienced two-way contributor who will play a key role in the front seven.
Christian Noll, So., C/DL: Returning starter expected to continue leading the interior offensive line.
Harry McGoldrick, So., OL/DL: Versatile lineman returning after gaining valuable experience as a freshman.
Callahan Murphy, So., WR/DE/P: Athletic playmaker expected to contribute on offense, defense and special teams.
Alex Kipple, So., WR/DB/Returner: Explosive athlete capable of impacting the game as both a receiver and return specialist.
Maddox Gans, So., WR/DB/Long Snapper: Versatile contributor who continues to develop into one of the team’s top specialists.
Steve Kury, Sr., K: Veteran kicker whose experience provides stability on special teams.
My thoughts on York Catholic
Few teams in Pennsylvania enter the 2026 season with the continuity York Catholic possesses.
Returning every offensive and defensive starter from a district championship team provides a tremendous foundation for success.
The Fighting Irish have experience at quarterback, depth in the backfield, a veteran offensive line and an athletic receiving corps.
Defensively, every key contributor returns, giving the coaching staff confidence that the unit can become significantly more productive.
Special teams also appear poised to become a strength with experienced specialists returning across the board.
The biggest challenge for York Catholic will be turning continuity into consistency.
If Staub continues his development, the offensive line controls the line of scrimmage and the defense creates more pressure and turnovers, the Fighting Irish have all the ingredients necessary to improve on last year’s 6-5 record.
With an experienced roster, championship confidence and virtually every key contributor back, York Catholic enters 2026 as a legitimate contender to defend its district championship and make an even deeper run in the state playoffs.
Head Coach: Brad Hayek
Assistant Coaches:
Matt Sentz
Tom Gans
Devin Cox
Kevin Murphy
Chris Johnson
Adam Sentz
Ben Moir
Team Name: York Catholic Fighting Irish
District: 3
Class: 2A
League: South Central Athletic Conference – Division 3
2025 Record: 6-5 District III 1A Champions
8/22 @ Tri-Valley (1A) 7:00 pm L 14-50
8/29 Biglerville (3A) 7:00 pm W 15-14
9/12 Littlestown (3A) 7:00 pm W 30-22
9/19 @ Hanover (3) (4A) 7:00 pm L 7-21
9/26 York County School of Technology (6A) 7:00 pm W 32-14
10/03 @ Biglerville (3A) 7:00 pm L 0-35
10/10 Bermudian Springs (3A) 7:00 pm L 14-35
10/18 Universal Audenried Charter (2A) 2:00 pm W 14-0
10/24 Delone Catholic (1A) 7:00 pm W 19-10
11/07 Delone Catholic (1A) 7:00 pm W 33-25 Dist. 3 Class A Championship @ Hanover
11/15 Belmont Charter School (1A) 1:00 pm L 20-36 PIAA Class A 1st Round @ York Catholic
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Northeastern (5A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Susquenita (3A) 7:00 pm
9/04 Camp Hill (2A) 7:00 pm
9/11 Lancaster Catholic (2A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Littlestown* (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Hanover (3)* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/03 @ York County School of Technology* (6A) 10:00 am
10/09 Biglerville* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Big Spring* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 James Buchanan* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Delone Catholic* (1A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Jon Taveras
Chase Vermeulen
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sean Melhorn, RB, 2027
Cam Fitze, RB, 2027
Reid Sinclair, OL 2027
Noah Anderson, OL 2027
Michael Staub, QB, 2028
Callahan Murphy, WR, 2028
Christian Noll, CENTER, 2028
Harry McGoldrick, OL, 2028
Alex Kipple, WR, 2028
Maddox Gans, WR, 2028
Guetchine Aristilde, RB, 2028
Don Constant, OL, 2028
Defensive Starters Returning:
Sean Melhorn, DB 2027
Cam Fitze, LB, 2027
Reid Sinclair, DL 2027
Noah Anderson, LB 2027
Michael Staub, DB, 2028
Callahan Murphy, DE, 2028
Christian Noll, DL, 2028
Harry McGoldrick, DL, 2028
Alex Kipple, DB, 2028
Maddox Gans, DB, 2028
Guetchine Aristilde, LB, 2028
Don Constant, DL, 2028
Special Team Starters Returning:
Maddox Gans, Long Snapper, 2028
Callahan Murphy, Punter, 2028
Steve Kury, KICKER, 2027
Alex Kipple, Return, 2028
2026 Offensive Outlook: The entire offense returns from last season. The Fighting Irish are looking for some more offensive production from Michael Staub, QB as well as Sean Melhorn, RB and WR’s Callahan Murphy, Alex Kipple and Maddox Gans. The offensive line is anchored by 4 year starter Reid Sinclair, Christian Noel and Harry McGoldrick
2026 Defensive Outlook: The entire defense returns from last season. York Catholic is looking to improve from your 6-5 season last year with being more productive on the defensive side. The Irish are expecting key players like Cam Fitze, Reid Sinclair, Noah Anderson and Don Constant to have a huge part in putting pressure in opponent’s offenses.
2026 Special Teams Outlook: Steve Kury returns for his Senior season to continue handling the kicking duties. Maddox Gans and Callahan Murphy have spend most of the summer working on their long snapping (Gans) and punting (Murphy)duties along with Punt and Kickoff Returner Alex Kipple. Gans spent a weekend over the summer at Notre Dame working with their specialist performing very well while he was at their camp.